H1B Visa Lawyer Blog

June 15, 2010

USCIS releases new Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced that they have made minor changes to Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident card. This new form contains more user-friendly features and has been made available on the USCIS website.

USCIS will accept previous versions of Form I-90 for 45 days, until July 28, 2010. After July 28, 2010, USCIS will reject all previous versions of Form I-90 and will return incorrect applications with a note instructing applicants to refile using the correct version of the form.

Applicants have been instructed to mail their applications to the addresses provided below:

June 14, 2010

LATEST UPDATE – H-1B FY2011 CAP COUNT

by Kellie N. Lego

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has updated the count of H-1B petitions received and counted towards the 65,000 cap.

As of June 11, 2010, 22,200 H-1B Regular CAP subject non-immigrant visa petitions have been filed with the USCIS towards the 65,000 cap.

As of June 11, 2010, 9,400 H-1B Masters Degree CAP subject non-immigrant visa petitions have been filed with the USCIS towards the 20,000 cap.

June 11, 2010

July 2010 Visa Bulletin

by Kellie N. Lego

The Department of State has released its latest Visa Bulletin.

Click here to view the July 2010 Visa Bulletin.

The July 2010 Visa Bulletin still shows employment based third preference (EB-3) visas as oversubscribed while the employment based second preference (EB-2) is current for all areas of chargeability except for China and India.

June 11, 2010

USCIS Issues Extended Information Collection for Form I- 824, Application for Action on an Approved Application

by Kellie N. Lego

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has extended the time period for information collection for Form I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Application until July 9, 2010.

During this period, USCIS will be evaluating whether to revise Form I-824.

This form has multiple purposes: to request a duplicate approval notice, to request an approval notice be sent to another U.S. Consulate, or to request an approval notice be sent to a U.S. Consulate for derivative visas for family members.

June 10, 2010

NEWS RELEASE: USCIS Seeks Public Comment on Proposal to Adjust Fees for Immigration Benefits

by Kellie N. Lego

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is seeking public comment on a proposed federal rule that would adjust most fees by 10% for immigration benefit applications and petitions.

USCIS is a fee-based organization with about 90% of its budget coming from fees paid by applicants and petitioners to obtain immigration benefits. The law requires USCIS to conduct fee reviews every two years to determine whether its costs to administer the nation’s immigration laws, process application, and provide the infrastructure needed to support those activities. A fee adjustment, as detailed in the proposed rule, is necessary to ensure that the USCIS recovers the cost of their operations while also meeting the application processing goals identified in the 2007 fee rule.

Members of the public are encouraged to submit comments and/or suggestions to USCIS.

June 10, 2010

SPECIAL – Naturalization/Citizenship – Valid Until 8/31/2010

by Kellie N. Lego

SPECIAL OFFER: $950 flat fee (no admin fee) for filing Form N-400 + One Hour of Individualized Review

*Additional $750.00 for Attorney to Attend Naturalization Interview

Our normal legal fees are $1000 + $150(admin fee) per application

June 9, 2010

E-Verify Redesign Coming in June

by Kellie N. Lego

Big changes are coming to E-Verify in June that will enhance its usability, security, accuracy and efficiency. The newly redesigned E-Verify features a clean and modern design, easy and intuitive navigation, and clear and simple language. A new home page, a reimagined case alerts feature, improved case management and a streamlined tutorial are among the dozens of improvements coming to E-Verify.

Check out the new E-Verify Redesign section of the E-Verify website to learn more about what’s coming and how to prepare. The new section highlights several of the exciting new features and offers information on how to get a sneak preview in June before the site launches.

Want to know more about the redesigned E-Verify? USCIS is offering a sneak preview Webinar the week before the new site is launched. The 90-minute Webinar will be conducted by a member of the redesign team and will feature a presentation of the changes as well as a question and answer session.

June 9, 2010

Administrative Appeals Office Processing Times

by Kellie N. Lego

The Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) Processing Times were released on June 8, 2010 with processing dates as of May 1, 2010.

If you filed an appeal, please review the links below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your particular case.

Administrative Appeals Office

June 8, 2010

DHS News Release – U.S. and France Establish Arrangement to Interdict High-Risk Travelers

by Kellie N. Lego

Secretary Janet Napolitano of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on June 3, 2010 that the U.S. and France have established an arrangement to implement the Immigration Advisory Program (IAP), which allows for the identification of high-risk travelers at foreign airports before they board aircraft bound for the U.S. This arrangement has been launched at Paris’ Charles De Gaulle International Airport. A similar arrangement was entered into on July 1, 2009, implementing IAP at Madrid Barajas International Airport.

The purpose of the IAP is to allow specialized U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel posted in foreign airports to utilize current targeting and passenger analysis information and/or an assessment of passengers’ documentation to identify high-risk persons bound for the U.S. and to make “no board” recommendations to carriers and host governments.

Secretary Napolitano believes that the IAP arrangements will enhance the capabilities of both the U.S. and foreign countries in which we have collaborated with to protect our immigration systems as well as the global aviation network from abuse by terrorists and transnational criminals.

June 7, 2010

Updated List: SEVP Approved Schools

by Kellie N. Lego

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently updated their list of Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved schools. The schools listed have all been certified to participate in the program.

The program allows foreign students interested in obtaining an education in the United States to complete a visa petition, pay the required fee, and attend a U.S. College or University.

Interested Foreign students: There is a process in obtaining a student visa, but it is not a difficult one. The student must first obtain Form I-20 from the U.S. College or University from which he/she intends to enroll, pay the required visa fee (Form I-901) and contact a local U.S. Consulate/Embassy to schedule an interview. The SEVP procedures differ among U.S. Consulates/Embassies; contact your U.S. Consulate/Embassy NOW to determine its particular procedure on applying for a visa before planning for the interview.