USCIS Extends Transitional Parole for CNMI Long-Term Resident Status Applicants

USCIS announced today that it will automatically extend parole, and employment authorization, if applicable, for parolees who timely applied for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) long-term resident status.  

This specific extension of parole applies only to current parolees who timely filed Form I-955, Application for CNMI Long-Term Resident Status, and <a data-entity-substitution="canonical" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="983b2b27-2406-41b0-a21b-c5c916fc669c" href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-765" rel="noreferrer" targe

USCIS Ending Two Categorical Parole Programs

Haitian Family Reunification Parole and Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Programs to be Terminated

WASHINGTON— In keeping with the agency's August 2019 announcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a Federal Register notice requesting public comments on revisions to <a target='_blank' href="http://www.uscis.

Visa Bulletin February 2021 Predictions

For official January 2021 Visa Bulletin & Analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2021/visa-bulletin-january-2021.aspx

Please see February 2021 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	22OCT14	22OCT14	22OCT14	01FEB98	01APR12
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	08AUG15	08AUG15	08AUG15	22MAY99	01NOV11
F3	01AUG08	01AUG08	01AUG08	01SEP96	01JUN02
F4	15OCT06	15OCT06	22MAR05	15JUL98	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	01SEP15	01SEP15	01SEP15	01MAR00	15JAN13
F2A	22AUG20	22AUG20	22AUG20	22AUG20	22AUG20
F2B	01JUN16	01JUN16	01JUN16	22DEC99	22JUN12
F3	01JUL09	01JUL09	01JUL09	22AUG00	08APR03
F4	08OCT07	08OCT07	01DEC05	01MAY99	01DEC02

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;
• Notices of Intent to Terminate regional 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 D

January 2021 Visa Bulletin

For December 2020 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-december-2020.aspx

For analysis of January 2021 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2021/visa-bulletin-analysis-january-2021.aspx

January 2021 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from January 1 to January 31 only). Please see below for more details.

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	15SEP14	15SEP14	15SEP14	15JAN98	01JAN12
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	08JUL15	08JUL15	08JUL15	01MAY99	15AUG11
F3	08JUL08	08JUL08	08JUL08	22AUG96	01MAR02
F4	08OCT06	08OCT06	15MAR05	01JUL98	01FEB02

"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	22JUL15	22JUL15	22JUL15	22FEB00	08OCT12
F2A	01AUG20	01AUG20	01AUG20	01AUG20	01AUG20
F2B	01MAY16	01MAY16	01MAY16	01DEC99	01APR12
F3	01JUN09	01JUN09	01JUN09	15AUG00	22DEC02
F4	15SEP07	15SEP07	22NOV05	22APR99	01SEP02

January 2021 Visa Bulletin Analysis

For January 2021 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2021/visa-bulletin-january-2021.aspx

Please see below analysis of January 2021 Visa Bulletin:

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	No Change	No Change	No Change	+7 Days	+17 Days
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	+23 Days	+14 Days
F3	+23 Days	+23 Days	+23 Days	+21 Days	+14 Days
F4	+16 Days	+16 Days	+7 Days	+9 Days	+1 Month

"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	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F3	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F4	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change

January 2021 Visa Bulletin Special Notes

For the official January 2021 Visa Bulletin & Analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2021/visa-bulletin-january-2021.aspx

Apart from posting current dates, State Department has also added special notes to Visa Bulletin mentioned above. Please see full details below:

D. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITE AT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV

E. SCHEDULED EXPIRATION OF TWO EMPLOYMENT VISA CATEGORIES

The one week continuing resolution signed into law on December 21, 2020 extended both the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) and Employment Fifth Preference Pilot (I5 and R5) Categories until December 28, 2020. Readers should monitor legislative action regarding the future status of these categories beyond that date.

Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR):

If there is further legislative action extending this category, the December dates would continue to be applied, potentially for the remainder of the month. If there is no legislative action

USCIS Updates Discretionary Criteria for Case-by-Case Interview Determinations of Adjustment of Status Applications Based on Refugee or Asylee Status

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced updated guidance (PDF, 319.68 KB) expanding the discretionary criteria USCIS officers use to determine whether to interview applicants filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, based on refugee or asylee status.

