PERM Processing Times (as of 11/30/2018)
PERM Processing Times (as of 11/30/2018)
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USCIS Revises Interview Waiver Guidance for Form I-751
USCIS has issued a policy memorandum (PDF, 115 KB) (PM) providing guidance to USCIS officers on when to consider waiving the interview requirement for Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence. This PM goes into effect on December 10, 2018 and applies to all Form I-751 petitions received on or after December 10.
Workload Transfer Update
USCIS transferred some of the following cases from the Vermont Service Center to the Texas Service Center, Nebraska Service Center, California Service Center, and Potomac Service Center:
- Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, for F, M, J, or B nonimmigrants
For more information, see Workload Transfer Updates page.
USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for First Half of FY 2019
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reached the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for the first half of fiscal year (FY) 2019.
Dec. 6, 2018, was the final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date before April 1, 2019. USCIS will reject new cap-subject H-2B petitions received after Dec. 6 that request an employment start date before April 1, 2019.
Update To SAVE Password Reset
SAVE continues to implement enhancements to improve your experience and reduce burdensome processes by giving you more self-service options. For example, you’ll soon be able to reset your password automatically instead of contacting SAVE.
Visa Bulletin - January 2019
Visa Bulletin For January 2019
Number 25
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
Dec 13, 2018 Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
Discussion Topics:
Marrying a Canadian and bring them to USA || I Apply for a NIW through EB2 || COS to L-1A || Can any company revoke I-140 after 180 days || H-1 transfer || 3 year H-1B extension || Fiance visa || H4 EAD and starting a business || EB3 to EB2 porting of priority dates
When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: January 2019
Are you seeking to adjust your status and become a U.S. permanent resident under a family-sponsored or employment-based preference immigrant visa? If you have not yet had a relative or employer file an immigrant visa petition on your behalf, please learn more about the Adjustment of Status Filing Process.
Guestbook Entry for Nikolay S, United States
Name
Nikolay S
Country
United States
State
VA
Termination of the Categorical Parole Programs for Certain Individuals Present in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
Effective immediately, the categorical CNMI parole programs are terminated. This affects USCIS parole programs for immediate relatives of U.S.
Transferred Case Approved at SF Office
Our case was initially filed with VSC in March, 2001 (EB2 and future-employment based, the petitioning company is located in NJ and we always work in California).
Green Card
Guestbook Entry for Nirmala Nori , United States
Name
Nirmala Nori
Country
United States
State
Virginia
Guestbook Entry for Roustem Saiakhov , United States
Name
Roustem Saiakhov
Country
United States
State
OH
Guestbook Entry for Vagner Whitehead , United States
Name
Vagner Whitehead
Country
United States
State
IL
Guestbook Entry for Sreeramachandra Murty Neti , United States
Name
Sreeramachandra Murty Neti
Country
United States
Visitor's visa issued - Chennai
My in-laws have been issued visitor's visa on 28th at Chennai.
Some points:
* I have sent the sponsor documents.
* Advised them to take special care about arrangement and presentation of the papers
* I have sent two sets of originals/copies for them.
* Trained them on the possible questions and the answers.
*They are both around 70 years of age.
*This is their first interview and they have never visited any foreign country.
The questions they faced:
Nonimmigrant Visas
Returned to US in 4weeks after 6months stay
I thought this info might benefit some people.
My FIL entered US end of July '04. His 6months stay expired end of Jan '05. Our request to extend the stay was denied and he left within 10days of receipt of that letter. But he returned in 4 wks from India (he left on Feb 6th '05, returned on March 3rd '05). At POE in Los Angeles, they questioned him, but finally gave him 6months stay on I-94. He has a multiple entry visa.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Visitor Visa Approved at Chennai
Hi All,
My mother got her visitor visa approved at Chennai Consulate. I'm also including the questions that they asked my Mom. The interpreter(requested for one) was already there in the cube with officer it seems.
1Q. Since how long your son is staying in US ?
A. 5 Years
2Q. Where is he staying?
A. YYYY City.
3Q. How many months you're planning to stay?
A. 6 months.
4Q. Did your son applied for Green Card?
A. Yes.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Transferred case approved at SF office
Our case was initially filed with VSC in March, 2001 (EB2 and future-employment based, the petitioning company is located in NJ and we always work in California)
In Jan, 2004, our case was said to be "transferring" to SF local USCIS office for interview and after many times of phone inquiries and letter/fax sent over to them from my wife and the attorney, an office finally (after 7-8 months of newless waiting) get in touch with the attorney(in NJ) earlier this month and indicated that interview is unnecessary, however, we do need to surrender some docuemnt.
Taxonomy upgrade extras
DHS Changes Process for Awarding H-1B Work Visas to Better Protect American Workers
Release Date
12/23/2025
WASHINGTON – The Department of Homeland Security is amending regulations governing the H-1B work visa selection process to prioritize the allocation of visas to higher-skilled and higher-paid aliens to better protect the wages, working conditions, and job opportunities for American workers. The new rule replaces the random lottery for selecting visa recipients with a process that gives greater weight to those with higher skills.
Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization
08/21/2025 09:29 AM EDT
Edition Date: 08/21/25. Starting March 5, 2026, USCIS will accept only the 08/21/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the 01/20/25 edition. 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.
Rajiv's Comments in Financial Express - My H-1B approved but stuck in a 34-month queue’, Attorney shares legal fixes for missing form I-824
Published by: Financial Express - January 8, 2026
https://www.financialexpress.com/business/investing-abroad-my-h-1b-approved-but-stuck-in-a-34-month-queue-attorney-shares-legal-fixes-for-missing-form-i-824-4100306/
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
Recording for January 08, 2026 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Immigration.com
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 Forms Update Notice - Form G-1055
USCIS recently updated the following form:
Form G-1055, Fee Schedule
01/01/2026 09:54 AM EST
Edition Date: 01/01/26. 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.