USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests

In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the flexibilities it announced on March 30, 2020, to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors who are responding to certain:

• Requests for Evidence;
• Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14);
• Notices of Intent to Deny;
• Notices of Intent to Revoke;
• Notices of Intent to Rescind and Notices of Intent to Terminate regional investment centers;
• Motions to Reopen an N-400 Pursuant to 8 CFR 335.5, Receipt of Derogatory Information After Grant;
• Filing date requirements for Form N-336, Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (Under Section 336 of the INA); or
• Filing date requirements for Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion.

Notice/Request/Decision Issuance Date

CW-1 Employers Must Verify Continued Employment and Payment of CW-1 Workers by Submitting Form I-129CWR

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is reminding employers of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Transitional Workers (CW-1) that they must confirm the continued employment of the CW-1 workers every six months. 

USCIS created a new standalone form, Form I-129CWR, Semiannual Report for CW-1 Employers, for this requirement. USCIS established this requirement in an interim final rule (IFR) implementing the <a target='_blan

USCIS Launches Sponsor Deeming and Agency Reimbursement Information Collection Initiative

WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced the launch of a new Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) initiative that will enable agencies that administer federal means-tested benefits to ensure more effective compliance with federal laws, regulations, and policies related to financial support of aliens by their sponsors and agency reimbursement. 

"The Trump administration has made it clear that existing immigration laws must be enforced, and sponsors of aliens should be held legally accountable for the financial responsibilities they willingly accept," said USCIS Deputy Director for Policy Joseph Edlow. "This enhanced feature will support participating public-benefit granti

USCIS Issues New Policy Guidance on Final Fee Rule

USCIS has updated its Policy Manual with guidance on the final fee rule, which adjusts the fees we charge for certain immigration benefit applications and petitions. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on Aug. 3, 2020. The new policy guidance describes the final rule's adjustment in fees for specific forms. It also provides guidance on fee exemption and waiver policies, new premium processing time limits, modifications to intercountry adoption processing, and other changes made by the fee rule.

For more information, see the final rule (PDF) and the <a target='_blank' href="https://www.uscis.gov/sit

USCIS Adopts AAO Decision on TPS and Authorized Travel

TPS Beneficiaries Retain Same Immigration Status after Traveling Abroad

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a Policy Memorandum (PDF, 268.36 KB) adopting the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) decision on Matter of Z‑R‑Z‑C.

The decision holds that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries who travel abroad using a Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-issued travel document under Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) section 244(f)(3) generally will retain the same immigration status on their return that they ha

USCIS Averts Furlough of Nearly 70% of Workforce

Drastic cuts will impact agency operations for foreseeable future

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that the agency will avert an administrative furlough of more than 13,000 employees, scheduled to begin Aug. 30 as a result of unprecedented spending cuts and a steady increase in daily incoming revenue and receipts.

USCIS expects to be able to maintain operations through the end of fiscal year 2020. Aggressive spending reduction measures will impact all agency operations, including naturalizations, and will drastically impact agency contracts.

"Our workforce is the backbone of every USCIS accomplishment. Their resilience and strength of character always serves the nation well, but in this year of uncertainty, they remain steadfast in their mission administering our nation's la

Visa Bulletin October 2020 Predictions

For official September 2020 Visa Bulletin and Analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-september-2020.aspx

Please see October 2020 Visa Bulletin Predictions below (for both Family Based and Employment Based categories for all countries):

Family Based:

Final Action Dates

Dates For Filing Applications

"Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	08NOV14	08NOV14	08NOV14	22JAN98	08APR12
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	15AUG15	15AUG15	15AUG15	01MAY99	08NOV11
F3	08JUL08	08JUL08	08JUL08	15AUG96	22JUN02
F4	15OCT06	15OCT06	22MAR05	08JUL98	01MAY02

"Date for Filing Application" is the date when you can submit I-485/NVC applications to USCIS/DOS. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	01OCT15	01OCT15	01OCT15	01MAR00	08FEB13
F2A	01SEP20	01SEP20	01SEP20	01SEP20	01SEP20
F2B	15JUN16	15JUN16	15JUN16	22DEC99	15JUL12
F3	08JUL09	08JUL09	08JUL09	22AUG00	08MAY03
F4	01OCT07	01OCT07	08DEC05	01MAY99	01JAN03