USCIS Updates Policy Manual Guidance on the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)
Release Date 11/13/2020
USCIS is clarifying existing guidance on the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) in the USCIS Policy Manual to address:
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USCIS Updates Policy Guidance Regarding Discretionary Factors for Adjustment of Status Applications
Release Date 11/17/2020
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating existing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding the exercise of the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security’s discretion in adjudications of adjustment of status applications.
DHS Proposes to Limit Work Permits for Aliens with Final Orders of Removal
Release Date 11/17/2020
Rule will encourage these aliens to depart the country
USCIS Updates Policy Guidance on Naturalization Applicants Who Did Not Properly Obtain Lawful Permanent Resident Status
Release Date 11/18/2020
On Nov. 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services updated policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the circumstances when USCIS would find applicants ineligible for naturalization because they were not lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for First Half of FY 2021
Release Date 11/18/2020
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated cap on H-2B visas for temporary nonagricultural workers for the first half of fiscal year 2021. Nov. 16 was the final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date before April 1, 2021. USCIS will reject new cap-subject H-2B petitions received after Nov. 16, that request an employment start date before April 1, 2021.
DHS Extends Form I-9 Requirement Flexibility (11/18/20)
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced an extension of the flexibility in complying with requirements related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, due to COVID-19.
Nov 19, 2020 Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration Law
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 19 November 2020:
EB-1C eligibility after company transition while pending I-485 and L-1A extension || Post completion OPT and employment issues || Canadian citizen applying for TN visa during presidential proclamation ||Sharing misdemeanor details of spouse while filing for green card || Document Checklist for I-485 Adjust of Status || Consular processing and green card when priority date is current||Transition from F-1 to H-1B || H-1B Visa expiring, extension and delay due to wage rate increment || I-485 filing and issues related to primary and derivative applicant || How long for an interview after the priority date becomes current || H-1B visa potential immigration issues for being outside the USA for more than a year during pandemic || Laid off due to Covid and the effect on adjudication of STEM OPT visa || AC21 portability, I-140 and starting a new venture || 221g administrative processing and H-1B visa stamping || Presidential Proclamation and H-1B visa stamping || Change of status from J-1 to F-1 Visa and Biometrics || Understanding the Visa Bulletin || H-1B and prevailing wage levels || Employment Authorization in compelling situations
Visa Bulletin - December 2020
Number 48
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during December 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.
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
K Visa Services and Fees
For information on the K1 / K3 process, please visit:
https://immigration.com/visa/k-visa/k-visa-overview
Fee schedule for K-1 Visa classifications (USCIS requires all filing fees to be paid EITHER via ACH Transaction or Credit card)
| Fee Type | Amount | Payable To | Responsible for Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal fee | $2,200 |
Nonimmigrant Visas
B Visa Services and Fees
Fee schedule for B-1/B-2 visa classification (USCIS requires all filing fees to be paid EITHER via ACH Transaction or Credit card)
Nonimmigrant Visas
EB-2 National Interest Waivers (NIW) Services and Fees
The fee schedule for Green Card through NATIONAL INTEREST WAIVERS:
| 1. |
Legal Fees: Stage 1: I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Payable at the commencement of the case:
Stage 2: Consular Processing or I-485, Application to Adjust Status: Payable at the time of the Consular Processing or I-485 petition preparation: |
Green Card
EB-3 (Schedule A) Physical Therapists Services and Fees
The fee schedule for EB-3 (Schedule A) Physical Therapists:
| 1. |
Legal Fees: Stage 1: I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Payable at the commencement of the case:
Stage 2: Consular Processing or I-485, Application to Adjust Status: Payable at the time of the Consular Processing or I-485 petition preparation: |
Profession/Occupation
EB-2 (NIW) Physicians Services and Fees
