Guestbook Entry for Oleg Uvarov , United States
Name
Oleg Uvarov
Country
United States
State
MA
Search
Guestbook Entry for Rohit Viswanathan , United States
Name
Rohit Viswanathan
Country
United States
State
DC
Guestbook Entry for Gaytri Dani, United States
Name
Gaytri Dani
Country
United States
State
NJ
Guestbook Entry for Gopinath kakarla , United States
Name
Gopinath kakarla
Country
United States
State
NM
Sept 29, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
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?
Visa Bulletin For November 2022
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.
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
USCIS Issues Policy Guidance on the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022
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:
PERM Processing Times (as of 9/30/2022)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | February 2022 |
| Audit Review | November 2021 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | May 2022 |
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
AAO Processing Times (July - September 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 |
Immigration Law
DHS to Supplement H-2B Cap with Nearly 65,000 Additional Visas for Fiscal Year 2023
Release Date: October 12, 2022
Increase Will Help Address the Need for Seasonal Workers and Reduce Irregular Migration
Recording of October 13, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Nonimmigrant Visas
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
Filing Guidance for CW-1 Petitions Seeking to Extend Status
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).
USCIS Extends COVID-19-related Flexibilities
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:
Important Student Resources
Some other useful student resources:
Form DS-160
Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160)
USCIS Will Only Consider CW-1 Petitions Approved and with Starting Validity on or after June 18, 2020, when Applying the Temporary Departure Requirement
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.
Recording of October 27, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Green Card
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? ||
Brand-new EAD
Got there at 6am and there were already about 80 people ahead of us.
At 6:15 they started handing out tickets. At 7:30 we had ours.
Went inside to sit down and at 7:45 our number came up. Handed over copies of the I-765 and I-485 receipt notices (it speeds up things if they do not have to make the copies) and newly filled out I-765s (they want them).
Guestbook Entry for Ramachandra Yanamandra, United States
Name
Ramachandra Yanamandra
Country
United States
State
NJ
Guestbook Entry for Elyse Lazerwitz , United States
Name
Elyse Lazerwitz
Country
United States
State
PA
Guestbook Entry for Ketan Patel, United States
Name
Ketan Patel
Country
United States
State
MA
Should I maintain my H-1B during I-485/AOS pendency?
Question details
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.
FAQ Transcript
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.
H-1B and I-140: Moving to India & Future Return to the U.S.
Question details
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?
FAQ Transcript
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.
Visa Bulletin For April 2025
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.
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
USCIS Forms Update Notice - Form I-485
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