Visa Bulletin Update FY 2023

March 2023 No major changes from February. Still no cut-off date for F2A. But DOL expects one soon. EB2 for all is expected to retrogress due to the high number of use. EB3 for all will also retrogress in the coming months. Employment-based visa bulletin March 2023 Family-based visa bulletin March 2023 February 2023 F2A category will likely see a cutoff date in March. If you are a green card...

Changing Consulate Interview Venue for LGBT Applicants

Oftentimes, LGBT beneficiaries of family-based (I-130) and fiance(e) visa petitions (I-129F) may want to change the visa interview location where the safety of the LGBT applicant may be at issue. The Department of State understands these concerns and has provided the following procedure for changing venue. File I-130 or I-129F petition and designate the consular post in the beneficiary's home...

Unlawful Presence for H-1B Beneficiaries in F-1 Status

If you are an H-1B beneficiary and have recently received a denial or denial of a change of status, know that unlawful presence (ULP) for F-1 students will begin to accrue on the day after the request is denied (date of H-1B decision). (ii) Nonimmigrants Admitted for Duration of Status (D/S). If USCIS finds a nonimmigrant status violation while adjudicating a request for an immigration benefit,...

I-485 EB Processing Time (Filed in FY 2023)

Update February 17, 2023 Here are some some I-765 EADs based on the pending I-485s filed FY 2023. Fairly quick. Took less than 4 months. I-131 Advance paroles were also approved at the same time. Original Post November 3, 2022 This post will provide sample processing timeframes for employment-based I-485s filed in FY 2023 (October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023). Processing time for the previous...

USCIS No Longer Recognizes ACICS-Accredited Schools Impacting Some STEM OPT, H-1B and I-140

On August 19, 2022, the US Department of Education no longer recognizes the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as an accrediting agency. On November 1, 2022, USCIS announced how the loss of recognition will impact certain immigration benefit applicants. Students from impacted schools should contact their DSO immediately and discuss how to maintain their status....