PERM Processing Times (as of 11/19/2016)
- As of November 19, 2016, OFLC/DOL is processing the Prevailing Wage Determination Requests for PERM . Please check the link for PERM Processing Times.
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Visa Bulletin For December 2016
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during December 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.
http://www.immigration.com/visa-bulletin/visa-bulletin-december-2016
Adjustment of Status Filing Charts from the Visa Bulletin
Are you seeking to adjust your status and become a U.S. permanent resident under a family-sponsored or employment-based preference immigrant visa? If you have not yet had a relative or employer file an immigrant visa petition on your behalf, please learn more about the Adjustment of Status Filing Process.
USCIS Publishes Final Rule For Certain Employment-Based Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visa Programs
USCIS has published a final rule to modernize and improve several aspects of certain employment-based nonimmigrant and immigrant visa programs. USCIS has also amended regulations to better enable U.S. employers to hire and retain certain foreign workers who are beneficiaries of approved employment-based immigrant visa petitions and are waiting to become lawful permanent residents.
Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday), 17 November 2016
Immigration.com
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 17 November 2016:
FAQ: Refused entry 212(d)(3) waivers; L-1A for functional managers; Leaving employer after getting a green card; Changes in immigration after Trump.
Other: AOS for out of status; Giving and receiving money on H-1B visa/status; Name error in I-140; Medicaid for parents; Translations; Functional managers on L-1A; Denial of I-130; Losing green card; Amending H-1 is vendor changes; H-1 visa revocation; H-1B extension beyond 6 years; Priority date transfer; H-1 visa stamping; F-1 OPT based upon an employer who was not joined, etc.
Guestbook Entry for Vimal, United States
Name
Vimal
Country
United States
State
Texas
PERM Processing Times (as of 11/19/2016)
|
Processing Queue |
Priority Dates |
|
|
Month |
Year |
|
Analyst Review |
August |
2016 |
Audit Review |
April |
2016 |
Reconsideration Requests to the CO |
October |
2016 |
Green Card
Immigration Law
I-140 EAD Regulations Effective 17 January 2017
2 December 2016
Radio Show Discussing Overview of the new I-140 EAD Regulations
2 December 2016
Discussing I-140 EAD FAQ in community conference call
CBP Launches the Electronic Visa Update System for Early Enrollments
Nationals of the People’s Republic of China with a 10-year visa will update their information every two years using EVUS
USCIS to Centralize Processing of Special Immigrant Juvenile Cases
Starting on November 1, 2016, USCIS will centralize the Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) program. This means SIJ-based Form I-360 petitions and Form I-485 applications will primarily be adjudicated at one location, the National Benefits Center (NBC).
Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday), 3 November 2016
Immigration.com
Substantial transcription for video
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 3 November 2016:
FAQ: Impact on H-1 if converting to H-4 EAD; FAQ: TN work for multiple employers; Legal name change process in the USA.
Other: I-751 - removal proceedings NTA; Premium H-1 extension while H-1 amendment is pending; TN working concurrently on two jobs; TN applying for H-1, quota exemption; Impact on green card, I-140 if changing employers; Date of birth errors; F-1 reinstatement and H-1 pending at the same time; Change of status to TN; CSPA for consular processing; Priority date transfer; EB-2 PERM filing; L-1 stock ownership; Receiving bonus checks from end clients while working through H-1 employer; Refiling PERM if job has changed; Going to school if a green card is pending, etc.
Employers: You Can Use the Current Form I-9 Through Jan. 21, 2017
USCIS will publish the revised Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, by Nov. 22, 2016 -- NOT Jan. 22, 2017. Employers may continue using Form I-9 dated 03/08/2013 N. through Jan. 21, 2017. By Jan.
USCIS Announces Addition of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to Eligible Countries for the H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs
USCIS and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State, have added St. Vincent and the Grenadines to the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs for the coming year. The notice listing the eligible countries was published on Oct. 26, 2016 in the Federal Register.
Visa Bulletin - December 2016
Number 99
Volume IX
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during December 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.
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
Immigration Under Trump, Radio Show 10 November 2016
Nonimmigrant Visas
Substantial transcription for video
Business Immigration, Employmenmt Based Immigration, Student Visas, Pending Cases
H-4 EAD FAQ, Converting from another work status (such as H-1) to H-4 EAD
H-4 EAD rule, click here for Rajiv's blog entry on H-4 EAD and related FAQs. Scroll down for latest updates.
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We have received several requests about how to ensure there are no gaps in a spouse’s ability to work when converting from another work status (such as H-1) to H-4 EAD.
USCIS Revises Form I-9, Used for All New Hires in U.S.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a revised version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.
By Jan. 22, 2017, employers must use only the new version, dated 11/14/2016. Until then, they can continue to use the version dated 03/08/2013 or the new version.
Among the changes in the new version, Section 1 asks for “other last names used” rather than “other names used,” and streamlines certification for certain foreign nationals.
Other changes include:
Options after layoff on approved EB-1 - Compelling circumstances EAD and GC EAD conversion
Question details
I got my EB1A approved and am in the process of filing my I765 and I485 concurrently, since my date for EB1A is current, but unfortunately I got laid off now,so what is my option? Can I file a compelling Circumstances EAD and continue working once my Compelling circumstances EAD is approved and convert to GC EAD once GC EAD is approved? Or file a B2 visa and once GC EAD approval comes, can I work? Can kids go to school during my Compelling circumstances EAD approval after the grace period?
FAQ Transcript
If you have an approved EB-1A and your priority date is current, you can file I-485 without needing a specific job, as long as you intend to continue working in your field. A Compelling Circumstances EAD is not an option since it is only available when dates are not current. Consult your lawyer, but you should be able to proceed with your I-485 filing.
NIW I-485 rejected: Refiling options and priority date usage?
Question details
1. If NIW I485 is rejected. Can we refile I485, or need to start a new NIW case from I-140 stage?
2. NIW I485 is rejected. If I refile the new NIW and it is approved, can the previous NIW's priority date be used for this new NIW's AOS?
3. How will the Trump administration affect NIW I485 cases? Would you suggest any precautions?
4. Can petitioner file multiple NIWs simultaneously with different endeavors?
FAQ Transcript
If your NIW I-485 is rejected but your I-140 is still pending or approved, you can refile the I-485 without starting a new NIW case. However, consult your lawyer for any case-specific nuances.
If you file a new NIW and it gets approved, you can use the priority date from a previous NIW only if the prior I-140 was approved.
As for multiple NIW filings for different endeavors, it is theoretically possible but may weaken your case by making it appear unfocused.
USCIS Publishes Notice On Filing Procedures for Automatic Extension of Existing EADs for Liberians
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 55 (Thursday, March 21, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17423-17427]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06519]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
[CIS No. 2534-13; DHS Docket No. USCIS-2011-0014]
RIN 1615-ZB21
2012 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics
The Yearbook of Immigration Statistics is a compendium of tables that provides data on foreign nationals who, during a fiscal year, were granted lawful permanent residence (i.e., admitted as immigrants or became legal permanent residents), were admitted into the United States on a temporary basis (e.g., tourists, students, or workers), applied for asylum or refugee status, or were naturalized. The Yearbook also presents data on immigration enforcement actions, including alien apprehensions, removals, and returns.
USCIS Publishes Resource Page for H-1B FY2014 Cap Season
The H-1B Program
Be advised: Premium processing for cap-subject H-1B petitions will begin on April 15, 2013. See the Premium Processing section for more details.
EB-2 I-140 Request for Evidence
We filed an EB-2 I-140 Petition for a petitioner corporation and a beneficiary Senior Systems Analyst. The USCIS sent us a Request for Evidence (RFE), requesting information proving that the petitioner would be in an employer/employee relationship with the beneficiary and that the petitioner had the ability to pay the proffered wages for all of the beneficiaries for whom it had petitioned.
We filed a lengthy response with nearly forty exhibits. The petition was approved less than three weeks later.