The updated criteria are well within the parameters of USCIS' regulatory authority to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether an interview is necessary to determine the admissibility of an alien applying fo

Update: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

In compliance with an order of a United States District Court, effective December 7, 2020, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is:

• Accepting first-time requests for consideration of deferred action under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) based on the terms of the DACA policy in effect prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court's December 4, 2020, order;
• Accepting DACA renewal requests based on the terms of the DACA policy in effect prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court's December 4, 2020, order;
• Accepting applications for advance parole documents based on the terms of the DACA policy prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court's December

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California Vacates the Strengthening the H-1B Program Interim Final Rule

A Dec. 1, 2020, order issued by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California vacated the Strengthening the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification Program Interim Final Rule (PDF) (IFR). The Dec. 1 order prevents the IFR from taking effect, and the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services from implementing the IFR. USCIS will fully comply with the court's decision.

DHS published the H-1B Strengthening IFR in the Federal Register on Oct. 8, 2020, with a 60-day effective date; the IFR was scheduled to go into effect on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020. The IFR was intended to better protect U.S. workers, improve the integrity of the H-1B program, and better ensure that H-1B petitions are approved only for qualified beneficiaries and petitioner

USCIS Updates Guidance for Schedule A Occupations

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced updated guidance for adjudicating EB-2 and EB-3 Schedule A petitions for registered nurses, physical therapists, and aliens of exceptional ability.

The update does not change any policy, but does clarify how USCIS adjudicators should apply Department of Homeland Security and Department of Labor (DOL) regulations when deciding these Schedule A petitions. Generally, EB-2 and EB-3 petitioners must obtain a labor certification from DOL that verifies that there are no qualified U.S. workers available for the petition. However, for certain occupations, known as Schedule A, DOL has pre-certified this so the petitioners do not need to obtain a labor certification from DOL. Instead, EB-2 and EB-3 Schedule A petitioners file the Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, and uncertified labor certification

USCIS Expands Interviews for Refugees and Asylees Petitioning for Family Members

USCIS has issued a policy memorandum (PDF, 277.32 KB) directing the phased expansion of in-person interviews for petitioners filing Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition. These additional interviews will provide an opportunity to evaluate a petitioner's credibility, supporting our mission to detect and prevent fraud and risks of harm to the United States and ensure the integrity of the immigration system. Eligibility requirements for Form I-730 benefits remain the same.

USCIS has historically required interviews of all Form I-730 beneficiaries res

USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for First Half of FY 2021

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated cap on H-2B visas for temporary nonagricultural workers for the first half of fiscal year 2021. Nov. 16 was the final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions requesting an employment start date before April 1, 2021. USCIS will reject new cap-subject H-2B petitions received after Nov. 16, that request an employment start date before April 1, 2021.

On Nov. 16, the number of beneficiaries USCIS received petitions for surpassed the total number of remaining H-2B visas available for the H-2B cap for the first half of FY 2021. In accordance with regulations, USCIS determined it was necessary to use a computer-generated process, commonly known as a lottery, to ensure the fair and orderly allocation of H-2B visa numbers to meet, but not exceed, the cap for the f

USCIS Updates Policy Guidance on Naturalization Applicants Who Did Not Properly Obtain Lawful Permanent Resident Status

On Nov. 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services updated policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to clarify the circumstances when we would find applicants ineligible for naturalization  because they were not lawfully admitted for permanent residence. 

Applicants are ineligible for naturalization if they obtained lawful permanent residence (LPR) status in error, by fraud or otherwise not in compliance with the law.

