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05 Jun 2020

June 2020 Visa Bulletin Check-In

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. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Oppenheim is currently working from home, and therefore is unable to access certain government databases....

16:58 / Consulates / EB5 Investor / Employment Based / Family Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Investor / NewsBrief / Resident / USCIS News / Visa Bulletin
03 Jun 2020

My H1B petition is pending with the USCIS. Today, the online system was updated to say “Name Was Updated.” My employer says they did not submit any type of name change request. What should I do?

Answer The USCIS has been using this strange "Name Was Updated" status alert for a number of years, and it has long created confusion. It is not entirely clear what this actually means, but it appears to at least sometimes be used by the USCIS as...

07:52 / FAQs / For Employers / For Individuals / USCIS News / Worker
03 Jun 2020

My mother is in the U.S. in B-2 status, and her I-94 will expire soon. She has no way to return to India, so she is applying to extend her status. She will return to India as soon as flights resume. Will this prevent her from coming back in B-2 status next year?

Answer There is no set limit to the number of times a person may be admitted in B-2 status, or how many times their status may be extended. CBP officers at the port of entry always have discretion to admit (or deny admission) to a person...

07:49 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / Nonimmigrant Family / Visitor
03 Jun 2020

Now that premium processing services are returning, is it possible to request premium for an H-4 EAD application?

Answer No, the USCIS does not offer premium processing for H-4 applications or for EAD.  (03.Jun.2020)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more FAQs here. Copyright © 2020, MURTHY LAW FIRM. All...

07:45 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / USCIS News / Worker
29 May 2020

NewsFlash! Premium Processing Service Being Phased In, Starting 01.Jun.2020

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it would resume premium processing service in phases, beginning June 1, 2020. Per the announcement, premium processing will be made available as follows.Effective June 1, 2020, the USCIS will accept Form I-907, Request for Premium...

11:56 / Employment Based / For Employers / For Families / NewsBrief / Resident / USCIS News / Worker
28 May 2020

I read that the USCIS is going to resume in-person biometrics appointments soon. Does that mean the consulates are also being opened for visa appointments?

Answer The consulates are run by the U.S. Department of State (DOS), not the USCIS. So, the USCIS announcement has no impact on the consulates.The U.S. consulates across the globe likely will not all open at the same time. Rather, the U.S. consulates in each country...

15:55 / Consulates / FAQs / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Student / Travel / USCIS News / Worker
27 May 2020

NewsFlash! USCIS Plans to Resume In-Person Services on 04.Jun.2020

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that routine in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) will resume on June 4, 2020. Per the announcement, the USCIS is following guidelines set by the Centers for Disease Control...

16:36 / Citizen / Employment Based / Family Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / Travel / USCIS News / Visitor / Worker
21 May 2020

June 2020 Visa Bulletin: EB1 India Advances

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the June 2020 Visa Bulletin. All cutoff dates listed refer to the dates in the final action (FA) chart, unless otherwise specified. Visa Bulletin Summary Employment-Based, First Preference (EB1) Category The EB1 cutoff date for India moves ahead by more...

16:26 / EB1 Category / EB5 Investor / Employment Based / For Employers / For Individuals / NewsBrief / Resident / Visa Bulletin / Worker