05 Nov 2018

I have a green card, and would now like to sponsor my fiancée for a green card, once we get married. What is the timeline for her to be able to live and work in the U.S.?

Answer While a U.S. citizen may sponsor a foreign national spouse as an immediate relative, the same does not hold true for a green card holder sponsoring a spouse. In this situation, the petition would fall under the family-based, second preference "A" (FB2A) category. After the...

12 Oct 2018

NewsFlash! Use “Dates for Filing” Chart in Nov 2018 Visa Bulletin for All Categories

The dates for filing (DF) chart is to be used for all family- and employment-based categories in the November 2018 Visa Bulletin, per the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) update to its adjustment-of-status filing charts webpage. This is the second month in a row that...

20 Sep 2018

USCIS Data Shows General Increase in Processing Times

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released a table of the national average processing times by fiscal year for various types of forms, through the first half of FY18. The U.S. government fiscal year runs from October 1st through September 30th. The data shows that...

14 Sep 2018

NewsFlash! Use “Dates for Filing Chart” in Oct 2018 Visa Bulletin for All Categories

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 (DF) chart is to be used for all family- and employment-based categories in the October 2018 Visa Bulletin. Most of the dates in...

10 Sep 2018

Can two separate I-130s be filed for me at the same time, one by my U.S. citizen sibling and the other by my permanent resident parent?

Answer Yes, more than one immigrant petition can be posted on your behalf. The petitions filed by your sister and your parent should not interfere with each other and you can then obtain your green card based on whichever one becomes current first. (10.Sep.2018)In frequent sessions...

23 Aug 2018

MurthyAudio: Analyzing Latest Regulations and Policies, Part 1

The Trump Administration continues to push for changes to those in nonimmigrant status and the U.S. employment-based immigration system. Though legislative wins have been tough to come by, the Administration has had more luck reforming immigration rules through memos and regulations. Sheela Murthy leads a discussion...

13 Jul 2018

NewsFlash! New Memo Makes it Easier for USCIS to Deny Cases Without First Issuing RFE or NOID

This afternoon, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum that provides officers with more discretion to deny an application or petition without first having to issue either a request for evidence (RFE) or notice of intent to deny (NOID). This memo...