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H-1B: Person in Specialty Occupation
This nonimmigrant classification applies to people who wish to perform services in a specialty occupation, services of exceptional merit and ability relating to a Department of Defense (DOD) cooperative research and development project, or services as a fashion model of distinguished merit or ability.
Visa Bulletin For September 2025
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during September 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.
H-3 Visa Trainees
General Information
An H-3 classification applies to an alien who is coming temporarily to the United States:
(1) As a trainee, other than to receive graduate medical education or training, or training provided primarily at or by an academic or vocational institution, or
(2) As a participant in a special education exchange visitor program which provides for practical training and experience in the education of children with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.
Nonimmigrant Visas
H-4 Visa Spouse & Children
Family members of the H-1B foreign worker are admitted to the United States in the H-4 category. Qualifying family members include only the spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old. H-4 dependents are admitted for the same period of time for which the H-1B foreign worker is admitted. H-4 dependents may alternatively be admitted in other nonimmigrant categories for which they qualify. H-4 dependents may undertake studies while remaining in the H-4 category, however, they may not engage in any form of employment.
H Visa Processing times & status checks
Processing Times
- USCIS Service Center Processing Times
- California Service Center
- Nebraska Service Center
- Texas service Center
- Vermont Service Center
Nonimmigrant Visas
H-2 Visa - Temporary Workers
The H-2B visa category is used by U.S. employers to temporarily employ skilled or unskilled foreign nationals in nonagricultural positions for which the employer has a temporary need and for which qualified U.S. workers are unavailable. The company must plan to employ the foreign nationals for a temporary period and the employer’s need for the skills of the foreign nationals must also be temporary. In addition, the employer must seek a “labor certification” from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) certifying that:
PERM Processing Times - 06/14/2013
Please click on the link for the updated PERM Processing Times.
The New USCIS Policy on Good Moral Character for Naturalizations
Rajiv's Article The Economic Times - US' new ‘good moral character’ rule: Flexibility or atougher barrier to citizenship?
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: August 20, 2025
Synopsis
A new USCIS policy on Good Moral Character (GMC), effective August 15, 2025, raises concerns despite its seemingly flexible approach. While it aims for a "holistic" review, applicants may now face a higher burden to prove their worthiness beyond just lacking a criminal record.
For more information on this article, please see the attachment below.
USCIS to Enforce Consequences for Aliens Who Falsify Information
Release Date
08/20/2025
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is restoring robust screening and vetting processes to detect aliens seeking to defraud or abuse the immigration system, including aliens who make false claims to U.S. citizenship. USCIS is also actively increasing public awareness among aliens and the public about the consequences of committing immigration fraud. Aliens who use false information or deceitful practices to unfairly obtain immigration advantages will face serious consequences.
Proposed Changes to F-1, J-1, (students) and I Nonimmigrant Classifications
The Fundamental Shift: End of Duration of Status
The proposed regulation represents the most significant change to student and exchange visitor immigration in over 40 years. As stated in the preamble:
"DHS proposes to amend its regulations by changing the admission period in the F, J, and I classifications from duration of status to an admission for a fixed time period." (Page 1)
Recording for August 14, 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.
Recording for August 21, 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.
USCIS Updated Forms - G-845 Supplement, G-845
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
Form G-845 Supplement, Verification Request
08/12/2025 01:46 PM EDT
Edition Date: 08/12/25. Starting Oct. 27, 2025, USCIS will accept only the 08/12/25 edition. Until then, you can also use the 04/08/21 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Form G-845, Verification Request
08/12/2025 12:36 PM EDT
Rajiv's Comments in The Times of India - DHS regulation seeks to tighten stay for international students and removes flexibility in pursuing educational courses
Published by: The Times of India - August 29, 2025
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/nri/dhs-regulation-seeks-to-tighten…
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
How to Write Effective Public Comments on Immigration Regulations: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding the Power of Public Comment
Fundamentally, the regulatory process provides one of the most direct ways for individuals to influence government policy. When agencies like the Department of Homeland Security propose new immigration regulations, they are required, by law, to seek public input and respond to significant and relevant comments. This is not merely a formality—agencies have been successfully challenged in court when they fail to consider and respond adequately to well-crafted public comments.
USCIS to Modernize Fee Payments with Electronic Funds
Release Date
08/29/2025
New form allows payment of filing fees, services via secure direct debit payments
WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has implemented a new way to pay fees using electronic debit from a U.S. bank account. Effective immediately, individuals can make transactions directly to USCIS by completing and signing Form G-1650, Authorization for ACH Transactions, and filing it with their applications, petitions, or requests.
Recording for August 28, 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.
Got Approved Yesterday and I am waiting for the Oath Ceremony
Application Mailed: Sep. 30, 2008
Priority Date: Oct. 1, 2008
Finger Printing: Oct. 30, 2008
Interview: Jan 26, 2009.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Got Approved Today and I am Waiting for the Oath Ceremony
I'm on the west coast (California):
Application Mailed: Sep, 2008
Finger Printing: Oct, 2008
Interview: Jan, 2009
Here are a few things worth mentioning:
- Dont take your cell phone with you. One of the offices(fingerprints) didn't allow them at all. The other office wouldn't let me take my cell phone in as it had a camera on it.
Take all your old passports (as well as your current one) that include entry into the U.S since getting your green card.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Got Approved Yesterday and Waiting for the Oath Ceremony
Following are my Dates:
Application Mailed: Sep, 2008
Priority Date: Sep, 2008
Finger Printing: Oct, 2008
Interview: Jan, 2009
My Interview was scheduled at 10:00 am today. Reached the location at around 9.35 am. Submitted the forms and were asked to wait for the name to be called.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Interview Passed and Recommended for Approval
They ran out of slots for the 10/30 oath about 7 people before me, so after that all of us got the N652 with "civics test/English passed" and "congratulations; it seems you are eligible...etc etc checked off, and when they handed it to to us they said our oath letters will be in the mail soon.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Citizenship and Naturalization
N-400 - Naturalization Experience
This week I went for my oath ceremony and I am now officially a US Citizen.
The process was very smooth overall.
My only beef is that for the interview I had to go to Holtsville and for the oath I had to go to Central Islip. I live in Queens and I don't drive so getting to those places was a major issue.
Here's my N400 timetable:
Queens/NY
5 years rule
Sent N400 to Texas: 12/19/2012
USCIS Received application: 12/24/2012
Check cashed: 12/27/2012
Received receipt: 01/05/2013
Citizenship and Naturalization
N-400 - Naturalization Experience
So I just had my interview at federal plaza in NYC. Interview was at 11 got there around 1015. Took 15 mins for security got up stairs around 1030, and waited until 1105 till they called my name. The IO wasn't mean but neither was she friendly, I guess she just wanted to get it over with. When we got into the office she asked me to raise my right hand and swear to tell the truth. Then she asked for passport and green card. We went over the application and then she asked me to read "WHO CAN VOTE" and write "CITIZENS CAN VOTE"
She then asked me 7 questions because I got one wrong.