USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following forms:
USCIS recently updated the following forms:
Discussion Topics, Thursday, April 29, 2021:
6 May 2021
As of today, there are no updates from the government beyond what was on the US Consulate website
On 30 April 2021, President Biden placed a restriction on travel to the US.
The term Change of Status (COS) is the name given to the process through which a person can change from one temporary status (nonimmigrant) to another temporary status without having to leave the United States. Typical examples of this process are changing from a student visa status to H-1B. Usually, a successful COS is evidenced by the USCIS issuing you a new I-94.
Changing status from a temporary visa to a green card within the United States is also a change of status, but it is technically referred to as Adjustment of Status (AOS).
Last Updated: April 6, 2021
Release Date
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that F-1 students seeking optional practical training (OPT) can now file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online if they are filing under one of these categories:
I got my GC on March of 2016 through my then employer. Soon after getting my GC my project ended (May 2016) abruptly because of the change at client location. I did not had any project at hand so I started looking for a new job and started to work with new employer in June of 2016. There was no official end date of my employment with my previous employer through which I got my GC because they were looking for a new project for me but without any certainty how long it could be before they can find me a new project. While they were looking for a project for me, I already started working for my new employer so I just moved on without any official end date with my previous employer.
In Feb of 2019, I started a second job with another employer. Currently, I'm working 2 jobs full time on GC.
I am now eligible to file for citizenship through 5 years of permanent residency requirement. I'm worried if there will be any issues while I file for my citizenship because I did not stay with the employer that file my GC long enough after receiving my GC. Also will there be any issues because I am currently working 2 full time jobs when I file for citizenship?
I think it is fine, I personally don't see this as a problem and you will be able to file for citizenship. However, I would still want you to consult with a lawyer discuss your particular case understand the pros and cons.
Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
Previously I was on H1B when my I-140 was approved. Currently I am on H4 status, not employed and my priority date became current.
Previous employer has provided Supplement J and I have filed I-485, I-765, I-131 concurrently. The Supplement J indicates (#9 in Part 6) I am not currently employed with the sponsoring employer.
Q1) Upon receiving AOS EAD, can I directly join a new employer after 180 days of pending I-485 if sponsoring employer doesn't have any open position?
Q2) Can I start searching for new job before 180 days of pending I-485, but join after 180 days? Or, I must have to start searching and interviewing for new job, only after 180 days?
Q3) At the time of filing AOS, my Supplement J indicated that I am not currently employed with the sponsoring employer. If I join the sponsoring employer upon receiving EAD, then do I have to send USCIS new Supplement J indicating that I am now employed with the sponsoring employer, knowing that it might take a decade for my Final Action Date to become current and I may not be employed with the sponsoring employer at the time of GC interview?
Q4) What if I need to change my employer after GC interview, but before receiving GC?
Q5) I heard, after 180 days of pending I-485, even if I change my job couple of times, I can take the Supplement J only from the employer with whom I will be working at the time of GC interview. But can I still send new Supplement J to USCIS from each employers everytime I change my job? Is that legally allowed? or, is there any concern? Because, it might take a decade for my Final Action Date to become current and within that timeframe I might have to change job 2-3 times.
1. In my opinion you can.
2. Absolutely.
3. I think you should file a Supplement J. It gives you added protection.
4. As of now there is nothing definite about changing jobs after the interview but before the green card approval. I would suspect if the job is same or similar keep some record of it otherwise you can do it. But have your lawyers follow up the procedures that exist when you actually do this.
5. Absolutely.
Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
FAQS: H-1B revoked after 1 October, never used. Am I quota exempt? Travel while I-485 AOS is pending: returning on H-1B visa, AP, AVR etc.
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Number 53
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during May 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.
As I had said in our last community conference call, our office inquired. A USCIS officer advised not to submit medicals without an RFE. He said wait for the RFE or bring them to the interview.
Release Date
USCIS is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual instructing officers to give deference to prior determinations when adjudicating extension requests involving the same parties and facts unless there was a material error, material change, or new material facts.
