USCIS Clarifies Policy on Location of H-3 Training

We have issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual clarifying when H-3 nonimmigrants may participate in training provided on the property of an academic or vocational institution.

Generally, H-3 trainees cannot participate in training provided primarily at or by an academic or vocational institution. The updated policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual clarifies that, if other H-3 requirements are met, training that happens to take place on the physical property of an academic or vocational institution may qualify if the training program is primarily created, offered, and sponsored by a government agency or other nonacademic or nonvocational entity.

This guidance clarifies rather than

Centralized Intake Processing of VAWA Self-Petitions and Related Filings at the Nebraska Service Center

Effective April 1, 2024, we centralized the intake process of Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, and related filings under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) for self-petitioning abused spouses, children, and parents at the Nebraska Service Center.

Previously, after we received and receipted VAWA Form I-360 filings at the Nebraska Service Center, we transferred them to the Vermont Service Center to complete intake processing, and we mailed a transfer notice to the VAWA self-petitioner. By implementing processing efficiencies at intake, we no longer need to transfer VAWA-based filings to the Vermont Service Center and no longer need to send a transfer notice to self-petit

USCIS Celebrates Its Employees During Public Service Recognition Week

WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is honoring its dedicated workforce during Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) 2024. Celebrated annually during the first full week in May since 1985, PSRW is a time set aside to honor those who serve our nation as federal, state, county, and local government employees.   

"The people of USCIS work tirelessly each and every day to uphold America's promise as a nation of welcome and possibility," said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. "Their dedicated service makes the possibility of America a reality for not only immigrants and newcomers themselves, but also the communities and economies they join and our nation as a whole." 

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USCIS Reminds Certain Employment-Based Petitioners to Submit the Correct Required Fees

We are updating our Frequently Asked Questions on the USCIS Fee Rule to help certain employment-based petitioners understand how to submit the correct required fees. 

New FAQ:

Q. How can I make sure that my filing is not rejected at intake for incorrect fees?

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USCIS Strengthens T Nonimmigrant Visa Program and Protections for Trafficking Victims

WASHINGTON—The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a final rule to strengthen the integrity of the T nonimmigrant status (T visa) and ensure eligible victims of human trafficking can access protections and stabilizing benefits on a timely manner. T nonimmigrant status enables certain victims of human trafficking to remain in the United States for an initial period of up to four years.

"We

Visa Bulletin July 2024 Predictions

For official June 2024 Visa Bulletin & Analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2024/visa-bulletin-june-2024.aspx

Please see July 2024 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	01AUG15	01AUG15	01AUG15	22JAN02	22APR12
F2A	22DEC21	22DEC21	22DEC21	15APR21	22DEC21
F2B	15APR16	15APR16	15APR16	15OCT04	01DEC11
F3	08APR10	08APR10	08APR10	01FEB00	15SEP02
F4	01AUG07	01AUG07	01FEB06	15FEB01	15JAN04

"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	01NOV17	01NOV17	01NOV17	15JUN05	08JUN15
F2A	22SEP23	22SEP23	22SEP23	01OCT23	22SEP23
F2B	15FEB17	15FEB17	15FEB17	22JAN05	08NOV13
F3	15SEP10	15SEP10	15SEP10	22JUN01	01DEC03
F4	22MAR08	22MAR08	22JUN06	15MAY01	08JUL05

USCIS Announces Open Application Period for the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced the application period for the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program, which provides funding for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country. The 16-year-old program, specifically Citizenship Instruction and Naturalization Application Services, will provide up to $10 million in grants to prepare legal immigrants for naturalization and promote civic integration through increased knowledge of English, U.S. history, and civics.

"The announcement of the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program application period is a

USCIS to Open International Field Offices in Qatar and Turkey

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced the upcoming opening of international field offices in Doha, Qatar, and Ankara, Turkey, to increase capacity for refugee processing, strengthen strategic partnerships, and facilitate interagency cooperation.

