US Citizenship and Immigration Services (used to be BCIS, INS)
Release Date
On Dec. 10, 2024, USCIS published a new edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Resident or Adjust Status, which includes updates to questions and instructions. Starting Feb. 10, 2025, USCIS will accept only the 10/24/24 edition of Form I-485 and will reject any older editions of Form I-485.
Release Date
USCIS has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year (FY) 2025.
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
Form I-485 Supplement A, Supplement A to Form I-485, Adjustment of Status Under Section 245(i)
08/28/2024 02:36 PM EDT
Edition Date: 08/28/24. M. USCIS will also accept the 08/28/24 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
08/28/2024 02:36 PM EDT
USCIS recently updated the following form:
Form I-941, Application for Entrepreneur Parole
10/01/2024 01:14 PM EDT
USCIS recently updated the following form:
11/20/2024 11:39 AM EST
Edition Date: 11/20/24. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page of Form G-1055, Fee Schedule.
For more information, please visit the Forms Updates page.
Release Date
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration and Services is issuing guidance regarding the legal and physical custody requirements for purposes of acquisition of U.S. citizenship under section 320 and naturalization under section 322 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). USCIS is also expanding guidance on derivation of citizenship before the Child Citizenship Act of 2000, under former INA section 321.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify that a naturalization applicant’s burden to demonstrate they have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence applies only to their initial admission as a lawful permanent resident (LPR) or adjustment to LPR status.
USCIS is revising the guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to align with the Classification for Victims of Severe Forms of Trafficking in Persons; Eligibility for “T” Nonimmigrant Status Final Rule.
Why rejection rate of NIWs is increasing? Is there any change in eligibility criteria, etc.?
The USCIS is currently focusing on two main aspects when evaluating NIW petitions:
They want to see how your specific work benefits the entire country, not just your immediate sphere of influence.
Example: For a neurosurgeon, saving lives locally isn't enough; they want to see a broader national impact.
USCIS is looking at how your work stands out from others in your field.
They want to see that your contribution is not just significant but also distinguishable from your peers' work.
These two factors are currently the primary focus in NIW evaluations, leading to higher rejection rates for petitions that don't adequately address these specific points.