Visa Bulletin - January 2010
January 2010 Visa Bulletin released.
January 2010 Visa Bulletin released.
On December 14, 2009, the Department of State published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to increase the nonimmigrant visa application processing fees, also called the Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee, and Border Crossing Card (BCC) fees. The proposed rule also establishes a tiered structure with separate fees for different visa categories.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the intent to end U nonimmigrant interim relief program. The U nonimmigrant interim relief program was created to allow certain crime victims to receive temporary benefits until the regulations governing U visas were published.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced new addresses for prospective adoptive parents to submit a Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative (Form I 600), and Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition (Form I 600A). This filing address change takes effect immediately.
Applicants in the United States who are filing to adopt an orphan must submit Forms I 600, I 600A and all supporting documents and fees to the following addresses:
As of December 15, 2009, approximately 64,200 H-1B cap-subject petitions had been filed. USCIS has approved sufficient H-1B petitions for aliens with advanced degrees to meet the exemption of 20,000 from the fiscal year 2010 cap. Any H-1B petitions filed on behalf of an alien with an advanced degree will now count toward the general H-1B cap of 65,000.
HHS released new technical instructions for civil surgeons regarding vaccination requirements for adjustment of status for U.S. Permanent Residents.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds the public that the H-1C nonimmigrant category expires on Dec. 21, 2009.
People with CNMI permits should no longer use Visa Waiver or B Visa
USCIS Processing Time Report released 12/16/09 with processing dates as of 10/31/09.
SAIPAN, CNMI— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reminds aliens living in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to apply for Advance Parole before traveling abroad if they do not otherwise have U.S. lawful permanent resident status or an appropriate U.S. visa (NOT a visa for “B” visitor admission only). Advance Parole is permission to re-enter the United States after traveling outside the United States, and allows people lawfully living and working in the CNMI during the period ending Nov.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced revised addresses for applicants filing an Application for Naturalization (Form N-400) at USCIS Lockbox facilities in Phoenix and Dallas. This filing address change takes effect immediately.
Q: Why has it taken the United States so long to implement changes for non-U.S. citizens who are HIV-positive to visit or live in the United States?
Statement by Deputy Press Secretary Matt Chandler on DHS' Efforts to Enhance Driver's License Security
Release Date: December 18, 2009
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap for fiscal year (FY) 2010. USCIS is hereby notifying the public that Dec. 21, 2009 is the “final receipt date” for new H-1B specialty occupation petitions requesting an employment start date in FY 2010.
[Federal Register: December 23, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 245)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 68200-68208]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23de09-23]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
22 CFR Part 62
[Public Notice: 6853]
RIN 1400-AC56
Exchange Visitor Program--Secondary School Students
AGENCY: Department of State.
ACTION: Proposed rule with request for comment.
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On Dec. 25, 2009, an individual on board Northwest Airlines Flight 253 set off a device and was subdued by passengers and crew. TSA wishes to acknowledge the heroic efforts of those individuals.
As a result of this incident, TSA has worked with airline and law enforcement authorities, as well as federal, state, local, and international partners to put additional security measures in place to ensure aviation security remains strong. Passengers traveling domestically and internationally to U.S. destinations may notice additional screening measures.
USCIS, provides guidance on the continuous residence exception for naturalization applicants who worked as translators or interpreters in Iraq or Afghanistan, pursuant to Section 1059(e) of the NDAA FY06.
Please check attachment for guidance memo.
On December 3, 2009 new laws intended to create a thorough nationwide child welfare system and an intercountry adoption procedure in conformance with The Hague Intercountry Adoption Convention were implemented in Cambodia. However, the processing of adoption petitions for Cambodia was still suspended on December 21, 2009 due to concerns relating to fraud, lack of legal framework, and lack of safeguards in Cambodia to protect children’s best interests. USCIS remains unable to approve any Form I-600.
Casa Quivira Cases: DOS issued an alert on December 28, 2009 informing that the Office of the Solicitor General's (PGN's) appeal of the 2009 decision determining the adoptability of the children taken into custody from Casa Quivira was upheld by the appeals court. Note, these children include those who are already residing in the U.S.
I have used Mr Khanna's services many times in the past and plan to do so in the future. Excellent services provided by Ms Anna Baker and Ms Fran Fisher. Mr Khanna does not shy away from difficult cases and is very approachable and very knowledgeable. A++
Thanks to Sheena for all the help she provided with the filing of my I-140. Even with an RFE pertaining to my name, the approval came through very fast. Sheena guided me through the process extremely well. She was extremely professional through it all and invoked a lot of confidence.
Thanks to you Sheena! Have a great 2009.
Thanks to Fran Fisher for preparing case for H-1B extension and H4 for my wife. Process went smooth and we got our approval receipts in just two months.
(Article Reviewed on 26 June 2015)
What is AC21 Portability?
In the context of AOS (I-485), this is that provision of law which permits an employment-based AOS applicant whose I-485 has been pending for more than 180 days and whose I-140 has been approved to change jobs anywhere in USA to same or similar job describe in their green card application.
There is a lot to discuss, but I am focusing the answers to the questions I most frequently encounter. I will continually edit this blog note with additional information as we go long.
Here is the release from USCIS.
April 27, 2009
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced an updated
number of filings for H-1B petitions for the fiscal year 2010 program.
USCIS has received approximately 45,000 H-1B petitions counting toward the Congressionally-mandated
65,000 cap. The agency continues to accept petitions subject to the general cap.
Additionally, the agency has received approximately 20,000 petitions for aliens with advanced degrees;
I would like to thank Mr.Rajiv Khanna and team specially for working on my I-140 and getting the approval real quick.
Thanks to Mr.Rajiv Khanna, Ms.Sheena Gill and team.
I got I-140 denial on my education degree, but ajiv ji and Sheena both were very confident that we can win this case from the day i received denial notice .
Special Thanks to Sheena Gill, for all the hard work did in getting my education evaluation and Clarifying USCIS about the wrong reason on which they denied my I-140.
Rajiv Khanna and his team is very quick in responding to mail ,phone call and providing solutions.
I-140 approved with in 6 working days.