16 Dec 2021

I filed my son’s I-485 as my dependent before he had aged out. After we applied, however, the category retrogressed. Is it possible my child could now age out?

Answer If the child qualified as a dependent at the time the I-485 was filed based on the date being current in Chart A (i.e., the final action chart), the child normally would not be at risk of aging out based on subsequent retrogression. However, if...

18 Nov 2021

I am a U.S. citizen and I sponsored my mother for a green card. Due to backlogs, the earliest date I could get for her appointment at the consulate is about 6 months from now. In the meantime, can she visit me on her tourist visa?

Answer Immigration officers at the U.S. ports of entry generally have discretion to admit a person on a B-1/B-2 visitor visa while that individual has a green card case pending. However, to be admitted on a B-1/B-2 visa, the foreign national typically must demonstrate a lack...

04 Nov 2021

My I-485 was approved at the end of October. However, my wife’s I-485 is still pending, and the cutoff date has now retrogressed before my priority date. Can I sponsor her for a family-based green card? Do I have to wait a certain amount of time after getting my GC before I can sponsor someone?

Answer There is no set amount of time a lawful permanent resident must wait to sponsor a qualifying family member for a green card. Further, the fact that she has a pending employment-based green card case does not prevent her from also being sponsored for a...

22 Sep 2021

October 2021 Visa Bulletin Check-In

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) recently held its monthly YouTube program with Charlie Oppenheim, Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division. The October 2021 Visa Bulletin included predictions, but Mr. Oppenheim provided some additional information during the program. Most notably, he provided more...

13 Sep 2021

NewsFlash! Use “Dates for Filing Chart” for Oct 2021 Visa Bulletin

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its adjustment-of-status filing charts webpage today, indicating that the more favorable dates for filing chart (i.e., Chart B) is to be used for virtually all family and employment-based categories in the October 2021 Visa Bulletin. The only...