Filing the adjustment of status is only the first step in the final process to receive the green card. Biometrics fingerprints and photographs must be collected, the application reviewed, and in some cases an in-person interview conducted. The Visa Bulletin may move backward as well as forward, so it is impossible to predict the time until an actual green card is issued. If additional evidence is needed or if biometrics have expired, then they will send these requests.
These items cannot be interfiled at this time. If you have a priority date within the October adjustment of status filing dates, you should contact your attorney to start the process as soon as possible. See more ». This website uses cookies to improve user experience, track anonymous site usage, store authorization tokens and permit sharing on social media networks.
By continuing to browse this website you accept the use of cookies. Click here to read more about how we use cookies. Lori Chesser. To embed, copy and paste the code into your website or blog:. If more people apply than visas are available, a waiting line develops. Visa Bulletin DOS is charged with managing the waiting lines and releases the Visa Bulletin detailing these waiting lines each month. Adjustment of Status v. Consular Processing At its creation, U. Why the big jump?
What do those dates mean? People often can keep their initial priority date if they have multiple applications filed. Filing Adjustment of Status Immigration from outside the U. Family Members Included Spouses and children under 21 can also apply for employment-based applications and some family-based applications.
Other Considerations Other considerations in filing include the new requirement to pay for employment authorization and travel documents separately, green card portability the ability to change jobs and still continue the process , and whether to file the medical exam with the application.
I will give you an example. The annual limit in the family sponsored fourth preference category is 65,, and there are over 2 million applicants who have filed in the family fourth preference category who are attempting to make use of those 65, numbers on an annual basis. Can I have an interview before the Visa Bulletin is current for my priority date?
The Visa Bulletin dates are kind of a line in the sand which cannot be crossed. For an applicant to be eligible to be scheduled for an interview at an overseas post 1 their case has to be documentarily complete and 2 it would need to have been reported to our office prior to our making the determination of the final action dates for the upcoming month, and the other factor involved is post processing capacity.
Again, many of our posts are slowly returning to normal operational status and they too are having to dig out of a backlog of cases that have become pent up since Coronavirus hit in March of So, it is going to take them some time to recover from this situation we are facing for the past 18 plus months. Is the family category interview scheduled on the basis of priority date or documentarily qualified date?
Interviews are scheduled on a first-in first-out basis, depending on when a case becomes documentarily complete and visa availability. What could the Visa Bulletin movement look like by the end of the fiscal year ? With the family dates, I do not foresee much change, barring a legislative effort, until sometime next summer, and the movements at that time may be in an effort to generate additional demand as we enter into fiscal year The other possibility for movement in the family dates is if posts are able to come back online to full processing capacity at a faster pace than I currently expect.
On the employment categories, for the employment first preference category, I expect that to remain current for the remainder of the year. Employment second preference worldwide will remain current. The India and China employment second preference dates should slowly advance throughout the year, and they could slow up or stop at some point if demand becomes excessive.
The one thing we would need to watch for in both the employment second and employment third preference category for China, is if it gets to a point where people are upgrading their petition status—they may have originally filed an employment third preference, but have subsequently become entitled to status in the employment second preference, and if the China and India employment second preference dates become more advantageous, more people may upgrade, and that could have an impact on the availability of numbers in the second preference category and at some point require corrective action.
Hopefully we would see that in time to provide advance notice. An attempt is always made to provide at least months advance notice in the Visa Bulletin. If we foresee something happening that could negatively impact processing, we try to put that information out as early as possible because we know it impacts the lives of many applicants and they need to make plans. So, again, if we foresaw potentially negative changes coming in either the China or India second preference dates, the Visa Bulletin would include a notice of those changes as soon as possible to give people fair warning.
There is the Child Status Protection Act ruling. I do not know enough about that process to offer any advice. I believe there may be information on our travel. Chart B Dates for Filing shows c for i5 and r5, but the National Visa Center has been emailing i5 and r5 applicants, please do not submit any additional fees or forms to the National Visa Center. Please explain. The chart B that is the dates for filing. The National Visa Center would have notified the vast majority of applicants who were eligible both in that i5 and r5 category, they would have typically notified applicants long ago before that category became expired effective June 30th of this year.