The update also clarifies that we r

Visa Bulletin January 2021 Predictions

For official December 2020 Visa Bulletin & Analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-december-2020.aspx

Please see January 2021 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	22OCT14	22OCT14	22OCT14	22JAN98	22MAR12
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	08AUG15	08AUG15	08AUG15	01MAY99	22OCT11
F3	01JUL08	01JUL08	01JUL08	15AUG96	01JUN02
F4	15OCT06	15OCT06	15MAR05	08JUL98	08APR02

"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	01SEP15	01SEP15	01SEP15	01MAR00	15JAN13
F2A	22AUG20	22AUG20	22AUG20	22AUG20	22AUG20
F2B	08JUN16	08JUN16	08JUN16	22DEC99	22JUN12
F3	01JUL09	01JUL09	01JUL09	22AUG00	08APR03
F4	08OCT07	08OCT07	01DEC05	01MAY99	01DEC02

DHS Proposes to Limit Work Permits for Aliens with Final Orders of Removal

Rule will encourage these aliens to depart the country

WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced a proposed rule that would limit discretionary work authorization for aliens who have final orders of removal and who have been temporarily released from DHS custody on an order of supervision (OSUP). The rule would align the issuance of discretionary employment authorization with the administration's priorities to protect U.S. workers and strengthen immigration enforcement.

Orders of supervision allow DHS to place conditions on and monitor aliens with final orders of

USCIS Updates Policy Guidance Regarding Discretionary Factors for Adjustment of Status Applications

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating existing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding the exercise of the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security's discretion in adjudications of adjustment of status applications.

This update clarifies existing content by providing a non-exhaustive list of positive and negative factors that may be relevant to whether an adjustment of status applicant warrants a favorable exercise of discretion. It also lists the privileges, rights and responsibilities of lawful permanent residents (LPRs) as a reference for officers to consider when determining whether the grant of LPR

December 2020 Visa Bulletin

For November 2020 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-november-2020.aspx

For analysis of December 2020 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-analysis-december-2020.aspx

December 2020 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from December 1 to December 31 only). Please see below for more details.

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	15SEP14	15SEP14	15SEP14	08JAN98	15DEC11
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	08JUL15	08JUL15	08JUL15	08APR99	01AUG11
F3	15JUN08	15JUN08	15JUN08	01AUG96	15FEB02
F4	22SEP06	22SEP06	08MAR05	22JUN98	01JAN02

"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	22JUL15	22JUL15	22JUL15	22FEB00	08OCT12
F2A	01AUG20	01AUG20	01AUG20	01AUG20	01AUG20
F2B	01MAY16	01MAY16	01MAY16	01DEC99	01APR12
F3	01JUN09	01JUN09	01JUN09	15AUG00	22DEC02
F4	15SEP07	15SEP07	22NOV05	22APR99	01SEP02

December 2020 Visa Bulletin Analysis

For December 2020 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-december-2020.aspx

Please see below analysis of December 2020 Visa Bulletin:

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	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F3	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F4	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change

"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	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F3	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F4	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change

December 2020 Visa Bulletin Special Notes

For the official December 2020 Visa Bulletin & Analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-december-2020.aspx

Apart from posting current dates, State Department has also added special notes to Visa Bulletin mentioned above. Please see full details below:

D. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITE AT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV

E. SCHEDULED EXPIRATION OF TWO EMPLOYMENT VISA CATEGORIES

The Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act (P.L. 116-159) extends both the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) and Employment Fifth Preference Pilot (I5 and R5) Categories until December 11, 2020.

Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR):

Pursuant to the continuing resolution, the non-minister special immigrant program expires on December 11, 2020. No SR visas may be issued overseas, or final action taken on adjustment of status cases, after midnight December 10, 2020. Visas issued prior to this date will only be issued with a

USCIS Updates Policy Manual Guidance on the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)

USCIS is clarifying existing guidance on the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) in the USCIS Policy Manual to address:

• Application of the CSPA to derivatives of widows and widowers;
• Guidance for which immigrant petition is used to calculate the CSPA age for adjustment of status applicants; and
• The one-year "sought to acquire" requirement for permanent residence and how applicants may satisfy the requirement.

The Policy Alert is available here:

• Policy Alert: <a data-entity-substitution="media" data-entity-type="media" href="https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20201113-CSPA.pdf" type="application/pdf; length=240183" dat

USCIS Announces a Revised Naturalization Civics Test

WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today plans to implement a revised version of the naturalization civics test. The agency first announced plans to revise the civics test in July 2019.

USCIS revised the civics test as part of a decennial update to ensure that it remains an instrument that comprehensively assesses applicants' knowledge of American history, government and civic values.

