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Articles Posted in F-1 Visa

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calendar-151591_1280We are pleased to report that today the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs published the January 2025 Visa Bulletin.

In this blog post, we breakdown the movement of the employment-based and family-sponsored categories in the coming month.

USCIS Adjustment of Status

The U.S. Citizenship and immigration Services (USCIS) has not yet indicated which chart it will use to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in January 2025.

Please click here for more information.

Highlights of the January 2025 Visa Bulletin

At a Glance

What can we expect to see in the month of January?

Employment-Based Categories

Dates for Filing

  • No change from previous month 

Final Action Advancements

EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability

  • EB-2 India will advance by two months to October 1, 2012
  • EB-2 China will advance by one month to April 22, 2020
  • EB-2 All other countries will advance by two weeks to April 1, 2023

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers

  • EB-3 India will advance by three weeks to December 1, 2012
  • EB-3 China will advance by two months to June 1, 2020
  • EB-3 All other countries will advance by two weeks to December 1, 2022

EB-3 Other Workers

  • EB-3 India will advance by three weeks to December 1, 2012
  • EB-3 Except China, all other countries will advance by one week to December 8, 2020

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We are pleased to report that today the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs published the December Visa Bulletin. Unfortunately, the December Visa Bulletin brings almost no movement.

USCIS Adjustment of Status

For employment-based and family-sponsored preference categories, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed it will continue to use the Dates for Filing chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of December.

Highlights of the December 2024 Visa Bulletin

At a Glance

What can we expect to see in the month of December?

Employment-Based Categories

  • The Final Action Date for India EB-2 will advance by two weeks to August 1, 2012
  • The Final Action Date for India EB-3 will advance by one week to November 8, 2012
  • All other employment-based Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing will remain the same in December as the previous month

Family-Sponsored Categories

  • All family-sponsored Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing will remain the same in December as the previous month

For more details, please see our analysis of the December 2024 Visa bulletin below.

Employment-Based Categories

FINAL ACTION DATES FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES

According to the Department of State’s December 2024 Visa Bulletin, the following Final Action cutoff dates will apply for employment-based categories in the month of December.

  • No change from previous month, except for EB-2 India and EB-3 India

EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives

  • EB-1 India will remain at February 1, 2022
  • EB-1 China will remain at November 8, 2022
  • EB-1 All other countries will remain current

EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability

  • EB-2 India will advance by two weeks to August 1, 2012
  • EB-2 China will remain at March 22, 2020
  • EB-2 All other countries will remain at March 15, 2023

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers

  • EB-3 India will advance by one week to November 8, 2012
  • EB-3 China will remain at April 1, 2020
  • EB-3 All other countries will remain at November 15, 2022

EB-3 Other Workers

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interview-6956089_1280-1In this blog post, we discuss the release of the Department of State’s October 2024 Immigrant Visa Backlog report.

This is a monthly publication that provides data and statistics regarding the number of immigrant visa cases currently at the National Visa Center waiting for interviews, documentarily complete cases that have been scheduled for visa interviews, and those that are still awaiting visa interviews.

We also compare the increase in the backlog from September to October 2024.

According to the National Visa Center’s Immigrant Visa Backlog Report for the month of October 2024, there has been a modest decrease in the immigrant visa (IV) backlog from 385,800 pending cases in September to 363,242 cases in October — nearly a 5.8% decrease in the backlog.  

Additionally, when comparing the September and October Immigrant Visa backlogs, we can see that the number of immigrant visa applicants whose cases were declared documentarily complete and ready to be scheduled for interviews decreased by 17,846 cases, from 431,110 (in September) to 413,264 (in October).

Additionally, 50,022 applicants whose cases were documentarily complete were scheduled for interviews in the month of October (in comparison to just 45,310 in September).

  • A case is considered documentarily complete by the National Visa Center, when the applicant has paid all necessary fees and submits all necessary documents to meet the formal visa application requirements, such that the case is ready to be scheduled for a visa interview. When a case becomes documentarily complete, the NVC sends applicants an email to notify them that their case is complete and pending scheduling at the local Consulate or Embassy.

September 2024 Immigrant Visa Backlog Report

Number of IV applicants whose cases are documentarily complete at NVC and ready for interview as of August 31 431,110
Number of documentarily complete IV applicants scheduled for September 2024 interview appointments 45,310
Number of eligible IV applicants still pending the scheduling of an interview after September 2024 appointment scheduling was completed 385,800

October 2024 Immigrant Visa Backlog Report

Number of IV applicants whose cases are documentarily complete at NVC and ready for interview as of September 30 413,264
Number of documentarily complete IV applicants scheduled for October 2024 interview appointments 50,022
Number of eligible IV applicants still pending the scheduling of an interview after October 2024 appointment scheduling was completed 363,242

 Note: In Calendar Year 2019 on average, 60,866 applicants were pending the scheduling of an interview each month.

