Most months, Charles Oppenheim, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, provides visa bulletin explanations and predictions. Following the release of the July 2019 Visa Bulletin, Mr. Oppenheim explained the reasoning for making the family-based, second preference A...
In 2017, the Trump Administration began the implementation of an "extreme vetting" program for certain foreign nationals requesting admission to the United States. As part of this program, a foreign national applying for a visa at a U.S. consulate abroad may be asked to complete...
Answer Generally speaking, moving to a new H1B employer would not impact the dependent spouse's pending H-4/EAD extension applications. (24.Jun.2019)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law in real time. For details on chat participation, click...
The July 2019 Visa Bulletin has been released by the U.S. Department of State (DOS). There are some notable movements in family-based (FB) as well as employment-based (EB) categories. Most significantly, the F2A category becomes current for all countries of chargeability, as well as the...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated the Adjudicators Field Manual (AFM) with guidance regarding the processing of marriage-based green card applications that involve a U.S. sponsor or foreign national spouse under the age of eighteen (18). As of April 21, 2019, certain...
The U.S. State Department (DOS) has implemented changes to electronic forms DS-160, Application for a Nonimmigrant Visa, and DS-260, Application for an Immigrant Visa, that go into effect immediately. These applications will now request information about the social media username or handle used by an...
On May 10, 2019, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated the Adjudicator's Field Manual (AFM) to reduce the circumstances under which the USCIS will consider granting a case expedited treatment. In general, the USCIS has the authority to grant an expedite request on...
Answer Yes, a person can be the beneficiary of both a family-based and employment-based immigrant petition at the same time. The petitions will not likely interfere with each other. Whichever priority date becomes current first can serve as the basis of your I-485 filing. You should...
Answer Normally, one can apply for a visa "stamp" in any country, outside the U.S., where one is physically present. However, check the consulate's website before traveling, as some have unique rules for third-country nationals. Also, if you apply at a consulate other than the one...
Answer Yes, the new I-539 form requires the payment of a biometric fee, and the taking of biometrics prior to approval. (20.May.2019)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law in real time. For details on chat...
