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
Visa Bulletin For May 2021
Number 53
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during May 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
Medicals for I-485
As I had said in our last community conference call, our office inquired. A USCIS officer advised not to submit medicals without an RFE. He said wait for the RFE or bring them to the interview.
USCIS Issues Policy Guidance on Deference to Previous Decisions
Release Date
04/27/2021
USCIS is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual instructing officers to give deference to prior determinations when adjudicating extension requests involving the same parties and facts unless there was a material error, material change, or new material facts.
Rajiv's Article - The US will continue with its 2020 student immigration policies. Here's what that means for you
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: April 28, 2021
Synopsis
New or Initial F and M students who were not previously enrolled in a program of study on March 9, 2020, will not be able to enter the United States as a nonimmigrant student for the 2021-22 academic year if their course of study is 100 percent online.
For more on this article please see the attachment below.
Rajiv's Comments in the News - H-1B visa extensions will be smoother as Trump-era memo is revoked
Published by: The Times of India - Date: April 28, 2021
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
Rajiv S. Khanna, Managing Attorney at Immigration.com told TOI, “Business entities make plans based on consistency and predictability – not being able to rely on the availability of professional workers was not conducive to business nor to non-citizen workers.”
USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following forms:
Document Verification Request Supplement
04/08/2021 07:54 AM EDT
Starting June 28, 2021, USCIS will only accept the 04/08/21 edition. Until then, you can also use the 05/29/18 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
04/08/2021 07:36 AM EDT
Community Conference Call, April 29, 2021. Presented by: Rajiv S. Khanna (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Green Card
Discussion Topics, Thursday, April 29, 2021:
FAQ: Options for potential H-4 dependent visa holder continuing their employment in India || Applying for a green card while on F-1 Student status or OPT
Travel from India to USA Banned
6 May 2021
As of today, there are no updates from the government beyond what was on the US Consulate website
On 30 April 2021, President Biden placed a restriction on travel to the US.
H-1B and CPT
Change of Status
The term Change of Status (COS) is the name given to the process through which a person can change from one temporary status (nonimmigrant) to another temporary status without having to leave the United States. Typical examples of this process are changing from a student visa status to H-1B. Usually, a successful COS is evidenced by the USCIS issuing you a new I-94.
Changing status from a temporary visa to a green card within the United States is also a change of status, but it is technically referred to as Adjustment of Status (AOS).
Visa Services Update
Visa Services Operating Status Update from DOS
Last Updated: April 6, 2021
F-1 Students Seeking Optional Practical Training Can Now File Form I-765 Online
Release Date
04/12/2021
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that F-1 students seeking optional practical training (OPT) can now file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, online if they are filing under one of these categories:
Guestbook Entry for Sanhe Hu, United States
Name
Sanhe Hu
Country
United States
State
VA
Rajiv's Comments in the News - Green card holders stuck in India need to prove US ties
Published by: The Times of India - Date: April 17, 2021
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
Apri, 15, 2021 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
FAQS: H-1B revoked after 1 October, never used. Am I quota exempt? Travel while I-485 AOS is pending: returning on H-1B visa, AP, AVR etc.
USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition
12/21/2020 11:22 AM EST
Starting June 18, 2021, USCIS will only accept the 12/21/20 edition. Until then, you can use the 12/23/16 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative
12/21/2020 09:45 AM EST
Phased Resumption of Visa Services
1 April 2021
The US State Department has made the following announcement today regarding the phased resumption of visa services.
USCIS Confirms Elimination of “Blank Space” Criteria
Release Date
04/01/2021
USCIS confirmed that for all forms it has reverted to the form rejection criteria it applied before October 2019 regarding blank responses.
In 2019, USCIS changed the form rejection criteria for: