The Department of State (DOS) has released the June Visa Bulletin and there were no changes. Retrogression remains a problem that needs a legislative solution. The USCIS posted that it will only honor the Final Action Date chart for I-485 filings.
Category: Green Cards
PERM Filings
The OFLC delayed the use of the new ETA 9089 PERM form and the filing platform but has announced that it will go into effect as of June 1, 2023. We do not expect a further delay.
Immigration Options for Healthcare Workers
The Congressional Research Service published a report on the various immigration options for international healthcare workers.
May Visa Bulletin
The Department of State (DOS) has released the May Visa Bulletin and sadly, retrogression is widespread impacting almost all categories and all countries. Only the EB1 category was not impacted. The USCIS announced that the would only allow I-485 filings using the Final Action Date chart. Forward advancement is not expected until October. Additional retrogression… Continue reading May Visa Bulletin
Nurse Staffing Agency Loses
A Federal Judge recently ruled that a New York based staffing company violated numerous federal laws including anti-trafficking laws in their treatment of international nurses recruited from the Philippines. The charges claimed that the staffing company failed to pay the proper wages and that the liquidated damage clauses were unlawful.
April Visa Bulletin
The Department of State (DOS) has released the April Visa Bulletin and EB3 applicants breathed a sigh of relief as the dates held steady with ROW and the Philippines remaining current. Unfortunately, for EB2 holders dates retrogressed in the ROW and India. There was only forward movement in China EB3. Retrogression remains a major problem… Continue reading April Visa Bulletin
PERM Data
Ever curious about PERM data ? The DOL releases a performance report each quarter. For 1stQ FY2023, they released data that showed audits and denial rates of under 10%. The data also helps to explain why the process is continuing to slow because they received over 40,000 applications but, only processed approx. 25,000.
Visa Renewals in the US ?
Last week, Bloomberg News reported that the Department of State (DOS) is planning to resume the processing of visa stamp renewals in the US. This process which ended in 2004 would be a huge benefit to workers on H and L visas who often face long waits and uncertain processing times back home to renew… Continue reading Visa Renewals in the US ?
March Visa Bulletin
The Department of State (DOS) released the March Visa Bulletin and it remained unchanged from the Feb Visa Bulletin. The good news was no further retrogression but, the bad news was no forward movement in any category. The USCIS announced that it would honor the Dates for Filing chart for I-485 filings in March. The… Continue reading March Visa Bulletin
Premium Processing Expands
As of January 30, 2023 I-140 EB1 petitions filed for multi-national execs and managers and I-140 EB2 petitions filed under he NIW category may be upgraded or initially filed requesting premium processing. The filing fee is $2500 and the timing for an adjudicatory action is 45 days. Further expansion to other types of applications is… Continue reading Premium Processing Expands
February Visa Bulletin
The Department of State (DOS) has released the February Visa Bulletin and the Final Action Date chart was virtually unchanged. The notable exception was further retrogression of the ROW Other Worker category which moved back 6 mos. to Jan 1, 2020. The Dates for Filing chart saw some forward movement with a big jump of… Continue reading February Visa Bulletin