tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78545827014958273542024-03-15T21:11:40.617-04:00---- MUSILLO UNKENHOLT LAW ---- HEALTHCARE IMMIGRATION BLOGMU Law's Immigration News for RNs, PTs, OTs, SLPs, Med Techs and other Allied Healthcare WorkersMU Lawhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10634828632575963717noreply@blogger.comBlogger1035125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-68344152950263849832024-03-11T11:39:00.000-04:002024-03-11T11:39:08.240-04:00APRIL 2024 VISA BULLETIN: ANALYSIS<p><a name="_Hlk161049232" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Department of State has just issued the</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></a><span style="text-align: justify;"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">April 2024 Visa Bulletin</span></u></span><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, which is the sixth of
the 2024 US fiscal year. This blog post analyzes this month's Visa
Bulletin.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk161049232;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Visa
Bulletin</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk161049232;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk161049232;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Table
A:</span></b></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk161049232;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Final
Action Dates -- Applications with these dates may be approved for their Green
Card (Permanent Residency card) or Immigrant Visa appointment.</span></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk161049232;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk161049232;"></span>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 557px;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 43.9pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 75.7pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Employment-based</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.4pt;" width="107">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All Chargeability <br />
Areas Except<br />
Those Listed</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 61.8pt;" width="82">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">CHINA-<br />
mainland <br />
born</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 57.95pt;" width="77">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">INDIA</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 61.6pt;" width="82">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MEXICO</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.3pt;" width="107">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PHILIPPINES</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.45pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 75.7pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1st</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.4pt;" width="107">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">C</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 61.8pt;" width="82">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">01SEP22</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 57.95pt;" width="77">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">01MAR21</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 61.6pt;" width="82">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">C</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.3pt;" width="107">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">C</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.45pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 75.7pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2nd</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.4pt;" width="107">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">15JAN23<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 61.8pt;" width="82">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">01FEB20</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 57.95pt;" width="77">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">01APR12</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 61.6pt;" width="82">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">15JAN23</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.3pt;" width="107">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">15JAN23<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 75.7pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3rd</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.4pt;" width="107">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">22NOV22<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 61.8pt;" width="82">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">01SEP20</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 57.95pt;" width="77">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">15AUG12</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 61.6pt;" width="82">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">22NOV22</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.3pt;" width="107">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">22NOV22<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Table B</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">: Dates of Filing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The USCIS will use the
Table A Final Action chart for I-485 employment-based filings. See:</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/visa-availability-priority-dates/adjustment-of-status-filing-charts-from-the-visa-bulletin"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">USCIS Visa Bulletin Dates</span></a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MU Law Analysis</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Philippines and All
Other EB-3</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> continued slow, pace forward, moving ahead just
over 60 days to November 2022. <b>China and India EB-3</b> remained at
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">September 1, 2020 and while India progressed just one month
to August 15, 2012</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a similar story
in EB-2. <b>China and India EB-2</b> as each moved ahead one
month</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. </span><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Philippines and All
Other EB-2 </span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">advanced approximately
60 days to January 15, 2023.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MU Law expects similar
paced progress in the next few months, followed by a slowdown and we get closer
to the end of the fiscal year over the summer months. <span style="color: #333333;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-40939648922346347212024-02-14T12:16:00.000-05:002024-02-14T12:16:03.507-05:00MARCH 2024 VISA BULLETIN: ANALYSIS<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Department of State
has just issued the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">March 2024 Visa Bulletin</span></a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">, which is the sixth of the 2024 US fiscal year. This blog post analyzes this month's Visa
Bulletin.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Visa Bulletin</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Table A:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">
Final Action Dates -- Applications with these dates may be approved for their
Green Card (Permanent Residency card) or Immigrant Visa appointment.</span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 557px;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 43.9pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 75.7pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Employment-based</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.4pt;" width="107">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">All Chargeability <br />
Areas Except<br />
Those Listed</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 61.8pt;" width="82">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">CHINA-<br />
mainland <br />
born</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 57.95pt;" width="77">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">INDIA</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 61.6pt;" width="82">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">MEXICO</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.3pt;" width="107">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">PHILIPPINES</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.45pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 75.7pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">1st</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.4pt;" width="107">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">C</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 61.8pt;" width="82">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">15JUL22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 57.95pt;" width="77">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01OCT20</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 61.6pt;" width="82">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">C</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.3pt;" width="107">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">C</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.45pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 75.7pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">2nd</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.4pt;" width="107">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">22NOV22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 61.8pt;" width="82">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01JAN20</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 57.95pt;" width="77">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01MAR12</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 61.6pt;" width="82">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">22NOV22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.3pt;" width="107">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">22NOV22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 75.7pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">3rd</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.4pt;" width="107">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">08SEP22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 61.8pt;" width="82">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01SEP20</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 57.95pt;" width="77">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01JUL12</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 61.6pt;" width="82">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">08SEP22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.3pt;" width="107">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">08SEP22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Table B</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">: Dates of Filing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The USCIS is expected to
use the Table a Final Action chart for I-485 employment-based filings. See: </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/visa-availability-priority-dates/adjustment-of-status-filing-charts-from-the-visa-bulletin"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">USCIS Visa Bulletin Dates</span></a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">MU
Law Analysis<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Philippines
and All Other EB-3</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">
continued slow, although uninspiring, progress by one week to September 8,
2022. <b>China and India EB-3</b> remained at their February Visa Bulletin
dates, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">September 1, 2020 and July 1, 2012, respectively</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">There
is a similar story in EB-2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>China and
India EB-2</b> remained at their February Visa Bulletin dates, </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">January
1, 2020 and March 1, 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Philippines and All Other EB-2 </span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">advanced one week to November 22,
2022.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">MU
Law expects similar progress in the next few months, followed by a slowdown and
