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DHS/USCIS RIN: 1615-AC00 Publication ID: Spring 2015 
Title: Enhancing Opportunities for H-1B1, CW-1, and E-3 Nonimmigrants and EB-1 Immigrants 
Abstract:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is updating the regulations to include nonimmigrant high-skilled specialty occupation professionals from Chile and Singapore (H-1B1) and from Australia (E-3) in the list of classes of aliens authorized for employment incident to status with a specific employer, to clarify that H-1B1 and principal E-3 nonimmigrants are allowed to work without having to separately apply to DHS for employment authorization. DHS is also amending the regulations to provide authorization for continued employment with the same employer if the employer has timely filed for an extension of the nonimmigrant's stay. DHS is also providing for this same continued work authorization for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)-Only Transitional Worker (CW-1) nonimmigrants if a Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker, Form I–129CW, is timely filed to apply for an extension of stay. In addition, DHS is updating the regulations describing the filing procedures for extensions of stay and change of status requests to include the principal E-3 and H-1B1 nonimmigrant classifications. These changes harmonize the regulations for E-3, H-1B1, and CW-1 nonimmigrant classifications with existing regulations for other, similarly situated nonimmigrant classifications. Finally, DHS is expanding the current list of evidentiary criteria for employment-based first preference (EB-1) outstanding professors and researchers to allow the submission of evidence comparable to the other forms of evidence already listed in the regulations. This harmonizes the regulations for EB-1 outstanding professors and researchers with other employment-based immigrant categories that already allow for submission of comparable evidence. DHS is amending the regulations to benefit these high-skilled workers and CW-1 transitional workers by removing unnecessary hurdles that place such workers at a disadvantage when compared to similarly situated workers in other visa classifications.

 
Agency: Department of Homeland Security(DHS)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 8 CFR 204.5(i)(3)(ii)-(iv)    8 CFR 214.1(c)(1)    8 CFR 248.3(a)    8 CFR 274a.12(b)(9), (b)(20), (b)(23)-(25)    8 CFR part 2     (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)
Legal Authority: 8 U.S.C. 1101    8 U.S.C. 1103    8 U.S.C. 1151    8 U.S.C. 1153    8 U.S.C. 1154    8 U.S.C. 1182    8 U.S.C. 1184    8 U.S.C. 1186a    8 U.S.C. 1255    8 U.S.C. 1641    8 U.S.C. 1187    8 U.S.C. 1221    8 U.S.C. 1281    8 U.S.C. 1282    8 U.S.C. 1301-1305 and 1372    Pub. L.104-208, sec 643    Pub. L. 106-386    Compacts of Free Association with the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Marshall Islands, and with the Government of Palau, sec 141    48 U.S.C. 1901 note and 1931 note    Pub. L. 110-229    8 U.S.C. 1258    8 U.S.C. 1324a    48 U.S.C. 1806    8 U.S.C. 1102   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  05/12/2014  79 FR 26870   
NPRM Comment Period End  07/11/2014 
Final Action  01/00/2016 
Additional Information: Includes Retrospective Review under Executive Order 13563.
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: Businesses, Organizations  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes 
International Impacts: This regulatory action will be likely to have international trade and investment effects, or otherwise be of international interest.
RIN Information URL: www.regulations.gov   Public Comment URL: www.regulations.gov  
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Lori S. MacKenzie
Division Chief, Operations Policy & Stakeholder Communications, Immigrant Investor Program
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
131 M Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20529-2200
Phone:202 357-9214
Email: lori.s.mackenzie@uscis.dhs.gov