USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Form I-539 and New Form I-539A
USCIS has revised Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status and will publish the revised form on the website on March 11, 2019. Starting on March 11, 2019, USCIS will only accept the revised Form I-539 with an edition date of 02/04/19. USCIS will reject any Form I-539 with an edition date of 12/23/16 or earlier that is received by USCIS after March 8.
USCIS Updates Fee Payment System Used in Field Offices
Changes will increase transaction security and reduce processing errors
WASHINGTON—On Feb. 25, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) expanded the fee payment system used in field offices to 16 additional offices:
New Online Tools Reduce Wait Times for Callers
The USCIS Contact Center is currently experiencing higher than normal wait times for callers to speak to a representative. While the center is working to resolve this, the center encourages you to use the online tools.
The self-service applicant tools could save you a phone call or a trip to one of the offices. These helpful resources include:
PERM Processing Times (as of 1/31/2019)
PERM Processing Times (as of 1/31/2019)
Green Card
Immigration Law
H-2B Cap Reached for FY 2019
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received enough petitions to meet the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2019. Feb. 19, 2019, was the final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date before Oct. 1, 2019. USCIS will reject new cap-subject H-2B petitions received after Feb. 19 that request an employment start date before Oct. 1, 2019.
Visa Bulletin - March 2019
Agency
Green Card
February 21, 2019 Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 21 February 2019:
FAQ: H-1B Employer deducting money from salary || Getting a second job after green card approval || Filing employment based green card while living outside USA ||
Other: Converting pending cases to H-1B premium processing/H-4 EAD || I-485 EAD Advance Parole|| Filing N-470 || Getting H-1B extensions based on of I-140 approval of spouse || Three days out of status between H-1B approvals || H-1B remedy for non payment of wages due to government shutdown || Going from cap exempt H-1B to cap H-1B || Traveling on H-1B visa of previous employer||Filing employment based green card while living outside USA.
USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for H-1B Petitions Filed on or before Dec. 21, 2018
USCIS will resume premium processing on Tuesday, Feb. 19, for all H-1B petitions filed on or before Dec. 21, 2018. If you received a transfer notice for a pending H-1B petition, and you are requesting premium processing service, you must submit the premium processing request to the service center now handling the petition. You should also include a copy of the transfer notice with your premium processing request to avoid possible delays associated with the receipt of your premium processing request.
USCIS Strengthens Guidance on Spousal Petitions Involving Minors
uidance Clarifies Agency Requirements for Petition
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it is publishing guidance for its officers to consider when adjudicating spousal petitions involving minors.