Visa Bulletin August 2023 Predictions

For official July 2023 Visa Bulletin & Analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2023/visa-bulletin-july-2023.aspx

Please see August 2023 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	15FEB15	15FEB15	15FEB15	01JUN01	22APR12
F2A	01OCT20	01OCT20	01OCT20	01DEC18	01OCT20
F2B	01NOV15	01NOV15	01NOV15	15AUG01	01DEC11
F3	08JAN09	08JAN09	08JAN09	22JAN98	01JUL02
F4	15MAY07	15MAY07	08OCT05	22AUG00	22SEP02

"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	08OCT17	08OCT17	08OCT17	08FEB03	08JUN15
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	15FEB17	15FEB17	15FEB17	22APR02	08NOV13
F3	08MAR10	08MAR10	08MAR10	22JUN01	01DEC03
F4	08MAR08	08MAR08	15MAR06	08MAY01	22MAY04

Temporary Protected Status Designations for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua Reinstated and Extended for 18 Months

Current Beneficiaries Must Re-register to Maintain Their Status After June 30, 2024

WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today posted Federal Register notices extending the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations of El Salvador, Honduras, <a target='_blank' href="https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2023-13019/temporary-protected-status-reconsideration-and-rescission-of-termination-of-the-designation-of-nep

USCIS Provides Guidance on Employment Authorization Documents Based on Compelling Circumstances

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today released policy guidance on the eligibility criteria for initial and renewal applications for employment authorization documents (EADs) in compelling circumstances based on existing regulatory requirements at 8 CFR 204.5(p).

For an applicant to be eligible for an initial EAD based on compelling circumstances, they must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• The principal applicant is the principal beneficiary of an approved Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, in either the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd employment-based preference category;
• The principal applicant is in valid E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, O-1, or L-1 nonimmigrant status or authorized grace period when they file the Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization;
• The principal applicant has not filed an adjustment of status applica

DHS Rescinds Prior Administration’s Termination of Temporary Protected Status Designations for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua

Decision Extends TPS Designations for 18 Months for Current Beneficiaries

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the rescission of the prior Administration's terminations of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua and the extension of TPS for these for countries for 18 months. Today's actions are relevant to the litigation challenging the now-rescinded terminations. As always, DHS closely monitors conditions around the world to assess whether new TPS designations are warranted.

"Through the extension of Temporary Protected Status, we are able to offer continued safety and protection to current beneficiaries who are nationals of El Salvador, Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua who are already present in the United States and cannot re

USCIS Expands Premium Processing for Applicants Seeking to Change into F, M, or J Nonimmigrant Status

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced the expansion of premium processing for applicants filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, and seeking a change of status to F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 nonimmigrant status. Online filing of Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, will also be available for these applicants.

The premium processing expansion for certain Form I-539 applicants will occur in phases, and nonimmigrants requesting premium processing should not file before these dates:

• Beginning June 13, USCIS will accept Form I-907 requests, file

USCIS Announces Expansion of Citizenship and Integration Grant Program and the Opening of the Grant Application Period

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced the expansion of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, which provides funding for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country. The program, now open for applications, will provide up to $25 million in grants to prepare immigrants for naturalization and promote civic integration through increased knowledge of English, U.S. history, and civics. In addition to the traditional programs that fund citizenship and English classes, the 2023 grants also include opportunities for creative and innovative approaches to preparing immigrants fo

Certain Individuals Requesting Parole Can Now File Form I-131 Online

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced that certain individuals requesting parole based on urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit can file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, online.  

