Since March of 2021, visa numbers have been current for Chinese or Indian nationals filing for green card under the employment-based first preference (EB1) category. This means that an applicant may file their green card applications (I-485) concurrently with their I-140 petition instead of waiting 3 to 10 years for visa number availability under second or third preference categories. The...
Update August 18, 2021 The USCIS has updated its website to clarify that: if an I-485 applicant receives a Request for Evidence (“RFE”) for a new I-693 medical exam because the I-693 on file with USCIS is over two years old, but the applicant’s I-693 on file with USCIS is valid under the temporary extension to four years and they otherwise meet the requirements, then the applicant should...
Update August 18, 2021 We responded to one I-693 RFE on 08/16/2021. Green card was approved today, 08/18/2021. Please respond to I-693 RFEs ASAP! It does not seem like USCIS is working hard to approve I-485s before 10/01/2021. Original Post August 10, 2021 On or around August 3, 2021, some of our clients informed us that they received an odd text from USCIS requesting that they submit I-693...
Update Post 09/28/2021 Original Post 08/10/2021 USCIS announced on August 9, 2021 that a new Form I-485 (edition date 03/29/2021) will allow applicants to apply for social security number (SSN) or a replacement SSN card. Previously, applicants had to apply for SSN at their local Social Security Office and may require multiple trips. The new form contains the following new section regarding SSN:...
USCIS no longer accepts written requests. Reschedule requests must now be made via the USCIS Contact Center by calling 1-800-375-5283. Your request to reschedule must: 1) be made before and time of the original appointment and 2) establish good cause for rescheduling. Please also see a sample recent biometrics appt notice without the option to mail in rescheduling requests.
Update 10/13/2021 Update 08/11/2021 Two more examples of extremely long wait times for biometrics appointment notice. An I-485 FB was filed on 09/03/2020. Biometrics Appt notice was issued 9 months later.An I-751 was filed on 12/17/2020. Biomtrics Appoint notice arrived 8 months later. Update 08/04/2021 Another example of a late biometrics appointment. I-90 was filed in September 2020....
On July 16, 2021, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced a new mailing address for its Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) Atlanta National Processing Center (ANPC) which will become effective on August 25, 2021. What this means for PERM cases, specifically PERM recruitment, is that the notice of filing must show the new address starting September 5, 2021. The new address is: U.S....
April 2022 USCIS determined that for April 2022, all family-sponsored preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart. All employment-based preference categories must use the Dates of Filing chart. There's also significant advancement for EB2 India, from Sept 1, 2013 to Sept 1, 2014. Many may have already filed in 2020 / 2021 when they downgraded from EB2 to EB3. USCIS is encouraging...
On June 9, 2021, USCIS issued policy updates to improve the immigration system. Improvements are expected to continue under the Biden administration. USCIS is committed to modernizing the immigration system and operating it in a fair, efficient, and humane manner. Expedited Processing USCIS provided further guidance on when expedited processing may be warranted. Please see our post regarding...
Update June 18, 2021 If you have experienced a delayed rejection of your immigration filing which you are unable to refile due to no longer being eligible for the immigration benefit requested, please pay attention to the current flexibilities offered by USCIS. These filing flexibilities are effective for 60 days from June 10, 2021, until August 9, 2021. Refiling Eligibility You may refile your...
