PERM Processing Times (as of 05/31/2018)
PERM Processing Times (as of 05/31/2018)
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USCIS Redesigns Citizenship and Naturalization Certificates
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began issuing redesigned Certificates of Citizenship and Naturalization today, following a successful pilot in four USCIS field offices and one service center. The redesign of these eight certificates is one of the many ways USCIS is working to combat fraud and safeguard the legal immigration system.
USCIS piloted the new certificate design at the Norfolk, Tampa, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Sacramento Field Offices, as well as at the Nebraska Service Center.
SAVE Goes Completely Paperless
WASHINGTON—Starting June 1, benefit-granting agencies using U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) SAVE (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) Program can no longer submit paper versions of Form G-845, Verification Request. Previously, agencies submitted paper forms to request immigration status verification and for additional verification requests. Now all agencies must submit their requests and institute additional verification electronically, drastically reducing case processing time.
Re-Registration Period Now Open for Hondurans with Temporary Protected Status
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announces today that current beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under Honduras’ designation who want to maintain their status through the effective termination date of Jan. 5, 2020, must re-register between June 5, 2018, andAug. 6, 2018.
USCIS to Conduct Lottery for Temporary Increase in FY 2018 H-2B Cap
As previously announced, USCIS began accepting H-2B petitions on May 31, 2018, under the temporary final rule increasing the numerical limit, or cap, on H-2B nonimmigrant visas by up to 15,000 additional visas through the end of fiscal year (FY) 2018.
Update to Form I-694
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Update to Form I-694, Notice of Appeal of Decision Under Sections 245A or 210 of the Immigration and Nationality Act; New Edition Dated 05/16/1805/23/2018 12:00 AM EDTFor more information, please visit Forms Updates page.
June 7, 2018, Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Substantial transcription for video
FAQ: Can EB-2 approved file for EB-3?
USCIS Completes Lottery for Temporary Increase in FY 2018 H-2B Cap
On May 31, 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began receiving H-2B petitions under the temporary final rule increasing the numerical limit, or cap, on H-2B nonimmigrant visas by up to 15,000 additional visas through the end of fiscal year (FY) 2018.
Update to Form I-797 Receipt Notices for Form I-751 and Form I-829
As of June 11, 2018, petitioners who file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, or Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status, will receive a Form I-797 receipt notice that can be presented with their Form I-551, Permanent Resident Card, as evidence of continued status for 18 months past the expiration date on their Permanent Resident Card.
USCIS is making the change from 12 to 18 months because current processing times for Form I-751 and Form I-829 have increased over the past year.
Form I-751 Data Entry Delay at California Service Center
USCIS’ California Service Center (CSC) is experiencing a delay in initial data entry for Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. Since initial data entry has to be completed before a receipt notice can be issued, some petitioners and their dependents may experience a delay in receiving a receipt notice for a Form I-751 submitted to the CSC.
Update to Form I-910
USCIS has recently updated the following form:
Update to Form I-910, Application for Civil Surgeon Designation; New Edition Dated 05/29/18For more information, please visit Forms Updates page.
Visa Bulletin - July 2018
Agency
Green Card
My N600 Update Information
Wanted to share some info on a friend's case I assisted with. Her father was born in Texas, raised in California. He married a Mexican citizen in Texas in 1992. My friend was then born in Mexico in 1993. She lived there with mother until age three then they moved to California. She was raised in California. Her parents then had two more daughters born in California.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Adjustment of Status Filing Charts for July 2018
Are you seeking to adjust your status and become a U.S. permanent resident under a family-sponsored or employment-based preference immigrant visa? If you have not yet had a relative or employer file an immigrant visa petition on your behalf, please learn more about the Adjustment of Status Filing Process.
Reminder - Extension of Post Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) and F-1 Status for Eligible Students under the H-1B Cap-Gap Regulations
ALERT: Although F-1 nonimmigrant students with degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT employment authorization, our policies regarding the cap-gap extension remain the same.
USCIS to Recall 800 Incorrectly Printed Employment Authorization Documents
On June 21, 2018, USCIS will begin recalling approximately 800 Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) that were issued in conjunction with Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, which were granted by USCIS asylum officers. The cards contain a production error that transposed the first and last names of the individuals receiving the EADs. These cards were mailed to recipients in April and May 2018.
PERM Appeals Submission and Practice Tips
What is the PERM Appeal Process?
Per 20 CFR 656.24(g), it is an opportunity for an employer to request a Certifying Officer (CO) reconsider denial of an PERM labor certification application (ETA Form 9089) Per 20 CFR 656.26, it is an opportunity for an employer to directly request BALCA review a CO’s decision to deny an ETA Form 9089.
For more details please click the link for the presentation:
June 21, 2018, Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Citizenship and Naturalization
Substantial transcription for video
Discussion Topics, Thursday 21 June 2018:
FAQ: Changing jobs after I 140 approval || Can a green card be filed for me if I am on H4 or L2 or F1 – – any status other than H-1B or L-1A? || Can an employee withdraw an H-1B petition? || How to add forgotten information on to a naturalization application/N-400? Other: Changing jobs when an appeal to the Department of Labor (BALCA) is pending || Trading stocks while on H-1B or H4 status || Changing from H-1B to F1 status and back to H-1B again || How to extend my I 94 within the USA? || Obtaining EB2 with a three year degree || Procedure after a denied PERM is approved || Validity of I 140 after I 485 denial || Minimizing the future impact of an L-1A denial || Exemption from H-1B quota where visa is stamped but never joined the employer || WHD complaint against employer || Green card processing times || Receiving pension after surrender or loss of green card || Challenging wage levels determined by an employer || India EB-1 priority dates || Traffic violations in N400 || Checking status of PERM, etc.
USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
O1
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.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Profession/Occupation
EB1 - Outstanding Researcher
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.
Profession/Occupation
EB1- Outstanding Researcher
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.
Profession/Occupation
EB1 - Outstanding Researcher/Professor
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.
Profession/Occupation
IEAD is issued in the Columbus Office
I actually had very easy time getting interim ead. I went on wednesday but was asked to come back on Tuesday thats when the IEAD is issued in the Columbus Office. Went there on tuesday which is july 20th at about 8 am. Walked directly to the office gave my papers waited for 1 hour. They called me in and gave my interim ead valid for 8 months
Interim EAD Issuance at Jacksonville, FL
State
Florida
My prossessing of the EAD took more than the 90 days (Big Surprise) so I booked an appointment through Infopass for 7:30 this morning. I arrived at 7:15 and walked right in. Thanks to the notes on this site I already had a I-765 filled out and I was finished the checkup in 12 minutes. Most of that time was spent watching the agent pulling things up and printing them. Then he had to photocopy my Driver's License. He told me that another person actually made the cards and he didn't start doing that until 11:00 and gave me a pass to get back in.