Guestbook Entry for Cyrus Janumala, United States
Name
Cyrus Janumala
Country
United States
State
VA
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Visa Bulletin For November 2019
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during November 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.
H-2A Petitioners Must Include Temporary Labor Certification Final Determination with Form I-129
On Oct. 1, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) implemented its new Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system for the H-2A temporary agricultural worker program. Starting Oct. 1, employers who file an H-2A application for a temporary labor certification in FLAG will only receive the certification electronically.
Oct 3, 2019 Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Citizenship and Naturalization
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
Discussion Topics, Thursday, October 3, 2019
FAQ: When should we file Supplement J for AC21 || Changing employers after 180 days of I-140 approval || Filing an I-485 for a junior position when already promoted || Expediting H-4 EAD || Is there a correlation between processing times and priority dates? || Traveling while H-4 EAD extension is pending.
OTHER: 60 days grace period between H-1B petitions || Options for alleged OPT/CPT violations || Requiring pay stubs from a retired Veteran || Changing employers after 180 days of I-140 approval || Is there a deadline for filing I-485 after PD is current || Financial issues in sponsorship || Public charge rule || Refiling N-400 || Applying for H-1B extension while outside the USA || H-1B/EAD options || EB-1A changing jobs/multiple categories green cards pending || Indian OCI cards, etc.
USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Rajiv's Comments in the News - More H-1B approvals in 2019, but also stringent scrutiny
Published by : The Times of India, Mumbai - Article by: Lubna Kably - Date: October 14, 2019
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
USCIS Clarifies Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification to Better Ensure Victims of Abuse, Neglect and Abandonment Receive Protection
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services clarified requirements regarding the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification.
Cuccinelli Announces USCIS’ FY 2019 Accomplishments and Efforts to Implement President Trump’s Goals
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released preliminary fiscal year 2019 agency statistics, accomplishments and efforts to implement President Trump’s agenda. These preliminary statistics highlight important immigration trends and illustrate the work accomplished by USCIS in FY 2019. The agency will publish final, verified FY 2019 statistics later next month.
Oct 17, 2019 Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
Discussion Topics, Thursday, October 17, 2019
FAQ: Filing I-485 through a new employer, if the old priority date gets current || Compelling Circumstances EAD || Converting from H-1B to H-4 and back again || How long is an I-140 approval valid?
OTHER: Public charge issues || L-1A, EB-1C issues correlation with H-1B || Expunged criminal conviction and naturalization || Changings jobs after getting green card || H-4 EAD || Traveling while Supplement J is pending || SOW MSA for H-1B || Reapplying after a denied H-1B || J-1 HRR || Changing employers while I-140 is pending || Public Charge || H-1B for a higher job || Buying health insurance. etc.
Visa Bulletin - November 2019
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during November 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.
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
Guestbook Entry for Gajendra, United States
Name
Gajendra
Country
United States
State
Michigan
USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
Sample Notice of Filing Application for Permanent Employment Certification
USCIS is updating the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) to provide a sample notice of filing an Application for Permanent Employment Certification (ETA Form 9089) that complies with all regulatory requirements. The Policy Alert is available here:
USCIS Begins Producing Security-Enhanced Travel Documents
To prevent secure document tampering, counterfeiting, and fraud, USCIS will begin producing on Oct. 24 a new security-enhanced U.S. travel document, which is a booklet that looks similar to a U.S. passport and serves dual purposes. The travel document can serve in place of:
USCIS Updates Fee Waiver Requirements
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has revised Form I-912, Request for Fee Waiver, by removing the means-tested benefit criteria that was previously used as a factor in determining whether an applicant was exempt from paying for filing fees or biometric services. Individuals may still request a fee waiver if their documented annual household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines or they demonstrate financial hardship.
AAO Processing Times (July - September 2019)
Timeliness of Fiscal Year 2019 Fourth Quarter Completions (July - September 2019)
| Form Type | Case Type | Completed 0-180 Days | Quarterly Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative of all completions | 85.30% | 2245 | |
| I-129CW | CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker | 100% | 3 |
| I-129E2 | CNMI Treaty Investor | 100% | 4 |
Agency
Immigration Law
USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Petitioners Can Now File Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, Online
Release Date: Oct. 30, 2019
WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that petitioners can now complete and file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, online. Online filing allows aliens to submit forms electronically, check the status of their case, and receive notices from USCIS.
USCIS Adjusting Premium Processing Fee
Fee Increase Consistent with the Consumer Price Index
Release Date: Oct. 30, 2019
WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced beginning on Dec. 2, it is adjusting the fee to request premium processing for certain employment-based petitions.
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
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Guestbook Entry for Amol Gote, United States
Name
Amol Gote
Country
United States
State
Virginia
AAO Processing Times (July - September 2024)
| Form Type | Case Type | Completed 0-180 Days | Quarterly Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative total of all completions |
84.0% |
1,352 |
|
| I-129CW | Petition for CNMI Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker |
100.0% |
1 |
| I-129F | Petition for Fiancée |
88.6% |
Immigration Law
USCIS - Forms N-648 and I-407 Updated
USCIS recently updated the following forms:
Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions
09/25/2024 12:11 PM EDT
Edition Date: 09/25/24. Starting Jan. 6, 2025, USCIS will accept only the 09/25/24 edition. Until then, you can also use the 08/19/22 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Form I-407, Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status
09/25/2024 10:40 AM EDT
GC approval before AC21 Supplement J could be filed
Question details
My I-485 was pending for 9 months (concurrent filing), and I worked all these years (4 years) with my sponsoring employer. My I-140 was approved 4 months ago, and I received EAD and AP as well. At the end of 8 months, I resigned from my employer to take advantage of AC21 (moving to a similar position) and was on notice period. My new employer was ready to file I-485J when asked by USCIS. During my last working week with my sponsoring employer, my 485 got approved, and I received my GC. Can you please advise on what kind of documentation I need to get from my new employer to help with any future naturalization process since I can't file I-485J as my case has been approved?
FAQ Transcript
To ensure compliance and maintain proper documentation, I recommend gathering your proof of employment with the sponsoring employer when your green card was approved. It's important to request written confirmation from your new employer showing they were prepared to file Supplement J before your transition. Keep any prepared Form I-485 Supplement J documentation, even if it wasn't filed due to the timing of your green card approval. Additionally, maintain detailed job descriptions from both positions to demonstrate they were "same or similar" positions as required by immigration law. Store all these documents securely for the long term, as you may need them during the naturalization process to verify compliance. This documentation will help protect you and demonstrate that you followed proper procedures during your employment transition, even though the green card approval occurred before Form I-485 Supplement J could be filed.
H-1B grace period eligibility after second layoff and B-1/B-2 visa options for job search
Question details
I got laid off on H1B in my previous company but found and started a job in a new company within a 60-day grace period. Again, the current company has provided a notice period for layoff. Will I get a 60-day grace period again this time?
How easy it is to get a B1/B2 to find a job after a layoff.
FAQ Transcript
If you experience a layoff while on H-1B status, you receive a 60-day grace period. If you secure a new H-1B approval and face another layoff, you'll receive a fresh 60-day grace period. This applies to H-1B transfers and extensions. As for obtaining a B-1/B-2 visa for job searching after a layoff, while there's no official measure of difficulty, the approval rates appear to be consistently positive, with no reported denials.