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
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.
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 Operating Status Update from DOS
Last Updated: April 6, 2021
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:
Published by: The Times of India - Date: April 17, 2021
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
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 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
The US State Department has made the following announcement today regarding the phased resumption of visa services.
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:
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced an extension of the flexibility in complying with requirements related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, due to COVID-19.
This temporary guidance was set to expire March 31. Because of ongoing precautions related to COVID-19, DHS has extended the Form I-9 flexibility policy an additional 60 days until May 31, 2021.
FAQs: AC21 Job Portability After I get my green card, is it legal to work for two companies (and not the original company) simultaneously?
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.
Managing Attorney, Rajiv S. Khanna: $220/15 min (Majority of consultations require 15 min).