Visa Bulletin For July 2015
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during July. Consular officers are required to report to the Department of State documentarily qualified applicants for numerically limited visas; U.S.
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USCIS and the City of New York Expand Immigrant Integration Efforts and Support for Aspiring U.S. Citizens
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Office of the Mayor of New York City have joined forces to strengthen citizenship education and awareness efforts in the City of New York. The new partnership began today as part of a signed letter of agreement between USCIS Director Léon Rodríguez and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Guestbook Entry for Zenmonics , United States
Name
Zenmonics
Country
United States
State
NC
DACA Renewal Tips
Some people wait too long to request DACA renewal or do not correctly submit all the required forms and fees. As a result, their Employment Authorization Documents may expire before USCIS can finish processing their requests for DACA renewal.
You can lessen the chance that this may happen if you:
USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for the Second Half of Fiscal Year 2015
On June 5, 2015, USCIS announced that it had reopened the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2015. USCIS has now received a sufficient number of petitions to reach the H-2B cap for the second half of FY 2015. June 11, 2015 was the final receipt date for new H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date before October 1, 2015.
Update to Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions
USCIS has issued an update to Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions. The new edition is dated 05/07/15.
Starting 08/15/15, USCIS will accept only the 05/07/15 edition. USCIS will accept editions dated 03/11/13 or earlier until08/14/15.
For a complete listing of updated forms, visit Forms Updates page.
PERM Processing Times (as of 06/01/2015)
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Processing Queue |
Priority Dates |
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Month |
Year |
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|
Analyst Review |
November |
2014 |
|
Audit Review |
December | |
Agency
Green Card
New "Visa" for Entrepreneurs - Significant Public Benefit Parole
USCIS is in the process of implementing a proposed “significant public benefit” parole program for entrepreneurs. This is one of the executive actions on immigration announced by President Obama on November 20, 2014.
USCIS states:
Under this proposed initiative, and based on the USCIS’s existing statutory parole authority, Department of Homeland Security may extend parole, on a case-by-case basis, to eligible founders of start-up enterprises who may not yet qualify for a national interest waiver, but who:
Public Charge - Immigration Consequences of Receiving Benefits/Assistance
In tomorrow's community conference call, one of the community members has raised the issue whether receiving certain kinds of State benefits becomes an issue for immigration.
DHS Announces Temporary Protected Status Designation for Nepal
WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson announced his decision to designate Nepal for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months based on the conditions resulting from the devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, 2015, and the subsequent aftershocks. As a result, eligible nationals of Nepal residing in the United States may apply for TPS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Guestbook Entry for Suresh Jayaraman, United States
Name
Suresh Jayaraman
Country
United States
State
NORTH CAROLINA
Temporary Protected Status Registration Period Extended for Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending the initial registration deadline for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from May 20, 2015, to Aug. 18, 2015, for eligible nationals of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone (and people without nationality who last habitually resided in one of those three countries).
Hot Topics
These are topics of current or ongoing interest for our community.
B-1 In Lieu of H-1 Visa
The H-1 quota cuts down 50% or more applications each year. Legally, employees of foreign companies or entities can try and obtain B-1 visa in lieu of H-1 visas as long as they fulfill the following criteria outlined by the US Department of State.
Each intended B-1 (in lieu of H-1) entrant must:
1. Hold the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree
2. Plan to perform H-1B-caliber work or training
EB-2 National Interest Waivers (NIW) Services and Fees
The fee schedule for Green Card through NATIONAL INTEREST WAIVERS (fees are payable by personal or corporate checks) is as follows:
| 1. | Legal Fees (for our Office):
$7,000 |
| 2. |
Filing Fees (to the USCIS): Forms I-140, I-485, I-765, I-131: See USCIS Fee Calculator |
Green Card
EB-1 Extraordinary Ability Alien, Outstanding Researcher/Professor OR International Managers Services and Fees
The fee schedule for Green Card through Extraordinary Ability Alien, Outstanding Researcher/Professor, and Multinational Manager (fees are payable by personal checks) is as follows:
| 1. | Legal Fees (for our Office):
$7,800 for EB-1 |
Green Card
EB-4 Religious Workers Services and Fees
The fee schedule for EB-4 (fees are payable by personal or corporate checks)is as follows:
| 1. | Legal Fees (for our Office):
$5,800 |
| 2. |
Filing Fees (to the USCIS): Forms I-360, I-485, See USCIS Fee Calculator |
Green Card
EB-3 (Schedule A) Nurses Services and Fees
The fee schedule for EB-3 (Schedule A) NURSES (fees are payable by personal or corporate checks) is as follows:
| 1. | Legal Fees (for our Office):
$5,800 |
| 2. |
Filing Fees (to the USCIS): Forms I-140, I-485, I-765, I-131: See USCIS Fee Calculator |
Profession/Occupation
EB-3 (Schedule A) Physical Therapists Services and Fees
The fee schedule for EB-3 (Schedule A) Physical Therapists (fees are payable by personal or corporate checks) is as follows:
| 1. | Legal Fees (for our Office):
$5,800 |
| 2. |
Filing Fees (to the USCIS): Forms I-140, I-485, I-765, I-131: See USCIS Fee Calculator |
Profession/Occupation
EB-2 (NIW) Physicians Services and Fees
The fee schedule for Green Card for PHYSICIANS WORKING IN MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREAS (fees are payable by personal checks) is as follows:
| 1. | Legal Fees (for our Office):
$7,400 |
| 2. |
Filing Fees (to the USCIS) |
Profession/Occupation
H Visa Services and Fees
Fee schedule for H-1 classification (USCIS requires all filing fees to be paid EITHER via ACH Transaction or Credit card)
Note: For governmental Requests For Evidence (RFEs), we charge extra based upon the complexity of the issue(s)
Nonimmigrant Visas
L Visa Services and Fees
Note:
If the case is likely to be complicated, we may charge higher amounts for legal fees.
For governmental Requests For Evidence (RFEs), we charge extra based upon the complexity of the issue(s).
L-1 A CLASSIFICATIONS
The fee schedule for L-1A classification (USCIS requires all filing fees to be paid EITHER via ACH Transaction or Credit card) is as follows:
Nonimmigrant Visas
K Visa Services and Fees
For information on the K1 / K3 process, please visit:
https://immigration.com/visa/k-visa/k-visa-overview
Fee schedule for K-1 Visa classifications (USCIS requires all filing fees to be paid EITHER via ACH Transaction or Credit card)
| Fee Type | Amount | Payable To | Responsible for Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal fee | $2,200 |
Nonimmigrant Visas
TN Visa Services and Fees
Fee schedule for TN classification (USCIS requires all filing fees to be paid EITHER via ACH Transaction or Credit card)
| Fee Type | Amount | Payable To | Responsible for Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Fee For Border Applications | $2,400 | Our Office | Petitioner or Beneficiery |
| Legal Fee For Cases filed within the U.S.A | $1,800 | Our Office | |