IMMIGRATION UPDATES
1. June 2022 Visa Bulletin: Advancement in EB-2 for India Nationals
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the Visa Bulletin for June 2022, which shows advancement in EB-2 for India nationals, and no advancement in EB-2 for Chinese nationals, EB-3 employment-based categories, and family-based categories. The cutoff dates for issuance of employment-based immigrant visas are as follows:
EB-1: All countries are current.
EB-2: China remains at March 1, 2019; India advances to September 1, 2014. All other countries are current.
EB-3 Professional and Skilled Workers: China remains at March 22, 2018; India remains at January 15, 2012. All other countries are current.
USCIS will accept all family-based adjustment of status applications based on the “Dates for Filing” chart, and all employment-based adjustment of status applications based on the “Final Action Dates” chart.
The June 2022 Visa Bulletin can be found here.
2. USCIS Implements Premium Processing for Certain Previously Filed EB-1 and EB-2 Form I-140 Petitions
On May 24, 2022, USCIS announced that it is implementing premium processing for certain petitioners who have a pending Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, under the EB-1 and EB-2 classifications. This expansion of premium processing only applies to certain previously filed Form I-140 petitions under the EB-1C, and EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) categories.
The expansion will occur in phases:
Beginning June 1, 2022, USCIS will accept premium processing requests for EB-1C petitions received on or before January 1, 2021.
Beginning July 1, 2022, USCIS will accept premium processing requests for NIW petitions received on or before June 1, 2021, and EB-1C petitions received on or before March 1, 2021.
USCIS’ alert can be found here.
3. National Visa Center Public Inquiry Telephone Line Suspended
On May 23, 2022, DOS announced that the National Visa Center (NVC) has suspended its public inquiry telephone line in order to address critical backlogs.
Immigrant visa applicants are still able to contact NVC using its Public Inquiry Form.
DOS’ alert can be found here.
4. USCIS Increases Automatic Extension Period of Work Permits for Certain Applicants
On May 4, 2022, USCIS published a temporary final rule in the Federal Register that will increase the automatic extension of work authorization for certain Employment Authorization Document (EAD) renewal applicants, from the previous maximum of 180 days to a new temporary maximum of 540 days from EAD expiration.
This temporary increase of the auto-extension period will apply to certain EAD renewal applicants who have filed or will file their renewal EAD applications on or before October 26, 2023.
USCIS’ alert can be found here.
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