New Rules for Certain EAD Holders and Cap-Gap Beneficiaries

In December 2024, USCIS published new rules introducing significant changes to Employment Authorization Document (EAD) extensions and the H-1B program. These updates aim to address processing delays and improve continuity for impacted workers and their employers. Key Changes to EAD Extension Periods The automatic extension period for certain EADs has been permanently increased from 180 days to...

Processing Times for EAD and AP Filed with I-485 Package 2025

Update January 3, 2025 As of January 2025, we have observed a range of processing times for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Advance Parole (AP) applications filed concurrently with Form I-485. Below are some sample approvals from recent cases handled at the National Benefits Center (NBC). I-765 Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Processing Times Filed 09/10/2024 → Approved...

Processing Times for EAD and AP Filed with I-485 Package

Update January 3, 2025 As of January 2025, we have observed a range of processing times for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and Advance Parole (AP) applications filed concurrently with Form I-485. Below are some sample approvals from recent cases handled at the National Benefits Center (NBC). I-765 Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Processing Times Filed 09/10/2024 → Approved...

I-485 EB Processing Time (FY 2024)

Here's a listing of sample I-485 EB processing times for cases approved in Fiscal Year 2024 (10/2023 to 09/2024). Sample Cases: Case 1: Filed on 01/02/2024, approved on 07/10/2024. No interview or RFE. Total processing time: 6 months. Case 2: Filed on 11/02/2020, approved on 06/26/2024. This case involved PD retrogression. RFE for medical was issued but no interview. Total processing time: 43...

A Look at STEM-Related Petition Trends in EB-2 and O-1A Categories (FY 2018 – FY 2023)

The landscape of U.S. immigration for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) professionals has seen significant changes in recent years. In January 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) revised its policy guidance, impacting two key visa categories: the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) and the O-1A nonimmigrant status for individuals of extraordinary...

Visa Bulletin Update FY 2024

February 2024 USCIS determined that for November 2023, applicants in all family-sponsored preference categories and all employment-based preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart. The most notable change is in the F2A category, where the final action dates for most countries moved forward from November 2019 to February 2020. Categories in the employment-based preferences remained...

Importance of Verifying Your Green Card Issuance: USCIS May Incorrectly Approve your GC Too Early

Navigating the labyrinth of immigration procedures is not an easy task, and even when everything is done correctly, errors can still happen. This can sometimes be due to oversights on the part of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This article will focus on one such case, where we represented a client whose Green Card was rescinded due to an error by USCIS. The...