PERM Processing Times (as of 11/19/2016)
- As of November 19, 2016, OFLC/DOL is processing the Prevailing Wage Determination Requests for PERM . Please check the link for PERM Processing Times.
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Visa Bulletin For December 2016
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during December 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.
Adjustment of Status Filing Charts from the Visa Bulletin
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.
CBP Launches the Electronic Visa Update System for Early Enrollments
Nationals of the People’s Republic of China with a 10-year visa will update their information every two years using EVUS
USCIS to Centralize Processing of Special Immigrant Juvenile Cases
Starting on November 1, 2016, USCIS will centralize the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) program.
Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday), 3 November 2016
Immigration.com
Substantial transcription for video
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 3 November 2016:
FAQ: Impact on H-1 if converting to H-4 EAD; FAQ: TN work for multiple employers; Legal name change process in the USA.
Other: I-751 - removal proceedings NTA; Premium H-1 extension while H-1 amendment is pending; TN working concurrently on two jobs; TN applying for H-1, quota exemption; Impact on green card, I-140 if changing employers; Date of birth errors; F-1 reinstatement and H-1 pending at the same time; Change of status to TN; CSPA for consular processing; Priority date transfer; EB-2 PERM filing; L-1 stock ownership; Receiving bonus checks from end clients while working through H-1 employer; Refiling PERM if job has changed; Going to school if a green card is pending, etc.
Employers: You Can Use the Current Form I-9 Through Jan. 21, 2017
USCIS will publish the revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, by Nov. 22, 2016 -- NOT Jan. 22, 2017.
USCIS Announces Addition of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to Eligible Countries for the H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs
USCIS and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State, have added St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs for the coming year. The notice listing the eligible countries was published on Oct.
Visa Bulletin - December 2016
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
What Happens to Existing Green Cards?
Question details
What happens to existing/pending green cards?
Nothing. The process continues. Changes in laws are not retroactive.
FAQ Transcript
Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
Immigration Under Trump, Radio Show 10 November 2016
Nonimmigrant Visas
Substantial transcription for video
Business Immigration, Employmenmt Based Immigration, Student Visas, Pending Cases
H-4 EAD FAQ, Converting from another work status (such as H-1) to H-4 EAD
H-4 EAD rule, click here for Rajiv's blog entry on H-4 EAD and related FAQs. Scroll down for latest updates.
USCIS Revises Form I-9, Used for All New Hires in U.S.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.
By Jan. 22, 2017, employers must use only the new version, dated 11/14/2016. Until then, they can continue to use the version dated 03/08/2013 or the new version.
Among the changes in the new version, Section 1 asks for “other last names used” rather than “other names used,” and streamlines certification for certain foreign nationals.
Other changes include:
Guestbook Entry for Aparna, Canada
Name
Aparna
Country
Canada
State
Ontario
USCIS Publishes Final Rule For Certain Employment-Based Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visa Programs
USCIS has published a final rule to modernize and improve several aspects of certain employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant visa programs. USCIS has also amended regulations to better enable U.S. employers to hire and retain certain foreign workers who are beneficiaries of approved employment-based immigrant visa petitions and are waiting to become lawful permanent residents. This rule goes into effect on Jan.
Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday), 17 November 2016
Immigration.com
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 17 November 2016:
FAQ: Refused entry 212(d)(3) waivers; L-1A for functional managers; Leaving employer after getting a green card; Changes in immigration after Trump.
Other: AOS for out of status; Giving and receiving money on H-1B visa/status; Name error in I-140; Medicaid for parents; Translations; Functional managers on L-1A; Denial of I-130; Losing green card; Amending H-1 is vendor changes; H-1 visa revocation; H-1B extension beyond 6 years; Priority date transfer; H-1 visa stamping; F-1 OPT based upon an employer who was not joined, etc.
