PERM Processing Times (as of 08/31/2018)
As of September 4, 2018, USCIS transferred some of the following cases from the Vermont Service Center to the Potomac Service Center and the Nebraska Service Center:
For more information, see Workload Transfer Updates page.
On Sep. 10, USCIS changed the filing location for Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. This form was previously filed at the California and Vermont service centers. Now, petitioners must send Form I-751 to a USCIS Lockbox facility. However, the California, Nebraska, Vermont, and Texas service centers will be the adjudicating offices. When filing at a Lockbox facility, petitioners have the option to pay the fee with a money order, personal check, cashier’s check, or credit card.
Visa Bulletin For October 2018
Number 22
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
Sept 13 Conference Call, Topics of Discussion
Travelling outside the US when H1 is pending, but already have a valid H1 and stamping, SEP-11-2018 USCIS PREMIUM STOPPAGE / NO MORE RFE'S ON OR AFTER SEP-11-2018
On Sept. 6, 2018, the CIS Ombudsman (CISOMB)1 held a stakeholder teleconference to discuss the USCIS “Issuance of Certain RFEs and NOIDs” policy memorandum (PM) that was issued on July 13, 2018. USCIS representatives provided an overview of the memorandum and addressed many questions submitted in advance by the CISOMB. The updated policy went into effect on September 11, 2018. Below is the link of the summary of the PM and the advance questions and answers from the teleconference.
USCIS Case Status Online09/13/2018 12:00 AM EDTAgency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: USCIS Case Status OnlineMedical Certification for Disability Exception09/13/2018 12:00 AM EDTAgency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Medical Certification for Disability Exception
Effective immediately, USCIS will begin accepting copies of negative consultation letters directly from labor unions relating to a current or future O nonimmigrant visa petition request. O-1 and O-2 nonimmigrant visas are available to individuals with extraordinary ability in science, education, business, athletics, or the arts, and individuals with extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry, and certain essential support personnel. A consultation letter from a U.S.
WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced the agency will celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, observed on Sept. 17, with over 260 naturalization ceremonies across the country from Sept. 14 to 23 as part of this year’s celebration of Constitution Week.
USCIS is sending text and email messages between Sept. 17 and Sept. 20, 2018, about filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card online. If you are a lawful permanent resident and your Green Card has expired or is about to expire, or if you need to replace it for another reason, you may file Form I-90 online. Go to the Form I-90 page on the USCIS website to begin your online application process.
USCIS has published a revised version of Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, with an edition date of 09/17/18. This revised version removes the geographic requirement for sending an original notice to a U.S. address for attorneys and representatives that had been added to the 05/05/16 and 05/23/18 versions of the form.
USCIS is proposing to revise our Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, to remove the receipt of means-tested benefits from the eligibility criteria. A means-tested benefit is a public benefit where eligibility for the benefit, the amount of the benefit, or both, is based on an individual’s income level. Eligibility for these benefits can vary from state to state, depending on the state’s income level guidelines.
F-1 students who have an H-1B petition that remains pending on Oct. 1, 2018, risk accruing unlawful presence if they continue to work on or after Oct. 1 (unless otherwise authorized to continue employment), as their “cap-gap” work authorization is only valid through Sept. 30.
| DATE | Chart for all Employment - Based I-485 Pending Inventory |
| July, 2018 |
| Form Type | Case Type | Completed 0-180 Days | Quarterly Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative total of all completions |
84.0% |
1,352 |
|
| I-129CW | Petition for CNMI Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker |
100.0% |
1 |
| I-129F | Petition for Fiancée |
88.6% |
USCIS recently updated the following forms:
Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions
09/25/2024 12:11 PM EDT
Edition Date: 09/25/24. Starting Jan. 6, 2025, USCIS will accept only the 09/25/24 edition. Until then, you can also use the 08/19/22 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Form I-407, Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status
09/25/2024 10:40 AM EDT
My I-485 was pending for 9 months (concurrent filing), and I worked all these years (4 years) with my sponsoring employer. My I-140 was approved 4 months ago, and I received EAD and AP as well. At the end of 8 months, I resigned from my employer to take advantage of AC21 (moving to a similar position) and was on notice period. My new employer was ready to file I-485J when asked by USCIS. During my last working week with my sponsoring employer, my 485 got approved, and I received my GC. Can you please advise on what kind of documentation I need to get from my new employer to help with any future naturalization process since I can't file I-485J as my case has been approved?
To ensure compliance and maintain proper documentation, I recommend gathering your proof of employment with the sponsoring employer when your green card was approved. It's important to request written confirmation from your new employer showing they were prepared to file Supplement J before your transition. Keep any prepared Form I-485 Supplement J documentation, even if it wasn't filed due to the timing of your green card approval. Additionally, maintain detailed job descriptions from both positions to demonstrate they were "same or similar" positions as required by immigration law. Store all these documents securely for the long term, as you may need them during the naturalization process to verify compliance. This documentation will help protect you and demonstrate that you followed proper procedures during your employment transition, even though the green card approval occurred before Form I-485 Supplement J could be filed.
I got laid off on H1B in my previous company but found and started a job in a new company within a 60-day grace period. Again, the current company has provided a notice period for layoff. Will I get a 60-day grace period again this time?
How easy it is to get a B1/B2 to find a job after a layoff.
If you experience a layoff while on H-1B status, you receive a 60-day grace period. If you secure a new H-1B approval and face another layoff, you'll receive a fresh 60-day grace period. This applies to H-1B transfers and extensions. As for obtaining a B-1/B-2 visa for job searching after a layoff, while there's no official measure of difficulty, the approval rates appear to be consistently positive, with no reported denials.
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | August 2023 |
| Audit Review | December 2022 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | June 2024 |