USCIS Expands Premium Processing for Green Card Applicants

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will soon implement the next phase of its expanded premium processing program, which has been rolled out over the past several months. Beginning January 30, 2023, newly filed and currently pending I-140 immigrant petitions in the EB-1 (multinational manager and executive) and EB-21 (advanced degree professionals or National Interest Waiver) categories will be eligible to request expedited (premium) processing.  Premium processing costs an additional $2,500 and guarantees a response from USCIS within 45 days.

Later this year, USCIS intends to offer premium processing for F-1 students applying for employment authorization cards and certain student/exchange visitor applicants who seek to change or extend their status. We will provide updates on the premium processing program as more information becomes available.

DOS Introduces New Private Sponsorship Program to Aid Refugee Resettlement

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced a new program known as the “Welcome Corps” to allow private citizens to assist with refugee resettlement in the United States. Previously, designated nonprofits have been responsible for helping refugees settle in the U.S., including finding housing and work, enrolling in school and English classes, and accessing medical care and other essential services. Under the new program, which resembles models that have been successfully used in other countries, including Canada, groups of five or more people will collectively sponsor a refugee family. Sponsorship entails raising money to finance the refugees’ resettlement and providing logistical and practical support for their first 90 days in their new communities.

For more information or to become a private sponsor, please visit: https://welcomecorps.org/