Guestbook Entry for Vimal, United States
Name
Vimal
Country
United States
State
Texas
Comment
I would like to thank Mr. Rajiv Khanna and his team for their proficiency on my GC case. Mr. Khanna is an expert and he clearly knows what is expected and best process to achieve target by providing all essential information with respect to the case. Mr. Khanna is always available to clarify the questions and respects the time to complete the action items on time. Special thanks to Mrs. Diane, She is very respectful and gives attention to detail on all levels of required documents. She follows up very promptly on action items. You are in the right place, if your case is handled by the Law offices of Rajiv S Khanna.
PERM Processing Times (as of 11/19/2016)
|
Processing Queue |
Priority Dates |
|
|
Month |
Year |
|
Analyst Review |
August |
2016 |
Audit Review |
April | |
Green Card
Immigration Law
I-140 EAD Regulations Effective 17 January 2017
2 December 2016
Radio Show Discussing Overview of the new I-140 EAD Regulations
Interim EAD Issuance at Newark & Cherry Hill, NJ
was there early in the morning 6am, entered line in orchard st taken inside at 8.00am, to 2nd floor office
- iEAD applications must have a duplicate application prepared with documents. they check before you get in
- make sure you have an address in NJ, they ask proof of residence in NJ to issue your documents, bring DL, utility bill etc to prove that.
- got the card the same day for 8 months,
- they lost our documents, then found them in the 3'rd office where your pictures will be taken
Taxonomy upgrade extras
Guestbook Entry for Pallab Datta, United States
Name
Pallab Datta
Country
United States
State
CA
Comment
I got my Passports stamped in San Diego, CA with my I-485 approval notice. The whole GC process through your offices was a REAL PLEASANT experience. I would like to thank all of your team members. In particular, I would like to mention the DILIGENCE and PREOFESSIONALISM of Diane Lombardo, in praise of which I apologize, as I am unable to get the RIGHT words. I ENVY you and your staff's CARE, PUNCTUALITY, CONCERN and UNDERSTANDING. The immigration forum http://forums.immigration.com is a NOVEL and WONDERFUL idea. You have once again proven your INNOVATIVENESS. Thanks a lot to you Mr. Khanna and your PROFESSIONAL team. Friends, if you need to get the job done right, hire Mr. Khanna. May GOD bless you and your TEAM with the BEST of the WISHES so that a LOT many souls like us, can see their DREAMS come TRUE. I am eagerly looking forward to working with you in the future. Thanks, Pallab Datta.
Traveling on OPT-F1
Question details
I am on OPT F-1 Status after my second degree. I need to know what other parts of US outland I can visit besides Hawaii without having any immigration problems?
Normally, travel to "contiguous territories" (like Canada and Mexico) does not require a visa when the trip is less than 30 days AND you do not happen to be a national of one of the eight countries that US govt. looks upon with some suspicion. But there can be immigration problems. Trip to any one of the 50 states presents no special issue.
F1 visa denial
Question details
I was denied a visa this morning under 214(b) in Kuwait. I have been working in Kuwait for a year (I am an expatriate), and have an offer of employment upon return from my studies. I just received a letter to that effect (after the denial). This is my second denial. Would the letter be sufficient as additional evidence for reapplication? I also have a bank account containing about $3000 which I plan to keep for when I return (apart from my sponsor's account).
214(b) denial is based upon a suspicion that you have no intention of returning to your home country. This ground is almost impossible to overcome when you are an expatriate, but you can try. I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but I doubt this will work.
Visitor Visa denials
Question details
I have been here in US for last eight years. I finished both my undergrad and grad degrees and presently under AOS based on skilled worker. My parents had applied for visitor visas on my three graduations, gradation of my wife, but got denied everytime. They showed enough balance and my father is a contractor. Should I give up my hope?
Barring extraordinarily strong reasons or evidence to the contrary, it is very difficult to overcome denial of discretionary visas like B, F and J.
We are glad to advise you that we got our GREEN CARD approval yesterday at the US Consulate in Montreal. We are thankful to your team who have given us timely and precision advise during this process. Thank you Rajiv for your kind advise and attention at all times. We got awesome support from all. It was to the point and meaningful at all times. Special thanks to Diane who was always there to answer any of our questions.