US Immigration News - November 2018

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  • President Trump has signed a bill (H.R.6157) to fund the federal government through December 7, 2018, preventing a federal shutdown after September 30. Immigration programs previously set to expire on September 30 will be reauthorized through December 7, including the EB-5 Regional Center program.

  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that, beginning on October 01, 2018, the Form I-907 premium processing fee will increase to $1,410 from the current fee of $1,225. Premium processing requests postmarked on or after October 1 must include the new $1,410 fee.

  • Starting October 1, USCIS can initiate removal proceedings by way of issuing Notices to Appear against certain applicants without underlying nonimmigrant status if their applications are denied and they do not depart the United States promptly.

  • USCIS is extending its premium processing suspension for 2019 H-1B cap petitions until February 19, 2019, and, beginning September 11, 2018, the agency is expanding the suspension to include H-1B changes of employer, amendments, and certain other non-cap subject H-1B petitions.

  • Registration for this year’s Green Card lottery ends on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, at noon EST. Each year, the U.S. Department of State makes available 50,000 Green Cards through the Diversity Lottery Program. The selected will be eligible to submit a green card application beginning on October 1, 2019. Applicants must carefully follow the State Department's official lottery instructions to avoid having their registration disqualified.

  • November Visa Bulletin Update

In November, USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that is earlier than the “Dates for Filing” listed in the State Department’s November Visa Bulletin. To be eligible to file an employment-based adjustment (Green Card) application with USCIS in November, employer-sponsored foreign nationals must have a priority date that is earlier than the date listed below for their preference category and country.

EB-1
China and India: October 1, 2017
All other countries: June 1, 2018

EB-2
China: June 15, 2015
India: May 22, 2009
All other countries: Current

EB-3

Professionals and Skilled Workers
China: August 8, 2015
India: October 1, 2009
Philippines: July 1, 2017
All other countries: Current

Other Workers
China: June 1, 2008
India: October 1, 2009
Philippines: July 1, 2017
All other countries: Current

EB-4
El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras: May 1, 2016
All other countries: Current

EB-5
China: October 1, 2014
Current for all other countries and subcategories

This update is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professionals at Troglia•Kaplan, LLC.


 
Olivia Shanksbatch1Comment