Guestbook Entry for Arul Palanivelu, United States
Name
Arul Palanivelu
Country
United States
State
ID
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Guestbook Entry for Rob Ray, United States
Name
Rob Ray
Country
United States
State
FL
USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests
Release Date
12/30/2021
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities it announced on March 30, 2020, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors who are responding to certain:
USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following form:
Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur
USCIS will also accept the 04/15/19 and 11/21/19 editions. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
For more information, please visit Forms Updates page.
Guestbook Entry for Divya S, United States
Name
Divya S
Country
United States
State
Virginia
Jan 6, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Green Card
FAQ: Consular processing employment-based green card with a job offer from a different employer
PERM Processing Times (as of 12/31/2021)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | July 2021 |
| Audit Review | March 2021 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | July 2021 |
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
AAO Processing Times (October - December 2021)
| Form Type | Case Type | Completed 0-180 Days | Quarterly Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative total of all completions | 28.92% | 830 | |
| I-129CW | Petition for CNMI Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker | 100% | 5 |
| I-129E2 | CNMI Treaty Investor | 100% | 2 |
| I-129F | Petition for Fiancée |
Immigration Law
USCIS Updated Forms - Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status and Application for T Nonimmigrant Status
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status
12/06/2021 01:32 PM EST
Starting Mar. 14, USCIS will only accept the 12/06/21 edition. Until then, you can use the 04/24/19 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Application for T Nonimmigrant Status
12/02/2021 03:05 PM EST
Visa Bulletin For February 2022
Number 62
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during February for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
Immigration Help Available to Those Affected by Natural Disasters and Other Unforeseen Circumstances
Release Date
01/12/2022
USCIS is reminding the public that they offer immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters. Examples of unforeseen circumstances include, but are not limited to, the Marshall fire in Colorado.
The following measures may be available on a case-by-case basis upon request:
USCIS Provides Clarifying Guidance on O-1 Nonimmigrants in Arts vs. Motion Picture and Television
Release Date
01/13/2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced clarifying guidance on how USCIS determines whether an O-1B beneficiary will be evaluated as a person of extraordinary ability in the arts or as a person of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry when a case has elements of both.
Biden announces STEM changes for F-1, J-1, O-1A and National Interest Waivers
24 January 2022
Students in the following fields will be able to obtain STEM OPT extensions for 24 months:
Jan 20, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Discussion Topics, Jan 20, 2022 FAQs:
1. EB-1B for postdoctoral holder after a gap of several years in career 2. Date of birth and name corrections in birth certificate 3. COVID-19 delays in tourist/visitor extensions for B-2 holding parent and applying for their green card
USCIS Updates Guidance on National Interest Waivers
Release Date
01/21/2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced updated guidance on adjudicating requests for “National Interest Waivers” regarding job offer and labor certification requirements for certain advanced degree professionals and individuals of exceptional ability. This includes discussing the unique considerations for persons with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields and entrepreneurs.
USCIS Provides Clarifying Guidance for O-1 Petitions with a Focus on STEM Fields
Release Date
01/21/2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today issued policy guidance clarifying how it evaluates evidence to determine eligibility for O-1A nonimmigrants of extraordinary ability, with a focus on petitions filed for individuals in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) fields, as well as how USCIS determines whether an O-1 beneficiary’s prospective work is within their area of extraordinary ability or achievement.
USCIS Updates Guidance on Expedite Requests
Release Date
01/25/2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has updated the USCIS Policy Manual to reflect new guidance on how USCIS determines whether a case warrants expedited treatment. The new guidance is effective immediately.
This update:
Adjustment of status, transferring the basis of I-485 clarifications
September 9, 2022:
Important FAQ from the USCIS about what to expect during this fiscal year #immigration
https://www.immigration.com/blogs/fiscal-year-2023-employment-based-adj…
----------------
On January 21, 2022, USCIS published the following information on its website, which we have edited to provide clarifying remarks:
FY 2023 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 1
Release Date
01/28/2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2023 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 1 and run through noon Eastern on March 18, 2022. During this period, prospective petitioners and representatives will be able to complete and submit their registrations using the online H-1B registration system.
Guestbook Entry for Amol Gote, United States
Name
Amol Gote
Country
United States
State
Virginia
AAO Processing Times (July - September 2024)
| 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% |
Immigration Law
USCIS - Forms N-648 and I-407 Updated
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
GC approval before AC21 Supplement J could be filed
Question details
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?
FAQ Transcript
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.
H-1B grace period eligibility after second layoff and B-1/B-2 visa options for job search
Question details
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.
FAQ Transcript
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.
PERM Processing Times (as of 11/01/2024)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | August 2023 |
| Audit Review | December 2022 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | June 2024 |