On January 8, 2013, the Department published a notice in the Federal Register establishing new 2013 prevailing wage rates for certain occupations processed under H-2A special procedures, including for sheepherding/goatherding and open range production of livestock occupations which became effective immediately. See, 78 FR 1260 (Jan. 8, 2013). The Department is hereby updating prevailing wage rates for these occupations that must be offered and paid in certain states effective as of January 8, 2013.

The Department of Labor has posted new FAQs for the H-2A program. Topics include signatures, job preferences, and fees. These FAQs are available here.

USCIS will conduct system maintenance on Thursday, Feb. 7, 11 p.m. to Friday, Feb. 8, 5 a.m. EST.
During this time, the following on-line tools will be unavailable:

• Check My Case Status
• Sign-Up for Case Status
• Check Processing Times
• Change of Address Online
• Civil Surgeon Locator
• e-Request
• Office Locator

For immediate change of address needs during the outage, we suggest you submit the form manually.

AAO Processing times as of February 1, 2013.

USCIS has launched a new Form Improvements Initiative Web page which explains the types of improvements in the initiative, introduces recently published and upcoming forms, and links to each form’s landing Web page. You’ll also find information related to form improvement initiatives, including enhanced Web content (i.e., posting filing addresses and detailed fee information on form landing pages) and filing reminders.

USCIS published improved forms in easier-to-use formats and with new data collection technologies:

New fee allows USCIS to recover the costs of processing immigrant visas after individuals receive their visa packages from the Department of State abroad

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 20 (Wednesday, January 30, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6263-6269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01555]

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

22 CFR Part 62

[Public Notice 8163]

RIN 1400-AD28

Exchange Visitor Program--Fees and Charges

AGENCY: U.S. Department of State.

ACTION: Proposed rule with request for comment.