The civics test is administered to applicants who apply for U.S. citizenship and is one of the statutory requirements for naturalizing. Applicants who apply for naturalization on or after Dec. 1, 2020, will take the up

Re-Registration Period Now Open for Aliens with Temporary Protected Status under South Sudan’s Designation

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that current beneficiaries of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under South Sudan's designation who want to maintain their status through May 2, 2022, must re-register for TPS beginning Nov. 2, 2020 through Jan. 4, 2021.

Re-registration procedures, including how to renew employment authorization documents (EADs), have been published in the Federal Register and are available at uscis.gov/tps.

All applicants who wish to re-register for TPS mus

DHS, Trump Administration Protect American Jobs from Unfair International Competition

Agency Proposes Prioritizing Higher Wage Levels to Better Protect U.S. Workers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the transmission to the Federal Register of a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would prioritize the selection of H-1B registrations (or petitions, if the registration process is suspended) based on corresponding wage levels in order to better protect the economic interests of U.S. workers, while still allowing U.S. employers to meet their personnel needs and remain globally competitive.

Modifying the H-1B cap selection process by replacing the random selection process

Visa Bulletin December 2020 Predictions

For official November 2020 Visa Bulletin & Analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-november-2020.aspx

Please see December 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	01NOV14	01NOV14	01NOV14	22JAN98	01APR12
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	08AUG15	08AUG15	08AUG15	01MAY99	01NOV11
F3	01JUL08	01JUL08	01JUL08	15AUG96	08JUN02
F4	15OCT06	15OCT06	22MAR05	08JUL98	15APR02

"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	15SEP15	15SEP15	15SEP15	01MAR00	01FEB13
F2A	01SEP20	01SEP20	01SEP20	01SEP20	01SEP20
F2B	08JUN16	08JUN16	08JUN16	22DEC99	01JUL12
F3	08JUL09	08JUL09	08JUL09	22AUG00	01MAY03
F4	08OCT07	08OCT07	08DEC05	01MAY99	15DEC02

November 2020 Visa Bulletin Analysis

For November 2020 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-november-2020.aspx

Please see below analysis of November 2020 Visa Bulletin:

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	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F3	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F4	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change

"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	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F3	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F4	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change

November 2020 Visa Bulletin

For October 2020 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-october-2020.aspx

For analysis of November 2020 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-analysis-november-2020.aspx

November 2020 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from November 1 to November 30 only). Please see below for more details.

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	15SEP14	15SEP14	15SEP14	08JAN98	15DEC11
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	08JUL15	08JUL15	08JUL15	08APR99	01AUG11
F3	15JUN08	15JUN08	15JUN08	01AUG96	15FEB02
F4	22SEP06	22SEP06	08MAR05	22JUN98	01JAN02

"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	22JUL15	22JUL15	22JUL15	22FEB00	08OCT12
F2A	01AUG20	01AUG20	01AUG20	01AUG20	01AUG20
F2B	01MAY16	01MAY16	01MAY16	01DEC99	01APR12
F3	01JUN09	01JUN09	01JUN09	15AUG00	22DEC02
F4	15SEP07	15SEP07	22NOV05	22APR99	01SEP02

November 2020 Visa Bulletin Special Notes

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

Apart from posting current dates, State Department has also added special notes to Visa Bulletin mentioned above. Please see full details below:

D. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITE AT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV

E. EXTENSION OF TWO EMPLOYMENT VISA CATEGORIES

Premium Processing Fee Increase Effective Oct. 19, 2020

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced it will increase fees for premium processing, effective Oct. 19, as required by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other Extensions Act, Pub. L. No. 116-159, signed into law on Oct. 1. The USCIS premium processing service allows petitioners to pay an additional filing fee to expedite the adjudication of certain forms, generally within 15 days. The Act included the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act, which requires USCIS to establish and collect additional premium processing fees, and to use those additional funds for expanded purposes.

Pub. L. No. 116-159 increases the fee for <a target='_blank' href="https

USCIS Updates Policy Guidance Regarding Temporary Protected Status and Eligibility for Adjustment of Status

USCIS today issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual clarifying whether temporary protected status (TPS) beneficiaries are eligible for adjustment of status under section 245(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). INA 245(a) requires an alien to have been inspected and admitted or inspected and paroled into the United States, unless exempt from this requirement.

