H1B, J1, F1, Visa News – 2024-02-28
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
- Understanding Employment-Based Permanent Residence Categories: A Guide by Murthy Law Firm
- Murthy Law Firm Proposes Amendment to Increase Immigrant Visa Allocation in the U.S.
- How much does the EB1A application cost?
- March 2024 Visa Bulletin Released by U.S. Department of State: Insights and Interpretation by Boundless Legal
- What are the filing fees for the NIW petition?
- USCIS to Increase Premium Processing Fees from February 2024 to Improve Services and Reduce Backlogs
- March 2024 Visa Bulletin Released by U.S. Department of State: Implications for Green Card Applicants
- USCIS Releases Guidance on H-1B Lottery Process for Fiscal Year 2025
Understanding Employment-Based Permanent Residence Categories: A Guide by Murthy Law Firm
The Murthy Law Firm provides guidance on determining the category of pending employment-based permanent residence cases, which can influence processing times and available options. The two categories for a green card case based on labor certification are EB2 and EB3, with the former being for positions requiring advanced degrees or exceptional ability and the latter for skilled workers, professionals, or other workers. The category is determined during the I-140 immigrant petition stage, based on the job requirements stated in the PERM labor certification. The USCIS makes the final determination and this is indicated on the I-140 receipt and approval notices. Knowledge of one’s EB preference category and priority date is essential for understanding their immigration situation.
Date: 2024/02/26
Murthy Law Firm Proposes Amendment to Increase Immigrant Visa Allocation in the U.S.
The Murthy Law Firm has submitted a petition to the U.S. Department of State (DOS) proposing an amendment to the regulation governing immigrant visa number allocation. If implemented, the proposal would significantly increase the number of immigrant visas and green cards issued each fiscal year, reducing backlogs in oversubscribed categories such as the employment-based second and third (EB2 and EB3) categories. The firm suggests that only the principal applicant should be counted in visa allocation, rather than each family member, which they argue is supported by a plain reading of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The firm believes this change would facilitate lawful and timely immigration and help more immigrants realize their American dream.
Date: 2024/02/22
How much does the EB1A application cost?
The cost of an EB1A application involves a fee for several applications. I-140 is a required application. Besides depending on your situation, you may need adjustment of status, advanced parole, employment authorization for yourself and your family members.You can find the latest fee schedule from the USCIS website. You can calculate the total fee based on your situation. As of 2023, this can ~$2000 or more.
Date: 2024/02/28
March 2024 Visa Bulletin Released by U.S. Department of State: Insights and Interpretation by Boundless Legal
The U.S. Department of State has released its Visa Bulletin for March 2024, which is crucial for those awaiting their priority date to progress their green card application. The Visa Bulletin provides the current backlog for various categories, allowing immigrants with a priority date on or before the given date to proceed to the next step of their process. The bulletin also includes “final action dates”, which determine when the application can be adjudicated. Boundless offers guidance on interpreting the Visa Bulletin and provides updates monthly. Boundless is affiliated with Boundless Legal, a non-traditional law firm offering services in immigration law, but is not a traditional legal provider.
Date: 2024/02/26
What are the filing fees for the NIW petition?
The filing fees for a National Interest Waiver (NIW) petition under the EB2 category include the I-140 form filing fee, which is $700. If you are in the United States and are adjusting status, you will also need to file form I-485, which costs $1,225, including the biometric services fee. If you are outside the U.S., consular processing fees will apply. Additionally, you may also have costs related to obtaining necessary documentation, translations, and legal services if you choose to hire an attorney. It’s important to note that the NIW route can be beneficial for individuals with advanced degrees because it allows them to bypass the labor certification process, potentially saving time and resources. However, the petitioner must demonstrate that their work has substantial intrinsic merit and national importance, among other requirements.
Date: 2024/02/28
USCIS to Increase Premium Processing Fees from February 2024 to Improve Services and Reduce Backlogs
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will increase its premium processing fees from February 26, 2024. The premium processing services provide expedited processing for commonly used form types. If USCIS does not take action within the specified time, it will refund the premium processing fees. The increased fees will fund premium processing services, improve existing processes, reduce backlogs, and enhance other adjudication and naturalization services. Applications postmarked on or after February 26, 2024, with incorrect filing fees will be rejected. The updated list of premium processing fees was announced in a press release.
Date: 2024/02/27
March 2024 Visa Bulletin Released by U.S. Department of State: Implications for Green Card Applicants
The U.S. Department of State has released its Visa Bulletin for March 2024, which is significant for those awaiting their priority date to progress their green card application. The bulletin calculates the current backlog for different categories and projects a date, which if on or before, allows immigrants to proceed to the next step of their process. The bulletin also posts “final action dates” which determine when the application can be adjudicated. Boundless, a non-traditional law firm, provides updates on the Visa Bulletin and offers legal services in the area of immigration law, though it is not a traditional legal provider and is not affiliated with any government agency.
Date: 2024/02/26
USCIS Releases Guidance on H-1B Lottery Process for Fiscal Year 2025
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released guidance on the H-1B lottery process for the fiscal year 2025. The registration system will be open from March 6, 2024, to March 22, 2024, with an application fee of $10 for each case. USCIS is implementing a new “Beneficiary Centric Selection” process to ensure equal chances of selection. The H-1B category requires the job offered to be a specialty occupation, and the foreign national employee must hold a bachelor’s degree in the specialty defined by the position. The annual allotment of 85,000 new H-1Bs is in high demand, with 780,884 registrations received last year. USCIS will use the same electronic registration system as previous years.
Date: 2024/02/23
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.