"Opening these field offices establishes a USCIS presence and expertise in critical locations in the Middle East and is part of our commitment to the Biden-Harris administration's efforts to facilitate safe, lawful, and orderly migration and family reunification," said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. "Our presence in Qatar and Turkey expands USCIS' footprint outside the United States, supports our humanitarian mission, and strengthens the integrity of the U.S. immigration system."

The Biden-Harris administration set the <a target='_blank' href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing

Cap Reached for Additional Returning Worker H-2B Visas for the Early Second Half of FY 2024

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 19,000 H-2B visas made available for returning workers for the early second half of fiscal year (FY) 2024 with start dates from April 1 to May 14, 2024, under the H-2B supplemental cap temporary final rule (FY 2024 TFR). April 17, 2024, was the final receipt date for petitions requesting supplemental H-2B visas under the FY 2024 early second half returning worker allocation.

We are st

USCIS Announces Employment Authorization Procedures for Palestinians Covered by Deferred Enforced Departure

Eligible Palestinians can now apply for EAD valid through Aug. 13, 2025

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today posted a Federal Register notice establishing procedures for Palestinians covered by Defer

Secretary Mayorkas Announces Extension and Redesignation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status

Redesignation Allows Additional Eligible Ethiopian Nationals to Apply for TPS and Employment Authorization Documents

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas today announced the extension and redesignation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from June 13, 2024, to December 12, 2025, due to ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Ethiopia that prevent individuals from safely returning. The corresponding Federal Register notice provides information about registering as a new first-time applicant or current beneficiary for TPS under Ethiopia's extension and redesignation.

After consultatio

USCIS Adopts Department of Labor Definition of “Science or Art”

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing policy guidance (PDF, 321.14 KB) in the USCIS Policy Manual to add the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) definition of "science or art" for Schedule A, Group II cases.

For many employment-based 2nd and 3rd preference (EB-2 and EB-3) petitions, employers must obtain a labor certification from DOL before filing <a target='_blank' href="https://www.uscis.gov/i-140" tar

USCIS Announces Information Regarding EB-5 Regional Center Audits

Under the new provisions of section 203(b)(5)(E)(vii) added by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA) to the Immigration and Nationality Act, we must audit each designated regional center at least once every five years. This audit will include a review of any documentation required to be maintained by the regional center and a review of the flow of immigrant investor capital into any capital investment project. Regional center audits enhance the integrity of the EB-5 program by helping us verify information in regional center applications and annual certifications as well as associated investor petitions.

At any point during a site visit in connection with an audit, if the regional

June 2024 Visa Bulletin Analysis

For June 2024 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2024/visa-bulletin-june-2024.aspx

Please see below analysis of June 2024 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	+2 Months 17 Days	No Change
F2A	+5 Months 14 Days	+5 Months 14 Days	+5 Months 14 Days	+2 Months 23 Days	+5 Months 14 Days
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	+4 Months 7 Days	No Change
F3	+2 Months	+2 Months	+2 Months	+4 Months 10 Days	+21 Days
F4	No Change	No Change	No Change	+10 Days	+2 Months 23 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	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	+2 Months	No Change
F3	+3 Months	+3 Months	+3 Months	No Change	No Change
F4	No Change	No Change	No Change	+5 Days	No Change

June 2024 Visa Bulletin

For May 2024 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2024/visa-bulletin-may-2024.aspx

For analysis of June 2024 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2024/visa-bulletin-analysis-june-2024.aspx

June 2024 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	08JUL15	08JUL15	08JUL15	01JAN02	01MAR12
F2A	15NOV21	15NOV21	15NOV21	01FEB21	15NOV21
F2B	01APR16	01APR16	01APR16	08JUL04	22OCT11
F3	01MAR10	01MAR10	01MAR10	01DEC99	22AUG02
F4	22JUL07	22JUL07	15JAN06	01FEB01	01DEC03

"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	01APR05	22APR15
F2A	01SEP23	01SEP23	01SEP23	01SEP23	01SEP23
F2B	01JAN17	01JAN17	01JAN17	01NOV04	01OCT13
F3	01SEP10	01SEP10	01SEP10	15JUN01	08NOV03
F4	01MAR08	01MAR08	15JUN06	27APR01	01JUN05