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.
Guestbook Entry for Balaji , United States
Name
Balaji
Country
United States
State
CA
Guestbook Entry for Gopal Khanna , Canada
Name
Gopal Khanna
Country
Canada
State
Brampton
Guestbook Entry for Francesco Caggioni , United States
Name
Francesco Caggioni
Country
United States
State
CT
Here is our Experience with DORA at Dallas today
Hi all Fellow-Kin ,
I am INDC, my wife USC. We would like to share our experience with you all of DORA Dallas.
Appointment: July 25, 2005
Interview: July 25, 2005
Appointment Time: 12:15 pm
Arrived at DORA Office: 12:10pm
Interview: 2:10 pm
Left DORA Office: 2.15 pm
When we arrived the office, we had to go through general security checks. We handed our appointment confirmation printout from Infopass website: infopass.uscis.gov
Green Card
Finger Print experience in Oakland, CA
Folks,
I thought I'll share my FP experience in Oakland, CA which might be useful to others. I had my FP scheduled for tomorrow but since we have other errands to run tomorrow we went in today at 8:15 AM. To our surprise they did not even question us about the date. They just glanced at our FP notice and gave us a form to fill up. Even before I finished filling my form my number was up.
Taxonomy upgrade extras
Had N-400 interview in Portland, Oregon
Hi there,
I had my N-400 interview in Portland, Oregon this afternoon. At the end, the officer printed the N-652 form and checked two boxes: a) you passed the tests of English and U.S. history and government; and b) Congratulations! Your application has been recommended for approval.
The interview was smooth and quick. I had 2 tickets for speeding, which I had included in my N-400 application. He said it was good I had included them because I got a citation (ticket), but that they're only interested in violations that involve arrests.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Had citizenship interview in Denver today
The process was very smooth and lasted for 3 full minutes. USCIS officer was professional and friendly and started the interview right on time. He asked me to take the oath first and then reviewed the application. Then he asked me to write a simple sentense, went through history & civics questions (all from the list of 100 USCIS has on its website) and once I answered first six correctly told me that I passed the exam and the application is approved. He said I will get oath notice in 1 - 2 months.
Citizenship and Naturalization
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Establishes New Center to Strengthen Immigration Screening and Target Bad Actors
Release Date
12/05/2025
New vetting center will focus on powerful screening resources to keep America safe
USCIS Increases Screening, Vetting of Aliens Working in U.S.
Release Date
12/04/2025
Maximum validity periods of some Employment Authorization Documents will be reduced
WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services updated its Policy Manual to reduce the maximum validity period for Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) for certain categories of aliens. This update also incorporates changes to EAD validity periods made by recent legislation to ensure proper vetting and screening of aliens.
USCIS Updates Policy on Biometrics for Detainees
USCIS is updating USCIS Policy Manual Volume 1, Part C to deter the filing of frivolous claims and provide operational consistency. This update clarifies that the Department of Homeland Security generally will not take biometrics of detained aliens unless they are in removal proceedings and have a pending application or petition filed with the Executive Office for Immigration Review. This guidance is effective immediately and applies to requests pending or filed on or after the publication date.
Recording for December 04, 2025 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.
Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for H-1B and Dependent H-4 Visa Applicants
Last Updated: December 3, 2025
As of December 15, the Department will expand the requirement that an online presence review be conducted for all H-1B applicants and their dependents, in addition to the students and exchange visitors already subject to this review. To facilitate this vetting, all applicants for H-1B and their dependents (H-4), F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas are instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to “public.”
Rajiv's Comments in The Times of India - US to scan social media of all H-1B, H-4 visa applicants from December 15
Published by: The Times of India - December 04, 2025
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/us-to-scan-social-media-of…
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
Rajiv S. Khanna, managing attorney at Immigration.com expressed dismay that a country which professes to be a shining beacon of free speech does not appreciate it.
The New H-1B Weighted Lottery: What Employers and Employees Must Know
December 23, 2025
Executive Summary
The Department of Homeland Security has finalized regulations that fundamentally change how H-1B cap registrations will be selected, effective for the FY 2027 lottery (registration opening around March 2026). Under the new weighted selection process, registrations for higher-paid workers will have significantly better chances of selection than those for lower-paid workers.