Immigration and Citizenship Community News January 2025
January 13, 2025
Welcome back Comets,
As we enter the new year, the Office of Immigrant and Citizenship Services (OICS) is committed to keeping you informed about important immigration updates. Below, we highlight recent changes and developments from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that may be relevant to you.
- Strengthening the H-1B Program
A new rule by DHS allows employers to expedite the hiring process for critical positions under the H-1B program. This change improves the program’s efficiency, helping U.S. employers address labor shortages in key industries more quickly.
More Info: H-1B Program Updates
- H-2 Program Enhancements
DHS has finalized changes to strengthen the H-2A and H-2B visa programs, which allow U.S. companies to fill temporary jobs with foreign workers. Key updates include:
- Improved worker protections to prevent exploitation.
- Streamlined processes for employers, ensuring quicker hiring timelines.
These changes aim to balance the needs of U.S. employers with fair treatment for foreign workers.
More Info: DHS Final Rule on H-2 Programs
- Updated Guidance for International Entrepreneurs
USCIS has issued updated evidence requirements for applicants under the International Entrepreneur Rule. Entrepreneurs must now provide:
- Clear documentation of substantial ownership in a start-up.
- Evidence of the start-up’s potential for significant growth or job creation.
This program enables qualified individuals to establish businesses in the U.S.
More Info: International Entrepreneur Rule Updates
- Extended Automatic Employment Authorization
The automatic extension period for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for certain categories has been permanently increased from 180 days to 540 days. This provides additional work authorization stability for eligible individuals awaiting EAD renewal processing. The final rule will become effective on January 13, 2025, and will apply to eligible applicants with timely filed renewal EAD applications pending or filed on or after May 4, 2022.
More Info: EAD Extension Updates
- Revised Form I-485
USCIS has updated the Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. The recent version must be used for all applications starting April 2025. Review the revised form carefully to ensure compliance when filing.
More Info: Revised Form I-485 Announcement
- Immigration Medical Examination Submission Requirements
USCIS now mandates that the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693) be submitted at the time of filing Form I-485. This helps streamline the adjudication process and reduces delays.
More Info: Updated Medical Exam Submission Guidelines
- Understand how you can protect your personal information.
The UTD Directory is a repository of information on students, faculty, staff, and guests with UTD accounts. The directory includes information including your name, local address, email address, telephone number, place of birth, and more. Students who wish to ensure their directory information is not shared with outside sources may complete a FERPA – Request for Confidentiality. Instructions for completing a confidentiality request can be found on the Electronic Forms and Other Resources page. Current students may log in to Galaxy and their Orion Self-Service to request confidentiality on their account.
- Meet USCIS address reporting requirements.
All noncitizens in the United States must report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days (except A and G visa holders and visa waiver visitors) of moving. USCIS strongly encourages you to submit your change of address through a USCIS online account. You also may submit a paper Form AR-11 by mail to report your change your address. You can find detailed information about how to change an address, including special instructions for specific populations, on the How to Change Your Address page. Please note that changing your address with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will not change your address with USCIS.
OICS is here for you.
We encourage you to review these updates carefully and contact OICS if you have questions about how these changes may affect your status or plans. You can schedule an appointment with an OICS advisor or send a message through your iComet Portal, for nonimmigrant categories.
Find us on the web!
Immigration and Citizenship webpage and archive of news found at – https://oics.utdallas.edu/newsletter/
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Warm regards,
Office of Immigrant and Citizenship Services (OICS)
The University of Texas at Dallashttps://oics.utdallas.edu/immigration-advising/