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...

I-131 Re-Entry Permit Processing Times

Update November 21, 2023 There has been a noticeable consistency in the processing duration, aligning with the trends observed earlier this year. Current Processing Scenario Despite hopes for an expedited process, the I-131 re-entry permits continue to require significant time for approval. Recent Case Example: I-131 Re-entry Permit Filed: 05/09/2022 Status: Approved Approval Date: 11/11/2023...

Processing Times for Family-based petitions and applications, including I-130 and I-485

November 21, 2023 Here's another update on the processing times for family-based immigration applications, including the I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative), I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), and the I-765 (Employment Authorization Document) and I-131 (advance parole). Marriage-Based Green Card (I-130 and I-485): Filing Date: October 06, 2022 Approval Date:...

I-129F, Fiance(e) or spouse and/or dependent children, processing times

Update June 22, 2023 Some improvements in I-129F, K-1, petition processing time. 13 to 18 months. Update April 6, 2023 Here's sample I-485 which took 20 months to process. Filed in July of 2021!! The good thing is that generally, the interview will be waived. Update February 22, 2023 Took 16 months for USCIS to approve the I-129 K-1 petition. Then another 2 months to transfer to NVC. Now waiting...

Visa Bulletin Update FY 2023

September 2023 September 2023 Visa Bulletin Highlights Family-Sponsored Second Preference (F2A) Retrogression: A significant update has been made regarding the F2A category. A cutoff date of 09/01/2023 has been assigned to the dates of filing chart. This indicates that I-485 based on F2A should be filed within this month, August 2023. Steady Employment-Based Number Use: Employment-based number...

Sample EB1A Approvals

October, 5, 2023 Here's an EB1a approval that we received in August for a proficient individual specializing in Biomechanics Modeling and Simulation, with around 100 citations and 9 publications. Also had to deal with a challenging 'give me everything' RFE. We also received one in September for a Structural Engineer, who had about 20 publications and 250 citations. This was a straight approval...

H-1B Receipt Notice Delays at the Vermont Service Center

Update July 15, 2022 The good news is that we have already received approvals for some of the H-1Bs affected by the receipt delay. Update July 1, 2022 First Vermont, now California is experiencing unusual delay in issuing H-1B receipt notices. Interestingly, Vermont has been transferring workload to California since June to address its own delay and speed up the intaking process. Update June 22,...

USCIS Expands Premium Processing to I-140 EB1 (EB1-C) and I-140 EB-2 (NIW)

Update Post, January 12, 2023 Starting January 30, 2023, premium processing will be available to new and pending: -E13 multinational executive/manager petitions. I-140 (NIW) -E21 NIW petitions no more phased expansion of premium processing. I-140 (EB-1C) Update Post, September 16, 2022 USCIS continues to expand premium processing for certain petitioners who have a pending Form I-140, Immigrant...