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border-6971270_1280Today, October 17, 2024, the U.S. government announced new measures providing immigration relief to Lebanese nationals currently residing inside the United States.

18-Month Designation of TPS for Lebanon

Firstly, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the designation of Lebanon for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for a period of 18 months. This decision marks Lebanon’s first designation for TPS.

This designation was made based on ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Lebanon that prevent its nationals from safely returning to their country.

A notice will soon be published in the Federal Register confirming the Secretary of Homeland Security’s designation of Lebanon including more details regarding the designation. Lebanese nationals who are approved for TPS can lawfully remain in the United States while the security situation improves. Those who are eligible can apply for temporary employment authorization by filing Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization at the same time of filing Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status.

What We Know

To be eligible for TPS under the Lebanon’s designation, Lebanese nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Lebanon) must demonstrate continuous residence in the United States since October 16, 2024.  Those who attempt to enter the United States after October 16, 2024, are ineligible for TPS. Lebanese nationals currently not residing in the United States are also ineligible to receive benefits.

The program’s effective date has not yet been announced but is expected to be published in the Federal Register in the coming weeks including the application instructions.

As a reminder, TPS applicants must meet all eligibility requirements and undergo security and background checks to gain approval.

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november-5650854_1280-1Today, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs published the November Visa Bulletin.

In this blog post, we breakdown the movement of the employment-based and family-sponsored categories in the coming month.

USCIS Adjustment of Status

For employment-based and family-sponsored preference categories, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed it will continue to use the Dates for Filing chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of November.

Highlights of the November  2024 Visa Bulletin

At a Glance

What can we expect to see in the month of November?

Employment-Based Categories

  • All employment-based Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing will remain the same in November when compared to the October Visa Bulletin

Family-Sponsored Categories

Final Action

  • F1 Mexico will advance by 1 year and 10 months to November 22, 2004
  • F2A Mexico will advance by 1.2 months to April 15, 2021
  • F2A All other countries will advance by 1.3 months to January 1, 2022
  • F2B Mexico will advance by 5.5 months to July 1, 2005
  • F3 Mexico will advance by 2 months to October 22, 2000
  • F3 Except for the Philippines All other countries will advance by 2 weeks to April 15, 2010
  • F4 Mexico will advance by 1 week to March 1, 2001
  • F4 India will advance by 1 week to March 8, 2006

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learn-6874566_1280Today the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs published the October Visa Bulletin. In this blog post, we breakdown the movement of the employment-based and family-sponsored categories in the coming month.

USCIS Adjustment of Status

For employment-based preference categories, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed it will use the Dates for Filing chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of October.

For family-sponsored preference categories, USCIS will continue to use the Dates for Filing chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of October.

Highlights of the October 2024 Visa Bulletin

At a Glance

What can we expect to see in the month of October?

Employment-Based Categories

  • The Final Action date for China EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers will retrogress by five months, to April 1, 2020. The Date for Filing will retrogress by almost 8 months, to November 15, 2020.
  • The Final Action date for EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers Worldwide will advance by almost two years, to November 15, 2022. The Date for Filing will advance by one month, to March 1, 2023.
  • The Final Action date for China EB-5 Unreserved will advance by seven months, to July 15, 2016. The Date for Filing will retrogress by three months, to October 1, 2016.
  • The India EB-5 Unreserved Final Action date will advance by more than one year, to January 1, 2022. The Date for Filing will remain at April 1, 2022.

Family-Sponsored Categories

Final Action

  • F1 Mexico will advance by 7.8 months to January 1, 2003
  • F2A Mexico will advance by 1.1 months to March 8, 2021
  • F2A All other countries will advance by 1 week to November 22, 2021
  • F2B Mexico will advance by 6 months to January 15, 2005
  • F3 Mexico will advance by 5.7 months to August 22, 2000
  • F4 Mexico will advance by 2 weeks to February 22, 2001
  • F4 India will advance by 1.2 months to March 1, 2006

Dates for Filing

  • F1 Mexico will advance by 6 months to October 1, 2005
  • F2B Mexico will advance by 3 months to August 1, 2005
  • F3 Philippines will advance by 6 months to May 8, 2004
  • F3 All other countries will advance by 5.9 months to July 1, 2011
  • F4 Philippines will advance by 4 months to August 1, 2006

Now let’s dive into our analysis of the October 2024 Visa bulletin. 

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september-5459588_1280The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs recently published the September Visa Bulletin. In this blog post, we breakdown the movement of the employment-based and family-sponsored categories in the coming month.

USCIS Adjustment of Status

For employment-based preference categories, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed it will continue to use the Final Action Dates chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of September.

For family-sponsored preference categories, USCIS will continue to use the Dates for Filing chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of September.

