Visa Bulletin Archives - CareerKnacks Ltd.

November Visa Bulletin

October 24, 2017April 2, 2020Careerknacks

October 20, 2017

The Department of State (DOS) has published the Visa Bulletin for November 2017. Once again, USCIS has indicated that employment-based applicants should use the Final Action Dates chart (shown below) to determine when they may file adjustment of status applications.

As expected, the Final Action Dates show forward movement for most employment-based categories. In the employment-based, third preference (EB-3) category, the Philippines moved ahead by a month-and-a-half (from December 1, 2015 to January 15, 2016), so that anyone in that category with a January 15, 2016 priority date or earlier is now eligible to submit an adjustment of status (Form I-485) application with USCIS. Please note that, for employment-based cases, the priority date is the date on which USICS accepted an individual’s I-140 petition for processing.

Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Adjustment of Status Applications:

Employment based	All Charge- ability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA- mainland born	EL SALVADOR GUATEMALA HONDURAS	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
1st	C	C	C	C	C	C
2nd	C	15JUN13	C	08OCT08	C	C
3rd	C	01FEB14	C	15OCT06	C	15JAN16
Other Workers	C	01APR06	C	15OCT06	C	15JAN16
4th	C	C	01NOV15	C	01APR16	C
Certain Religious Workers	C	C	01NOV15	C	01APR16	C
5th Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5)	C	01JUL14	C	C	C	C
5th Regional Center (I5 and R5)	C	01JUL14	C	C	C	C

October Visa Bulletin

October 3, 2017April 2, 2020Careerknacks

September 27, 2017

The Department of State (DOS) has published the Visa Bulletin for October 2017, the first visa bulletin for the 2018 fiscal year. USCIS has indicated that employment-based applicants should use the Final Action Dates chart (shown blow) to determine when they may file adjustment of status applications.

As expected, the Final Action Dates show forward movement for most employment-based categories. In the employment-based, third preference (EB-3) category, the Philippines moved ahead by one month (from November 1, 2015 to December 1, 2015), so that anyone in that category with a December 1, 2015 priority date or earlier is now eligible to submit an adjustment of status (Form I-485) application with USCIS. Please note that, for employment-based cases, the priority date is the date on which USICS accepted an individual’s I-140 petition for processing.

USCIS Implementing Interview Requirement

August 31, 2017April 2, 2020Careerknacks

USCIS TO IMPLEMENT REGULAR INTERVIEW REQUIREMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT-BASED IMMIGRANTS IN THE ERA OF “EXTREME VETTING”

In the latest wave of the Trump Administration’s “extreme vetting” immigration campaign, USCIS has announced that all employment-based adjustment of status applicants must now pass an in-person interview. This new policy to set to come into law October 1, although some initial reports from members of the immigration lawyer community indicate that routine employment-based adjustment applicants may already be receiving interview notices.

With average USCIS green card applications already facing a processing time of a half-year or more, such in-person interviews will increase wait-times exponentially. Previously, waivers of a general interview requirement were granted to these applicants as interviews were viewed as an unnecessary step toward residency given that consulates regularly vet candidates’ admissibility during the visa process. Although routine in family cases, employment-based cases generally only triggered an interview requirement where admissibility was an issue. However, unlike consular interviews, adjustment applicants generally have a right to have counsel present during the interview.

JONATHAN A. GRODE

Green and Spiegel

An Immigration Law Firm

September Visa Bulletin

August 29, 2017April 2, 2020Careerknacks

August 25, 2017

The Department of State (DOS) has published the Visa Bulletin for September 2017, the last visa bulletin for the 2017 fiscal year. As in previous months, employment-based applicants should use the Final Action Dates chart (shown blow) to determine when they may file adjustment of status applications.

This month, the Final Action Dates moved forward for most employment-based categories. In the employment-based, third preference (EB-3) category, the Philippines jumped ahead by five months (from June 1, 2015 to November 1, 2015), so that anyone in that category with a November 1, 2015 priority date or earlier is now eligible to submit an adjustment of status (Form I-485) application with USCIS. Please note that, for employment-based cases, the priority date is the date on which USICS accepted an individual’s I-140 petition for processing.