We would prefer that people not continue to submit documentation and fees that may not be acted upon in a timely manner. Again, this is to try to prevent applicants from taking unnecessary steps that may not be necessary at least in the near future. Follow the guidelines that are sent by the National Visa Center. How do you calculate visa allotment? Can we check the website? We will establish a target of how many numbers we want to have issued in a given month. We will also calculate, in order to issue that many numbers, actually how many additional numbers need to be provided, because a certain amount of applicants will either be refused or will not show up to their interviews.
If for example we wanted to use 1, numbers, we may need to establish a final action date which would allow the allocation of 1, numbers. The other thing is we typically try to weigh the allocations and movement of the final action dates more heavily during the first 9 months of the fiscal year, so that we can have a better chance of fully utilizing numbers and not have to sprint to a finish. We would much rather prefer to have a slow stroll to the finish line versus having to be sprinting all the way.
Often the movements you will see during the first 9 months of the year, in normal times they should not be anticipated to continue throughout the fiscal year. Also, getting the applicants in earlier in the year allows them if they are refused for some reason, sufficient time to return to overcome a refusal in order to be a utilized number during that fiscal year.
That would increase visa availability and would most definitely allow the categories that are currently current they would remain current, and it would also allow those categories which have a final action date, it would allow those dates to begin advancing. How quickly would depend on how many extra numbers are provided. You mentioned that Philippines family preference will advance in the next couple of months, does that mean that all categories will advance in the Philippines?
Certain preferences for Mexico and the Philippines may advance during the coming months in order to generate additional demand but there is no guarantee to that. Those are the only two countries where I foresee potential movement during the coming 9 months on the family side. Yes, as I mentioned earlier, if we see a significant upgrade of third preference applicants, upgrading to second preference status, that will reduce the availability of employment second preference numbers and limit the future movement of both the China and India second preference categories.
At this point it is too early to know when that might happen and to what extent. The one other thing which could benefit the second preference category is the availability of unused employment first preference numbers, because if it becomes apparent that there are going to be additional unused employment first preference numbers, they can fall down and then be utilized in the employment second preference category.
Why is F2B not allocated the per country limit especially Dominican Republic that is getting more than 7 percent? Such applicants are covered under the first column of dates in the family categories where it says all chargeability areas. Again, there are not sufficient numbers under the annual limit to allow each country to reach its per country limit in normal situations.
The only time that will happen is for example on the family category where you see an earlier final action date for Mexico and Philippines, that date is to keep them within their overall family F2B per country limits. Again, the dates are established to control number use within both the per country limit and the overall annual limits. DOL is reconsidering multiple filing issues. Take action! DOL issues new policy restricting multiple labor certifications.
H-1B cap: Less than 10, left for Fiscal Year State Department predicts retrogression of 2nd Preference immigrant visas. Prevailing wage delays at California State Workforce Agency. Visa appointment delays during peak travel season. FY H-1B numbers remain available. Machine readable passports required starting June 26, PERM: Technical problems hamper early filers. Update on new 20, cap-exempt H-1B visas.
Update on 20, cap-exempt H-1B visas. CBP announces new admission stamp design for U. The latest scoop on H-1B visas. DOL Backlog Center update. H-2B annual cap reached for State Department to expedite visa applications for certain business travelers.
EB3 priority dates to retrogress in January Travel during peak holiday season. H-1B and L-1 legislation: Important changes. Electronic signature and storage of I-9 records authorized. Changes in DOL labor certification processing. California labor certification applications sent to BRCs. DV visa lottery exclusively on-line. DOS alert to travelers entering the U.
Visa revalidation program ends on July 16, Concurrent filing of I and I applications. Testimony by Stephen Yale-Loehr on L-1 visas. Has the H-1B cap been reached? House International Relations Committee holds hearings on L-1 visas.
Mexican TN professionals now apply directly at U. President Bush proposes temporary worker program. USCIS to make travel documents more secure. No automatic revalidation for Canadian permanent residents without visas. President Bush signs extension of Religious Worker Program. Free trade agreements with Chile and Singapore impact H-1B numbers.
Machine-readable passport requirement postponed for 21 countries. New names for DHS divisions. Latest H-1B petition statistics for FY CSC processing delays on Is and Is.
State Dept. Consulates announce new interview procedures for NIV applicants. Travel alert: Delays at U. Embassies expected for most NIV applicants after August 1, Legislation to restrict L-1 visa program introduced. BCIS pilot pre-certification program for employers.
Visa revalidation delays update. BCIS announces first step in on-line electronic filings. Timing for fingerprints on CSC adjustment cases. Ciudad Juarez resumes Third Country processing.
Update: Special registration. VWP: Uruguay terminated, Belgium continued. Update: Concurrent filing of I and I DOJ audit of premium processing. Update: Personnel appointments and further reorganization at the DHS. Update: Canadian Landed Immigrant visa requirements. Update on INS filing fees. Visa waiver for certain Landed Immigrants of Canada eliminated. INS announces reduced filing fees, but for how long? Department of Homeland Security website. INS issues fingerprint notices with wrong address.
Embassy in Caracas to close Visa Unit effective January 20, INS press release: Passenger manifest requirements. Special Registration update: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia added. Updated immigration alert: Special Registration expanded. Enrolled version of the new Homeland Security Act of and expanded section by section summary.
DOJ information on call-in Special Registration. President signs law creating new Department of Homeland Security. Special Registration update: 13 countries added.
Immigration alert: Special Registration requirements expanded. Nonmmigrant visa delays continue. Department of Justice Authorization Bill still not signed. Congress passes new law with important immigration provisions. Increase in machine-readable visa fee. New INS on-line case status system. Transitional foreign student monitoring program. INS announces legal immigration figures for FY Department of State announces DV mail-in registration period. INS proposal to offer case status over the Internet.
San Francisco INS announces mail-in adjustment application process. Concurrent filing of I with I Ashcroft: Address changes must be reported within 10 days.
Processing of RIR filings — updated. INS lifts suspension of I renewals. Premium Processing for Is put on hold again. Department of Justice announces alien registration program. INS publishes proposed rules for honoraria for B tourists. New INS security check requirements mean slightly longer waits on same-day applications. Processing of cases at American Consulates in India.
Shredding at the California Service Center update. Revision of the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services. Shredding at the California Service Center. Update on visa revalidations. Signature card no longer required.
Proposed INS reorganization bill. Premium Processing update for Is. Processing of RIR updated. Change in Advance Parole Authorization form. Update on NIV processing procedures in Paris. INS considering reduction in visitor visa admission period to 30 days. Visa services suspended in Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi. Update on extension of Section i.
Department of State ruling impacts Third Country Nationals. INS signs memorandum of agreement with Department of Defense. INS issues guidance on spousal employment and 6-month Blanket L.
Work Authorization for Spouses of E and L visa holders. New Indian police certificate IV policies for posts in India. INS announces legal immigration figures for Fiscal Years and Special processing requirements and Security Advisory Opinions.
Update on delays in revalidations. Visa fees change at U. Instructions for completing Form DS LOG IN. August 26 Covid vaccination for permanent residency applicants. April 30 Travel restrictions expanded to India due to spread of novel coronavirus. March 31 H-1B cap reached. February 25 President Biden revokes Proclamations against new immigrant admissions.
February 5 H-1B cap registration will be open from March 9 to March 25 this year. January 22 Presidential proclamation to end certain nationality-based travel bans. January 5 Proclamation extends suspension of entry to March October 29 November visa bulletin retains October priority dates. October 28 Information on upcoming November Visa Bulletin. October 16 Update regarding premium processing fees increase.
October 9 September federal law H. October 6 Trump Administration announces major changes to H-1B visa petitions. July 14 Phased resumption of routine visa services. June 24 International travel advisory for foreign nationals granted extensions of visa stay or changes of visa status within the United States. June 11 Possible expansion of Presidential Proclamation on immigration. April 24 May Visa Bulletin.
April 1 H-1B cap update. March 2 Update on U. February 20 March Visa Bulletin. February 3 Update on U. December 18 January Visa Bulletin. November 19 December Visa Bulletin. October 21 November Visa Bulletin. September 18 October Visa Bulletin.
August 22 September Visa Bulletin. July 15 August Visa Bulletin. June 17 July Visa Bulletin. June 7 June Visa Bulletin.
April 15 May Visa Bulletin. March 14 April Visa Bulletin. January 25 Premium processing resumed for certain cases. January 14 February Visa Bulletin. October 16 November Visa Bulletin. September 13 October Visa Bulletin. August 31 Premium processing fees increasing. August 9 September Visa Bulletin. July 17 August Visa Bulletin. July 5 July Visa Bulletin.