Highlights of the September 2024 Visa Bulletin

Employment-Based Categories

EB-3 Final Action Dates

  • The Final Action date for EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers will retrogress by one year, to December 1, 2020, for all countries, except for China and India
  • The Final Action date for EB-3 Other Workers will retrogress by one month, to December 1, 2020, for all countries except China, India, and Philippines

Other Categories

  • The Final Action dates and Dates for Filing for the remaining employment-based categories remain unchanged from the August Visa Bulletin

Employment Based Demand Will Reach FY 2024 Limits in September  

  • The State Department warns applicants that there has been in an increase in demand for employment-based visas during the fiscal year. Due to this, the employment-based categories will reach the numerical limits during September, or even sooner.

Family-Sponsored Categories

  • The Final Action dates and Dates for Filing for the family-sponsored categories remain unchanged from the August Visa Bulletin

Now let’s dive into our analysis.

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somalia-1758976_1280In this post, we share with you some great news for Somalian nationals under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in the United States.

The Biden administration has made the decision to extend Temporary Protected Status for Somalian nationals currently receiving protections under the program for 18 months from September 18, 2024 through March 17, 2026.

A notice has been published in the Federal Register with information about how to register for TPS under Somalia’s designation.

The main benefit of applying for TPS protections is that those who are approved can remain in the country on a lawful basis, will receive protection against deportation (deferred status), and are eligible to apply for employment authorization and travel permission by filing, Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization, and Form I-131 Application for Travel Document, with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Current TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status through March 17, 2026, must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period from July 22, 2024, through September 20, 2024, to ensure they keep their TPS and employment authorization.

Extension of Somalia’s Designation for TPS

On July 19, 2024, the Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, announced an 18-month extension and re-designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for the country of Somalia. This extension and re-designation will be in effect from September 18, 2024, through March 17, 2026 (an 18-month period).

Secretary Mayorkas made this decision after consulting with government officials and taking into consideration the ongoing armed conflict in Somalia, along with natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and worsening humanitarian crisis. Somalia continues to be impacted by terrorism, violent crime, civil unrest, and fighting amongst clan militias making it necessary to extend the designation of Somalia for TPS.

The extension of TPS for Somalia will allow approximately 600 current beneficiaries to retain TPS through March 17, 2026, if they re-register and continue to meet TPS eligibility requirements.

The redesignation of Somalia for TPS also allows an estimated 4,300 additional Somali nationals to file initial applications for TPS, if they are otherwise eligible. Such individuals must have established residence in the United States on or before July 12, 2024, and have maintained continuous residence since then.

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state-2731980_1280In this blog post, we share with you an important announcement from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

On July 8, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security announced an extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) benefits for Yemeni nationals for an 18-month period beginning from September 4, 2024 through March 3, 2026.

The Biden administration has made the decision to extend Temporary Protected Status for Yemeni nationals due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions that prevent Yemeni nationals from safely returning to their home country.

Yemeni nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Yemen) continuously residing in the United States since July 2, 2024, are eligible for Temporary Protected Status under Yemen’s designation.

Existing beneficiaries of TPS may re-register to maintain their benefits during the 60-day re-registration period that runs from July 10, 2024, through September 9, 2024.

Those who do not currently have TPS but who qualify for TPS benefits can register from July 10, 2024, through March 3, 2026.

It is important for re-registrants to timely re-register during the registration period and not wait until their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) expire, as delaying reregistration could result in gaps in their employment authorization documentation.

The main benefit of applying for TPS is that those who are approved can remain in the country on a lawful basis, will receive protection against deportation (deferred status), and are eligible to apply for employment authorization and travel permission by filing, Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization, and Form I-131 Application for Travel Document, with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

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july-5404922_1280We are pleased to inform our readers that today June 10th, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs released the July Visa Bulletin. In this blog post we breakdown the projected movement of the employment-based and family-sponsored categories during the month of July.

USCIS Adjustment of Status

For employment-based preference categories, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that in July it will continue to use the Final Action Dates chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence.

For family-sponsored preference categories, USCIS will continue to use the Dates for Filing chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence.

Highlights of the July 2024 Visa Bulletin

Employment-Based Categories

Final Action Dates

EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives

  • EB-1 India will advance by eleven months to February 1, 2022
  • EB-1 China will advance by two months to November 1, 2022
  • EB-1 All other countries will remain current

EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability

  • EB-2 India will advance by two months to June 15, 2012
  • EB-2 China will advance by one month to March 1, 2020
  • EB-2 All other countries will advance by two months to March 15, 2023

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers

  • EB-3 India will advance by one month to September 22, 2012
  • EB-3 China will remain at September 1, 2020
  • EB-3 All other countries will retrogress by eleven months and three weeks to December 1, 2021

EB-3 Other Workers

  • EB-3 India will advance by one month to September 22, 2012
  • EB-3 China will remain at January 1, 2017
  • EB-3 Philippines will remain at May 1, 2020
  • EB-3 All other countries will advance by almost three months to January 1, 2021

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