Discussion Topics, Thursday 2 August, 2018:
FAQ: What are different wage levels for H-1B and green card jobs? || Travel outside the USA when a case is pending || The impact of the NTA memo Other: Green card renewal requirements/NTA policy || Getting promoted after getting green card || CPT and NTA policy || Past misrepresentation in immigration documents || Public assistance || Disclosing traffic tickets in naturalization || How soon can I leave after green card approval || 60 days grace period on H-1B changing status and quota issue || NTA Memo || Consequences of H-1B denial || Misclassification of H-1B job || EAD, AP and H-1B interaction || Couple applying for naturalization || Having two employers file for H-1B simultaneously || H-4 EAD
Forms recently updated by USCIS:
Update to Form I-129CW, Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker; New Edition Dated 08/01/18.For more information, please visit Forms Updates page.
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.
On Aug. 13, USCIS changed the filing location for Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status. This form was previously filed at the California Service Center. Now, petitioners must send Form I-829 to a USCIS Lockbox facility. However, the Immigrant Investor Program Office continues to be the adjudicating office. When filing at a Lockbox facility, petitioners have the option to pay the fee with a money order, personal check, cashier’s check, or credit card.
Application for Certificate of Citizenship08/15/2018 12:00 AM EDTAgency Information Collection Activities: Revision of a Currently Approved Collection: Application for Certificate of Citizenship Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 32208/15/2018 12:00 AM EDTAgency Information Collection Activities; Revision of a Currently Approved Collection: Application for Citize
Topics of Discussion: - Audit on the PERM process - Traffic violation for naturalization - H-1B transfer - H-4 visa interview
USCIS is updating the Optional Practical Training Extension for STEM Students (STEM OPT) page of the website to clarify the reporting responsibilities for participating in the STEM OPT program. Students and employers must report material changes to the Designated School Official (DSO) at the earliest opportunity by submitting a modified Form I-983. Employers must report the STEM OPT student’s termination of employment or departure to the DSO within five business days. As previously indicated on the webpage, stude
On 17 August 2018, DHS purported to "clarify" that subject to certain conditions, placement of students engaging in two-year extension of their practical training (STEM OPT extension) at third-party sites may be acceptable if appropriate conditions are met.
I have worked for my US based employer (Company 'A') since 2004 on H1 after completing MS, and have applied for GC with them in 2008 in EB2. In 2011 I have relocated back to India while GC application was pending and changed my processing to 'Consular Processing'. While I was in India, I have my GC approved in November 2013 thru Consular Processing.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that current beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under Somalia’s designation who want to maintain their status through the 18-month extension period ending on March 17, 2020, must re-register between Aug. 27, 2018, and Oct. 26, 2018.
USCIS is extending the previously announced temporary suspension of premium processing for cap-subject H-1B petitions and, beginning Sept. 11, 2018, will be expanding this temporary suspension to include certain additional H-1B petitions. USCIS expects these suspensions will last until Feb. 19, 2019, and will notify the public via uscis.gov before resuming premium processing for these petitions.
Discussion Topics, Thursday,30 August 2018:
FAQ: H4 EAD based upon a prior employers I 140 approval; effect on I 140 of changing multiple employers; effect on prior I 140 if a subsequent I 140 is approved || Can I join my old employer if the H-1B transfer is denied? Filing green card through future employer || Green card based upon investment – – EB-5 || Effect on green card and naturalization of using public or government benefits || Porting priority date from EB 2 to EB 1
Other: Job titles to be used for naturalization application || How to have a spouse stay in the USA while the green card application is going on || Entering USA on H-1B approval for one employer and H-1B visa of another employer || H-1B transfer back to an approved location || Nunc Pro Tunk approval of H-1B and 212 (d) (3) waivers || EAD delays || Confusion about permanent address used || Green card holder studying abroad || Changing tourist visato a long-term visa || Correcting name errors || Repeat RFE's
July 19, 2018: USCIS transferred some of the following cases from the Vermont Service Center to the California 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.
This presentation is intended for training use only and does not carry the force of legal opinion. The Department of Labor (Department) is providing this information as a public service. This information and any related materials are presented to give the public access to information on the Department’s programs.
Click here for the presentation.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is increasing the premium processing fee charged by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). DHS is increasing the fee by 14.92 percent, the percentage change in inflation since the fee was last adjusted in 2010 according to the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). The adjustment increases the fee from $1,225 to $1,410.
Click here for the federal register notice.
I want to share with you our unbelievable story how we got our interim EAD at Bloomington INS office in Minneapolis, MN
1. We have our EAD renewal pending at VSC since 9/18 and the current one is going to expire end of this month.
2. Our application for EAD renewal was delayed by major distractions, circumstances and poor planning.
3. We had no chance of getting the EAD renewal before the current one expires and we were in difficult situation of loosing the jobs if we dont hv EAD (it is a different story that I save it for another day).
I-765 filed online 09/10/03 (Basis I485 filed on Sep'02 and approved I-140 on Dec'02) Went to BOSTON USCIS office on Dec 9th, 2003 (91st day)Current EAD expires on 12/10/03 (working on EAD)
Timeline:
6:00AM: Arrived and found there are around 20 people ahead of me.
7:00am: Entered building and told that I am there are EAD extension. I was asked for I-765 notice (it is exactly 91st day after filing)and asked me to fill a new I-765 form and got a "E" number.
Wanted to share my experience about issuance of interim EAD at Dallas office. I had filed EB-2 NIW petition and I485/765 concurrently in June. Since I did not hear from USCIS, went to Dallas office on Nov 20 at 8 am; got our number ticket by 9am; hwent in and sat down. The nos dont really go in order, but we got called about 12.45; the officer just wanted receipt notices of I485 and I 765; she called TSC to confirm pendency of the applications and then came back and said she will issue 8 month interim EAD's for my wife and me.