Entries by Jim Arkell

October Priority Dates Released

The Visa Bulletin for October was just released. It appears that retrogression will continue for the EB-2 NIW. While we are extremely disappointed that priority dates did not become current for the EB-2 category, the good news is that USCIS has designated the “Dates For Filing” chart to be used for October. Under the “Dates […]

August 2023 Priority Dates – Important Changes

There were some important changes in the Visa Bulletin setting out August 2023 priority dates. EB-1 Update The main change in priority dates is the retrogression of the EB-1 category. The EB-1 category priority date of China remains unchanged at February 1, 2022, however, the priority date for India has retrogressed by over 10 years […]

USCIS to allow I-765 EAD with an approved I-140

USCIS to allow I-765 EAD with an approved I-140 due to I-485 Retrogression. USCIS just issued a Policy Alert that now allows for an I-765 EAD if the applicant has an approved I-140 even if the I-485 priority date is not current. This is an interesting development and that will allow certain individuals to continue […]

USCIS Premium Processing Expansion

WHAT HAPPENED: USCIS announced today, June 12, 2023, that they will be expanding premium processing for applicants filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, and requesting a change of status to F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 nonimmigrant status. USCIS will also make the online filing of Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing […]

EB-2 Retrogression

USCIS just released the Visa Bulletin for April 2023. The Final Action Dates are to be used for the April Visa Bulletin. Under the Final Action Dates, the EB-2 priority dates for all countries have retrogressed. The EB-1 priority dates for China and India have once again retrogressed. The EB-2 priority dates for all countries […]

USCIS Announces Premium Processing for Certain F-1 Students

USCIS continues to implement new procedures that ensure increased efficiency. Beginning March 6th, USCIS will accept Form I-907 requests for certain F-1 students who already have a pending Form I-765 if they fall under one of the following categories: pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT); post-completion OPT; and 24-month extension of OPT for STEM students. Beginning […]

NIW Premium Processing Now Available

USCIS has just announced that it is implementing the final phase of the premium processing expansion for EB-2 NIW I-140 petitions. Effective January 30, 2023 a new NIW can be filed with premium processing. If you have a pending NIW petition you can request premium processing, regardless of when your case was filed. Until the […]

EB-2 Priority Date Retrogression for December 2022

The recently released Visa Bulletin for December 2022 indicates that the EB-2 visa category will retrogress starting December 1, 2022. This means that concurrent filing will no longer be available for EB-2 based I-140 filings. The priority date under Dates of Filing is now December 1, 2022. The EB-2 priority dates for India and China […]

USCIS EXTENDS FILING DEADLINES

USCIS has again extended filing deadlines. The filing deadlines were extended until January 24, 2023. This means that there is an automatic extension of 60 days available to file a response to a Request for Evidence or a Notice of Intent to Deny, among other Notices and Requests issued between March 1, 2020 and January […]