PERM Processing Times (as of 11/30/2018)
USCIS has issued a policy memorandum (PDF, 115 KB) (PM) providing guidance to USCIS officers on when to consider waiving the interview requirement for Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. This PM goes into effect on December 10, 2018 and applies to all Form I-751 petitions received on or after December 10.
USCIS transferred some of the following cases from the Vermont Service Center to the Texas Service Center, Nebraska Service Center, California Service Center, and Potomac Service Center:
For more information, see Workload Transfer Updates page.
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reached the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the first half of fiscal year (FY) 2019.
Dec. 6, 2018, was the final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date before April 1, 2019. USCIS will reject new cap-subject H-2B petitions received after Dec. 6 that request an employment start date before April 1, 2019.
SAVE continues to implement enhancements to improve your experience and reduce burdensome processes by giving you more self-service options. For example, you’ll soon be able to reset your password automatically instead of contacting SAVE.
Visa Bulletin For January 2019
Number 25
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
Discussion Topics:
Marrying a Canadian and bring them to USA || I Apply for a NIW through EB2 || COS to L-1A || Can any company revoke I-140 after 180 days || H-1 transfer || 3 year H-1B extension || Fiance visa || H4 EAD and starting a business || EB3 to EB2 porting of priority dates
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.
Effective immediately, the categorical CNMI parole programs are terminated. This affects USCIS parole programs for immediate relatives of U.S.
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
FAQs: Should I maintain my H-1B during I-485/AOS pendency? || H-1B and I-140: Moving to India & Future Return to the U.S .|| H-1B working remotely from India
USCIS recently updated the following form:
03/06/2025 12:29 PM EST
Edition Date: 03/06/25. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page of Form G-1055, Fee Schedule.
For more information, please visit the Forms Updates page.
As of Jan. 22, 2025, USCIS has waived any and all requirements that applicants for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident present documentation on their Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, that they received the COVID-19 vaccination. USCIS will not issue any Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny related to proving a COVID-19 vaccination.
USCIS recently updated the following forms:
Form G-325A, Biographic Information (for Deferred Action)
01/20/2025 10:13 AM 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.
Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support
01/20/2025 09:12 AM EST
USCIS recently updated the following forms:
Form N-400, Application for Naturalization
03/04/2025 11:37 AM EST
Edition Date: 03/04/25. Starting 4/4/25, USCIS will only accept the 01/20/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the prior edition(s).
Form I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure Records
03/04/2025 11:37 AM EST
I received my H-1B visa in September 2022 and worked at my company’s Scottsdale, Arizona office until March 2024. Since then, I have been working remotely from India for the same company and role. My H-1B visa is set to expire in September 2025.
I have a few questions regarding the extension process:
1. Does my employer need me physically in the U.S. to apply for my H1B extension?
2. If yes, what alternatives are available for my employer to apply while I am abroad?
3. Given that my visa expires in September 2025, when should I start the extension process at the latest?
No, your employer does not need you to be physically in the U.S. to apply for your H-1B extension. You can start the extension process up to six months before your H-1B expires, which means you can apply as early as March 2024 for a September 2025 expiration.
Rajiv S. Khanna, Managing Attorney at Immigration.com, recently joined Neil Ghai and Prachi Verma on the Morning Brief Podcast by the ET Bureau. Alongside Sukanya Raman, Country Head of Davies & Associates, and David Lesperance, Managing Director of Lesperance & Associates, Mr. Khanna discussed the sharp contrasts between the established EB-5 visa program and Donald Trump's 'Gold Card' immigration policy.
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article: