PERM Processing Times (as of 11/30/2018)
PERM Processing Times (as of 11/30/2018)
Search
USCIS Revises Interview Waiver Guidance for Form I-751
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.
Workload Transfer Update
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:
- Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, for F, M, J, or B nonimmigrants
For more information, see Workload Transfer Updates page.
USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for First Half of FY 2019
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.
Update To SAVE Password Reset
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 - January 2019
Visa Bulletin For January 2019
Number 25
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
Dec 13, 2018 Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
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
When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: January 2019
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.
Guestbook Entry for Nikolay S, United States
Name
Nikolay S
Country
United States
State
VA
Termination of the Categorical Parole Programs for Certain Individuals Present in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
Effective immediately, the categorical CNMI parole programs are terminated. This affects USCIS parole programs for immediate relatives of U.S.
Guestbook Entry for Guneet Kohli, United States
Name
Guneet Kohli
Country
United States
State
NJ
Interim EAD Issuance at Los Angeles
I reached there around 4:30am. People were already lined up. First you have to get the form from one line and then wait in another line. Around 6:30am they asked people who are there for EAD to form another shorter line. I got the token and my no. was called around 8:30am. The required documents are :
1. I-485 receipt
2. I-765 receipt
3.information about any previous I-765, like receipt date
4. previous EAD Plastic card
5.California driver license and Passport for identification.
Taxonomy upgrade extras
Went to Miami office today to apply for a temporary work authorization card
I went to the Miami office today to apply for a temporary work authorization card. This office no longer accepts walk ins as of two days ago. People can either make an appointment with the office on the web from home, or on site. The waiting time is approximately two weeks for an appointment. This is for any type of immmigration case.
Tampa refused to issue an interim EAD
"96 days after submitting the EAD application, Tampa refused to issue an interim EAD. Evidentially an appointment card had been mailed that same day.The appointment was set for 10 days later. Including 2 months wasted trying to get the initial appointment to submit the EAD application, it took 5.5 months to get this EAD renewal. The real tragedy was the loss a job and residual loss of income which lasted months. We will start this process again 6 months before this EAD expires. Hmm...that's pretty soon".
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:
USCIS Updates Guidance on the International Entrepreneur Rule
Release Date
10/10/2024
USCIS updated guidance on the International Entrepreneur Rule in the Policy Manual to clarify the required triennial increase in investment, revenue, and other thresholds, and to clarify how USCIS arranges biometrics appointments for certain applicants.
Visa Bulletin For November 2024
Number 95
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS
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
USCIS Updates Policy Guidance Clarifying Expedite Requests
USCIS is updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify how USCIS considers expedite requests related to government interests and requests related to emergencies or urgent humanitarian situations, including travel-related requests. This update also clarifies how to make an expedite request and explains how USCIS processes expedite requests.
Government Interests
Recording for October 10, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Nonimmigrant Visas
Topics Discussed:
USCIS - Form G-1055, Fee Schedule Updated
USCIS recently updated the following form:
10/11/2024 12:02 PM EDT
Edition Date: 10/11/24. 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.
PERM Processing Times (as of 10/15/2024)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | August 2023 |
| Audit Review | December 2022 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | April 2023 |
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
EB-2 NIW I-140 portability for employer-sponsored cases
Question details
My employer is in the process of filing employer-sponsored EB2 NIW (instead of self-sponsored). I understand that self-sponsored EB2 NIW is independent of an employer and remains valid in any case. But can I-140 obtained from employer-sponsored EB2 NIW be transferred to another employer?
FAQ Transcript
The ability to keep your NIW when changing employers depends on whether you continue to pursue the same endeavor that was the basis for your NIW approval. If you maintain the same type of work in the same field, even with a different employer, you likely can keep your NIW. However, if you change to a completely different field or type of work, you may need to start a new green card process. For certainty, it's advisable to consider filing a new green card application or NIW when changing employers.
Concerns regarding nonpayment of wages and potential H-1B impact
Question details
I arrived in the U.S. in the last week of May 2024, and despite innumerable requests, my employer has not run payroll for the weeks since my arrival. Could this pose any challenges for future H1B transfers, extensions, or I-140 processing? Is there a risk of scrutiny or denial due to this issue? If yes, could you guide how to mitigate this please?
FAQ Transcript
If your employer fails to pay you after starting your H-1B employment, it can pose challenges for future H-1B transfers. To address this:
- File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division.
- You can file online or by phone (search for "LCA complaint US Department of Labor").
- This complaint serves as evidence explaining the lack of pay stubs during future H-1B transfers.
- Employers must start paying when you're ready to work or within 30 days (if coming from outside the US) or 60 days (if already in the US), whichever is earlier.
- Filing a complaint may help you recover unpaid wages and protect your ability to transfer your H-1B in the future.
Maintaining LPR status (Green Card) during extended absences for employment
Question details
I have a family-based green card. For my job, I need to travel outside of the US for 150-160 days (3 days per week for the entire year). I am worried that I may lose my green card. What shall I do to retain my green card and still maintain this schedule of travel for my job?
FAQ Transcript
To maintain your green card during extended absences:
- Brief trips under 6 months are generally fine.
- For longer absences Apply for a re-entry permit, allowing travel for up to 2 years.Consider filing Form N-470 to preserve continuous residence for naturalization.
- Avoid absences of 6 months or more; return within 6 months each time.
- Maintain strong ties to the U.S. (family, home, job) to demonstrate intent to reside permanently.
- If travels are work-related and you have significant U.S. ties, your green card status is less likely to be at risk.
- Absences of one year or more can lead to loss of green card status without proper documentation.