State Dept. Update on Biometric Signature and Affirmation of DS-160 NIV Application
DOS published a cable on biometric signature and affirmation of the DS-160 NIV Application.
Latest News
State Dept. Publishes Schedule Of Fees For Consular Services
[Federal Register: June 28, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 123)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 36522-36535]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28jn10-5]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
22 CFR Parts 22 and 51
[Public Notice: 7068]
RIN 1400-AC58
New Schedule of Consular Fees to Take Effect on July 13, 2010
Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC
June 28, 2010
On June 28, 2010, the U.S. Department of State published its Schedule of Fees for Consular Services in the Federal Register. The schedule includes fees for passports, immigrant visas and other consular services. The changes will take effect on July 13, 2010, 15 days after publication in the Federal Register. The revised fees will cover actual operating expenses for the 301 overseas consular posts, 23 domestic passport agencies and other centers that provide these consular services to U.S. and foreign citizens.
DOL Updates – 06/30/10
Prevailing Wage and FIFO (First-in, first-out order)
All wage requests are being processed in less than 60 days. First-in, first-out order (FIFO) is being used. Requests for H-1B/PERM are processed in FIFO order as there is only one queue. The goal in the end is to process all wage requests continues to be 60 days.
Department of Homeland Security Privacy Impact Assessment on E-Verify
USCIS issued a PIA on E-Verify conducted in order to better assist the public in understanding this program. Previously, USCIS addressed the E-Verify program as part of the Verification Information System (VIS) PIA.
USCIS Memo Authorizes VSC to Approve an Application to Extend/Change of U Nonimmigrant Status for Derivative Family Member
This Policy Memorandum (PM) authorizes the Vermont Service Center (VSC) to approve an Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (Form 1-539) to extend U nonimmigrant status for a derivative family member whose initial period of stay is less than four years.
CIS Ombudsman Updates for Unused Family-Based Visas
During FY 2009 and FY 2010, usage of family-based visas has been exceptionally low, especially among spouses and children of green card holders (the F-2A preference category). In FY 2009, approximately 10,000 family-based visas were unused and, by statute, were reallocated for use by employment-based immigrants in FY 2010.
Deadline Approaches for Haitian TPS
Please check the attachment.
USCIS Annual Report on "Characteristics of Specialty Occupation Workers (H-1B) for FY 2009"
USCIS Annual Report on Characteristics of Specialty Occupation Workers (H-1B) for Fiscal Year 2009 to Congress. The report includes information on countries of origin and occupations of, education levels attained by, and compensation paid to H-1B beneficiaries.
Please check the attached document.
USCIS Guide to InfoPass
InfoPass is a free service that lets you schedule an appointment with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Immigration Officer by using the Internet at any time of day or night. If you have an immigration issue that is best handled by a trained USCIS Immigration Officer, InfoPass will let you schedule your appointment instead of requesting it in person at your local USCIS office.