Tag: I-485

When you’re told you are subject to a green card backlog, especially in the context of employment-based immigration, it means there is a delay or wait time before you will receive your physical green card. The U.S. limits the number of employment-based green cards issued each year, and the backlog occurs because the demand for […]

The Visa Bulletin is a monthly publication released by the U.S. Department of State that provides information on the availability of immigrant visas (aka “green cards”). The bulletin is organized into family-sponsored (FB) and employment-based (EB) categories, and each category has a priority date. The priority date determines an applicant’s “place in line” to file […]

U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) is removing the requirement that civil surgeons sign Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days prior to an individual’s application for an underlying immigration benefit such as the I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Civil surgeons are designated […]

Recently, USCIS announced that it is expanding potential interview waivers for family-based adjustment cases. Given the potential interview waivers, USCIS advises applicants filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to include Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, at the time of filing to potentially speed up processing times. […]

As of December 23, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility final rule has been in effect. This final rule provides clarity and consistency for noncitizens on how DHS will administer the public charge ground of inadmissibility. The rule restores the historical understanding of a “public charge” that had been […]

On January 3, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a proposal to adjust certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees. These new fees would allow USCIS to more fully recover its operating costs, reestablish and maintain timely case processing, and prevent the accumulation of future case backlogs.  USCIS receives a majority of its […]

Recently, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released its Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 progress report, which identified its effective backlog reduction in certain programs and how it has supported various humanitarian missions. Specifically, the report summarized the numerous steps that USCIS has taken, including the strengthening of its fiscal stability and implementation of adjudicatory efficiencies, […]

USCIS recently announced that it is extending its temporary waiver of the requirement that civil surgeons must sign Form I-693 (Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record) no more than 60 days before an individual applies for the underlying immigration benefit, including Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), through March 31, […]

To drive anywhere in the U.S., one must have a driver’s license in their possession. Most states follow a general set of rules but there are variations in certain cases. Before getting into each state’s rules and regulations, there is a document that many states require before even applying for a license. This document is […]

Due to processing delays and related impacts from COVID-19, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is temporarily waiving a requirement that the Form I-693 (Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record) must have been signed by the civil surgeon (physician) performing the examination no more than 60 days before an applicant applies for an immigration […]