The updated guidance reaffirms USCIS' long-standing interpretation that an alien who enters the United States without having been inspected and admitted or inspected and paroled, and who is subsequently granted TPS, generally does not meet that requirement.

The updated guidance also incorporates Matter of Z-

USCIS Issues Policy Guidance Regarding Inadmissibility Based on Membership in a Totalitarian Party

On Oct. 2, USCIS issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to address inadmissibility based on membership in or affiliation with the Communist Party or any other totalitarian party. Membership in or affiliation with the Communist Party or any other totalitarian party is inconsistent and incompatible with the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America, which includes pledging to "support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States."

The new policy manual section provides guidance on how to adjudicate inadmissibility due to membership in the Communist Party or any other totalitarian party in the context of adjustment of status applications.

In g

DHS Proposes Rule to Strengthen Affidavit of Support Process

Proposal enforces long-standing law and protects American taxpayers

WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security today announced it will publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (PDF) that would increase the integrity of the nation's lawful immigration system, make it easier to hold immigrant sponsors accountable for failing to meet the obligations of contracts they sign with the federal government, and align agency policy in accordance with the May 2019 Presidential Memorandum o

Visa Bulletin Predictions November 2020 to January 2021

For latest Visa Bulletin and Analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/

USCIS/DOS has added their Visa bulletin prediction from November 2020 to January 2021.

Family-sponsored: Final Action Dates movement during the past six months focused on two goals: 1) to allow number use to be maximized should it become possible to return to normal visa processing levels at some point prior to the end of the fiscal year, and 2) to encourage applicants to continue acting on their cases in a timely manner to support long-term recovery from the suspension of routine services. This movement ensured sufficient demand would be available for adjudication throughout FY 2021 under a resumption of full operational status. 

VO learned during October 2020 date determination, that movement of final action dates in the previous six months combined with the global suspension of routine visa services resulted in enough accumulated demand to fully utilize the numbers normally made available during the first quarter of the fiscal year. Therefore, no date movement is required at this time. VO will closely monitor the situation in the early months of the fiscal year. 

Trump Administration Announces Overhaul of H-1B Visa Program

The Trump administration announced significant changes on Tuesday to the H-1B visa program for high-skilled workers, substantially raising the wages that U.S. companies must pay foreign hires and narrowing eligibility criteria for applicants.

The new rules are expected to reduce the pool of skilled labor and raise costs for tech companies and other employers. Critics say that could force companies to move some operations outside the U.S.

Department of Homeland Security acting deputy secretary Ken Cuccinelli said a third of applicants would be denied under the new rules.

EB Category To Receive 121,500 Additional Visas From FB Category

Section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) sets an annual minimum family-sponsored preference limit of 226,000. The worldwide level for annual employment-based preference immigrants is at least 140,000.

Section 202 prescribes that the per-country limit for preference immigrants is set at 7% of the total annual family-sponsored and employment-based preference limits, i.e., 25,620. The dependent area limit is set at 2%, or 7,320.

For fiscal year 2019 (which ended on September 30, 2019), only around 104,500 visas were allotted to family based visa petitions; instead of 226,000. This means about 121,500 visas were unused in the family based category.

According to law, any unused visas from family category will flow to employment based category. This means EB category will be getting an additional 121,500 visas in fiscal year 2020 (October 2020 to September 2021). This is almost double the annual visa allotment for EB Categories.

USCIS Response to Preliminary Injunction of Fee Rule

WASHINGTON-U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Deputy Director of Policy Joseph Edlow issued the following statement in response to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issuing a nationwide preliminary injunction enjoining fee increases for citizenship and other immigration benefits.