We engaged the services of Rajiv Khanna Law Offices in year 2006, the team we worked with is an excellent team, very crisp in the information giving or getting back, very knowledgeable, immediate response back to the clients, and the PERM process went very smooth and success. Very good and easy attorneys to deal with. Will luv to stay and do business.
ICE FAQs on the Administration’s August 18, 2011 announcement regarding a new process to ensure that immigration enforcement resources are focused on high priority cases.
The Department has replaced a PERM program Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) regarding the use of an electronic or web-based national professional journal instead of a print journal when conducting recruitment for College and University Teachers as specified under 20 CFR 656.18.
Please check the attachment to read the FAQ.
Dear Friends and Fearfuls! This is the message I posted on my Facebook Page after speaking with Rajiv for the first time. (and before I knew about this opportunity to post comments on his own page.) I felt it was so important to let other people know that there is someone like this who is actually practicing law, much less IMMIGRATION LAW! Hooray for the good guys. One more in the camp. --- FB Message: If anyone you know needs a good immigration attorney, I encourage you to speak with Rajiv Khanna. Riajiv has an on-line blog which is incredibly helpful and a FAQ page that is so informative that I found my self reading pages of it that weren't even related to my questions. I was very struck by his ability to communicate in layman's English and his understanding and compassion for people with problems. When I spoke with him by phone, he shared his philosophy. He said (in essence) "We tried to figure out how much we could give away without it hurting our practice, and we discovered we could give away almost everything." I'm sure this doesn't mean the man works for free--but it does seem his career is motivated by compassion and generosity--TOO RARE in the legal field as we all know. Rajiv has a gift for simplifying the complicated and speaking to the person. In addition, he doesn't "work" on Fridays. Instead, he dedicates one day a week to community service and helping people by phone, answering questions, and trying to find quick solutions. AMAZING! Especially in today's very complex world of immigration. Office phone # 540-886-6321 in Staunton, VA (suburb of DC) Competent, Quick, compassionate, hopeful, follows-through, finds the solution--I am very, very impressed. And last but not least, you come away from speaking with Rajiv feeling smart, not stupid. Also, so rare when it comes to lawyers. Many thanks, Rajiv. Susan
This memorandum provides field guidance to all USCIS employees about their responsibilities regarding the priority processing of Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, when filed by applicants who will soon loose supplemental Security Income(SSI) benefits because they have reached their eligibility time limit.
The Department has posted a new Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) to assist employers and others in understanding how the Service Contract Act (SCA) wages are used by the OFLC in issuing H-2B prevailing wage determinations.
USCIS policy memo on the self-petitioning eligibility of a battered or abused stepparent or adoptive parent of a U.S.C., and the eligibility for VAWA relief after termination of a step-relationship.
Please check the attachment to read USCIS policy memo.
I am working in a Federal Gov't Agency, and in the near future leaving for Frankfurt, Germany, for a conference, and with a plan in mind to fly to USA via Germany after my conference is completed. My question, here, is that whether I can use my US visa, which is valid up to Apr 06/2012, whereas the passport has already expired by last May 23/2011, and due to be replaced by a new one.
You will need an unexpired passport to enter USA. People in your situation carry both the new and the old passports.
Regarding EB-2 application, which is more likely to be approved (or faster), the Master's equivalency (BS graduate to be evaluated in a university to be master's equivalent) OR the 5 years progressive experience? There's only one Occupational Therapist that I know personally who was approved and it was through the Master's equivalency (she didn't even have 5 years experience). Also, would it rely/depend on the employer's capability to support documents or does it also depend on how meticulous the lawyer is with the details to be submitted in the USCIS?
It all begins with the lawyers. So, make sure your counsel are meticulous and plan for every possible eventuality they can think of. The job HAS to be described truthfully.
Positive: Professionalism. The lawyer assigned to my case is Vijay. He is a very responsible man and detailed oriented. It took us long time to prepare document which are required or not required but very supportive document for the case. We got approved for every single step with one shot. And finally got my green card. Thank you Vijay and Rajivs.