Self Petition News – 2024-02-11
Welcome to the weekly news summary related to green card self-petition. This news page tries to capture immigration news that is relevant to self-petition applicants. It tries to gather broad immigration topics that may be of interest to self-petition EB1A, and EB2-NIW applicants. Hope you enjoy the news. All news sources are acknowledged. If you need additional details follow the source link.
News Articles
- March 2024 Visa Bulletin Released by U.S. Department of State: Minor Changes in Employment-Based Categories
- Can I self-petition for an EB1A green card?
- Expedited I-130 Form Filing Procedure for U.S. Citizens Living Abroad Under Exceptional Circumstances
- USCIS Updates Policy on Late Filed Extensions and Change of Status Requests for Nonimmigrants
- US Senate Introduces Bipartisan Immigration Reform Bill Aligning with Biden’s Vision
- USCIS Announces Changes to H-1B Visa Program to Enhance Integrity and Reduce Fraud
- USCIS to Increase Fees for Immigration and Naturalization Requests for the First Time in Seven Years
- What are the benefits of obtaining an NIW?
- USCIS Announces New Rule to Strengthen H-1B Visa Integrity and Reduce Fraud
March 2024 Visa Bulletin Released by U.S. Department of State: Minor Changes in Employment-Based Categories
The U.S. Department of State has released the March 2024 Visa Bulletin. There is little change in most employment-based categories. The EB1 cutoff date for India advances to October 1, 2020, and for China to July 15, 2022. The EB1 category remains current for all other countries. The EB2 cutoff date for India and China remains at March 1, 2012, and January 1, 2020, respectively. The EB2 cutoff for other countries advances to November 22, 2022. The EB3 cutoff dates for India and China remain unchanged, while for other countries it moves to September 8, 2022. The EB4 cutoff dates for all countries advance to December 1, 2019. In the EB5 category, China and India’s unreserved cutoff dates remain unchanged. EB5 remains current for all other categories and countries.
Date: 2024/02/09
Can I self-petition for an EB1A green card?
Yes, anyone who meets the USCIS criteria can self-petition for an EB1A green card. This means that individuals with extraordinary abilities have the privilege to apply for U.S. permanent residency without relying on a specific job offer or employer sponsorship. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for PhDs, advanced degree holders, freelancers, entrepreneurs, or those who wish to explore various professional opportunities in the U.S. You can find more details on the application process on our website. You can also make use of examples approved petitions from our DIY packets.
Date: 2024/02/11
Expedited I-130 Form Filing Procedure for U.S. Citizens Living Abroad Under Exceptional Circumstances
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) offer an expedited I-130 form filing procedure for U.S. citizens living abroad under exceptional circumstances. This can help reduce processing times, which are usually filed with the USCIS in the United States. Exceptional circumstances can include medical emergencies, short notice of job relocation, threats to personal safety from civil unrest or natural disasters, and certain immigration-related circumstances. The DOS can accept and adjudicate a family-based petition for expedited processing when a standard expedite request with the USCIS will not suffice. Both the petitioner and the beneficiary must be physically present in the consular district and the petitioner must appear personally at the U.S. consulate with the original documents to file the petition.
Date: 2024/02/08
USCIS Updates Policy on Late Filed Extensions and Change of Status Requests for Nonimmigrants
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its policy manual on January 24, 2024, regarding late filed extensions of stay and change of status requests for certain nonimmigrants. The update reiterates that USCIS has the discretion to excuse late filings due to extraordinary circumstances, and provides examples of such circumstances. Notably, the inability of an employer to obtain a certified labor condition application due to a government shutdown may be considered an extraordinary circumstance. While it is generally the responsibility of the nonimmigrant to comply with filing deadlines, extraordinary circumstances beyond their control may prevent timely filing. In such cases, consulting with a qualified U.S. immigration attorney is advised.
Date: 2024/02/05
US Senate Introduces Bipartisan Immigration Reform Bill Aligning with Biden’s Vision
The US Senate has introduced a bipartisan National Security Agreement with reform measures in line with President Joe Biden’s vision for a ‘fair and orderly’ immigration law. The bill seeks to address border security concerns and expedite work permits for eligible H4 visa holders, introduce ageing-out protection for children of H1B visa professionals, and increase the cap on the number of Green Cards issued annually. The bill, if passed, would automatically grant work permits to 100,000 H4 dependents of H1B visa holders who have completed their immigration visa petitions, eliminating the need to apply and wait for Employment Authorization Document approval. The bill also proposes measures to clear the Green Card backlog by increasing the number of Green Cards issued each year.
Date: 2024/02/07
USCIS Announces Changes to H-1B Visa Program to Enhance Integrity and Reduce Fraud
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is making changes to the H-1B visa programme to strengthen its integrity and reduce fraud. Visa fees have increased from $10 to $110, the first hike since 2016, and registration fees have risen from $10 to $215. The FY 2025 H-1B cap introduces a lottery system based on individual beneficiaries, not employers, to ensure equal opportunities and reduce fraud. The application process is set to become fully electronic, and a pilot programme for domestic renewal of certain work visas began in 2023. However, while H1B employees can renew their visas domestically, their spouses cannot. USCIS will require valid passport information from registrants from FY 2025.
Date: 2024/02/04
USCIS to Increase Fees for Immigration and Naturalization Requests for the First Time in Seven Years
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will increase the cost of some immigration and naturalization requests for the first time in over seven years, starting April 1. The new fees will apply to employment-based visas, work authorizations, and applications for permanent residency and naturalization. While some fees, such as those for replacing permanent resident cards, will slightly decrease, the majority will increase. USCIS plans to use the new revenues to improve customer experience and reduce backlog. The changes follow a year-long review and over 5,400 public comments. USCIS will offer a standard $50 discount for online applications and reduced fees for certain Employment Authorization Document applications. The last full filing fee adjustment was in December 2016.
Date: 2024/02/04
What are the benefits of obtaining an NIW?
Obtaining a National Interest Waiver (NIW) under the EB2 category has several benefits. First, it allows you to bypass the labor certification process, which can be lengthy and complex. Second, it gives you the freedom to change jobs or employers without affecting your immigration process, as long as you continue to work in your field of expertise. Third, it often results in a faster green card process compared to other employment-based categories. Fourth, it allows you to self-petition, meaning you don’t need an employer to sponsor your application. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with advanced degrees, as it allows them to leverage their specialized skills and knowledge to contribute to the U.S. national interest, without being tied to a specific employer or job offer. It provides them with greater flexibility and independence in their career and immigration journey.
Date: 2024/02/11
USCIS Announces New Rule to Strengthen H-1B Visa Integrity and Reduce Fraud
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a new final rule to strengthen the integrity of the H-1B visa and reduce potential fraud during the registration process. The new rule aims to ensure an equal chance of selection for each beneficiary, regardless of the number of registrations submitted on their behalf. The USCIS has also introduced an online filing option for certain forms, and will require registrants to provide valid passport or travel document information for each beneficiary from fiscal year 2025. The rule also allows USCIS to deny or revoke petitions where the underlying registration contained a false attestation or was invalid, and includes measures to enhance the integrity of the H-1B registration process.
Date: 2024/02/04
Disclaimer: The summarized content on this webpage is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and may not be applicable to specific situations or circumstances. Always consult the original source links for comprehensive information. This website assumes no liability for any errors.