DV-2025 Program: The online registration period for the DV-2025 Program begins on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4) and concludes on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5). Submission of more than one entry for a person during the registration period will disqualify all entries for that person. Remzi…
DOS released the visa bulletin for September 2023. USCIS has specified that all family-sponsored preference categories must refer to the Dates for Filing chart, while all employment-based preference categories must follow the Final Action Dates chart in the visa bulletin. According to the September 2023 visa bulletin, the priority date for the Second preference (F2A) – spouses and children (unmarried…
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced an online form for individuals, attorneys, and accredited representatives to request in-person appointments at local field offices without needing to call the USCIS Contact Center. This form is for appointments related to ADIT stamps, Emergency Advance Parole, Immigration Judge Grants, and more. It’s not a self-scheduling tool; rather, it allows users to…
In May 2022, the USCIS introduced a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) due to recognizing significant operational challenges that were causing extensive delays in processing Form I-765 applications. These delays were often exceeding 180 days, leading to gaps in employment authorization and causing eligible applicants to lose their jobs. Under this TFR, found in 8 CFR 274a(d)(5), certain renewal applicants were…
The Department of State (DOS) has introduced a proposed rule that allows individuals such as private lawyers, interpreters, and third parties to accompany applicants during specific appointments at passport agencies, U.S. embassies, and consulates. These appointments include those for U.S. passport applications, requests for documents like Consular Reports of Birth Abroad or Certificates of Loss of Nationality, and various services…
Earlier this year, USCIS introduced premium processing for F-1 students applying for optional practical training (OPT) or STEM OPT extensions. As students started submitting premium processing requests, stakeholders raised concerns about delays in receiving their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). In response, the CIS Ombudsman’s Office issued a reminder providing more details about the timeline for F-1 students who filed Form…