we get closer to the end of the fiscal year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-70957680248319671252024-02-12T16:12:00.000-05:002024-02-12T16:12:04.575-05:00H-1B 2024 Cap Webinar<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> <span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MU Law will be hosting a </span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_a8GZt6qIQ1mpsMV_qDihrw" target="_blank"><span style="color: #d52a33; font-size: 11pt;">FREE</span></a></span><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> webinar for our clients and friends on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 2PM Eastern (1PM Central).</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Join us for this <a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_a8GZt6qIQ1mpsMV_qDihrw" target="_blank"><span style="color: #d52a33;">FREE</span></a> webinar to learn more about:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><ul><li><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; text-indent: 0in;">H-1B Cap Basics, Registration Process, and Projections</span></li><li><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; text-indent: 0in;">What is a Specialty Occupation?</span></li><li><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; text-indent: 0in;">H-1B Dependency</span></li><li><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; text-indent: 0in;">Special Issues for Staffing Companies, Third Party Placements</span></li><li><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; text-indent: 0in;">Employer-Employee relationships, end-client documentation</span></li><li><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; text-indent: 0in;">Cap-gap for F-1s as well as CPT/OPT maintenance</span></li><li><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; text-indent: 0in;">New H-1B Rules</span></li><li><span face="Verdana, sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; text-indent: 0in;">Top 10 things H-1B employers can do to stay compliant</span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Verdana",sans-serif" style="color: #333333; font-family: verdana; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">PLEASE JOIN US!</span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-37867145671802421722024-02-08T08:55:00.001-05:002024-02-08T08:55:31.497-05:00USCIS ANNOUNCES FEE INCREASE EFFECTIVE APRIL 1, 2024<p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Effective April 1, 2024 the USCIS will </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees/frequently-asked-questions-on-the-uscis-fee-rule">increase
filing fees</a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> on many
immigration applications. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In addition to the fee increase, the USCIS has
also introduced the new Asylum Program Fee of $600, which will be an add-on to
all new I-129 (H-1B, L-1, and other) and I-140 petitions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nonprofit petitioners will be exempt from the
new Asylum Program Fee, while </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">employers
having 25 or fewer full-time employees</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> will be subject
to a reduced Asylum Program Fee of $300.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">With the fee increase, the USCIS has also lengthened
the premium processing timeframe from <u>calendar</u> days to <u>business</u>
days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a separate </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.musillo.com/2024/01/uscis-announces-increase-to-premium.html"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">rule
taking effect February 26, 2024</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, the USCIS has
increased the premium processing fee from $2500 to $2805.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div align="center">
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 572px;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 166.0pt;" width="221">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Form / Case Type<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.0pt;" width="124">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Current Fee<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.25pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 170.0pt;" width="227">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">New Fee<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 166.0pt;" width="221">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.0pt;" width="124">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 170.0pt;" width="227">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 166.0pt;" width="221">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">H-1B (Form I-129) for companies with 25+ employees<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.0pt;" width="124">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$460 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 170.0pt;" width="227">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$1,380 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 166.0pt;" width="221">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">H-1B (Form I-129) for companies with less than 25
employees<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.0pt;" width="124">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$460 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 170.0pt;" width="227">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$760 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 4;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 166.0pt;" width="221">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">L-1 (Form I-129) for companies with 25+ employees<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.0pt;" width="124">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$460 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 170.0pt;" width="227">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$1,985 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 5;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 166.0pt;" width="221">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">L-1 (Form I-129) for companies with less than 25
employees<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.0pt;" width="124">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$460 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 170.0pt;" width="227">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$995 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 6;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 166.0pt;" width="221">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Dependents of H or L (Form I-539)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.0pt;" width="124">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$370 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 170.0pt;" width="227">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$470 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 7;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 166.0pt;" width="221">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.0pt;" width="124">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 170.0pt;" width="227">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 8;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 166.0pt;" width="221">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Employment-Based Green Card (Form I-140) for
companies with 25+ employees<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.0pt;" width="124">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$700 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 170.0pt;" width="227">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$1,315 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 9;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 166.0pt;" width="221">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Employment-Based Green Card (Form I-140) for
companies with less than 25 employees<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.0pt;" width="124">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$700 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 170.0pt;" width="227">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$1,015 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 10;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 166.0pt;" width="221">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Green Card Application (Form I-485*)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.0pt;" width="124">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$1,225 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 170.0pt;" width="227">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$1,440 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 11;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 166.0pt;" width="221">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Employment Authorization Document (Form I-765)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.0pt;" width="124">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$410 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 170.0pt;" width="227">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$470 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 12;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 166.0pt;" width="221">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Advanced Parole Travel Permit (Form I-131)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.0pt;" width="124">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$575 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 170.0pt;" width="227">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$630 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 13;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 166.0pt;" width="221">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.0pt;" width="124">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 170.0pt;" width="227">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 14;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 166.0pt;" width="221">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Family-Based Green Card (Form I-130)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.0pt;" width="124">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$535 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 170.0pt;" width="227">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$675 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 15;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 166.0pt;" width="221"></td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.0pt;" width="124"></td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 170.0pt;" width="227"></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 29.25pt; mso-yfti-irow: 16; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 166.0pt;" width="221">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">USCIS Immigrant Visa Fee<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 93.0pt;" width="124">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$220 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; height: 29.25pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 170.0pt;" width="227">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">$235 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">*It is important to note that the USCIS has
unbundled the I-485 fees from the related I-131 Advanced Parole (travel
document) and I-765 EAD (Employment Authorization Document) fees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Under the current process, a separate I-765
and I-131 fee are not charged when the I-765 and I-131 are filed or renewed
based on an I-485.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Under the new rule, I-131s filed based on an
I-485 will require the full fee payment of $630.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I-765s filed based on a pending I-485 will require
a 50% reduced fee of $260.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an
example, an adult filing an I-485 for a green card with a related Advanced
Parol and EAD application would pay:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I-485
Filing Fee: $1440</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I-765
Filing Fee: $260</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I-131
Filing Fee: $630</span></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Total:
$2330</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">H-1B cap registration fee will
also increase from $10 to $215 per registration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, this specific increase will not take
effect until March 2025.</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-87751105190114088502024-02-02T09:54:00.001-05:002024-02-12T16:10:31.303-05:00H-1B 2024 Cap Webinar<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">MU Law will be
hosting a </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_a8GZt6qIQ1mpsMV_qDihrw" target="_blank"><span style="color: #d52a33; font-size: 11.0pt;">FREE</span></a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> webinar for our clients and
friends on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 2PM Eastern (1PM Central).</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Join us for
this <a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_a8GZt6qIQ1mpsMV_qDihrw" target="_blank"><span style="color: #d52a33;">FREE</span></a> webinar to
