Nonimmigrant visa application to be available via web-based by April 30, 2010.
DOS Bureau of Consular Affairs announced that it will deploy the DS-160 fully web-based nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application form worldwide. Complete global usage of DS-160 for all NIVS except K’s is expected by 04/30/10. DS-160 replaces the Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF).
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) advises anyone who lives in the CNMI who is submitting an immigration application to list their Post Office Box where the immigration form asks for a street or physical address. This is very important as applications that do not use P.O. Boxes are being returned to the USCIS office.
If an applicant has already filed an application with USCIS using a street name, it is important to complete a change of address. There are four ways to do change your address for the specific application you have submitted:
Please see the attached memorandum released by the USCIS on Dec 10,09.
Number 16
Volume IX
Washington, D.C.
VISA BULLETIN FOR JANUARY 2010
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
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.