10 Jun 2019

If the priority date for an employment-based immigration petition (I-140 form) becomes current, can the petitioner file an I-485 while s/he is in India working for the same company?

Answer An application to adjust status (I-485) can only be filed by an individual (not a company) present in the United States in valid status subsequent to a lawful admission with very few exceptions. If that is not the case, one can still "consular process" for...

10 Jun 2019

Can a foreign national travel outside the United States while an extension of stay application / petition is pending and utilize the automatic visa revalidation rules to return and resume status?

Answer Generally, this is possible, assuming the foreign national’s I-94 is unexpired and s/he is maintaining status. Normally, an application / petition for extension is not cancelled by international travel. An application / petition for change of status would be cancelled by international travel. (10.Jun.2019)In frequent...

07 Jun 2019

H1B Cap Cases Filed for Consular Notification of a Beneficiary’s H1B Visa Can Now Be Upgraded to Premium Processing

Effective Monday, June 10, 2019, in addition to any cap-subject H1B petition filed for regular processing that requested a change of status, the USCIS will also accept filings of premium processing requests of all remaining cap-subject petitions. Those employers who elect to "upgrade" their pending...

04 Jun 2019

DS-160 and DS-260 Now Require Social Media Information

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...

03 Jun 2019

USCIS Implements Stricter Expedite Request Criteria

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...

03 Jun 2019

Can a person be the beneficiary of an employment-based immigrant petition and a family-based immigration petition at the same time?

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...