learn more about:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">H-1B Cap Basics, Registration Process, and Projections</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">What is a Specialty Occupation?</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">H-1B Dependency</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Special Issues for Staffing Companies, Third Party Placements</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Employer-Employee relationships, end-client documentation</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Cap-gap for F-1s as well as CPT/OPT maintenance</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">New H-1B Rules</span></li><li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-indent: 0in;">Top 10 things H-1B employers can do to stay compliant</span></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">PLEASE JOIN US!</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-498288190328106752024-02-01T14:42:00.000-05:002024-02-01T14:42:05.285-05:00USCIS ANNOUNCES H-1B CAP REGISTRATION WINDOW AND CHANGES TO REGISTRATION PROCESS<p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The fiscal year 2025 (March 2024) H-1B
cap registration period will open at noon eastern on March 6, 2024 and run
through noon eastern on March 22, 2024. For fiscal year 2025 H-1B cap filings, employers
will also have the option of filing Form I-129 electronically on the USCIS
website.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">On January 30, 2024, USCIS announced a
</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2024-01770/improving-the-h-1b-registration-selection-process-and-program-integrity"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">final rule</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> to reduce
the potential for fraud in the H-1B registration process. The new rule selects H-1B
cap entries by each unique employee, instead of by each registration. This
gives each employee the same chance of selection, regardless of how many
registrations were submitted on that employee’s behalf.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">With this update to the registration
process, the employee is required to include valid passport or travel document
information, and a employee cannot register under more than one passport or
travel document. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">USCIS has also provided clarification
that for H-1B cap petitions, a start date after October 1 of the relevant
fiscal year is allowed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-13113363813112690032024-01-25T16:55:00.006-05:002024-01-25T16:55:39.124-05:00H-1B 2024 Cap Webinar<p> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">MU Law will be hosting a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_a8GZt6qIQ1mpsMV_qDihrw" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;" target="_blank">FREE</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">webinar for our clients and friends on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at 2PM Eastern (1PM Central).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Join us for this <a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_a8GZt6qIQ1mpsMV_qDihrw" target="_blank">FREE</a> webinar to learn more about:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">H-1B Cap Basics, Registration Process, and Projections</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What is a Specialty Occupation?</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">H-1B Dependency</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Special Issues for Staffing Companies, Third Party Placements</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Employer-Employee relationships, end-client documentation</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Cap-gap for F-1s as well as CPT/OPT maintenance</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">New H-1B Rules</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Top 10 things H-1B employers can do to stay compliant</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">PLEASE JOIN US!</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-81292139698107491032024-01-16T09:29:00.006-05:002024-01-16T09:29:51.427-05:00FEBRUARY VISA BULLETIN: SLOW, STEADY PROGRESS. CAN IT CONTINUE?<p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Department of State has just issued the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">February 2024 Visa Bulletin</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">, which is the fifth of the 2024 US fiscal year. This blog post analyzes this month's Visa
Bulletin.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Visa Bulletin</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Table A:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> Final Action Dates -- Applications with these dates may be approved for
their Green Card (Permanent Residency card) or Immigrant Visa appointment.</span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 557px;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 43.9pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.1pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Employment-<br />
based</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 81.0pt;" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">All Chargeability <br />
Areas Except<br />
Those Listed</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">CHINA-<br />
mainland <br />
born</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 58.5pt;" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">INDIA</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">MEXICO</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.5pt;" width="102">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">PHILIPPINES</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.45pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.1pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">1st</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 81.0pt;" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">C</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01JUL22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 58.5pt;" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01SEP20</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">C</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.5pt;" width="102">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">C</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.45pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.1pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">2nd</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 81.0pt;" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">15NOV22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01JAN20</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 58.5pt;" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01MAR12</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">15NOV22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.5pt;" width="102">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">15NOV22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.1pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">3rd</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 81.0pt;" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01SEP22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01SEP20</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 58.5pt;" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01JUL12</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01SEP22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.5pt;" width="102">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01SEP22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Table B</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">: Dates of Filing</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The USCIS is expected to use the Table B Dates of Filing chart for I-485 employment-based
filings. See: </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/visa-availability-priority-dates/adjustment-of-status-filing-charts-from-the-visa-bulletin"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">USCIS Visa Bulletin Dates</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">MU Law Analysis</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">We were again encouraged to see slow, steady improvement of dates in most
categories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>Philippine and All Other
EB-3</b> moved ahead one month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>India
EB-3</b> advanced one month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We would
not be surprised to see a few more small progressions this fiscal year in these
categories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>China EB-3</b> unfortunately
did not move ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">There was modest progression of <b>All Other EB-2</b> dates of two weeks,
although <b>India and China EB-2</b> remained the same as last month. <o:p></o:p></span></p><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></b><p></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-46768882830748943412024-01-12T11:36:00.005-05:002024-01-12T11:36:37.828-05:00USCIS ANNOUNCES INCREASE TO PREMIUM PROCESSING FEE<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">On December 27, 2023, USCIS </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-announces-inflation-adjustment-to-premium-processing-fees"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">announced</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> that the
filing fee for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing, will be increasing
to adjust for inflation. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The fee change will go into effect on
February 26, 2024. If USCIS receives a Form I-907 postmarked on or after
February 26, 2024, with the incorrect fee, the Form I-907 will be rejected and returned.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The fee changes are as follow: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker will increase from $2500
to $2805, except for H-2B and R-1 petitions. For H-2B and R-1 petitions it will
increase from $1500 to $1685.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker will increase from $2500
to $2805.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status will
increase from $1750 to $1965.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization will increase from
$1500 to $1685. Please note that premium processing for Form I-765 is only
currently available for certain F-1 students. </span></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
will use the revenue generated by the premium processing fee increase to
provide premium processing services, make improvements to adjudications
processes, respond to adjudication demands (including reducing benefit request
processing backlogs), and otherwise fund USCIS adjudication and naturalization
services.</span></p><p></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-645610185130597012024-01-10T12:59:00.003-05:002024-01-10T12:59:41.815-05:00USCIS UPDATES GUIDANCE ON EMPLOYERS’ ABILITY TO PAY WHEN A BENEFICIARY PORTS TO A NEW EMPLOYER UNDER AC21<p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">On
January 05, 2024, the USCIS </span><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-issues-policy-guidance-on-ability-to-pay-requirement-when-adjustment-of-status-applicants" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">updated</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
its policy manual to clarify how the UCSIS will determine an employer’s ability
to pay when an employment-based green card applicant ports to a new employer
under the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act of 2000
(AC21).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The
AC21 allows certain employment-based green card applicants to port, or change
employers, without filing a new Form I-140 petition. Under certain
circumstances an employment-based green card applicant can change employers when
their Form I-140 petition and Form I-485 application are concurrently filed and
remain pending. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The
USCIS has explained that when a green-card applicant changes employers while
Form I-140 is pending, USCIS will only consider the facts existing at the time
of filing when making an ability to pay determination. In other words, USCIS
will only review initial evidence submitted with the Form I-140 petition (and
any responses to Requests for Evidence) to determine if the petitioner has
established its ability to pay from the priority date to the date of filing the
I-140 petition.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-31668770947976259002024-01-02T09:58:00.000-05:002024-01-02T09:58:13.672-05:00USCIS UPDATES GUIDANCE FOR NONIMMIGRANT STUDENTS<p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">On December 20, 2023, USCIS published
a </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20231220-NonimmigrantStudents.pdf"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Policy Alert</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">,
announcing changes to its Policy Manual, specifically the guidance for F and M
nonimmigrant students. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.2pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The guidance clarifies that a student
does not violate his or her nonimmigrant status by simply having a green card
application pending with USCIS. A student in F and M status, upon entry to the
US, is required to <a name="_Hlk154585234">demonstrate that he or she has a
foreign residence and plans to leave the US after finishing his or her studies.
