PERM Processing Times (as of 08/31/2018)
PERM Processing Times (as of 08/31/2018)
PERM Processing Times (as of 08/31/2018)
As of September 4, 2018, USCIS transferred some of the following cases from the Vermont Service Center to the Potomac Service Center and the Nebraska Service Center:
On Sep. 10, USCIS changed the filing location for Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. This form was previously filed at the California and Vermont service centers. Now, petitioners must send Form I-751 to a USCIS Lockbox facility. However, the California, Nebraska, Vermont, and Texas service centers will be the adjudicating offices.
Number 22
Volume X
Sept 13 Conference Call, Topics of Discussion
Travelling outside the US when H1 is pending, but already have a valid H1 and stamping, SEP-11-2018 USCIS PREMIUM STOPPAGE / NO MORE RFE'S ON OR AFTER SEP-11-2018
On Sept. 6, 2018, the CIS Ombudsman (CISOMB)1 held a stakeholder teleconference to discuss the USCIS “Issuance of Certain RFEs and NOIDs” policy memorandum (PM) that was issued on July 13, 2018. USCIS representatives provided an overview of the memorandum and addressed many questions submitted in advance by the CISOMB. The updated policy went into effect on September 11, 2018. Below is the link of the summary of the PM and the advance questions and answers from the teleconference.
Effective immediately, USCIS will begin accepting copies of negative consultation letters directly from labor unions relating to a current or future O nonimmigrant visa petition request.
WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced the agency will celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, observed on Sept. 17, with over 260 naturalization ceremonies across the country from Sept. 14 to 23 as part of this year’s celebration of Constitution Week.
USCIS is sending text and email messages between Sept. 17 and Sept. 20, 2018, about filing Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card online. If you are a lawful permanent resident and your Green Card has expired or is about to expire, or if you need to replace it for another reason, you may file Form I-90 online.
ICE updated its list of Student and Exchange Visitor Program approved schools.
Parents came to the USA on a B-2 Visa in March 2021. I have requested an I-539 extension in August 2021 due to COVID and they stayed till Jan 2022. Eventually the extension got denied. Is this a problem?
The government will say as one has overstayed their I-94, they will now be subject to section 222(g). If you overstay your I-94 the visa stamp on your passport is automatically canceled, so you have to apply for a new visa. For more details on this issue, visit my author page on The Economic Times.
How much time does the EB-2 green card process take for a Chinese born?
For the Chinese born, it is getting more difficult. It is definitely longer for people who are born in India and shorter for China born so far as of this month.
Can you work on H-4 Visa?
Not without an employment authorization which comes only at a certain level of maturity of your spouse's green card.
Question 1: The company has laid off the employee but have put them on payroll until March 2023. In this case, can the employee travel internationally and will he be able to re-enter the USA?
Question 2: Is it the right time to move to the USA from India on H-1B since one is beginning to hear a lot of layoffs took place in big MNCs?
Answer 1: Do not travel until you get a job as you could have problems when you come back.
Answer 2. : If you are working for a big MNC then you need to think about it. But if you are working for a smaller company or a company that is not affected by the layoffs (example the healthcare industry) then you do not need to worry.
Is it not recommended to travel outside USA when you are on H-1B and I-140 filed and approved ?
Absolutely no problem, you can travel.
I have Dropbox appointment in India and going alone. My husband has a valid I-797A but an expired visa. Will that affect my stamping?
I do not know. It depends upon which way they are feeling on the day you go. Earlier there was no problem but now in some cases they have insisted you must have an H-1 visa stamp.
A friend of mine went to the U.S. on F1 last year but due to some personal problems she came back home but she wants to go to the U.S again this year to a different university. Will there be a problem to get F1 again?
Depends upon individual cases. Difficult to say.
Is there a possibility of getting approval for H-4 visa work authorization act this year?
Nothing is going to happen on immigration this year.
My I-140 and I-485 is pending, my OPT has expired. Can I stay back in the U.S until I get my green card EAD ?
Sure, because you have your I-485 pending. Having a pending I-485 gives you the right to stay in the United States.
Can I visit Canada with a valid F-1 Visa or do I need to take another visa ?
If you are on F-1 status, you can definitely go to Canada.
If I were to file for F-1 but my H-4 was going to expire would I have to file for an H-4 extension?
No. So if within the life of your H-4 you apply for F-1 change of status and if the H-4 expires that's fine. By the way, H-4 allows you to go to school. As soon as you file for the F-1 you should be able to continue going to school. Also check with your DSO.
If someone is on L-1 and got laid off, what are the alternatives?
Pretty much the same as H-1. 60 days grace period and if you still cannot find a job, leave the country or convert to student status if you want to go to school or B-1/B-2 if you want to just wait it out and look for jobs.
The Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman) assists individuals and employers in resolving difficulties they are experiencing with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This page covers what CIS can and cannot help with and how you can submit a request for case assistance with the office.