We filed a petition premium processing for a self-petitioning researcher. The petitioner had over 15 years of research experience in the nanotechnology field. He had an extraordinary research career which included 52 scholarly scientific articles with over 1,020 citations of his work. His publications were featured in numerous high impact international journals. In addition to his noteworthy research publications, the petitioner was a highly sought after reviewer for a multitude of prestigious, international scientific journals. He was also selected to an editorial board.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently began transferring some extension of stay casework from the Vermont Service Center to the California Service Center to balance workloads. The affected casework includes the following form:
All immigrant visa applicants now must complete the DS-260 online immigrant visa application at https://ceac.state.gov/ceac and login tohttp://www.ustraveldocs.com/in to schedule an appointment at Visa Application Center(VAC) for biometric fingerprint and photograph
Rajiv was very generous in providing the right guidance in resolving my H-1B salary issues. Prior to contacting Rajiv, another immigration attorney tried to represent me on a fee basis to help reclaim my salary. Rajiv offered his free consultation over the phone. He asked to me to do it by myself with the Depart of Labor. This happended six months ago. I just got some time this afternoon to go to the SF office of the DOL. The DOL will commence an investigation, which I believe should help me get my unpaid salary. Thank you, Rajiv!
Does the USCIS make a distinction as to whether a specialist physician works in a Medically Underserved Area vs Health Professional Shortage Area versus Physician Scarcity Area? My job falls in MUA, HPSA but not PSA , is this a problem for a specialist?
NIW requires "You must serve either in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), Mental Health Professional Area (MHPSA – for psychiatrists only), a Medically Underserved Area (MUA), or a Veterans Affairs facility, or for specialists in a Physician Scarcity Area (PSA)."
Is there a direct way for me to get a green card or apply for EB-3 without my employer's support? My employer is unwilling to support me for any working visa and I am already out of the status due to this.
Three options: Extraordinary Ability Aliens, National Interest Waiver and Investment (EB-5).
Date: 06/02/2008
Time: 2:00 PM
Place: USCIS office, Callowhill St. Philadelphia PA
The news item and related documents are available here:
http://www.immigration.com/newslette...prmprocss.html
Please note, for now (June 2008), premium processing is only available if you meet ALL of the current requirements:
1. Your are currently on H-1;
2. Your H-1 status is expiring within 60 days when you apply for I-140 premium processing; and
This issue has come up several times. Here is what USCIS says:
USCIS Considerations to expedite Cases
All expedite requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and are granted at the discretion of the Director. The criteria are as follows:
* Severe financial loss to company or individual
* Extreme emergent situation
* Humanitarian situation
* Nonprofit status of requesting organization in furtherance of the cultural and social interests of the United States
This morning, I was working on explaining to a client (whom I respect greatly), one of the foremost musicians from India, how EB1 (Extraordinary Ability) category applies to musicians and performers. As I was sending him the basic information on EB1 category, I thought I will share the general criteria with all of you. This information is for EA, generally and applies to all fields - not just music. See attached.
Regards to all. Rajiv.
How to Make Your Communication with the USCIS Contact Center More Effective
The USCIS Contact Center has made changes to reduce reliance on telephonic live assistance while promoting the use of online self-help tools and digital inquiry channels. This is the result of financial limitations and resource constraints that make it impossible for USCIS to offer live assistance to every customer in the face of increased inquiry volumes.
When does it make sense to reach out to the USCIS Contact Center?
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.
Release Date
“USCIS upholds America’s promise as a nation of welcome and possibility with fairness, integrity, and respect for all we serve.”
Release Date
On Feb. 6, the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services joins other U.S. government agencies and the international community in calling for an end to the practice of female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C).
FGM/C refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today published updated policy guidance to change the maximum validity period that may be granted for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued to certain applicants, as well as to provide general guidance on adjudicating Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
Starting today, USCIS will generally grant new and renewed EADs that are valid for two years to applicants in the following categories:
Discussion topics:
On January 21, 2022, USCIS published the following information on its website, which we have edited to provide clarifying remarks:
You may be eligible to request to transfer the underlying basis of your Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to a different employment-based immigrant category based on another Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers. USCIS may, in its discretion, grant a transfer request, if:
Processing Queue | Priority Date |
---|---|
Analyst Review | August 2021 |
Audit Review | April 2021 |
Reconsideration Request to the CO | August 2021 |
The Biden administration earlier announced changes in immigration policy treatment of STEM fields that provide welcome opportunities to the people holding F-1 and J-1 visas in the United States.
For more details please visit this link:
Number 63
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during March 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.
We assisted in responding to an RFE questioning the employer’s educational requirements for an E-3 (Specialty Occupation Workers from Australia) Petition filed for a software developer position.
I would like to thank Mr. Khanna and his staff, especially Prerna and Richa in handling my green card processing. They are very professional, diligent and meticulous in their work. I trust them completely, they have always advised me in my best interests from a legal stand point. I would recommend their office for any immigration related issues without hesitation and I am glad that I went to them. Their responses have been very timely and that's one less issue to worry about. Thanks again.