However, </a><a name="_Hlk154585147">a student’s intent can change after
arrival in the US. At the time the student enters in F or M status, a student
can intend to leave the US at the completion of his or her schooling and then
can later change his or her intent and decide to apply for a green card in the
US</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The
guidance also announced several additional cosmetic changes to the <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-2-part-f"><span style="color: windowtext;">Policy Manual</span></a>, including a few new chapters
and transferring of section information. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-62762689510883099832023-12-18T09:07:00.000-05:002023-12-18T09:07:08.923-05:00USCIS HAS REACHED ANNUAL LIMIT OF H-1B VISAS<p><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-reaches-fiscal-year-2024-h-1b-cap" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">USCIS
has announced </a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">that they have received sufficient H-1b cap petitions to
reach the statutory limit of 65,000 H-1b regular cap visas and the 20,000 H-1b advanced
degree visas for fiscal year 2024.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Since the H-1b cap limit has been hit
for the 2024 fiscal year, there will be no further selections in the H-1b
lottery for this fiscal year.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">All registrants who were not selected
have been sent notices through their online USCIS accounts to inform them that
they have not been selected. The non-selection notice will update the
registration entry to state:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-reaches-fiscal-year-2024-h-1b-cap">“Not
Selected: Not selected – not eligible to file an H-1B cap petition based on
this registration.”</a> “</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">All currently pending H-1b cap
petitions will continue to be processed normally. USCIS will also continue to
accept all cap-exempt H-1bs petitions, such as:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .25in; margin-right: .6in; margin-top: 0in; text-align: justify;"></p><ol><li><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Extensions and amendments to
previously approved H-1bs; </span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">H-1b transfers for a change in
sponsoring employers; </span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">H-1b concurrent petitions to allow an
H-1b Beneficiary to work for multiple employers; and, </span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">H-1b petitions filed by cap-exempt
organizations (Institutions of higher education and affiliated non-profit
organizations as well as non-profit or governmental research organizations).</span></li></ol><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The H-1b lottery will open for
registrations for the US government’s 2025 fiscal year in March of 2024. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-40513690764780846402023-12-12T10:59:00.000-05:002023-12-12T10:59:08.917-05:00JANUARY 2024 VISA BULLETIN: DATES ADVANCE. WILL ADVANCEMENTS CONTINUE?<p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The
Department of State has just issued the </span><a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">January
2024 Visa Bulletin</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">, which is the third of the 2024 US fiscal year.
This blog post analyzes this month's Visa Bulletin.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Visa
Bulletin</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Table
A: </span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Final Action Dates
-- Applications with these dates may be approved for their Green Card
(Permanent Residency card) or Immigrant Visa appointment.</span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 569px;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 43.9pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.0pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">Employment-<br />
based</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.95pt;" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">All Chargeability <br />
Areas Except<br />
Those Listed</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 62.95pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">CHINA-<br />
mainland <br />
born</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 58.45pt;" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">INDIA</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 62.95pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">MEXICO</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 85.8pt;" width="114">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">PHILIPPINES</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.45pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.0pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">1st</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.95pt;" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">C</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 62.95pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">01JUL22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 58.45pt;" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">01SEP20</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 62.95pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">C</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 85.8pt;" width="114">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">C</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.45pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.0pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">2nd</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.95pt;" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">01NOV22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 62.95pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">01JAN20</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 58.45pt;" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">01MAR12</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 62.95pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">01NOV22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 85.8pt;" width="114">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">01NOV22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.0pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">3rd</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 80.95pt;" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">01AUG22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 62.95pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">01SEP20</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 58.45pt;" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">01JUN12</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 62.95pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">01AUG22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 85.8pt;" width="114">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">01AUG22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Table
B</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">: Dates of Filing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The
USCIS is expected to use the Table B Dates of Filing chart for I-485
employment-based filings. See: <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/visa-availability-priority-dates/adjustment-of-status-filing-charts-from-the-visa-bulletin">USCIS
Visa Bulletin Dates</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">MU
Law Analysis</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">This
was a very positive Visa Bulletin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nearly
every category advanced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>Philippine
and All Other EB-3</b> leaped forward eight months, allowing thousands to
obtain green cards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>China EB-3</b>
advanced seven months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even <b>India
EB-3</b> moved forward by one month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Similar
advancements happened in EB-2, with <b>India and China EB-2</b> (each two
months), and <b>Philippine and All Other EB-2 </b>(three and a half months) all
progressing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We even saw EB-1
advancements in India and China.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>India
EB-1 jumped three and a half years, and China moved ahead by four and a half
months. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">MU
expected advancements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We expect slow
progress in the near future, with occasional bursts like in this January Visa
Bulletin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We still believe that there is
some slack in the EB-3 numbers (non-India and China) and would not be surprised
to see the EB-3 dates advance into late 2022 or even 2023 before the end of the
summer.</span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-36610932006777098372023-11-10T15:40:00.000-05:002023-11-10T15:40:11.973-05:00DECEMBER 2023 VISA BULLETIN: ANALYSIS AND EXPECTATIONS<p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Department of State
has just issued the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">December 2023 Visa Bulletin</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">,
which is the third of the 2024 US fiscal year.
