Lev Kobrin
03-10-2005, 07:46 AM
USCIS continues to surprise; says H-1B petitions open to all “qualified” aliensMarch 08, 2005
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today issued another announcement that it is currently preparing regulations for the implementation of the Omnibus Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2005. Pursuant to an exemption established under this Act, USCIS will be able to process additional petitions for H-1B workers for FY 2005. The available petitions for FY 2005 will be applied to all qualified H-1B nonimmigrant aliens, and will not be limited to those individuals holding a master's degree or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher learning.
USCIS previously reported that the applicable provisions of the H-1B Visa Reform Act become effective on March 9, 2005. The announcement also clarifies that the correct effective date is March 8, 2005.
However, USCIS has again advised employers not to file H-1B petitions seeking approval for workers who may benefit from these provisions until USCIS publishes a rule concerning the Visa Reform Act and related issues. USCIS will reject any new H-1B petition that is received prior to the filing date set forth in the regulations.
The press release says that complete information, including the exact date and address for filing, will be published in the Federal Register as soon as possible. However, employers also should be aware that the filing date announced in the regulation may occur shortly after publication of the regulation. Employers should monitor the Federal Register and color=#0000ff www.uscis.gov (http://www.uscis.gov/) and prepare their filings accordingly.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today issued another announcement that it is currently preparing regulations for the implementation of the Omnibus Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2005. Pursuant to an exemption established under this Act, USCIS will be able to process additional petitions for H-1B workers for FY 2005. The available petitions for FY 2005 will be applied to all qualified H-1B nonimmigrant aliens, and will not be limited to those individuals holding a master's degree or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher learning.
USCIS previously reported that the applicable provisions of the H-1B Visa Reform Act become effective on March 9, 2005. The announcement also clarifies that the correct effective date is March 8, 2005.
However, USCIS has again advised employers not to file H-1B petitions seeking approval for workers who may benefit from these provisions until USCIS publishes a rule concerning the Visa Reform Act and related issues. USCIS will reject any new H-1B petition that is received prior to the filing date set forth in the regulations.
The press release says that complete information, including the exact date and address for filing, will be published in the Federal Register as soon as possible. However, employers also should be aware that the filing date announced in the regulation may occur shortly after publication of the regulation. Employers should monitor the Federal Register and color=#0000ff www.uscis.gov (http://www.uscis.gov/) and prepare their filings accordingly.