USCIS has released a new version of Form I-485, which must be used from December 23, 2022. This form can be found at: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-485.pdf This form is intended for preview only and should not be submitted prior to December 23, 2022. This form becomes mandatory on the aforementioned date which means that the current version...
PERM/I-140/I-485 Information
On August 19, 2022, the Department of Labor stated it would no longer recognize the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges (ACICS) as an accrediting agency. This announcement affects English language study programs and F-1 students applying for STEM OPT extensions. SEVP will notify students if their school is affected by the above and strongly encourage...
PERM is the first step in the green card process for most employment-based applicants. This requires the employer to conduct a recruitment campaign in good faith to demonstrate that there are no available, willing and qualified US workers to fill the position in question. To submit a PERM application (ETA 9089) the employer is first...
The Office of Foreign Labor certification (OFLC) is set to implement the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes on July 1, 2022. Any Labor condition applications (LCAs) submitted prior to July 1, 2022, will be adjudicated based on the 2010 SOC codes. Any applications submitted after July 1, 2022, will be based on the new...
Jun222022
The PERM also known as the Labor certification is the first step in the employment-based green card process. The PERM process starts with the employer conducting a recruitment campaign. Alongside this it is also necessary for the employer to submit a request for the prevailing wage from the Department of Labor (DOL). As part of...
For a long time, processing times for applications filed at USCIS have been spiraling out of control and certain applications do not qualify for premium processing. For example, the current processing time for EB-5 cases is 47-71 months! Imagine investing over half a million dollars, paying a $3,675 filing fee and then having to wait...
By now most people are familiar with the concept of filing a downgrade application from EB-2 to EB-3. However, last October so many applicants filed downgrades, that the demand for EB-3 green cards, has far exceeded the number available, resulting in severe retrogression, especially for EB-3 India. In November 2021, EB-3 India dates retrogressed by...
USCIS has announced that it will not require applicants to file their medical report within 60 days of the civil surgeon signing the I-693. This is effective December 9, 2021 and will remain the case until September 30, 2022. Previously, USCIS had required applicants applying for adjustment of status to submit their medical report within...