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.
Hi,
I want to share my interim EAD experience. I went to the local office on July 6 in Arlington,VA.
Well, I arrived at INS @ 7:15AM. There were like 250 to 300 people before me. By the time I got my EAD card it was 4:30PM. There is only one person that was helping issues related to work permits. Part of the reason for the delay was they closed early on july 2.
Anyways, be prepared to take day off (for those who are already occupied during the day) when you plan to go for your interim EAD.
Had our EADs done in a day too.My wife had a job offer confirmed but did not have an EAD on the day she received her offer letter.Since we had passed the wait period to qualify for an interim EAD we went on a expedition to the BCIS office at 5am and were among the 20's in the line.Got it done in less than a hour and drove to the nearby office for Photo.Had to wait for the office to open the counters and were one among the first few to get it done.Everything was done by 10.30am and my wife got her job too
They say about 30 days, but my wife got the letter in 2 weeks. Once she has this letter, it was pretty easy for her to get that interim EAD. They generally dont listen to you...unless you follow their procedures.
1. Got in line at 4:15AM. 8 people in front of me.
2. At 7:30AM, they started taking folks with appointments.
3. At 8:00AM, they started taking walk-ins.
4. After security check, sent to the 3rd floor.
5. Told that computers for the ticket system are down, only I90 applicants can be processed.
6. Started giving out numbers manually. Mine was E0002. I176 receipt was taken.
7. Was sent to the EAD section across the big room.
8. Asked to fill I765 application. I brought one from home.
I applied for an EAD in April 2004 along with an I-485 etc. The EAD was applied for through e-file.
I heard nothing for 90 days, then made an appointment with Tampa USCIS.
I arrived and was told that as I e-filed the EAD application before I received my I-485 notice of action (but after I sent the I-485 pack) that my EAD COULD be denied. I was told that they couldn't issue an interim EAD and that I'd need to apply again. She then laughed at me and I was asked to leave for no reason.
| DATE | Chart for all Employment - Based I-485 Pending Inventory |
| July, 2018 |