"This unfortunate decision leaves USCIS underfunded by millions of dollars each business day the fee rule is enjoined.  Unlike most government agencies, USCIS is fee funded.  As required by federal law, USCIS conducted a comprehensive biennial fee review and determined that current fees do not recover the cost of providing adjudication and naturalization services.  This is nothing new or abnormal.  In fact, the fee rule is two years behind schedule, and is a smaller percentage increase than the previous.  In a fee-funded agency such as USCIS, this

USCIS Implements New Law Related to Citizenship for Children of Military Members and U.S. Government Employees Stationed Overseas

On Sept. 18, we updated our policy guidance concerning residency requirements under section 320 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to comply with the requirements of the recently enacted Citizenship for Children of Military Members and Civil Servants Act.
Under the new law, a child born outside of the United States acquires automatic citizenship under INA 320, even if the child is residing outside the United States, in cases where the child is a lawful permanent resident (LPR) and is in the legal and physical custody of his or her U.S. citizen parent who is:

• Stationed and residing outside of the United States as a member of the U.S. armed forces;  
• Stationed and residing outside of the United States as an employee of the U.S. government; or
• The spouse residing outside the United States in marital union with a U.S. armed forces member or U.S. government employee who is stationed outside of the United States.

Visa Bulletin November 2020 Predictions

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

Please see November 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	01APR12
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	08AUG15	08AUG15	08AUG15	01MAY99	01NOV11
F3	08JUL08	08JUL08	08JUL08	15AUG96	15JUN02
F4	15OCT06	15OCT06	22MAR05	08JUL98	22APR02

"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	22SEP15	22SEP15	22SEP15	01MAR00	01FEB13
F2A	01SEP20	01SEP20	01SEP20	01SEP20	01SEP20
F2B	15JUN16	15JUN16	15JUN16	22DEC99	08JUL12
F3	08JUL09	08JUL09	08JUL09	22AUG00	08MAY03
F4	08OCT07	08OCT07	08DEC05	01MAY99	01JAN03

October 2020 Visa Bulletin Analysis

For October 2020 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-october-2020.aspx

Please see below analysis of October 2020 Visa Bulletin:

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	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F3	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F4	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change

"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	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F3	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F4	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change

October 2020 Visa Bulletin

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

For analysis of October 2020 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-analysis-october-2020.aspx

October 2020 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from October 1 to October 31 only). Please see below for more details.

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	15SEP14	15SEP14	15SEP14	08JAN98	15DEC11
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	08JUL15	08JUL15	08JUL15	08APR99	01AUG11
F3	15JUN08	15JUN08	15JUN08	01AUG96	15FEB02
F4	22SEP06	22SEP06	08MAR05	22JUN98	01JAN02

"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	22JUL15	22JUL15	22JUL15	22FEB00	08OCT12
F2A	01AUG20	01AUG20	01AUG20	01AUG20	01AUG20
F2B	01MAY16	01MAY16	01MAY16	01DEC99	01APR12
F3	01JUN09	01JUN09	01JUN09	15AUG00	22DEC02
F4	15SEP07	15SEP07	22NOV05	22APR99	01SEP02

USCIS Updates Policy Guidance on O Petitions

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today published a new section (PDF, 296.54 KB) in the USCIS Policy Manual relating to the O nonimmigrant classifications. O-1 nonimmigrant status is available for aliens of "extraordinary ability" in the sciences, arts, business, education, and athletics, and aliens with a record of "extraordinary achievement" in the motion picture or television industry, who are coming to the United States temporarily to work in their area of ability or achievement. O-2 nonimmigrant status is available for essential support personnel coming

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

USCIS Policy Update on CW-1 Departure Requirement

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is modifying its policy on implementing the requirement that aliens leave the United States for at least 30 days after two renewals of their CNMI-Only Transitional Worker (CW-1) visa classification.

Effective immediately, USCIS will only consider CW-1 petitions approved on or after June 18, 2020, when we apply the requirement that certain CW-1 nonimmigrant workers depart the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) for a period of at least 30 continuous days. For example, any alien approved on or after June 18, 2020, for a one-year CW-1 validity period beginning Oct. 1, 2020, will be eligible for two more consecutive petition validity periods after the first period of validity expires on Sept. 30, 2021. Previously, USCIS counted all consecutive petition validity periods, even those approved prior to June 18, 2020, when deter

USCIS Implements DHS Guidance on DACA

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today provided guidance on how it will implement Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf's July 28 memorandum (PDF) regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy.

