After the significant forward movement in many of the family-based preference categories in the fall, the government has received a significant number of I-130 family-based immigrant petitions in a number of preference categories. In an effort to process these pending I-130 petition in a more efficient manner, in November 2010, USCIS transferred approximately 36,000 I-130 [...]
The Los Angeles Times has requested and been able to obtain statistics from USCIS regarding the adjudication rates for H, L, O and P petitions for the Vermont and California Service Centers since Fiscal Year 2008 (FY2008). The statistics are current as of July 2010 and provide a very helpful overview of approval, denial and [...]
The H-1B season is well underway. Yesterday we reported on the Vermont Service Center's H-1B FY2011 numbers as of April 5. Today, USCIS released the first "official" FY2011 information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1 for both the Vermont and California Service Centers. As of April 8, 2010, USCIS has received [...]
The Vermont Service Center (VSC) of USCIS has released the first "semi-official" Fiscal Year 2011 H-1B numbers. As of close of business on Monday, April 5th, VSC has received a total of 9,525 cap-subject H-1B petitions. Of those, 6,791 were "regular H-1B cap" and 2,734 were "master's cap" petitions. Note that this information is for [...]
About EB-5 and the Regional Center Program In 1990, the U.S. Congress created the fifth employment-based preference category (EB-5) for qualified foreign entrepreneurs seeking to invest in a business that will benefit the U.S. economy and create or save at least 10 full-time jobs. The basic amount required to invest is $1 million, although that [...]
In a December 14, 2009, meeting, USCIS has provided some helpful information about the current state of the EB-5 program. I-526 Premium Processing Possible Later in the Year A review of the question of reinstating premium processing for I-526 petitions will be done during the second quarter of 2010. USCIS will reinstate premium processing if [...]
USCIS has instituted a new (and supposedly more streamlined and reliable) process for directing case status inquiries with USCIS service centers. Case status inquiries should be conducted by following these steps: Step 1: Contact the National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283. The NCSC can assist customers, community-based organizations and liaison groups with case related inquiries. [...]
We have received some general updates from the Nebraska Service Center (NSC) and we would like to share them with you as they provide some useful insight into NSC’s operations: Backlog. The net overall backlog at the end of first quarter of FY2009 was 250,000 cases; reduced to 87,500 cases by the end of the 2nd [...]
The USCIS Ombudsman has released a recommendation report which urges overhaul of the USCIS fee payment system. USCIS is considered a “pay-for-service” government agency where petitioners pay for the provision of a particular service. However, the current system which accepts checks or money orders for most, and credit cards for a few e-filing-enabled forms, has [...]
The California Service Center (CSC) has issued guidance on what kind of documentation is satisfactory to show that an H-1B beneficiary has completed his or her degree requirements. It is important to note that an H-1B visa application must be filed only after all degree requirements are met, even if the diploma has not been [...]