This blog post analyzes this month's Visa Bulletin.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Visa Bulletin</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Table A:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">
Final Action Dates -- Applications with these dates may be approved for their
Green Card (Permanent Residency card) or Immigrant Visa appointment.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 557px;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 43.9pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.1pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Employment-<br />
based</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 81.0pt;" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">All Chargeability <br />
Areas Except<br />
Those Listed</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">CHINA-<br />
mainland <br />
born</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 58.5pt;" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">INDIA</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">MEXICO</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.5pt;" width="102">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">PHILIPPINES</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.45pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.1pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">1st</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 81.0pt;" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">C</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">15FEB22</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 58.5pt;" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01JAN17</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">C</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.5pt;" width="102">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">C</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.45pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.1pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">2nd</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 81.0pt;" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">15JUL22</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">22OCT19</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 58.5pt;" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01JAN12</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">15JUL22</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.5pt;" width="102">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">15JUL22</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.1pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">3rd</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 81.0pt;" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01DEC21</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">22JAN20</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 58.5pt;" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01MAY12</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01DEC21</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.5pt;" width="102">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01DEC21</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
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</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Table B</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">: Dates of Filing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The USCIS is expected to
use the Table B Dates of Filing chart for I-485 employment-based filings. See: </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/visa-availability-priority-dates/adjustment-of-status-filing-charts-from-the-visa-bulletin"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">USCIS Visa Bulletin Dates</span></a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">MU Law Analysis</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">This
was an uneventful Visa Bulletin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EB-2
and EB-3 Final Action Dates for China each advanced three weeks to October 22,
2019 (EB-2) and January 22, 2020 (EB-3). The Final Action Dates for all
remaining employment-based categories remain as they were in November.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">As
we said last month, MU Law believes that the State Department is acting
conservatively, which while frustrating, may prove to ratchet down the anxiety
around the monthly chart, and provide a better measure of processing times for
those involved. While no one likes a nearly two-year EB-3 retrogression for
non-India and China, it may prove to be a stable set of dates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do expect these categories to slowly
progress throughout the fiscal year pushing into 2022, and perhaps even into
2023.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-25148387144952714972023-11-03T11:07:00.000-04:002023-11-03T11:07:00.424-04:00BILL INTRODUCED TO INCREASE VISA NUMBERS FOR NURSES AND PHYSICIANS<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">US
Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and US Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
introduced </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.durbin.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/olc_text.pdf">a bill</a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">, known as the Healthcare
Workforce Resilience Act, on November 2, 2023, to address the nation’s shortage
of physicians and nurses.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If
passed, this bill will recapture 25,000 unused immigrant visa for nurses and
15,000 unused immigrant visas for physicians, from previous years. <b><u>These
visas would not be subject to the per country numerical limit </u></b>that has
led to lengthy waits for green cards for nurses and physicians from several
countries.<b><u> <o:p></o:p></u></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Spouses
and children that are accompanying or following to join these nurses and
physicians, would be eligible for immigrant visas as part of this bill too. The
spouses and children’s visas would <b><u>not</u></b> be considered as part of
the 25,000 and 15,000 allocated visas for the nurses and physicians. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
nurse and physician cases would be required to be adjudicated by USCIS under USCIS’s
premium processing program. There will be no additional fee for the premium
processing. </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-52323926994725307172023-10-30T09:53:00.001-04:002023-10-30T09:53:21.267-04:0010 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE MECHANICS OF THE VISA BULLETIN<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Visa Bulletin is a vital tool for any
applicant who is qualified to receive an immigrant visa (green card) because
the Visa Bulletin notifies applicants as to whether they are eligible to
receive a visa number in a particular month. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here are the top 10 things one needs to know
to understand the Visa Bulletin: <o:p></o:p></span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1. The employment-based (EB) visa has its own
section on the Visa Bulletin where it is divided into its 5 preference
categories. Every EB visa applicant falls into 1 of the 5 preference
categories.</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2. There are four markings on the EB visa chart
to know: </span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">a.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">C</span></u><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">: The category is
current, and every eligible applicant is eligible for a visa number. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">b.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Final Action Date (FAD)</span></u><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">: Only those with priority dates before the
FAD will be approved and issued an immigrant visa or green card.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">c.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dates of Filing (DOF)</span></u><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">: Those with priority dates before the DOF may
be able to file their I-485 or submit their civil documents to the NVC in
preparation for becoming current on the FAD.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">d.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">U</span></u><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">: The category is
unavailable, and no applicants may receive a number.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. <b>No</b></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> country may
receive more than 7% of the annual worldwide visas available.</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4. Some countries have their own FAD because they
are in danger of going over the 7% limit.</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">5. Retrogression is when a FAD moves backwards chronologically
on the next month’s Visa Bulletin, making less visa numbers available for a
specific category in the coming month.</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">6. The EB visa and its preference categories all
have annual caps that <b>cannot </b>be exceeded. </span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">7. The Department of State (DOS) cannot allocate
more than 27% of the total EB visa numbers available for the entire year in one
quarter of the year. There is also a 10% limit on each month. </span></p></blockquote><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;">e.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">EXAMPLE</span></u><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">:
There are 140,000 EB visa numbers for the year, then 14,000 may be given out in
a month and 37,800 may be given out in a quarter.</span></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">8. The 7% per country limit may be set aside if
demand for an EB preference category is less than the visa numbers available
for that quarter. This only lasts until the end of the quarter.</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">9. If an EB preference category has a “C” marking
for every country, then that is an indication that the DOS is issuing visa
numbers regardless of an applicant’s country for that quarter.</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">10. If the DOS runs out of a category before the
end of the year, then the DOS will </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">stop</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> honoring requests for visa
numbers. The category will become unavailable on the Visa Bulletin until the
next government fiscal year begins.</span> </p></blockquote><p class="MsoListParagraph" style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-77220393487389386162023-10-26T10:38:00.001-04:002023-10-26T10:38:25.887-04:00USCIS PROPOSES NEW H-1B RULES <p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">On
