What is an Automatic EAD Extension? For years, USCIS allowed certain non-citizens - H-4, L-2, E-spouses, asylum seekers, TPS holders, etc., to keep working past their EAD expiration if they’d filed a renewal on time. Originally, the automatic extension period was up to 180 days.Later, it was stretched to 540 days to deal with backlogs. This gave people some breathing room, while USCIS worked...
On September 19, President Trump signed a Presidential Proclamation titled “Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers.” Here are the key pieces: A $100,000 payment requirement for certain H‑1B petitions: If someone is outside the U.S. and wants to enter under H‑1B status, the employer must include (or supplement) the petition with a $100,000 fee. Without that, the petition can be...
If you’ve been relying on the Dropbox (Interview Waiver) option to renew your U.S. visa, there’s big news you need to know. Starting September 2, 2025, the rules are changing—big time. What’s Changing? Up until now, many visa holders (H-1B, L-1, F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, etc.) could renew their visas without sitting through a consular interview, as long as they met the Dropbox...
Didn’t Get Selected in the H-1B Lottery?Here’s What You Can Do Next If you weren’t selected in this year’s H-1B lottery, you’re not alone — and more importantly, your U.S. immigration journey doesn’t end here. While it’s natural to feel disappointed, there are still several alternative visa options that could align with your background and goals. Here’s a breakdown of practical pathways you can...