Discussion Topics, Thursday 2 August, 2018:
FAQ: What are different wage levels for H-1B and green card jobs? || Travel outside the USA when a case is pending || The impact of the NTA memo Other: Green card renewal requirements/NTA policy || Getting promoted after getting green card || CPT and NTA policy || Past misrepresentation in immigration documents || Public assistance || Disclosing traffic tickets in naturalization || How soon can I leave after green card approval || 60 days grace period on H-1B changing status and quota issue || NTA Memo || Consequences of H-1B denial || Misclassification of H-1B job || EAD, AP and H-1B interaction || Couple applying for naturalization || Having two employers file for H-1B simultaneously || H-4 EAD
Forms recently updated by USCIS:
Update to Form I-129CW, Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker; New Edition Dated 08/01/18.For more information, please visit Forms Updates page.
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.
On Aug. 13, USCIS changed the filing location for Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status. This form was previously filed at the California Service Center. Now, petitioners must send Form I-829 to a USCIS Lockbox facility. However, the Immigrant Investor Program Office continues to be the adjudicating office. 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.
Application for Certificate of Citizenship08/15/2018 12:00 AM EDTAgency Information Collection Activities: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection: Application for Certificate of Citizenship Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 32208/15/2018 12:00 AM EDTAgency Information Collection Activities; Revision of a Currently Approved Collection: Application for Citize
Topics of Discussion: - Audit on the PERM process - Traffic violation for naturalization - H-1B transfer - H-4 visa interview
USCIS is updating the Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT) page of the website to clarify the reporting responsibilities for participating in the STEM OPT program. Students and employers must report material changes to the Designated School Official (DSO) at the earliest opportunity by submitting a modified Form I-983. Employers must report the STEM OPT student’s termination of employment or departure to the DSO within five business days. As previously indicated on the webpage, stude
On 17 August 2018, DHS purported to "clarify" that subject to certain conditions, placement of students engaging in two-year extension of their practical training (STEM OPT extension) at third-party sites may be acceptable if appropriate conditions are met.
I have worked for my US based employer (Company 'A') since 2004 on H1 after completing MS, and have applied for GC with them in 2008 in EB2. In 2011 I have relocated back to India while GC application was pending and changed my processing to 'Consular Processing'. While I was in India, I have my GC approved in November 2013 thru Consular Processing.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that current beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under Somalia’s designation who want to maintain their status through the 18-month extension period ending on March 17, 2020, must re-register between Aug. 27, 2018, and Oct. 26, 2018.
USCIS is extending the previously announced temporary suspension of premium processing for cap-subject H-1B petitions and, beginning Sept. 11, 2018, will be expanding this temporary suspension to include certain additional H-1B petitions. USCIS expects these suspensions will last until Feb. 19, 2019, and will notify the public via uscis.gov before resuming premium processing for these petitions.
Discussion Topics, Thursday,30 August 2018:
FAQ: H4 EAD based upon a prior employers I 140 approval; effect on I 140 of changing multiple employers; effect on prior I 140 if a subsequent I 140 is approved || Can I join my old employer if the H-1B transfer is denied? Filing green card through future employer || Green card based upon investment – – EB-5 || Effect on green card and naturalization of using public or government benefits || Porting priority date from EB 2 to EB 1
Other: Job titles to be used for naturalization application || How to have a spouse stay in the USA while the green card application is going on || Entering USA on H-1B approval for one employer and H-1B visa of another employer || H-1B transfer back to an approved location || Nunc Pro Tunk approval of H-1B and 212 (d) (3) waivers || EAD delays || Confusion about permanent address used || Green card holder studying abroad || Changing tourist visato a long-term visa || Correcting name errors || Repeat RFE's
July 19, 2018: USCIS transferred some of the following cases from the Vermont Service Center to the California Service Center: Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, for F, M, J or B nonimmigrants
For more information, see Workload Transfer Updates page.
This presentation is intended for training use only and does not carry the force of legal opinion. The Department of Labor (Department) is providing this information as a public service. This information and any related materials are presented to give the public access to information on the Department’s programs.
Click here for the presentation.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is increasing the premium processing fee charged by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). DHS is increasing the fee by 14.92 percent, the percentage change in inflation since the fee was last adjusted in 2010 according to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). The adjustment increases the fee from $1,225 to $1,410.
Click here for the federal register notice.
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
I hold an H1B Visa, and it is time for an extension. At the same time, I applied for my I-485 a few years ago, and I recently renewed my EAD, which is valid for 5 years. My priority date is June 2013. At this time, I am a bit confused about whether to move on to EAD or if I should continue to extend my H1B. If, for any reason, my H1B extension goes wrong, will I still be able to use my EAD? Thank you always for your support.
You should maintain your H-1B while your I-485 (AOS) is pending. If something goes wrong with your I-485, you could end up without legal status or work authorization, creating complications. Keeping your H-1B (or L-1) active provides a backup. While your spouse can use an EAD, losing their status is less risky than the primary applicant losing theirs.
I would appreciate some insights on my H-1B and green card process. Here’s my situation:
I currently have an H-1B visa valid until July 2027.
My company has filed for PERM with a priority date of October 2024.
If things go as expected, I anticipate my I-140 approval around May 2026 (with premium processing, if things go smoothly and I receive my DOL approval around Feb 2026, calculating around 15+ months from Oct 2024).
I’m considering moving to India around January/February 2027, which would be about 180 days after I-140 approval (if that helps retain I-140 benefits even if I go to India; if not, I would be moving earlier).
My questions:
Impact on H-1B if I move to India
What would happen to my H-1B if I joined a different employer in India?
What happens if I stay with the same U.S. employer but work from India?
Returning to the U.S. after H-1B expiration
If my H-1B expires while I’m in India and I haven’t renewed it, let's say that in the future, I will get an employer and want to re-enter the USA. Would the process be expected for the employer, like filing for a change of employer and me getting a new stamp in the Indian embassy, or would it have some additional complications?
I-140 and Priority Date Retention
Will my I-140 priority date remain intact if I am in India and later re-enter the USA for a different employer based on the answer to the above question?
If I get a new job in the U.S. later, what must my future employer do to transfer or use my existing priority date for the new green card process?
If you move to India (or another country) after your I-140 approval, your H-1B with your current employer will likely be revoked unless they continue paying your U.S. salary. If your H-1B expires while you are abroad, you can return to the U.S. on H-1B with any employer, as your I-140 remains valid after 180 days. However, you must restart your green card process with a new employer. Your I-140 priority date remains intact, even if you switch from EB-2 to NIW or EB-1A.
Number 1
Volume XI
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during April 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.
USCIS updated the following forms:
Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status
01/20/2025 04:15 PM EST
Edition Date: 01/20/25. As of March 3, 2025, the currently effective version is the 01/20/25 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
01/20/2025 10:54 AM EST