When an I-485 is accepted at the Service Center, requests for FD-258 FBI fingerprint checks, fingerprint fees, and G-325A consular background checks are made by USCIS. Responses to these requests come back to USCIS and must be matched up with the appropriate files held in staging. File Maintenance "file connects" these responses to the corresponding files.
My wife and I had our passports stamped after a 6 hour ordeal that started at 8:30 a.m. and ended at 2:30 p.m. Here are some tips based on what we experienced,
1. For an 8:40 appointment, get there before 8 if at all possible. They were not checking appointment timings, so people with 9/10 a.m. appointments were ahead of us in the line. All they care is that you have an appointment for that day.
If your H-1B employer has stopped paying you, placed you at a work location different from the one listed on the Labor Condition Application (LCA), or otherwise violated the terms of your H-1B employment, you have a powerful and cost-free remedy available: filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD).
Rajiv S. Khanna, US Immigration attorney, provides free immigration help by hosting a free community conference call for US immigration-related questions every Thursday. You can post questions for the call if you are a member of our US Immigration forums. Membership is immediate and lifelong. Walk-ins are also permitted.
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions 02/06/2026 04:35 PM EST
Edition Date: 02/06/26. We will also accept prior editions. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
For more information, please visit the Forms Updates page.
Number 12
Volume XI
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during March for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
Published by: The Times of India - February 12, 2026
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/the-2027-h-1b-season-revised-strategies-for-sponsoring-employers-and-implications-for-aspirants/articleshow/128256141.cms
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during March for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
Rajiv S. Khanna, US Immigration attorney, provides free immigration help by hosting a free community conference call for US immigration-related questions every Thursday. You can post questions for the call if you are a member of our US Immigration forums. Membership is immediate and lifelong. Walk-ins are also permitted.
Rajiv S. Khanna, US Immigration attorney, provides free immigration help by hosting a free community conference call for US immigration-related questions every Thursday. You can post questions for the call if you are a member of our US Immigration forums. Membership is immediate and lifelong. Walk-ins are also permitted.
USCIS recently updated the following form:
Form G-1055, Fee Schedule02/13/2026 09:28 AM EST
Edition Date: 02/13/26. 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.
We recommend that the H-1B lottery registration process should be planned and initiated now to ensure that it is ready to be submitted once the registrations open on March 4, 2026.
Please visit this link: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/fy-2027-h-1b-cap-initial-registra…
Rajiv S. Khanna, US Immigration attorney, provides free immigration help by hosting a free community conference call for US immigration-related questions every Thursday. You can post questions for the call if you are a member of our US Immigration forums. Membership is immediate and lifelong. Walk-ins are also permitted.
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
Form G-1055, Fee Schedule03/01/2026 11:44 AM EST
Edition Date: 03/01/26. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page of Form G-1055, Fee Schedule.
Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker02/27/2026 09:27 AM EST