The following individuals are eligible to file Form I-131 online:

• Individuals requesting parole based on urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit for an individual outside the United States (under application types 1.e. or 1.f. on the paper Form I-131), who are not seeking initial parole under a USCIS family reunification parole process (i.e., Cuban Family Reunification Parole Program, <a target='_blank' href="https://www.usci

Applications for Re-Parole and Work Authorization Renewal Are Fee-Exempt for Certain Afghan Nationals

Effective June 9, 2023, through July 31, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will consider, on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit, a two-year extension of the original parole period for Afghan parolees who have already applied for asylum or for adjustment to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status (such as adjustment of status as a special immigrant). This is in recognition of the continued urgent humanitarian reasons and significant public benefit underlying the original parole grant and the time necessary for Afghan parolees to accomplish the purpose of their parole and regularize their immigration status. These Afghan parolees who have already applied for asylum or LPR status do not need to apply for re-parole. If approved, USCIS will extend their original employment authorization and send a Form I-797C, Notice of Additiona

Certain Afghan Parolees Are Employment Authorized Incident to Parole

Effective June 8, 2023, certain additional Afghan parolees are employment authorized incident to parole. This updated guidance applies to certain Afghan parolees whose unexpired Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, contains a class of admission of "PAR" and indicates Afghanistan as the country of citizenship on the document, if their parole has not been terminated. These parolees are also exempt from fees to apply for an initial Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or to replace an initial EAD.  

As a matter of policy, USCIS is providing certain Afghan and Ukrainian parolees with the benefit of employment authorization incident to parole, as we typically provide refugees incident to status, and a no-fee initial EAD (and replacement of an initial EAD). Providing these parolees similar treatment to refugees aligns with the spirit of legislation that states that parolees cover

July 2023 Visa Bulletin Analysis

For July 2023 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2023/visa-bulletin-july-2023.aspx

Please see below analysis of July 2023 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	+21 Days	No Change
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	+2 Months	No Change
F3	+14 Days	+14 Days	+14 Days	+2 Months 14 Days	No Change
F4	+14 Days	+14 Days	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	+8 Months	+8 Months	+8 Months	+1 Month	No Change
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	+3 Months	No Change
F3	+21 Days	+21 Days	+21 Days	No Change	No Change
F4	+1 Month	+1 Month	No Change	+14 Days	No Change

July 2023 Visa Bulletin

For June 2023 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2023/visa-bulletin-june-2023.aspx

For analysis of July 2023 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2023/visa-bulletin-analysis-july-2023.aspx

July 2023 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from July 1 to July 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	15DEC14	15DEC14	15DEC14	22APR01	01MAR12
F2A	08SEP20	08SEP20	08SEP20	01NOV18	08SEP20
F2B	22SEP15	22SEP15	22SEP15	01AUG01	22OCT11
F3	22DEC08	22DEC08	22DEC08	15JAN98	08JUN02
F4	22APR07	22APR07	15SEP05	01AUG00	22AUG02

"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	01SEP17	01SEP17	01SEP17	01JAN03	22APR15
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	01JAN17	01JAN17	01JAN17	01APR02	01OCT13
F3	01MAR10	01MAR10	01MAR10	15JUN01	08NOV03
F4	01MAR08	01MAR08	22FEB06	15APR01	22APR04

Lockbox Filing Location Updates Webpage Expanded to Include Service Center Filing Location Updates

USCIS has updated the Lockbox Filing Location Updates page on our website to now include service center filing location updates as well: Lockbox and Service Center Filing Location Updates. You can now keep track of filing location changes between the lockboxes or service centers on this page.

We sometimes change or adjust filing locations among our service centers or lockbox facilities to balance our incoming workload for timely processing. We may also refine filing addresses to improve internal processes at our service centers or lockbox facilities. Please note that the new filing location may not be where your case is adjudicated.

In the past, we issued a web a

USCIS Changes Filing Location and Documentation Requirements for Certain Affirmative Asylum Applications Using Form I-589

Effective today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has changed the filing location for certain affirmative asylum applications submitted by mail. We expect this change to help streamline asylum processing and improve adjudication efficiency by digitizing paper filings. You should now mail your Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, to the lockbox that has jurisdiction over your place of residence, instead of to the service center.

See the "Where to File" section of the Form I-589 webpage to learn where to file yo