October 20, 2023, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-issues-proposed-rule-to-modernize-the-h-1b-specialty-occupation-worker-program">USCIS announced that it would propose new
rules for the H-1B program.</a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> The proposed new rules are detailed in the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/10/23/2023-23381/modernizing-h-1b-requirements-providing-flexibility-in-the-f-1-program-and-program-improvements">Federal Register published on October 23,
2023</a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">While
many of the proposed changes clarify or codify current adjudicative trends,
other changes impose new restrictions on H-1B eligibility.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Clarifications
and Codifications</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li><b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Deference
to Previous USCIS Decisions</span></i></b></li></ul><p></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The
proposed rule codifies that USCIS officers should defer to prior approvals when
no underlying facts have changed at time of a new filing.</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li><b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Amended
H-1B Petitions</span></i></b></li></ul><p></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Currently,
practitioners must judge when to file amended petitions based on archived USCIS
policy guidance and DOL guidance and regulation. The proposed new rule will
clarify that an amended or new petition must be filed pursuant to any change in
work location that requires a new LCA.</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li><b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Relaxed
Requirements for CAP-exemptions</span></i></b></li></ul><p></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The new
rules would require that nonprofit and governmental research organizations
merely conduct research as a <b><i>fundamental</i></b> activity, which is a
looser interpretation that the previous requirement that these entities be <b><i>primarily
engaged</i></b> in research.</span></p></blockquote>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Additionally,
the new rules would allow beneficiaries to qualify for H–1B cap exemption when
they are not directly employed by a qualifying organization, but still provide
essential work, even if their duties do not necessarily directly further the
organization's essential purpose.</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li><b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Extension
of the CAP-gap period </span></i></b></li></ul><p></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Currently,
the CAP-gap is an automatic extension of status for F-1 students whose F-1
validity period is set to expire before H-1B petitions go into effect on
October 1. This poses a particular problem for H-1B CAP beneficiaries who are
chosen in second or third rounds of the H-1B CAP, who cannot begin work on
October 1. The new rules would extend the CAP-gap period, which would extend
both F-1 students’ statuses and work authorization, through April 1 of the year
following H-1B petition submission. Such an extension would afford CAP-gap
protection for F-1 students whose H-1B petitions are approved with start dates
past October 1.</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li><b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">CAP
Lottery Selection</span></i></b></li></ul><p></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Under the
new rule, related entities would be prohibited from submitting multiple
registrations for the same beneficiary.</span></p></blockquote>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The rule
would also select individual H-1B lottery beneficiaries, rather than
registrations. Currently, a beneficiary can conceivably be selected multiple
times if he or she has multiple registrations submitted on his or her behalf,
resulting in low selection rates for most H-1B CAP lottery beneficiaries. The
new rule would allow each beneficiary to be selected only once; if a
beneficiary holds multiple registrations, each registering company would be
notified of selection and provided an opportunity to file a legitimate H-1B
petition on the beneficiary’s behalf.</span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Burdensome
Requirements</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"></p><ul><li><b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Contract Requests
for Third-Party Placements</span></i></b></li></ul><p></p>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The new
rule would grant USCIS authority to request contracts, work orders, or other
such evidence to document bona fide job offers. The new rule would require such
evidence show the contractual relationship between all parties, the terms and
conditions of the beneficiary's work, and the minimum educational requirements
to perform the duties.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></p></blockquote>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Currently,
the regulations do not state this authority.</span></p></blockquote>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Specialty
Occupation Definition</span></i></b></p></blockquote>
<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The new
rule imposes a new requirement for qualification as a “Specialty Occupation” that
there exist a direct relationship between the required degree field(s) for the
position and the duties of the position. The new rule iterates that a general
degree is insufficient to qualify.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p></blockquote>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/USCIS-2023-0005-0001"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">USCIS will now accept comments from the
public</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> on the proposed new rules for 60 days before a
final rule may be published. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-13240937869468599172023-10-23T09:49:00.001-04:002023-10-23T09:49:26.116-04:00USCIS IS ISSUING FIVE-YEAR ADVANCE PAROLE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FIVE-YEAR EADS<p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">USCIS
has started issuing advance parole (AP) documents with a five year validity
period to applicants who are eligible for five year employment authorization
documents (EADs).</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">USCIS </span><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-increases-employment-authorization-document-validity-period-for-certain-categories" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">recently
announced</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> that certain initial and renewal EADs, including those filed by
I-485 adjustment of status (green card) applicants, can now be approved for a
maximum validity period of five years.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The
five year AP have been issued both combined on the EAD card and as a separate AP
document.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The extended validity period
for AP will reduce the number of times that applicants need to file form I-131
while waiting for the green card to be issued.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-28481082144641966532023-10-16T10:15:00.000-04:002023-10-16T10:15:07.307-04:00USCIS INTRODUCES ENTERPRISE CHANGE OF ADDRESS<p><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-launches-new-online-change-of-address-tool" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">USCIS
announced on 10/12/2023 that they have launched the Enterprise Change of
Address (E-COA) self-service tool</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> This tool will allow foreign nationals to
update their address with USCIS through their USCIS online account.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">USCIS requires any foreign national in
the US in nonimmigrant status or legal permanent resident status to update
their address within 10 days of moving, regardless of whether they have a
pending case with USCIS. In cases where there is a pending case, it is
especially important to update the mailing address to ensure critical documents
are received.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">To update your address using the E-COA
service, you must do the following:</span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 115%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span> </span>1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Create a USCIS online account if you
do not have one <a href="https://my.uscis.gov/">here.</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span> </span>2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Log in and select the “Change of
Address” option at the top of the webpage and start the 4-step application to
update your address:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a.</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Step 1</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"> – Enter your full legal name and date
of birth; <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">b.</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Step 2</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"> -- Enter your current physical
address. Answer whether the physical address is the same as the mailing
address, if the mailing address is different, you must enter that here as well;
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">c.</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Step 3</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"> – Enter your A-number if any. You can
find this number on receipt or approval notices for certain case types
associated with green card petitions (i.e., I-140s, I-485s, I-765s) as well as
on EADs and Green Cards. Lastly, enter receipt numbers for any pending cases;
and,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">d.</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Step 4</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"> – carefully review the information
and submit.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Once the request is submitted, your
physical and mailing address will be updated with USCIS for all pending cases.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">At this time, the E-COA service is not
available for foreign nationals applying for certain immigration benefits
associated with the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), T nonimmigrant status,
or U nonimmigrant status. For a full list of the categories that are ineligible
for address updates through E-COA, please refer to USCIS’s website <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange">here.</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-82198973897518370992023-10-10T08:54:00.004-04:002023-10-10T08:54:55.216-04:00NOVEMBER 2023 VISA BULLETIN: ANALYSIS AND EXPECTATIONS<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The Department of State
