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H-1B: Person in Specialty Occupation
This nonimmigrant classification applies to people who wish to perform services in a specialty occupation, services of exceptional merit and ability relating to a Department of Defense (DOD) cooperative research and development project, or services as a fashion model of distinguished merit or ability.
Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday), Nov 30, 2017
Immigration.com
Discussion Topics
FAQ: When does one become H-1B cap exempt? || Filing EB-1C, International Managers or Executives green card || Erroneously given longer duration on H-1B than eligible || Porting green card to a self owned company under AC21 portability || AC21 green card portability for a lateral move from developer to analyst || Revocation of H-4 EAD rules || H-1B RFE for specialty occupation || TN applying for green card ||
Other: I-94 through new company H-1B || Issues related to H-1B transfer, not joining an employer, etc. || Changing for H-1B to H-4 EAD and back to H-1B || Denial of I-751 to remove conditional status’; NTA issued || Green card AOS/I-485 interviews for employment based applicants || Background checks for visa stamping || I-824 processing times for obtaining duplicate approval notice || Refund of premium processing fee || Getting F-1 visa from a consulate while family-based green card is pending || Effect on green card application of change in job duties/salary|| Traveling after green card approval, etc.
PERM Processing Times (as of 11/30/2017)
PERM Processing Times (as of 11/30/2017)
Green Card
Immigration Law
New Court Orders on Presidential Proclamation
On December 4, 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court granted the government’s motions for emergency stays of preliminary injunctions issued by U.S.
USCIS - Log in to Online Filing
The online filing allows you to electronically submit certain benefit requests.
For more information please click here: https://www.uscis.gov/file-online/log-online-filing
Visa Bulletin - January 2018
Number 13
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during January 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
USCIS to Begin Accepting Applications under the International Entrepreneur Rule
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today it is taking steps to implement the International Entrepreneur Rule (IER), in accordance with a recent court decision.
Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday), Dec 14, 2017
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
FAQ: Does bad credit or private loans/litigation affect immigration? ||Changing jobs after I 140 approval, returning to the old job, procedures for starting new green card etc. ||Effect of salary variations during L-1A visa ||Implications of alcohol-related convictions, such as DUI, on immigration or H-1B ||Staying in the United States based upon the medical need of a child, B-2 or humanitarian parole.
Other: H-1B amendments for relocation, visa stamping ||Filing in EB-1C green card for international manager or executive ||Applying for H-1B from a third country||Proceedings after employee files WHD complaint ||Changing H-1B jobs while an extension is pending ||H-1B visa stamping problems||Applying for H-1B extension without a copy of the I 140 approval notice ||H-1B amendments for relocation ||Does change of location requiring L-1A amendment? ||Cross-chargeability, etc.
Re-Registration Period Now Open for Hondurans with Temporary Protected Status
Current beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under Honduras’ designation who want to maintain that status through the current expiration date of July 5, 2018, must re-register between Dec. 15, 2017 and Feb. 13, 2018.
No Glasses Allowed in Passport Photos
As of November 1st, 2016, customers applying for or renewing their passport must remove glasses for their passport photo.
Last year, more than 200,000 passport customers submitted poor quality photos which we couldn't accept. The #1 problem was glasses. We had to put their passport applications on hold because we couldn't clearly identify them from their photo.
USCIS Electronic Reading Room opens the door to transparency
USCIS is opening the door to its updated Electronic Reading Room to fulfill our commitment to increase transparency with the American public. In the Electronic Reading Room, USCIS is disclosing cleared policy documents and external correspondence addressed to our leadership along with their responses. This is in addition to providing access to information that had been requested at least three times and had been provided under the Freedom of Information Act.
USCIS Issues Clarifying Guidance on NAFTA TN Status Eligibility for Economists
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it is clarifying policy guidance (PDF, 71 KB) on the specific work activities its officers should consider when determining whether an individual qualifies for TN nonimmigrant status as an economist.
When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: January 2018
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.
USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for First Half of FY 2018
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has reached the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the first half of fiscal year 2018.
Dec. 15, 2017, was the final receipt date for new H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date before April 1, 2018. USCIS will reject new cap-subject H-2B petitions received after Dec. 15 that request an employment start date before April 1, 2018.
USCIS continues to accept H-2B petitions that are exempt from the congressionally mandated cap. This includes the following types of petitions:
USCIS Updates Policy on Determining Cuban Citizenship for Those Born Outside of Cuba
USCIS is no longer considering a consular certificate documenting an individual’s birth outside of Cuba to a Cuban parent as sufficient evidence of Cuban citizenship. This policy memorandum aligns with Cuban law and applies to individuals born outside of Cuba applying for lawful permanent resident status in the United States under the Cuban Adjustment Act (CAA).
USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Guestbook Entry for Francis King , United States
Unbelivable: Interim EAD story
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).
Taxonomy upgrade extras
Officer stapled current EAD on new I-765 form
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.
Taxonomy upgrade extras
Experience about issuance of interim EAD at Dallas office
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.
Guestbook Entry for Suneeta Kumari, United States
Guestbook Entry for Sumit Sule , United States
We got our interim EAD's
There were approx 25 people in line ahead of us.
Doors opened at 7am. We got our interim EAD's by 10:40am.
All they looked at was the receipt notice and asked us to fill another I-765 form. We had taken a copy .
Taxonomy upgrade extras
Nearly everything about interim work permits are anecdotal
Nearly everything about interim work permits are anecdotal, and even the USCIS.gov information is vague, but I took my chances yesterday, November 17, 2003, and found out that it is true that one can have same-day processing for I-765 applications which have passed the 90 day waiting time---at least those which have been sent to California service center.