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USCIS Now Accepting Copies of Negative O Visa Consultations Directly from Labor Unions
Effective immediately, USCIS will begin accepting copies of negative consultation letters directly from labor unions relating to a current or future O nonimmigrant visa petition request. O-1 and O-2 nonimmigrant visas are available to individuals with extraordinary ability in science, education, business, athletics, or the arts, and individuals with extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry, and certain essential support personnel. A consultation letter from a U.S.
USCIS Workload Transfer Updates
USCIS transferred some of the following cases from the Vermont Service Center to the Texas Service Center:
- Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, for F, M, J, or B nonimmigrants
For more information, see Workload Transfer Updates page.
Workload Transfer Update
USCIS transferred some of the following cases from the Vermont Service Center to the Texas Service Center, Nebraska Service Center, California Service Center, and Potomac Service Center:
- Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, for F, M, J, or B nonimmigrants
For more information, see Workload Transfer Updates page.
Jan 24, 2019, Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 24 January 2019:
FAQ: Green Card portability for EB-1C international managers or executives||What is the advantage of EB2 over EB3 category?|| Difference between final action dates for employment-based preference cases b. Dates for filing of employment-based visa applications ||
Other: Consequences of moving locations for H-1B and green card cases ||Green card through marriage||H-1B approval beyond six years based upon I-140 approval of another employer||Defining same or similar job for AC 21 portability||Cross chargeability||Converting from EB-2 to EB-3 ||Doing business on H-1B ||Changing employers from nonprofit to for-profit ||Rejoining an old job after a denial of an H-1B transfer||Difference between AC 21 portability and 240 days regulation to continue working on H-1B ||When is a Supplement J required?
USCIS Changing Policy on Accrued Unlawful Presence by Nonimmigrant Students and Exchange Visitors
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today posted a policy memorandum (PDF, 179 KB)changing how the agency will calculate unlawful presence for students and exchange visitors in F, J, and M nonimmigrant status, including F-2, J-2, or M-2 dependents, who fail to maintain their status in the United States.
May 24, 2018, Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Citizenship and Naturalization
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
The Proposed I-140 EAD Rule - Continually Updated
This entry is now old law. The new law is at http://www.immigration.com/blogs/i-140-ead-regulations-effective-17-jan…
Note: Updated all of the regulations comments on 31 December 2015. I will keep adding, as needed.
Guestbook Entry for Manoj Jadhav, United States
DHS Enhances Opportunities for H-1B1, E-3, CW-1 Nonimmigrants and Certain EB-1 Immigrants, Final Rule Posted
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amended its regulations today to improve the programs serving the H-1B1, E-3 and CW-1 nonimmigrant classifications and the EB-1 immigrant classification, and remove unnecessary hurdles that place such workers at a disadvantage when compared to similarly situated workers in other visa classifications.
US Work and Immigration Options for Foreign Professionals
US Work and Immigration Options for Foreign Professionals
A discussion with two members of our community
Guestbook Entry for Dr. ManoJ Jadhav, United States
Outline of Compelling Circumstances EAD Regs
Green Card
Oct 3, 2019 Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Citizenship and Naturalization
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Discussion Topics, Thursday, October 3, 2019
FAQ: When should we file Supplement J for AC21 || Changing employers after 180 days of I-140 approval || Filing an I-485 for a junior position when already promoted || Expediting H-4 EAD || Is there a correlation between processing times and priority dates? || Traveling while H-4 EAD extension is pending.
OTHER: 60 days grace period between H-1B petitions || Options for alleged OPT/CPT violations || Requiring pay stubs from a retired Veteran || Changing employers after 180 days of I-140 approval || Is there a deadline for filing I-485 after PD is current || Financial issues in sponsorship || Public charge rule || Refiling N-400 || Applying for H-1B extension while outside the USA || H-1B/EAD options || EB-1A changing jobs/multiple categories green cards pending || Indian OCI cards, etc.
New Direct Filing Addresses for L, O, and P Nonimmigrant Petitions for Beneficiaries in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina
USCIS has changed the direct filing addresses for where to file certain forms for beneficiaries who will be working or training in Florida, Georgia, or North Carolina. The changes are as follows:
Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday), June 1, 2017
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Green Card
O-1A - Extraordinary Ability Visas
Please see the attached graphic for O-1A visas for people who possess extraordinary ability in the
- Sciences
- Education
- Business
- Athletics
You can right-click and open the image in a new tab on your browser.
USCIS Updates Guidance for O-1 Petitions with a Focus on STEM Fields
Release Date
07/22/2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today updated its Policy Manual to provide further guidance on evidence that can be used to support a petition for an O-1A nonimmigrant of extraordinary ability with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
USCIS Expands Credit Card Payment Pilot Program to Vermont Service Center
As part of the credit card payment pilot program, the Vermont Service Center is now accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for petitioners filing Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, for O and P nonimmigrants.
Recording of August 18, 2022 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Immigration.com
Agency
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Discussion Topics, Aug 18, 2022
FAQs: Change of employers after H-1B is approved and before October 1; the number of pay stubs required; revocation of H-1B before October 1 || I-140 was approved and then revoked in 2011. Can I keep my priority date and also apply for I-485? What is the deadline for filing I-485? || Impact of alternate wage survey for H-1B LCA; the success rates of H-1B extensions; AC21 rule when the company is bought by a successor-in-interest
O Visa Processing times & status checks
Processing Times
- USCIS Service Center Processing Times
- California Service Center
- Nebraska Service Center
- Texas service Center
- Vermont Service Center
Nonimmigrant Visas
Business or Employment Related Travel to the USA During Ban - National Interest Exception NIE
The travel bans necessitated by the COVID pandemic have created much flux and uncertainty. Synthesizing the information now finally available from various US government sources, it is clearer now that many intending travelers can seek and obtain an exemption from the ban under a series of provisions for a National Interest Exception (NIE).
Do you Qualify for an NIE?
Frequently Asked Questions on US Travel Ban
Note: For the NRI readers, The Economic Times has started an immigration helpdesk. A team of experts which includes Rajiv S. Khanna addresses the most pressing issues. Please see the link below.
US travel ban: NRI Helpdesk: Can IR-5 immigrant visa holders travel to US despite travel ban? - The Economic Times