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 between E and L spouses and children. As of Jan. 30, 2022, USCIS and...

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. EB-2 Approval at Texas Service Center Filing Date: May 4, 2023 Approval Date: October 2, 2023 Duration: Approximately 5 months USCIS Posted Processing Time: 6.5 months EB-3 Approval at Nebraska...

H-1B Processing Update

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 years, cap-subject H-1B visa applications should continue to be processed rapidly, generally within 1 to 2 months. 1. Amend/Extend, Extension, and Change of Employer Cases: Vermont Service Center...

Why Is My Case Taking So Long?

Related Posts: Another Chance to File I-485 after RejectionUSCIS Processing Update: H-4 / H-4 EADI-485 EB Processing UpdateExpediting a Pending I-765 EADBreaking: USCIS to Eliminate Biometrics Requirement for I-539 filers starting May 17, 2021Biometric Appt may now be Rescheduled by PhoneI-751 Processing updatesNaturalization Processing UpdatesTemporary Extension of I-693 Validity from 2 Years...

Anxious About Not Having Received a Receipt Notice? Ask Emma

As USCIS continues to grapple with backlogs and extended processing delays, the issuance of receipt notices has also be impacted with some taking 3 weeks or longer to arrive by mail. Coupled with mail delivery issues at USPS, it has now become a challenge just to get the receipt notice in hand. It is no longer easy or expected to receive the receipt notice within a few short days. Receipt...

Naturalization Processing Updates

Update 10/26/2023 Regarding N-400 processing time, we're seeing some encouraging improvements. Let's delve into some recent samples: Baltimore Field Office:Filing Date: July 28, 2023Interview Notification Issued: August 31, 2023Interview Date: October 6, 2023This means the total processing time, from filing to the interview date for this particular case, was a little over 2 months! This is a...

I-751 Processing updates

Update 05/01/2024 Here are some sample processing times. Vermont Service Center: Filed on 03/03/2022, approved on 04/08/2024. This case took approximately 25 months to process. Texas Service Center: Filed on 09/17/2021, approved on 03/19/2024. This petition took about 30 months to process. Filed on 09/02/2021, approved on 03/12/2024. This case was processed in about 30 months. Filed on...

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 August 9, 2021. Refiling Eligibility You may refile your...

USCIS Processing Update: H-4 / H-4 EAD

Update July 26, 2023 We are glad to share some new insights into the current processing timelines for stand-alone I-539 and H-4 extensions. As of our recent observation, a stand-alone I-539 (H-4 extension) application took roughly four months for processing. However, it's important to note that when H-4 and H-4 EAD applications are filed concurrently with a premium processed H-1B application,...

USCIS is Responding Quickly to Service Request Inquiry

Update May 4, 2021 Since January of last year, we have seen an uptick in typos and errors on official notices. We've caught errors almost every month which suggests the trend will continue. Errors include name misspellings, wrong priority date, wrong DOB, missing A#, and wrong EB category (EB1 instead of EB2). We will create a new post to track these ongoing errors. It is important to look at...