Under USCIS' implementing guidance (PDF, 1.7 MB), we will reject all initial DACA requests from aliens who have never previously received DACA and return all fees. The rejections will be without prejudice, meaning aliens will be able to reapply should U

September 2020 Visa Bulletin Analysis

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

Please see below analysis of September 2020 Visa Bulletin:

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	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+17 Days	+3 Months 14 Days
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+17 Days	+4 Months
F3	+14 Days	+14 Days	+14 Days	+17 Days	+3 Months
F4	+14 Days	+14 Days	+14 Days	+7 Days	+4 Months

"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	+1 Month 14 Days	+1 Month 14 Days	+1 Month 14 Days	+21 Days	+4 Months
F2A	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month
F2B	+1 Month 17 Days	+1 Month 17 Days	+1 Month 17 Days	+23 Days	+4 Months
F3	+24 Days	+24 Days	+24 Days	+14 Days	+4 Months
F4	+14 Days	+14 Days	+14 Days	+21 Days	+3 Months 24 Days

September 2020 Visa Bulletin

For August 2020 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-august-2020.aspx

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

September 2020 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from September 1 to September 30 only). Please see below for more details.

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	15SEP14	15SEP14	15SEP14	08JAN98	15DEC11
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	08JUL15	08JUL15	08JUL15	08APR99	01AUG11
F3	15JUN08	15JUN08	15JUN08	01AUG96	15FEB02
F4	22SEP06	22SEP06	08MAR05	22JUN98	01JAN02

"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	22JUL15	22JUL15	22JUL15	22FEB00	08OCT12
F2A	01AUG20	01AUG20	01AUG20	01AUG20	01AUG20
F2B	01MAY16	01MAY16	01MAY16	01DEC99	01APR12
F3	01JUN09	01JUN09	01JUN09	15AUG00	22DEC02
F4	15SEP07	15SEP07	22NOV05	22APR99	01SEP02

September 2020 Visa Bulletin Special Notes

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

Apart from posting current dates, State Department has also added special notes to Visa Bulletin mentioned above. Please see full details below:

D. FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VISA PROCESSING AT U.S. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, PLEASE VISIT THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS WEBSITE AT TRAVEL.STATE.GOV

E. DIVERSITY VISA LOTTERY 2021 (DV-2021) RESULTS

The Kentucky Consular Center in Williamsburg, Kentucky has registered and notified the winners of the DV-2021 diversity lottery. The diversity lottery was conducted under the terms of section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and makes available *55,000 permanent resident visas annually to persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Approximately 132,404 applicants have been registered and notified and may now make an application for an immigrant visa. Since it is likely that some of the first *55,000 persons registered will not pursue their cases to visa issuance, thi

September 2020 Visa Bulletin Analysis

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

Please see below analysis of September 2020 Visa Bulletin:

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	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+17 Days	+3 Months 14 Days
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+17 Days	+4 Months
F3	+14 Days	+14 Days	+14 Days	+17 Days	+3 Months
F4	+14 Days	+14 Days	+14 Days	+7 Days	+4 Months

"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	+1 Month 14 Days	+1 Month 14 Days	+1 Month 14 Days	+21 Days	+4 Months
F2A	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month
F2B	+1 Month 17 Days	+1 Month 17 Days	+1 Month 17 Days	+23 Days	+4 Months
F3	+24 Days	+24 Days	+24 Days	+14 Days	+4 Months
F4	+14 Days	+14 Days	+14 Days	+21 Days	+3 Months 24 Days

September 2020 Visa Bulletin

For August 2020 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-august-2020.aspx

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

September 2020 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from September 1 to September 30 only). Please see below for more details.

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	15SEP14	15SEP14	15SEP14	08JAN98	15DEC11
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	08JUL15	08JUL15	08JUL15	08APR99	01AUG11
F3	15JUN08	15JUN08	15JUN08	01AUG96	15FEB02
F4	22SEP06	22SEP06	08MAR05	22JUN98	01JAN02

"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	22JUL15	22JUL15	22JUL15	22FEB00	08OCT12
F2A	01AUG20	01AUG20	01AUG20	01AUG20	01AUG20
F2B	01MAY16	01MAY16	01MAY16	01DEC99	01APR12
F3	01JUN09	01JUN09	01JUN09	15AUG00	22DEC02
F4	15SEP07	15SEP07	22NOV05	22APR99	01SEP02