Discussion Topics, Sept 29, 2022
FAQs
STEM extension expiring, options to stay in USA, Is Day 1 CPT it safe and legal?
Parents who are GC holders, applied for reentry permits, left USA; do they need to return to the USA or can they wait till I-131 is processed?
Options if employment-based I-485 is denied?
How can I maintain my H-1B while working outside the USA?
Number 71
Volume X
Washington, D.C
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.
Release Date
10/11/2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued policy guidance (PDF, 342.87 KB) in the USCIS Policy Manual based on the vacatur of the EB-5 Modernization Rule and the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022.
Policy highlights include:
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | February 2022 |
| Audit Review | November 2021 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | May 2022 |
| Form Type | Case Type | Completed 0-180 Days | Quarterly Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative total of all completions | 64.85% | 791 | |
| I-129F | Petition for Fiancée | 100% | 18 |
| I-129H1B | Nonimmigrant Specialty Occupation Worker | 94.87% | 39 |
| I-129H3 |
Release Date: October 12, 2022
Increase Will Help Address the Need for Seasonal Workers and Reduce Irregular Migration
Discussion Topics:
FAQ: Can I change my status from B-1/B-2 to H-1B, L-1, F-1?|| Can an H-1B holder open an LLC in the US and employ their spouse on H-4 EAD? || Parents staying in or traveling to the U.S. while their green card petition is pending? || Volunteer work on an H-1B visa || Deportation when a permanent resident is involved in Shoplifting || 7th year H-1B extension with pending PERM
Release Date
10/18/2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will consider certain CW-1 petitions seeking an extension of status for temporary workers present in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to be filed on time, even if USCIS receives them after the worker’s current period of CW-1 petition validity expires.
USCIS is providing this limited accommodation to facilitate the current Temporary Labor Certification (TLC) processing delays at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
Release Date
10/24/2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending certain COVID-19-related flexibilities through Jan. 24, 2023, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors. Under these flexibilities, USCIS considers a response received within 60 calendar days after the due date set forth in the following requests or notices before taking any action, if the request or notice was issued between March 1, 2020, and Jan. 24, 2023, inclusive:
Some other useful student resources:
Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160)
Release Date
10/27/2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is clarifying its Aug. 25, 2020, policy on implementing the requirement that workers leave the United States for at least 30 days after two renewals of their CNMI-Only Transitional Worker (CW-1) visa classification.
FAQ: What happens to H-1B after Green Card approval? || OPT eligibility requirements, F-1 status for one academic year, and Change of Status or visa stamping from back to H-4 || PERM issues for a green card for remote jobs - headquarters || Can an H-1B visa holder rent via Airbnb? Is this a violation of status? || How long does it take from PERM to Green Card, and difference between NIW and PERM Labor Certification? || Applying for E-2 Visa with a pending family-based Green Card; who can be the main applicant for an E-2 visa? ||
Recently I have been to Baltimore District Office to collect my interim EAD, I was told that if INS Processing Center(Vermont) requested some additional documentation, that requested documentation should be sent to Vermont(that information should be updated in INS database), then only they can issue interim EAD. They are taking 30 days to issue Interim EAD.
I walked in to the Detroit USCIS Center on Monday Sept 9th 2003 at 11:30pm. They gave me the waiting number & gave me an application form for Employment Authorization. At around 3:00 pm the duty officer wanted receipt notices (over 90-day proof), the original I-765 application, I-94 & driving licence (proof of picture ID). She asked me to get photo copies of each of these documents, which I got it immediately for her. After an hour someone called my name and took my picture and provided the card good for 6 months.
The PERM Processing Times has been updated. Please click the link below to view the times.
http://www.immigration.com/PERM-processing-dates/perm-processing-times-09032013
Are you getting the right immigration help?
Many people offer help with immigration services. Unfortunately, not all are authorized to do so. While many of these unauthorized practitioners mean well, all too many of them are out to rip you off. This is against the law and may be considered an immigration services scam.
If you need help filing an application or petition with USCIS, be sure to seek assistance from the right place, and from people that are authorized to help. Going to the wrong place can:
Effective September 1, 2013, the DS-260 Immigrant Visa Electronic Application and the DS-261 (Choice of Address and Agent) will replace the paper based DS-230 Application for Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration (parts I and II) and the DS-3032 (Choice of Address and Agent). This message describes the timeline for deployment and provides guidance to posts.
For more information please read the telegram attached.
Well I managed to wrestle my way through cluster-crap Dar es Salaam traffic today and made it to the US Embassy at 1:45pm and was immediately whisked in.
When I walked into the consular section I was flabbergasted by the number of people there (I could easily count 50 people) and knew I'd be there for at least 2-3 hours.
Anyway the guard who ushered me in told me to go hand my green pickup slip at the counter which I did and was told to sit and wait.