August Visa Action Bulletin

July 31, 2017April 2, 2020Careerknacks

July 31, 2017

The Department of State (DOS) has published the Visa Bulletin for August 2017. As in previous months, employment-based applicants should use the Final Action Dates chart (shown blow) to determine when they may file adjustment of status applications. This month, as we approach October (when the annual limits on visa availability are reset), The Department of Labor has had to institute priority date cutoffs for certain previously-current categories. For instance, the previously current EB-2 categories for all countries besides China and India retrogressed to April 1, 2015. These will return to being current, however, on October 1, 2017. Read more →

CareerKnacks Summary: July Visa Action Bulletin

July 11, 2017April 2, 2020Careerknacks

The Department of State (DOS) has published the Visa Bulletin for July 2017. Once again, USCIS has indicated that employment-based applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart (shown below) to determine when they may file their adjustment of status applications. This month, the Final Action Dates mostly moved forward by a few months, however, the 3rd preference Philippines category (which includes Schedule A Nurses born in the Philippines) moved forward by a full year (from May 1, 2013 to May 15, 2014), so that anyone in that category with a May 15, 2014 priority date or earlier is now eligible to submit an adjustment of status application with USCIS. Please note that, for employment-based cases, the priority date is the date on which USICS accepted an individual’s I-140 petition for processing. Read more →

CareerKnacks Summary: June Visa Bulletin

June 5, 2017April 2, 2020Careerknacks

The Department of State (DOS) has published the Visa Bulletin for June 2017. Once again, USCIS has indicated that employment-based applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart (shown below) to determine when they may file their adjustment of status applications. This month, the Final Action Dates mostly moved forward by several months. The 3rd preference Philippines category (which includes Schedule A Nurses born in the Philippines) moved forward by four months (from January 1, 2013 to May 1, 2013), Read more →

May Visa Bulletin

May 19, 2017April 2, 2020Careerknacks

The May 2017 Visa Bulletin shows that, once again, USCIS has indicated that employment-based applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart (shown below) to determine when they may file their adjustment of status application. This month, the Final Action Dates mostly moved forward by several months. The 3rd preference Philippines category (which includes Schedule A Nurses born in the Philippines) Read more →

April Visa Bulletin Shows More Movement Forward

March 28, 2017April 2, 2020Careerknacks

The April 2017 Visa Bulletin shows some movement forward for the employment-based categories. Once again, USCIS has indicated that employment-based applicants must use the “Final Action Dates” chart (shown below) to determine when they may file their adjustment of status applications. This month, the Final Action Dates mostly moved forward by several months. The 3rd preference Philippines category (which includes Schedule A Nurses) moved forward by six months (from March 15, 2012 to September 15, 2012), so that anyone in that category with a September 15, 2012 priority date or earlier is now eligible to submit an adjustment of status application with USCIS. Please note that, for employment-based cases, the priority date is the date on which USICS received an individual’s I-140 Petition.

CareerKnacks Summary: March Visa Bulletin

February 24, 2017April 2, 2020Careerknacks

The March 2017 Visa Bulletin shows some movement forward for the employment-based categories. Once again, USCIS has indicated that employment-based applicants must use the “Final Action Dates” chart (shown below) to determine when they may file their adjustment of status applications. This month, the Final Action Dates mostly moved forward by several months. The 3rd preference Philippines category (which includes Read more →

Update on Trump’s Executive Order Travel Ban

February 7, 2017April 2, 2020Careerknacks

Today, we are sharing an update on the Trump travel ban, straight from our go-to immigration experts at Green and Spiegel. Head to their website to read the complete update.

Last week we reported that President Trump signed an executive order, “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States,” that ceased visa issuance and admissions to nationals of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen for at least 90 days. Since that time, several important court actions have taken place, most notably that the states of Washington and Minnesota filed suit to challenge the Executive Order. Suits filed against the government appear to be initially successful, although the applicability of the order remains fluid given pending appellate review. Read more →

The December Visa Bulletin Brings More Good News

November 9, 2016April 2, 2020Careerknacks

If you find yourself confused the all of the legal jargon surrounding U.S. Visas, you are not alone. That is why staying current on the latest visa news is our job. And with more than 25 years of experience, you can rest assured that we are looking out for you. The December 2016 update came out today and it looks like the priority dates have jumped forward again. We love seeing this as it just means you could be arriving in the U.S. even sooner than you thought to begin your brand new career in America.

We are currently in the process of bringing TEN nurses over for placement with a really great hospital and knowing the visa process inside and out has proved invaluable to both the hospital and the nurses. If you find yourself with questions about U.S. Visas, feel free to let us know. We are always happy to answer your questions.

The Latest Visa Bulletin Brings More Good News

October 13, 2016April 2, 2020Careerknacks

If you find yourself confused the all of the legal jargon surrounding U.S. Visas, you are not alone. That is why staying current on the latest visa news is our job. And with more than 25 years of experience, you can rest assured that we are looking out for you. The November 2016 update came out today and it looks like the priority dates have jumped forward again. We love seeing this as it just means you could be arriving in the U.S. even sooner than you thought to begin your brand new career in America.

U.S. Nursing Visa Bulletin – July 2016

June 14, 2016April 2, 2020Lisa Taylor

The U.S. State Department has released the Visa Bulletin for July 2016. For your convenience you can download by clicking HERE. Please let us know if you have any questions about the Visa process, we are happy to help make your dream of moving to America come true.