The U.S. Department of State (DOS) Diversity Visa (DV) "Green Card" Lottery registration period for fiscal year 2014 (FY14) will begin on October 2, 2012. There are 50,000 immigrant visa numbers available under the FY14 lottery program. This program is available for individuals from specified...
The severely retrogressed cutoff date in the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin for October 2012 has created many difficult situations. There are numerous individuals who were able to obtain permanent residence during the brief period in fiscal year 2012 (FY12) when cutoff dates...
It is vitally important for all foreign nationals, regardless of immigration status, to understand the immigration consequences of criminal violations and arrests. Indeed, even a seemingly minor criminal offense, with minimal penalties, can impact one's immigration status, as well as eligibility for future immigration benefits....
The release of the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin for October 2012 has generated shockwaves for those in the employment-based, second preference (EB2) India category. The retrogression to a cutoff date of September 1, 2004 in the EB2 India category is far more...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin for October 2012 contains a cutoff date of September 1, 2004 in employment-based, second preference (EB2) for India. This is a significant change from previous predictions given by the DOS Visa Office. The October 2012 Visa Bulletin,...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently confirmed that the employment eligibility verification (I-9) form, available on the USCIS WebSite, remains valid despite its stated expiration date of August 31, 2012. The USCIS process for making changes to the I-9 and releasing a new...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Office has issued updated predictions of employment-based (EB) cutoff dates expected in the October 2012 Visa Bulletin. The DOS anticipates that the cutoff date for EB2 India will likely be a 2006 date. This is a revision of...
Aware of the mounting anxiety among many of our readers, the Murthy Law Firm recently contacted the U.S. Department of State (DOS) seeking information regarding projections for cutoff dates under the October 2012 Visa Bulletin. The DOS advised that the October Visa Bulletin, which begins...
The USCIS issued a policy memorandum on July 23, 2012 detailing current policies regarding available accommodations for religious beliefs as it relates to immigration photographs and fingerprinting requirements. The memo makes it clear that, while some accommodations are available, the USCIS will not waive photograph...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin for September 2012 is the final visa bulletin of fiscal year 2012 (FY12). This visa bulletin is far less eventful than those from earlier in the year. The contents, however, reflect prior events with ongoing unavailability in...