The fee schedule for Green Card for PHYSICIANS WORKING IN MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREAS:
| 1. |
Legal Fees: Stage 1: I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Payable at the commencement of the case:
Stage 2: Consular Processing or I-485, Application to Adjust Status: Payable at the time of the Consular Processing or I-485 petition preparation: |
Profession/Occupation
EB-4 Religious Workers Services and Fees
The fee schedule for EB-4:
| 1. |
Legal Fees: Stage 1: I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Payable at the commencement of the case:
Stage 2: Consular Processing or I-485, Application to Adjust Status: Payable at the time of the Consular Processing or I-485 petition preparation: |
Green Card
H Visa Services and Fees
Fee schedule for H-1 classification (USCIS requires all filing fees to be paid EITHER via ACH Transaction or Credit card)
Note: For governmental Requests For Evidence (RFEs), we charge extra based upon the complexity of the issue(s)
Note: USCIS to Increase Premium Processing Fees as of March 1, 2026, https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-to-increase-premium-process…
Nonimmigrant Visas
EB-2 / EB-3 PERM Services and Fees
The fee schedule for green card through labor certifications as follows:
| 1. |
Legal Fees: In consideration of professional services rendered and to be rendered, employer and/or beneficiary agree to pay legal fees as follows: Stage 1: PERM (Labor Certification) |
Green Card
EB-1 Extraordinary Ability Alien, Outstanding Researcher/Professor OR International Managers Services and Fees
The fee schedule for Green Card through Extraordinary Ability Alien, Outstanding Researcher/Professor, and Multinational Manager (fees are payable by personal checks) is as follows:
| 1. |
Legal Fees: Payable at the commencement of the case:
Stage 2: Consular Processing or I-485, Application to Adjust Status: |
Green Card
EB-2 (Schedule A) Exceptional Ability/Advanced Degree Alien Services and Fees
The fee schedule for Green Card through EXCEPTIONAL ABILITY/ADVANCED DEGREE ALIEN (Schedule A- Group II):
| 1. |
Legal Fees: Stage 1: I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Payable at the commencement of the case:
Stage 2: Consular Processing or I-485, Application to Adjust Status: Payable at the time of the Consular Processing or I-485 petition preparation: |
Green Card
EB-3 (Schedule A) Nurses Services and Fees
The fee schedule for EB-3 (Schedule A) NURSES:
| 1. |
Legal Fees: Payable at the commencement of the case:
Stage 2: Consular Processing or I-485, Application to Adjust Status: Payable at the time of the Consular Processing or I-485 petition preparation: |
Profession/Occupation
J Visa Services and Fees
J-1 VISA WAIVER (Conrad State 30, Extreme Hardship, No Objection)
Note: The fee schedule for J visa (USCIS requires all filing fees to be paid EITHER via ACH Transaction or Credit card)
Note: USCIS to Increase Premium Processing Fees as of March 1, 2026, https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-to-increase-premium-process…
Nonimmigrant Visas
L Visa Services and Fees
Note: If the case is likely to be complicated, we may charge higher amounts for legal fees.
For governmental Requests For Evidence (RFEs), we charge extra based upon the complexity of the issue(s).
Note: USCIS to Increase Premium Processing Fees as of March 1, 2026, https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-to-increase-premium-process…
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Nonimmigrant Visas
TN Visa Services and Fees
Fee schedule for TN classification (USCIS requires all filing fees to be paid EITHER via ACH Transaction or Credit card)
Note: USCIS to Increase Premium Processing Fees as of March 1, 2026, https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-to-increase-premium-process…
Nonimmigrant Visas
O Visa Services and Fees
Fee schedule for O classification (USCIS requires all filing fees to be paid EITHER via ACH Transaction or Credit card)
Note: USCIS to Increase Premium Processing Fees as of March 1, 2026, https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-to-increase-premium-processing-fees
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Nonimmigrant Visas
P Visa Services and Fees
Fee schedule for P classification (USCIS requires all filing fees to be paid EITHER via ACH Transaction or Credit card)
Note: USCIS to Increase Premium Processing Fees as of March 1, 2026, https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-to-increase-premium-processing-fees
Nonimmigrant Visas
R Visa Services and Fees
The fee schedule for R classification (USCIS requires all filing fees to be paid EITHER via ACH Transaction or Credit card)
Note: USCIS to Increase Premium Processing Fees as of March 1, 2026, https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-to-increase-premium-process…