Visa Bulletin - October 2015 (Revised)
Number 85
Volume IX
Washington, D.C
Immigrant Numbers for October 2015
Revised September 25, 2015
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Visa Bulletin For October 2015 (Revised)
This bulletin supersedes the bulletin for October 2015 that was originally published on September 9, 2015, and contained Dates for Filing Applications long used by the Department of State for internal processing purposes. Following consultations with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Dates for Filing Applications for some categories in the Family-Sponsored and Employment-Based preferences have been adjusted to better reflect a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. The Dates for Filing Applications sections (sections 4.B.
Interview
I wanted to thank everyone for all the helpful comments and guidance posted in this forum!
Went to the USCIS office in Manhattan yesterday for my interview at 730 am. After going through security went to the waiting area and handed my interview notice to the receptionist. My name was called by the IO at 8 am. It must have been a very quiet day and there were no more than 15-20 people in the waiting area!
Citizenship and Naturalization
PERM Processing Times (as of 08/31/2015)
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Priority Dates |
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Month |
Year |
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Analyst Review |
February |
2015 |
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Audit Review |
June |
2014 |
Green Card
Immigration Law
Mother's Citizenship Interview
My parents had their citizenship interview few days back. My father passed the interview. My mother had been concentrating more on the civics part and never went over the N-400 application. When the USCIS officer asked her about tax returns and other questions she got confused and couldn't answer then correctly as she was scared to answer them wrong. She passed the civics. On the form she was given at the end stated that she needs to be retested again for understanding language.My father has his oath ceremony next week.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Boston MA - N-400 Interview Experience
I had my interview at the JFK Building, Boston. My appointment time was around 8am. I got there at 7:30. I was called in at around 9 am. It was a standard interview. I took oath to tell the truth. He asked for my GC, Passport and proof that I had registered for selective service. That is all he asked for.
We went through the N-400 first. He was very detailed. Chatted about my work in between. I had already prepared my travel log since the time of my application and he added that as an addendum to my application. After that we did the civics exams.
Citizenship and Naturalization
PERM Processing Times (as of 11/30/2019)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | September 2019 |
| Audit Review | April 2019 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | July 2019 |
Green Card
Immigration Law
Changing Employers Before 180 days of I-485 Pendency
One of the biggest problems in transactions with the USCIS is uncertainty and inconsistency. We are often confronted with decisions that are contrary to long-standing policy and may even be illegal.
Visa Bulletin - February 2020
Number 38
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during February 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.
Green Card
USCIS Announces Countries Eligible for H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), have announced the list of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs in 2020. The notice listing the eligible countries will be published in the Federal Register on Jan. 17, 2020.
USCIS Final FY 2019 Statistics Available
WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) final fiscal year (FY) 2019 agency statistics are now available online. These statistics include naturalizations, green cards, employment authorizations and protected populations, among other categories.
USCIS Forms Update Notice
recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Update to Form I-129S, Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition; New Edition Dated 11/08/19.
For more information, please visit Forms Updates page.
AAO Processing Times (October - December 2019)
| Form Type | Case Type | Completed 0-180 Days | Quarterly Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative of all completions | 49.70% | 1827 | |
| I-129CW | CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker | 100% | 3 |
| I-129E2 | CNMI Treaty Investor | 100% | 4 |
| I-129F | Petition for Fiancée | 62.22% | 45 |
| I-129H1B |
Agency
Immigration Law
Treaty Termination Ends Certain Visa Eligibility for Iranian Nationals
USCIS today announced (PDF) that, due to the Oct. 3, 2018, termination of the 1955 Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations, and Consular Rights with Iran, Iranian nationals are no longer eligible for E-1 treaty trader and E-2 treaty investor changes or extensions of status based on the treaty.
Rajiv's News Clips - US court sets aside plea, IT service companies will need to file more evidence when hiring H-1Bs
Published by : The Times Of India - Date: January 23, 2020
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv on the article:
Arlington based, Rajiv S. Khanna, Managing Attorney at Immigration.com views that the policy memo threatens not just a few H-1B cases but the very existence of several IT service and consulting companies, because of the atmosphere of high uncertainty of approval of H1B applications.
Jan 23, Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Citizenship and Naturalization
Substantial transcription for video
Discussion Topics, Thursday, January 23, 2020
FAQ: Tourist/Visitors visa for people with special needs or challenges || Risk for green card process in joining a small company, unfamiliar with immigration || Impact of 214(b) denial || Requirements for obtaining green card under EB-1C, International Managers and Executives ||
OTHER: NVC fees issues || USC relocating to India while green card petition for parents is pending || Is original I-140 approval required for priority date transfer? || Effect of subsequent H-1B, H-4 approval on current H-1B, H-4 case || Additional review of a pending I-140, delay || USCIS processing times estimate || 221(g) Administrative processing for H-1B visa || CSPA logistical problems || Carrying cash in and out of the USA || Incorrect DS-160 || List of cap exempt employers || Naturalization of children
PERM Processing Times (as of 12/31/2019)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | September 2019 |
| Audit Review | April 2019 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | July 2019 |
Green Card
Immigration Law
USCIS Adjusts Process for Managing EB-5 Visa Petition Inventory
WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a process change for Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor, from a first-in, first-out basis to a visa availability approach.
This new operational approach aligns with other visa-availability agency adjudications processes, is more consistent with congressional intent for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, and increases fairness in the administration of the program.
USCIS Issues Updates to Biometrics Collection Guidance
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced updates to its Policy Manual that address mobile biometrics services and fingerprint waivers.
USCIS requires biometrics from individuals who submit applications, petitions, and requests for certain immigration benefits. USCIS uses biometrics to verify identity, produce secure documents, and conduct required criminal and national security background checks.
Mobile Biometrics Services
USCIS Announces Public Charge Rule Implementation Following Supreme Court Stay of Nationwide Injunctions
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will implement the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds final rule (“Final Rule”) on Feb. 24, 2020, except for in the State of Illinois where the rule remains enjoined by a federal court as of Jan. 30, 2020. Under the Final Rule, USCIS will look at the factors required under the law by Congress, like an alien’s age, health, income, education and skills, among others, in order to determine whether the alien is likely at any time to become a public charge.
USCIS Announces Implementation of H-1B Electronic Registration Process for Fiscal Year 2021 Cap Season
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it has completed a successful pilot testing phase and is implementing the registration process in the next H-1B lottery. Employers seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions for the fiscal year 2021 cap, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption, must first electronically register and pay the associated $10 H-1B registration fee.
Rajiv's News Clips - Indian IT's H-1B visa woes could worsen in 2020
Published by : ETtech From the Economic Times - Date: January 03, 2020
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv on the article:
“There is more than a little apprehension that the process could be muddled up because of technological or workflow errors made by the government,” said Rajiv S Khanna, Managing Attorney at Immigration.com.
For more on this news please see the attachment.