Update June 19, 2023 Here's a recent approval of an I-485 filed in July 2021. Took almost 2 years. Update January 25, 2023 According to February's visa bulletin, it seems like the F2A category will no longer remain "current." If you are a dependent whose I-485 did not get approved with the principal's I-485, you may consider F2A and have the principal file an I-130 on your behalf. It's difficult...
Update October 23, 2024 We have some new data on H-4 standalone applications (Form I-539) from both the California and Vermont Service Centers. Based on the latest case samples, the processing times range from 3 to 6.5 months. The median processing time is approximately 3.5 months. The fastest approval was 3 months, while the slowest took 6.5 months. Note that standalone cases are rare as most...
DHS just released notices that it has suspended certain requirements governing employment for Venezuelan or Syrian F-1 students. These notices provide relief to citizens of Syria or Venezuela who are lawful F–1 nonimmigrant students so the students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing...
The DHS may grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to nationals of certain countries who have experienced or are experiencing ongoing civil strife, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. In March 2021, President Biden designated Venezuela and Burma for TPS. We often hear questions about dual nationality as some nationals of TPS-designated countries are also...
We are currently in the filing phase of this year's cap-subject H-1B season. As we send out completed forms for review and signature, we often receive questions about how the beneficiary was selected in the registration lottery. During H-1B registration, a beneficiary may qualify for the Master's cap exemption as long as they have or will have attained a US master's degree at the time of H-1B...
USCIS just released data on the I-918 U Visa approval and denial rates by petitioner state and year from FY2016 to FY2020. The U nonimmigrant status (U visa) is set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity. In order to be eligible for a U visa,...
Below is a helpful flyer for LPRs returning from extended stays overseas. Please also see our related post: Potential Issues Faced by Returning LPRs after Extended Stays Overseas
Update Post June 15, 2021 Due to covid, there’s a significant backlog for immigrant (IV) and nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants waiting a visa interview. U.S. embassies and consulates are using a tiered approach to triage IV applications based on the category of immigrant visas as they resume and expand processing. Scheduling of appointments are prioritized as follows: TIER 1: Immediate...
Great news for those whose I-485s were rejected after many months of waiting caused by delays at USCIS and USPS postal. USCIS has been sending invitations to some applicants to re-file after their previously filed I-485s (filed between 10/01/2020 and 12/31/2020) were rejected due to incorrect responses to Item Numbers 9.a, 9.b, 9.c, or 10. Below is a sample invitation notice to refile. Note that...
USCIS announced today that F-1 students seeking optional practical training (OPT) can now file online if they are filing under one of these categories: (c)(3)(A) – Pre-Completion OPT;(c)(3)(B) – Post-Completion OPT; and(c)(3)(C) – 24-Month Extension of OPT for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students. Keep in mind that the online I-765 is only for OPT. If one files...
