Processing Times and Status Checks
Processing Times for immigration matters vary widely. The U.S. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the U.S. Department of Labor, and the U.S.
Search
Interim EAD Issuance
Email
taras05@hotmail.com
I went to Arlington office on Wednesday, October 27th early in the morning around 7am. There were maybe 30 people already waiting in front of the building before me. Normally office opens at 7.30 if I am not mistaken. I was waiting not more than 15 minutes when immigration officer showed up and started asking people if there was anyone having an appointment. He came to me and asked the same question. I said I did not have any appointment and that I came for interim EAD. He told me that everyone has to have an appointment in order get an interim EAD.
Rajiv's Article - Decoding US' rule allowing STEM students on OPT to work for startups
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: January 02, 2024
Link: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/work/decoding-us-new-rule-allo…
Synopsis
STEM OPT Employed with Startups - A Special Case
For international students on an F-1 visa in the United States, the STEM OPT extension program provides an opportunity to gain valuable work experience after graduation while extending their stay in the US for a chance of an H-1B lottery win. Concomitantly, the program is invaluable for US employers in facilitating access to well-qualified workers, most with graduate degrees.
USCIS Issues Policy Guidance on “Ability to Pay” Requirement When Adjustment of Status Applicants Change Employers
Release Date
01/05/2024
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today issued policy guidance (PDF, 322.3 KB) on how USCIS analyzes an employer’s ability to pay the proffered wage for immigrant petitions in certain first, second, and third preference employment-based immigrant visa classifications, including instances when the sponsored worker is changing employers.
Recording for January 4, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Discussion Topics, Thursday, January 04, 2024
FAQ: Holding two full-time IT jobs on H-4 EAD || Transitions From H-1B job loss to B-2 status and impact on future H-1B employment || NIW Criteria || H-1B laid off: grace period, last employment date, health insurance, and legal stay during change of employer
Updated USCIS Forms
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
08/31/2021 10:46 AM EDT
Edition Date: 08/31/21 E. USCIS will also accept the 08/31/21 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Visa Bulletin For February 2024
Number 86
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during February 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 to Launch Organizational Accounts, Enabling Online Collaboration and Submission of H-1B Registrations
Release Date
01/12/2024
Will Also Introduce Online Filing for I-129 H-1B Petitions and H-1B I-907 Premium Processing Service
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced the upcoming launch of a package of customer experience improvements for H-1B cap season. The measures are expected to increase efficiency and ease collaboration for organizations and their legal representatives.
PERM Processing Times (as of 12/31/2023)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | January 2023 |
| Audit Review | December 2022 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | March 2023 |
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
Jan 13, 2024, Rajiv in QnA session on behalf of students, young professionals
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
SUBSCRIBE to Immigration.com YouTube Channel for further updates.
mmigration.com, Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna PC, US Immigration Attorney
Rajiv's Article - Green Card 101: Why you should be interested in the National Interest Waiver
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: January 17, 2024
Link: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/migrate/green-card-101-why-you-should-be-interested-in-the-national-interest-waiver/articleshow/106930371.cms
Recording for January 18, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Discussion Topics:
FAQ: H-1B lay off 60 days grace, options including B-1/B-2, approved I-140, Severance pay || Optimizing H-4 EAD options and bundling premium processing for H-1B and H-4 extensions || Implications of visa fraud by an employer on H-1B, L-1, green card, citizenship || Advantages of a National Interest Waiver, transitioning to EB-1, entrepreneurship, and H-4 employment for spouse
January 20, 2024, Rajiv in QnA session on behalf of students, young professionals
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
SUBSCRIBE to Immigration.com YouTube Channel for further updates.
mmigration.com, Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna PC, US Immigration Attorney
USCIS Forms Update Notice
Recently updated USCIS forms:
Form I-942, Request for Reduced Fee
12/20/2023 12:51 PM EST
Edition Date: 12/20/23. Starting March 25, USCIS will only accept the 12/20/23 edition. Until then, you can also use the 12/02/21 and 02/13/19 editions. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
USCIS Updates Guidance on Untimely Filed Extension of Stay and Change of Status Requests
Release Date
01/24/2024
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced an update to its Policy Manual providing that USCIS, in discretion and under certain conditions, may excuse a nonimmigrant’s failure to timely file an extension of stay or change of status request if the delay was due to extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the applicant or petitioner.
H-1B Lottery Regulation Implementing Beneficiary-Centric Selection
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY 8 CFR Part 214
[CIS No. 2766-24; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2023-0005] RIN 1615-AC70
Improving the H-1B Registration Selection Process and Program Integrity AGENCY: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS.
USCIS Issues Final Rule to Adjust Certain Immigration and Naturalization Fees
Release Date
01/30/2024
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule to adjust certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees for the first time since 2016. The final rule will allow USCIS to recover a greater share of its operating costs and support more timely processing of new applications.
USCIS Announces Strengthened Integrity Measures for H-1B Program
Release Date
01/30/2024
Announces FY 2025 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period and Online Filing of H-1B Petitions
AAO Processing Times (October - December 2023)
The AAO reports its processing times by form type, displaying the total number of completions for the quarter and the percentage completed within 180 days, which is our goal.
The administrative appeals process has two stages: initial field review and AAO appellate review.
Immigration Law
Implementation of New USCIS Immigrant Fee Feb. 1
New fee allows USCIS to recover the costs of processing immigrant visas after individuals receive their visa packages from the Department of State abroad
N-400 interview with continuous residence issues - APPROVED!
Hi all,
I wanted to share my wife's N400 interview experience which had lots of continuous residency issues. it is thanks to this forum's contributions that we decided to apply anyway in spite of the fact our own lawyer advised us against it. and she got approved and had her oath on the very same day!
Citizenship and Naturalization
New Interview Requirement for B-1 Employers in Manila, Philippines
Visas for Domestic Employees of B, E, F, H, I, J, L, O, P, and Q Visa Holders and U.S. Citizens Temporarily Assigned To The United States (B-1)
Why Should Immigration Law Interest or Alarm You?
Immigration.com
Immigration Law
Substantial transcription for video
A Continuing Legal Education seminar delivered by Rajiv S. Khanna. This information is relevant for lawyers and business/HR management professionals. This seminar was presented for American Law Institute/American Bar Association and Lawline.