has just issued the </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">November 2023 Visa Bulletin</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">, which is the second of the 2024 US fiscal year <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This blog post analyzes this month's Visa
Bulletin.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Visa Bulletin</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Table A:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> Final Action Dates -- Applications with these dates may be
approved for their Green Card (Permanent Residency card) or Immigrant Visa
appointment.</span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 557px;">
<tbody><tr style="height: 43.9pt; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.1pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Employment-<br />
based</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 81.0pt;" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">All Chargeability <br />
Areas Except<br />
Those Listed</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">CHINA-<br />
mainland <br />
born</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 58.5pt;" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">INDIA</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">MEXICO</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 43.9pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.5pt;" width="102">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">PHILIPPINES</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.45pt; mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.1pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">1st</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 81.0pt;" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">C</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">15FEB22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 58.5pt;" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01JAN17</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">C</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.5pt;" width="102">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">C</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15.45pt; mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.1pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">2nd</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 81.0pt;" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">15JUL22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01OCT19</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 58.5pt;" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01JAN12</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">15JUL22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 15.45pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.5pt;" width="102">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">15JUL22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 14.6pt; mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.1pt;" width="101">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">3rd</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 81.0pt;" width="108">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01DEC21</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01JAN20</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 58.5pt;" width="78">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01MAY12</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 63.0pt;" width="84">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01DEC21</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="height: 14.6pt; padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; width: 76.5pt;" width="102">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01DEC21</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Table B</span></b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">: Dates of Filing</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The USCIS is expected to
use the Table B Dates of Filing chart for I-485 employment-based filings. See: </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/visa-availability-priority-dates/adjustment-of-status-filing-charts-from-the-visa-bulletin"><span style="color: blue; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">USCIS Visa Bulletin Dates</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">MU Law Analysis</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">This was one of the least
interesting Visa Bulletins in a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>All dates are exactly as they were last month, except for <b>All Other,
Mexico, and Philippine EB-2</b>, which advanced one week.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">MU Law believes that the
State Department is acting conservatively, which while frustrating, may prove
to ratchet down the anxiety around the monthly chart, and provide a better
measure of processing times for those involved. While no one likes a nearly
two-year <b>EB-3</b> retrogression for non-India and China, it may prove to be
a stable set of dates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do expect
these categories to slowly progress throughout the fiscal year pushing through
2022, and perhaps getting into 2023 before the end of the fiscal year.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p><p></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-62215738275453353102023-10-02T08:57:00.004-04:002023-10-02T08:57:55.010-04:00USCIS ELIMINATES BIOMETRIC SERVICES FEE FOR ALL FORM I-539 APPLICANTS<p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The
</span><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">(USCIS) </span><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-exempts-biometric-services-fee-for-all-form-i-539-applicants" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">announced</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">
it will be permanently eliminating the biometrics service fee, $85.00, when
filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. Previously,
USCIS had temporarily suspended biometric services fees for only H-4, L-2, and
E applicants.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Effective October 1, 2023, <b><u>all</u></b><i>
</i>applicants who file Form-I-539 to extend or change their nonimmigrant
status will no longer be required to submit a biometrics service fee as part of
the application process. </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">If an applicant mistakenly submits the biometric
services fee, USCIS will issue the applicant a refund.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">Further,
USCIS has stated that most applicants who file Form-I-539 after Oct. 1<sup>st</sup>
will not be scheduled to attend a biometric services appointment. If USCIS
determines that biometrics are required, <span style="background: white; color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">the applicant will receive a notice with
information about appearing for their biometric services appointment. If an applicant
has already been scheduled to appear for a biometrics services appointment, the
applicant should still attend the appointment as scheduled.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-53396990177184022822023-09-28T14:33:00.002-04:002023-09-28T14:33:27.382-04:00USCIS INCREASES EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION VALIDITY PERIOD FOR CERTAIN CATEGORIES<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The
USCIS updated its </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-10-part-a-chapter-4">policy
manual</a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">,
regarding employment authorization documents (EADs), on September 27, 2023. The
USCIS has increased the maximum validity period for EADs issued in many
categories.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.2pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">USCIS updated the maximum validity period for initial and
renewed EADs to five years for the following categories: pending
employment-based applications for adjustment of status (green card), refugees,
granted asylum, granted withholding of deportation or removal, pending
application for asylum or withholding of removal, and pending application for
suspension of deportation or cancellation of removal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 11.2pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">USCIS
updated the maximum validity period for initial and renewed EADs from one year
to the end date of the authorized parole period, not to exceed 5 years, for
those paroled as refugees.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">USCIS
also updated its </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-10-part-a-chapter-2"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">policy
manual</span></a></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> to
clarify that the Form I-94 can be used as both evidence of status and
employment authorization incident to status for the following: Asylees, spouses
of US citizens or children of such spouses (K-3 and K-4), victims of severe
forms of trafficking in persons (T-1), spouses of E nonimmigrants (E-1S, E-2S,
E-3S) with limited exceptions, spouses of L nonimmigrants (L-2S), and victims
of qualifying criminal activity (U-1) and certain qualifying family members
(U-2, U-3, U-4, and U-5).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This
guidance is effective immediately and applies to EAD applications pending or
filed on or after September 27, 2023.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-35765310646620460312023-09-25T16:18:00.000-04:002023-09-25T16:18:05.848-04:00POTENTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: HOW IT AFFECTS YOUR IMMIGRATION CASE<p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Unless
Congress passes a spending bill in the coming week, the US government will shut
down at midnight on Sunday, Oct. 1. However, not all immigration processes will
halt immediately in light of a shutdown.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Immigration
cases proceed through several different government agencies. A shutdown will
affect certain agencies (and thus their processes) differently than
others.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">What will
Halt as of an Oct. 1 Shutdown</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">DOL</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Most
significant to employment-based immigration cases, <u>the Department of Labor
(DOL) will not operate during a government shutdown.</u></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Labor
Condition Applications (LCAs), required for H-1B and E-3 filings, and Permanent
Labor Certifications (PERMs), required for I-140 filings, cannot be drafted or
