On October 8, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a new rule, “Strengthening the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification Program” and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a new rule, “Strengthening Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain Aliens in the United States.” The DHS rule only affects the […]
Many foreign nationals living in the U.S. may be wondering whether they will receive recovery rebates, also known as stimulus checks, from the government in their bank account or in their mailbox through the CARES Act. In order to determine if you qualify for a recovery rebate as a foreign national, you must (A) […]
As of March 12, the USCIS is resuming premium processing services (PPS) for all new and pending H-1B petitions. Employers may upgrade pending cases to PPS by filing Form I-907 with the $1,410 USCIS fee. PPS is now available for H-1B extensions of status, changes of employer, amendments, and quota-exempt H-1B filings. It appears […]
As is widely known, employment-based immigration cases have come under increased scrutiny in recent times. For example, in March of 2017 the USCIS issued a policy memorandum indicating that the position of “computer programmer” is no longer considered a “specialty occupation” for H-1B visa eligibility. This runs contrary to decades of prior rulings otherwise. As […]
The following priority dates determine whether an employment-based applicant may file an I-485 adjustment application in the United States or a DS-230 application at a consulate abroad for permanent residency.
Category
World
China
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
India
Mexico
Philippines
EB-1
6/1/18
10/1/17
6/1/18
10/1/17
6/1/18
6/1/18
EB-2
C
6/15/15
C
5/22/09
C
C
EB-3
C
8/8/15
C
10/1/09
C
7/1/17
EB-3 Other
C
6/1/08
C
10/1/09
C
7/1/17
“C” indicates that the category is current, meaning that the application can be filed. If a date is shown, then your priority date […]
The following priority dates determine whether an employment-based applicant may file an I-485 adjustment application in the United States or a DS-230 application at a consulate abroad for permanent residency.
Category
World
China
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
India
Mexico
Philippines
Vietnam
EB-1
5/1/16
1/1/12
5/1/16
1/1/12
5/1/16
5/1/16
5/1/16
EB-2
C
3/1/15
C
3/15/09
C
C
C
EB-3
C
1/1/14
C
1/1/09
C
1/1/17
C
EB-3 Other
C
5/1/07
C
1/1/09
C
1/1/17
C
“C” indicates that the category is current, meaning that the application can be filed. If a date is shown, then the priority date […]
The following priority dates determine whether an employment-based applicant may file an I-485 adjustment application in the United States or a DS-230 application at a consulate abroad for permanent residency.
Category
World
China
El Salvador
Guatemala
Honduras
India
Mexico
Philippines
Vietnam
EB-1
C
1/1/12
C
1/1/12
C
C
C
EB-2
C
1/1/15
C
3/15/09
C
C
C
EB-3
C
1/1/13
C
11/1/08
C
1/1/17
C
EB-3 Other
C
5/1/07
C
11/1/08
C
1/1/17
C
“C” indicates that the category is current, meaning that the application can be filed. If a date is shown, then the priority date […]
The USCIS states on May 15 that is has finished the initial data entry of all H-1B cap cases selected in the lottery. Selected petitioners are now receiving case filing receipts by mail. Without indicating a time frame, the USCIS has also indicated that it will soon begin returning to petitioners by mail the […]
The following priority dates determine whether an applicant may file for permanent residency during the month of April 2018.
Category
Country of Chargeability
Priority Date
Comment
EB-1
Worldwide
Current
Unchanged
EB-1
China
January 1, 2012
Retrogressed 74 months
EB-1
India
January 1, 2012
Retrogressed 74 months
EB-1
Mexico
Current
Unchanged
EB-1
Philippines
Current
Unchanged
EB-2
Worldwide
Current
Unchanged
EB-2
China
August 1, 2014
Advanced 31 weeks
EB-2
India
December 22, 2008
Advanced 1 week
EB-2
Mexico
Current
Unchanged
EB-2
Philippines
Current
Unchanged
EB-3
Worldwide
Current
Unchanged
EB-3
China
June 1, 2015
Advanced 26 weeks
EB-3
India
February 1, 2008
Advanced 56 weeks
EB-3
Mexico
Current
Unchanged
EB-3
Philippines
January 1, 2017
Advanced 32 weeks
Dan White leads the law […]
The following priority dates determine whether an applicant may file for permanent residency during the month of March 2018.
Category
Country of Chargeability
Priority Date
Comment
EB-1
Worldwide
Current
Unchanged
EB-1
China
Current
Unchanged
EB-1
India
Current
Unchanged
EB-1
Mexico
Current
Unchanged
EB-1
Philippines
Current
Unchanged
EB-2
Worldwide
Current
Unchanged
EB-2
China
December 8, 2013
Advanced 9 weeks
EB-2
India
December 15, 2008
Advanced 1 week
EB-2
Mexico
Current
Unchanged
EB-2
Philippines
Current
Unchanged
EB-3
Worldwide
Current
Unchanged
EB-3
China
November 15, 2014
Advanced 8 weeks
EB-3
India
January 1, 2007
Advanced 4 weeks
EB-3
Mexico
Current
Unchanged
EB-3
Philippines
May 1, 2016
Advanced 8 weeks
Dan White leads the law practice at The Immigration Group, focusing exclusively on […]