The INA provides that an applicant for a visa, admission, or adjustment of status is inadmissible if in the opinion of the consular officer, immigration officer, or immigration judge at the time of application for a visa, admission, or adjustment of status, the applicant is likely at any time to become dependent on certain government benefits in the future, which…
U.S. Department of Education made an announcement that they will no longer recognize the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as an accrediting agency. This determination will be affecting the two immigration-related student programs: • English language study programs, as the programs are required to be accredited under the Accreditation of English Language Training Program act; and •…
Each fiscal year The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets the number of immigrant visas for noncitizens to get Green Cards. Immigrant visas for the family-sponsored and employment-based immigrant categories are numerically limited, so they are not always immediately available. Generally, family-sponsored visas are limited to 226,000 visas each fiscal year and employment-based visas are limited to 140,000 each fiscal…
Applicants who file adjustment of status application to become a lawful permanent resident, must submit I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record to establish that the applicant is not inadmissible to the United States on public health grounds. Recently, most of the applicants who already submitted their Medical Examination receiving RFEs requesting medical exam for their adjustment of status…
Department of State updated Visa Appointment Wait Times on their website. The page includes estimated wait times for nonimmigrant visa applications eligible for an interview waiver. The additional fields on the website now include visa wait times for: • Interview Waiver Visitors (B1/B2) • Interview Waiver Students/Exchange Visitors (F, M, J) • Interview Waiver Petition-Based Temporary Workers (H, L, O,…
DOS posted the visa bulletin for December 2022. USCIS determined that for December 2022, all family-sponsored preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Visa Bulletin and all employment-based preference categories must use the Final Action Dates chart. According to December 2022 visa bulletin, visa numbers will still be current for Second preference (F2A) – spouses and…
USCIS announced that it is extending flexibilities previously announced on March 30, 2020, to assist applicants and petitioners who are responding to certain agency requests in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This flexibility applies if the issuance date listed on the request, notice, or decision is between March 1, 2020, and January 24, 2023. This includes Requests for Evidence, Notice…
The H-2B program allows U.S. employers or U.S. agents who meet specific regulatory requirements to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary nonagricultural jobs. Every fiscal year Congress set 66, 000 visas available for noncitizens. As a result of the need for seasonal workers, the Department of Homeland Security announced that an additional 64, 716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural…
Due to COVID-19 pandemic, The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that they have extended the Form I-9 flexibility policy until July 31, 2023. This provision only applies to employers and workplaces that are operating remotely. Remzi Guvenc Kulen, Esq. Kulen Law Firm, P.C.
DOS posted the visa bulletin for November 2022. USCIS determined that for November 2022, all family-sponsored preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Visa Bulletin and all employment-based preference categories must use the Final Action Dates chart. According to November 2022 visa bulletin, visa numbers will still be current for Second preference (F2A) – spouses and children…