July 3 Retrogression: Mid-year analysis of the visa bulletin. June 29 Supreme Court upholds Trump travel ban. April 26 Supreme Court on travel ban update. February 22 March Visa Bulletin. January 16 February Visa Bulletin. December 18 H-4 EAD rule rescission announced. December 6 Supreme Court affirms Trump travel ban 3.
November 14 December Visa Bulletin. October 18 November Visa Bulletin. October 17 Hawaii District Court issues new order against Trump travel ban 3. October 3 Premium processing now available for all petitioners seeking H-1B visas. September 26 Trump Administration expands and revises travel ban. August 25 Advance Parole denials possible due to travel while pending.
August 10 September Visa Bulletin. July 13 August Visa Bulletin. June 26 Supreme Court partially lifts temporary injunction on Trump immigration ban. June 13 July Visa Bulletin. June 12 Updates on travel ban executive order litigation.
May 10 DOS implementation of additional vetting of certain visa applicants. April 5 Updates on H-1B: a category under attack. Know your rights. March 8 Updates on Presidential Executive Orders affecting immigration.
February 10 March Visa Bulletin. February 6 Federal courts issue hold on immigration Executive Orders. February 3 Feb. February 2 Feb. February 1 Canadian special measures for those affected by the U. January 27 President Trump signs Executive Order banning certain foreign nationals and limiting refugee numbers.
January 26 Updated version of Form I January 25 Presidential executive orders on immigration. January 13 Update on parole for start-up entrepreneurs. January 12 February Visa Bulletin. December 12 EB-5 update: No changes until April 28, December 9 U. November 10 December Visa Bulletin. November 9 Impact of the election on U.
November 8 Bernie Velasquez, In Memoriam. October 26 Updates on current portability rule. October 12 November Visa Bulletin. September 9 October Visa Bulletin. August 8 September Visa Bulletin. July 18 U. July 11 August Visa Bulletin.
June 20 General alert and reminder on avoiding fraud and scams targeting foreign nationals and all employees. June 10 July Visa Bulletin. May 10 June Visa Bulletin. April 22 May Visa Bulletin. February 16 March Visa Bulletin. December 14 January Visa Bulletin. November 13 Extension of OPT and cap-gap regulations. November 4 EB-5 update: What happens after December 11, ? October 2 DV Lottery Registration announced.
September 24 Government shutdown looming. September 9 October Visa Bulletin: New procedures for accepting cases. August 3 White House issues recommendations on administrative reform.
July 27 Changes in the worksite location require action before the change happens. July 6 H-1Bs available for U. June 16 Delays in visa issuance due to technical problems. May 19 Premium Processing suspended for H-1B extension of stay. May 13 May and June Visa Bulletins. April 14 H-1B cap premium processing to begin April March 18 Canadian passport update. March 13 April Visa Bulletin. February 9 March Visa Bulletin. January 13 February Visa Bulletin. December 10 January Visa Bulletin. October 27 Holiday travel advisory.
October 10 November Visa Bulletin. September 12 October Visa Bulletin. September 9 Visa system delays mostly resolved. August 26 September Visa Bulletin. July 30 Technical issues with visa system causing delays. July 10 August Visa Bulletin. May 8 June Visa Bulletin. May 6 DHS announces proposals to expand work authorization to some H-4 spouses. May 2 H-1B cap update. April 23 CBP upgrades I admission record portal. April 10 May Visa Bulletin. April 9 White House to propose new opportunities for entrepreneurs; includes work authorization for H-4 spouses.
April 7 DOS initiates site visits for J-1 intern and trainee categories. March 19 Lobby your U. March 10 April Visa Bulletin. February 5 DOL releases list of audit triggers. January 29 Nonimmigrant visa NIV interview waiver program made permanent.
January 28 H-1B cap season is starting. January 9 February Visa Bulletin. December 12 January Visa Bulletin. December 10 E-Verify updates to make life easier. November 11 December Visa Bulletin. October 1 Immigration benefits to be impacted by government shutdown.
September 30 Impact of a government shutdown to DOL. September 18 Diversity Visa instructions released. September 10 October Visa Bulletin.
August 28 Electronic consular immigrant visa filing. August 13 September Visa Bulletin. June 28 Department of State notice of immigrant visa priority date advancement for August June 27 Senate passes immigration reform bill. June 26 Supreme Court paves immigration path for same-sex spouses. April 17 Bipartisan immigration bill would radically reform US immigration.
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