Updates to Lockbox Filing Locations
USCIS recently updated the lockbox filing location information for the following USCIS form(s). Please see the “Where to File” section of the webpage for your form.
Filing Location Updates in 2021
Search
Rajiv's Comments in the News - Immigration reforms that would've helped Indians in America blocked by Senate Parliamentarian
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: September 20, 2021
Synopsis
Lawyers said that this development would make it difficult for the reforms to be passed as part of this bill. Rajiv S Khanna, Managing Partner at immigration.com said that this barrier would be very difficult to overcome.
For more on this news please see the attachment below.
USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests
Release Date
09/24/2021
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities it announced on March 30, 2020, to assist applicants, petitioners and requestors who are responding to certain:
Most CW-1 Employers Must File Required Semiannual Report (Form I-129CWR)
USCIS reminds employers of Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Transitional Workers (CW-1) that, if you have a currently-approved CW-1 petition with a validity period of six months or more, you must file Form I-129CWR, Semiannual Report for CW-1 Employers, with USCIS every six months after the petition validity start date. Employers use this report to certify the continued employment and payment of each worker under the terms and conditions of the approved petition.
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.
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.
----------------------------------------------------
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: