USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
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State Department Announces that Ink Signature No Longer Required on Affidavits of Support
As part of our ongoing efforts to be responsive to customer needs in immigrant visa processing, the Department of State is pleased to announce that original or “wet ink” signatures are no longer required on submitted Forms I-864, Affidavit of Support. This also applies to the I-864A, I-864W, and I-864EZ.
Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday), 1 December 2016
Immigration Law
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 1 December 2016:
FAQ: New I-140 EAD regulations -- Extending H-1 after I-140 revocation, retaining priority dates under new regulations, per country limits, EAD under the new regulations; effective date of new regulations; Visa cancelled CWOP, 214(b) denial; FAQ: Implications of joining an end client where H-1B employer objects, H-1B employer not paying salary - DOL Wage and Hour Division Complaint WH-4; AC21 green card portability, "same or similar" job under old/new regulations, working on 1099 as contractor; Frequency of visits and duration of stay on tourist/visitors/B-1/B-2 visa; Foreign Medical Graduates, Physicians, H-1B for part time jobs, concurrent cap and cap exempt H-1B employment.
Other: Consular processing green card through future employer; Can one start H-1B job before the requested start date? Court orders for migration of child by divorced parent; H-2B extension, denial, 240-day rule; Volunteering on F-1 OPT; Aging out; Name errors on green card; Humanitarian parole, H-1B change of status, etc.
AAO Processing Times as of December 1, 2016
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Case Type |
Time |
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Agency
Immigration Law
Visa Bulletin - January 2017
Agency
Green Card
USCIS Announces Citizenship Resource Center Improved for Mobile Devices
Beginning December 12, the free citizenship preparation and study materials in USCIS’ Citizenship Resource Center will be easier to use from a smartphone, tablet or other mobile device. Among the improvements, the new design puts key navigational links inside a single “hamburger” icon like that found on many other mobile sites. This redesign follows the launch of mobile friendly design on other parts of uscis.gov and uscis.gov/es earlier this year.
USCIS Announces Extension of Parole for Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens
To allow immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and certain “stateless” individuals to maintain legal status in the CNMI, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has extended the parole program for these relatives, effective immediately, until December 31, 2018.
To apply for extension of this parole, you must:
What is new regulations for H-1 grace period, revocation of I-140 ?
Question details
My I 140 is approved in 2013 and H1-B 5 year and 3 months are completed.
I have important question , after 17 Jan 2016 , my any chance I loose my job and my employer revoke my H1-B and I 140.
1. Will I get some time to find new job and new employee to transfer my H1-B ?
2. after my employer revoke my H1-B what is time line I can still transfer my H1-B visa with new employer?
Government will sympathetically consider unexpected layoffs and should give you consideration up to 60 days each H-1 period. So one 60 day period let say you have taken and then changed your employer another 60 day period kind of like that and there is little more to it but each time there is new validity to H-1 . You will be able to get 60 more days.
FAQ Transcript
Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
USCIS Publishes Interim Rule on T Nonimmigrant Status
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is amending its regulations governing the requirements and procedures for victims of human trafficking who seek T nonimmigrant status. DHS is also streamlining procedures, responding to public comments, and providing guidance on the statutory requirements for T nonimmigrants in order to ensure that the T nonimmigrant status (T visa) regulations are up to date and reflect USCIS’ adjudicative experience.
H-2B Returning Worker Program Expired
The H-2B returning worker provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-113) expired on Sept.
USCIS Fee Changes Take Effect Dec. 23
USCIS reminds applicants and petitioners to pay new fees with forms postmarked or filed on or after Dec. 23, 2016, or USCIS will not be able to accept the filings. USCIS will only accept previous fees if they are postmarked Dec. 22 or earlier.
Guestbook Entry for S.C., United States
Name
S.C.
Country
United States
State
FL
Guestbook Entry for Suresh, United States
Name
Suresh
Country
United States
State
NJ
Comment
I got my passport stamped last week to complete the GC processing. I am thankful to Mr. Khanna and his cooperative team for all the effort they put in for my case. I am impressed by the attention to the case provided by the entire team and also the backup measures that were taken to ensure speedy success. Overall it was a very pleasent experience. I had chosen Mr. Khanna over my company's lawyer and I feel it was a wise decision. My Labor Certification papers were filed in May 99 and the Center was VSC.
Guestbook Entry for Paresh Randeria, United States
Name
Paresh Randeria
Country
United States
State
MD
Comment
I got my GC approval on July 11 after a Interview at LOCAL INS Baltimore. Thanks to Rajiv and his team. I do not want to mention any of the staff members name as all the staff was prompt (Very important to me) and were extremely helpful. I really appreciate them answering all my questions patiently throughout the case. Like most of Desis, I was also asking same questions again and again in different ways but his staff were always patiently answer all my questions politely. I always got replies to all my (Phone/Email/Fax) inquiry within 24 hours. Rajiv also gave me his Cell Phone number on the day I was going for Interview which gave me feeling that he is with me for the Interview.
Guestbook Entry for Deepak Bapna, United States
Name
Deepak Bapna
Country
United States
State
AR
Comment
Hi, I got my GC approval on June 20th (filed mid Aug 99 at TSC). Kudos to Rajiv and his team, esp. Diane who handled my case. Both Rajiv and Diane were extremely helpful. I really appreciate them answering all my questions patiently throughout the case. Esp. email exchanges with both of them works great. I got replies to all my emails within 24 hours. At one point (March/April) after filing I-485, I was thinking about doing counsular processing. Rajiv asked Fidelina to check on status and suggested that we wait for a few more months. We did that and got GC. Bottomline, everyone at Rajiv's office has been very helpful. I recommend his office anytime. Thanks Deepak
AAO Processing Times as of December 1, 2016
This link below shows the average amount of time it takes to receive a decision in a particular type of case after the case file is received by the AAO. Processing times are directly related to the volume of cases received.
http://www.immigration.com/processing-times-status-checks/aao-processin…
Change of Status to H-4 - effect on priority date; maternity leave on H-1
Question details
1. Planning to transfer from H1B to H4, I-140 approved with Jan2015 priority date. Can I keep the priority date after I change to H4? Intend to come back to H1 after few months. 2. Currently I'm 7 months pregnant and I work for a consulting company (employer) on H1B visa, Can I take maternity leave on H1B? If yes, for how long? will it be a paid or unpaid leave? If not do I need to convert status from H1B to H4? If yes, can I change it back to H1B and work again or need to apply for a fresh visa?
Here is an interesting question, if I am on H-1 and I convert to H-4, does that kill or affect my priority date ? Answer is no. If you were on H-1 and you had filed a Green Card, you got a priority date and I-140 was approved now you changed to H-4 that does not kill your priority date. That's not the problem.
And the second part of the question was can I take maternity leave on H-1?
FAQ Transcript
Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
Iam thankful for the excellent work done by Mr.Rajiv Khanna and his colleagues Ms.Amel Berhe and Ms.Nimia Aranibar which enabled me to obtain the G.C. Keep up the good work guys.