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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.
Guestbook Entry for Sudhakar Madduri , United States
Guestbook Entry for Praveen Kotha , United States
Guestbook Entry for Abdel-Moneim Attia , United States
Guestbook Entry for Nagarjuna Rao Chakka , United States
Guestbook Entry for Mangal Nagarkar, United States
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
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
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
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.
USCIS Issues New Guidance on EB-1 Eligibility Criteria for Individuals with Extraordinary Ability
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing policy guidance in the Policy Manual to further clarify the types of evidence that USCIS may evaluate to determine eligibility for extraordinary ability (E11) EB-1 immigrant visa classifications.
This policy guidance: