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.
We obtained an O1 for an applicant who achieved a Master in Bonsai technique. He had apprenticed under one of the premier experts in Japan. We offered letters from field experts praising the applicant's work and noting his extraordinary artistic abilities. We also provided documentation of the applicant's participation as a trade show "featured artist" which is an honor only bestowed on the very best in the field.
We won this case with an applicant having over fourteen years of research experience in major industry. We were able to provide 7 letters of recommendation from internationally known scientists. This applicant made great strides in the advancements in hepatitis C research . His work was admired worldwide.
We won this case for an applicant with over twelve years research experience. We were able to provide evidence to reflect the multiple contributions to the metallurgy and metal physics industry made by the applicant. He was the recipient of numerous international awards. He was also a member of many prestigious professional societies.
This individual acted as a judge of the work of his research peers. We were able to provide 12 letters of recommendation reflecting the innovative work performed by this applicant. We also provide evidence to show the extensive citations of his findings. He had over eleven years of research experience and was world-renowned.
My wife's EAD expired last month and she stopped working till today. She applied renewal in December, 2003. We waited till 90 days is complete and went to local USCIS office on 3/22/2003. It is a walk in. The lady in reception verified the I-765 receipt. After making sure that 90 days have lapsed. She asked us to fill some paper work and wait in the adjoining hall. The office called her and collected her Driver's License and expired EAD. After verification he returned Driver's License and asked her to get her picture taken in the next room.
I would like to provide my personal experience at the Columbus, Ohio office. It was a frustrating experience like any other government office experience.We went there at 7.45 AM. We submitted the application forms and the EAD renewal notices, which the security submitted inside to the USCIS (BCIS ) officers. We were walk-in applicants for interim EADs. It seems that the Columbus office prioritizes "all" the people who have prior appointments before the walk-ins. Therefore, our turn did not come until 12-12.30 PM.
Applied for EAD in first week of Jan (paper filing) and because of some issue with I got the application back on 26th sent again on 27th received by NSC on 28.. I got the receipt with the RD of 28 and ND of 30th ... My current EAD was expiring on Mar 12. I was waiting and checking the status every day, but when it did not got approved till like 2nd or 3rd march. I started talking with my attorney; I also talked with Rajiv and my company's attorney.
Thank you for having the best web site on immigration and for taking action to improve the processing times.
My wife and I visited the Hartford office on 4th March 2004 to get an Interim EAD issued. We filed for an extension on November12 th 2003 and as of the visit date it was still not approved.
Total processing time was about 3 hours. Interim EAD was issued for 2 months.
Went to Newark for Interim EAD recently and got in line early at 6am. Got into office at 8am went to 2nd floor, and then got the iEAD appl. With i765 receipt was soon sent to 13th floor ( room #1300 )here they check your papers, i485 receipt, i-140 etc... ( basis for EAD )then sent to room# 1304 here your photo & FP will be done got the iEAD card around 10.30am
5:15 AM Reached at 970 Broad Street(Found 12-15 people there already)
7:35 They let us in and gave a slip. Slip was basically asking to go to 2nd floor Romm # 200.
7:40 Reached 2nd floor Room # 200.
Was asked to be in a line by the wall (there were 2 lines, Line by the wall was for EAD only)
First of all, Kudos for the excellent Service provided by you. I took all the feedback from your site & went to USCIS office in San Jose, CA to get an INTERIM EAD Today. Everything went well & I was given an Interim EAD for 10 Months..