filed during a government shutdown, and pending LCAs and PERMs will not be
issued during a shutdown.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><u><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Further,
the DOL confirmed to the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) that
the full FLAG online filing system will be disabled during a government
shutdown.</span></u><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> LCA and PERM records cannot be accessed online or printed from the
FLAG system during a shutdown.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">The DOL and
MU recommend that all LCA and PERM filings be filed this week, prior to the
potential shutdown. While LCAs typically take at least 7 days to be adjudicated
by the DOL, the DOL indicated that it will attempt to adjudicate LCAs that are
received this week prior to the potential shutdown.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Finally,
the DOL may allow flexibility for employers who miss filing deadlines due to
the government shutdown; if such guidance is issued, MU will update its blog
accordingly.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">What May
Proceed after an Oct. 1 Shutdown?</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">USCIS</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Cases
that will be filed with or are currently pending with US Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) will likely proceed without issue during a
shutdown. In past shutdowns, USCIS has accepted late immigration filings that
could not be timely filed due to the government shutdown.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">DOS</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Embassy
services, such as visa appointments, are run by the Department of State and are
also unlikely to be affected during a shutdown.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">CBP</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">Entries
to the US, including Canadian TN appointments, are handled by Customs and
Border Patrol and are also unlikely to be affected by a shutdown.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt: 1.15pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">If you
are unclear how the shutdown will affect your case, clients are encouraged to
contact their MU attorney for best strategies in the week ahead and during the
potential government shutdown.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-43046707790726414682023-09-18T14:17:00.002-04:002023-09-18T14:17:20.075-04:00OCTOBER 2023 VISA BULLETIN<p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Department of State has just issued the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin.html">October
2023 Visa Bulletin</a></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">, which is the first of the 2024 US fiscal year This blog post analyzes this month's Visa
Bulletin.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Visa Bulletin</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Table A:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> Final Action Dates -- Applications with these dates may be approved
for their Green Card (Permanent Residency card) or Immigrant Visa appointment.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoNormalTable" style="background: white; border-collapse: collapse; mso-padding-alt: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; width: 100%;">
<tbody><tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;">
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Employment-<br />
based</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">All
Chargeability <br />
Areas Except<br />
Those Listed</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">CHINA-<br />
mainland <br />
born</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">INDIA</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">MEXICO</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">PHILIPPINES</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">1st</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">C</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">15FEB22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01JAN17</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">C</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">C</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
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<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;">
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">2nd</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">08JUL22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01OCT19</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01JAN12</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">08JUL22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">08JUL22</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">3rd</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01DEC21</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01JAN20</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01MAY12</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01DEC21</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<td style="padding: 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt 1.8pt;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-color-alt: windowtext; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">01DEC21</span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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</tbody></table>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Table B</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">: Dates of Filing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The USCIS is expected to use the Table B Dates of Filing chart for I-485
employment-based filings. See: </span><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/visa-availability-priority-dates/adjustment-of-status-filing-charts-from-the-visa-bulletin"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">USCIS
Visa Bulletin Dates</span></a></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">MU Law Analysis</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The most notable dates in the Visa Bulletin were the -1DEC21 dates for <b>Philippine
and All Other EB-3</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While these
dates moved forward from last month’s May 2020 dates, many were hoping for
progression at least in 2022.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>MU Law
believes that the State Department is acting conservatively, which while
frustrating, may prove to ratchet down the anxiety around the monthly chart,
and provide a better measure of processing times for those involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While no one likes a ~20 month retrogression,
it may be wise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do expect these
categories to steadily progress throughout the fiscal year pushing through
2022, and perhaps getting into 2023 before the end of the fiscal year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">India
EB-3 and China EB-3</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">
advanced by more than three years to May 1, 2012 (India), and by four months to
January 1, 2020 (China), reflecting the slow but steady movement in those
categories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">India
EB-2</span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;"> progressed to
January 1, 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b>China EB-2</b> is
now October 1, 2019.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <b>ROW EB-2</b>
held basically even, advancing by just one week, to July 8, 2022.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7854582701495827354.post-4610391987721523372023-09-07T13:30:00.003-04:002023-09-07T13:30:49.843-04:00USCIS UPDATES POLICY GUIDANCE FOR THE “SOUGHT TO ACQUIRE REQUIREMENT” UNDER THE CHILD STATUS PROTECTION ACT<p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">As mentioned in a prior </span><a href="http://www.musillo.com/2023/02/updates-to-child-status-protection-act.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>blog
post</b></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">, on February 14, 2023 </span><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-updates-child-status-protection-act-cspa-age-calculation-for-certain-adjustment-of-status" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">USCIS updated
its policy on the Child Protection Act (CSPA) age</span></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> calculation for
certain dependents nearing age 21 and filing for adjustment of status (I-485 or
green card application).</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The CSPA
provides a method to calculate the dependent’s age based on the date an
immigrant visa becomes available and to benefit from the calculation, the dependent
must also take certain steps toward applying for the green card within one year
of immigrant visa availability.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">These
required steps are known as the “sought to acquire requirement.”</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The USCIS has updated its Policy Manual
to consider the February 14<sup>th</sup> USCIS policy change as an extraordinary
circumstance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is important because as
an extraordinary circumstance, the February USCIS policy change may excuse an
applicant’s failure to meet the “sought to acquire requirement.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">The February 14<sup>th</sup> policy change
aims to benefit applicants who failed to meet the sought to acquire requirement
and did not apply to adjust their status because their CSPA age was over the
age of 21 under the old policy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>USCIS also
clarified that it will consider dependents to have met the “sought to acquire
requirement” if their respective applications to adjust status were pending on
February 14, 2023 and submitted within 1 year of a visa becoming available
based on the Final Action Dates chart and in accordance to the policy in effect
at the time of the application.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana",sans-serif;">For more information on this update, here
are the links to the <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-updates-policy-guidance-for-the-sought-to-acquire-requirement-under-the-child-status"><b>USCIS
press release</b></a> and respective <a href="chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https:/www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20230824-CSPA.pdf"><b>policy
alert</b></a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you think your
dependent may benefit from this new policy, please reach out to your MU
attorney. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Kendall Lehmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288887708827297306noreply@blogger.com0