Category: USCIS processing timeframe
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…
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…
Is the New Estimated Case Processing Time Better than Before?
On May 5, 2022, USCIS announced changes to simplify and improve how the agency communicates case processing time data to the public. Users can now immediately find the processing time information for their particular type of case, rather than seeing an aggregate of all related case types. Additional changes include: Adding drop-down options for form…
USCIS posts alert about “Transfer the Underlying Basis” and creates inflated expectations over EB I-485 applications
Update 06/28/2022 We are now seeing the results of the requests to transfer the underlying basis (“relink”). We started filing the requests in February. Below is a sample. In addition to sending out the written request to relink, our advice is to follow up on that request by calling USCIS and initiating a service inquiry.…
Healthcare workers may request expedited processing of their pending Form I-765s (EADs)
Update 10/20/2022 On 10/20/2022, USCIS extended this flexibility. If you’re a healthcare/childcare worker and have a pending I-765 that has been pending for over 90 days, you may request expedited processing. See below for definitions of a healthcare/childcare worker. Original Post 12/28/2021 On December 28, 2021, USCIS issued guidance allowing healthcare workers to request expedited…
Settlement Reached: H-4 EAD Renewals Now Also Qualifies For Automatic 180-Day extension and L-2s Get Work Authorization Without EAD.
Update May 12, 2022 On Nov. 12, 2021, USCIS issued a policy announcement to clarify that it will consider E and L spouses to be employment authorized based on their valid E or L nonimmigrant status. Since the November 2021 announcement, the Department of Homeland Security added new Class of Admission (COA) codes to distinguish…
USCIS May Lose Your RFE Response
Yes, it’s true that your filings may get lost after they’ve been delivered to USCIS. In our experience, it’s extremely rare for USCIS to lose a package after it has been delivered to its facility. Oftentimes, it’s the carrier that may have lost/damaged the package while on route to USCIS. This may happen due to…
I-140 Processing Time
The processing times here generally cover PERM-based I-140s. EB-1a, EB-1b, and EB-2 NIW will be highlighted in other posts. Update 11/24/2023 We are back with some more updates on I-140 processing times. Update 12/01/2022 Sample I-140 approval from TSC showing a continued trend toward faster adjudication. This one took less than a month. Update 09/26/2022…
H-1B Processing Update
Update 09/26/2024 Here are the latest processing updates from a recent sample of approvals. Recent H-1B Processing Times by Case Type and Service Center: Key Observations: Update 05/01/2024 Here are some latest processing updates. As cap-subject decisions start coming in, we’ll be providing additional updates. Based on the processing trends observed over the past three…
USCIS Will Offer Relief to Those Impacted by Delays at USCIS Lockbox
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…