Monday, May 31, 2021

U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Labor Issue Joint Rule Supplementing H-2B Visa Cap

WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) have published a joint temporary final rule making available an additional 22,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural guest worker visas for fiscal year (FY) 2021 to employers who are likely to suffer irreparable harm without these additional workers. Of the supplemental visas, 6,000 are reserved for nationals of the Northern Triangle countries of Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala.

DHS first announced the planned supplemental increase of 22,000 visas for the H-2B Temp



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Thursday, May 27, 2021

DHS Issues Final Rule to Remove Vacated H-1B Rule from Code of Federal Regulations

The Department of Homeland Security has issued a final rule that removes from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) an interim final rule (IFR) issued in October 2020, which has since been vacated by a federal district court.

On Oct. 8, 2020, DHS issued an IFR titled, Strengthening the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa
Classification Program
. On Dec. 1, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California <a target='_blank' href="https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/us-district-court-for-the-northern-district-of-california-vacates-the-st



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Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Visa Bulletin July 2021 Predictions

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

Please see July 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
INDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F108NOV1408NOV1408NOV1415MAY9815MAR12
F2ACCCCC
F2B01SEP1501SEP1501SEP1522SEP9908NOV11
F308SEP0808SEP0808SEP0801DEC9601JUL02
F415DEC0615DEC0615MAY0508SEP9808JUL02
"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
INDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F101APR1601APR1601APR1601JUN0001AUG14
F2A01JUN2101JUN2101JUN2101JUN2101JUN21
F2B01SEP1601SEP1601SEP1601SEP0008OCT13
F308AUG0908AUG0908AUG0915SEP0022SEP03
F422OCT0722OCT0722DEC0501JUN9901OCT03



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Monday, May 24, 2021

USCIS Announces Open Application Period for Citizenship and Integration Grant Program

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is accepting applications for two funding opportunities under the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program. The grant opportunities will provide up to $10 million in grants for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country.

These competitive grant opportunities are open to organizations that prepare lawful permanent residents for naturalization and promote civic integration through increased knowledge of English, U.S. history, and civics. USCIS received support from Congress through appropriations to make these funding opportunities available to communities.

"It is critical that we provide immigrants pursuing citizenship and the organizations who help support their efforts with the tools to be successful," said Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. "The Citizenship and Integration Grant



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Thursday, May 20, 2021

USCIS Temporarily Suspends Biometrics Requirement for Certain Form I-539 Applicants

Effective May 17, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will temporarily suspend the biometrics submission requirement for certain applicants filing Form I-539, Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, requesting an extension of stay in or change of status to H-4, L-2, and E nonimmigrant status. USCIS will allow adjudications for those specific categories to proceed based on biographic information and related background checks, without capturing fingerprints and a photograph. This suspension will apply through May 17, 2023, subject to affirmative extension or revocation of the suspension period by the USCIS director. 

This temporary suspension will apply to applicants filing Form I-539 requesting the f



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Wednesday, May 19, 2021

June 2021 Visa Bulletin

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

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

June 2021 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from June 1 to June 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 01NOV14
01NOV14 01NOV14 01MAY98 22FEB12
F2A C C C C C
F2B 22AUG15 22AUG15 22AUG15 08SEP99 15OCT11
F3 01SEP08 01SEP08 01SEP08 15NOV96 08JUN02
F4 08DEC06 08DEC06 08MAY05 01SEP98 08JUN02
"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 01MAR16 01MAR16 01MAR16 15MAY00 15MAY14
F2A 01MAY21 01MAY21 01MAY21 01MAY21 01MAY21
F2B 15AUG16 15AUG16 15AUG16 08AUG00 01AUG13
F3 01AUG09 01AUG09 01AUG09 08SEP00 08AUG03
F4 01OCT07 01OCT07 01DEC05 08MAY99 08AUG03



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June 2021 Visa Bulletin Analysis

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

Please see below analysis of June 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
INDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F1+10 Days+10 Days+10 Days+1 Month+21 Days
F2ANo ChangeNo ChangeNo ChangeNo ChangeNo Change
F2B+7 Days+7 Days+7 Days+24 Days+1 Month
F3+10 Days+10 Days+10 Days+1 Month+1 Month 7 Days
F4+1 Month+1 Month+23 Days+24 Days+1 Month 7 Days
"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
INDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES
F1+5 Months+5 Months+5 Months+2 Months 14 Days+6 Months 14 Days
F2A+1 Month+1 Month+1 Month+1 Month+1 Month
F2B+1 Month 23 Days+1 Month 23 Days+1 Month 23 DaysNo Change+6 Months 24 Days
F3+1 Month 9 Days+1 Month 9 Days+1 Month 9 DaysNo Change+1 Month 7 Days
F4No ChangeNo ChangeNo ChangeNo Change+1 Month 7 Days



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June 2021 Visa Bulletin Special Notes

For the official June 2021 Visa Bulletin & Analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2021/visa-bulletin-june-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. @TRAVELGOV BEGINS HOSTING MONTHLY YOUTUBE LIVE "CHATS WITH CHARLIE"

@TravelGov will begin hosting "Chats with Charlie" on our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/user/TravelGov) to discuss information provided in the monthly Visa Bulletin. This month's chat is scheduled to take place on May 24, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. EST to discuss the June Visa Bulletin. Questions can be emailed to VisaBulletin@state.gov ahead of the event with "Chat with Charlie Question" in the subject line. Questions will also be taken via the YouTube Live Chat and will be an



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Monday, May 17, 2021

Rescheduling Biometric Services Appointments by Phone

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that applicants, petitioners, requestors and beneficiaries may now call the USCIS Contact Center (800-375-5283) to reschedule their biometric services appointments scheduled at a USCIS Application Support Center. Previously, applicants had to submit requests in writing to reschedule their biometrics appointments. This change helps eliminate undue paperwork and allows USCIS to track the request through a more efficient process.  

Applicants must establish good cause for rescheduling and must call before the date and time of their original appointment to reschedule. If an applicant fails to call before the scheduled appointment or fails to establish good cause, USCIS may consider the application, petition, or request abandoned and, as a result, it may be denied.

For more information, please see the<a data-



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Thursday, May 13, 2021

DHS Announces Continuation of International Entrepreneur Parole Program

Program Will Provide Opportunities for Foreign Entrepreneurs

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that the Department of Homeland Security is withdrawing a 2018 notice of proposed rulemaking that proposed to remove the International Entrepreneur program from DHS regulations. The International Entrepreneur (IE) parole program, first introduced in 2017, will remain a viable program for foreign entrepreneurs to create and develop start-up entities with high growth potential in the United States. The program will help to strengthen and grow our nation's economy through increased capital spending, innovation, and job creation.

Today's announcement is



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Monday, May 10, 2021

DHS Withdraws Proposed Biometrics Rule

The Department of Homeland Security has withdrawn a proposed rule that would have expanded department authorities and requirements for collecting biometrics by removing age restrictions; requiring submission of biometrics for every applicant, petitioner, sponsor, beneficiary, or other individual filing for or associated with any immigration or naturalization benefit or request unless DHS waives or exempts the biometrics requirement; codifying the authority to use DNA test results; and authorizing the use of additional types of biometric modalities.

DHS announced its decision to withdraw the proposed rule, originally published on Sept. 11, 2020, in a <a target='_blank' href="https://www.federalregister.gov/publ



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