Update on USCIS Visitor Policy

In light of some states and municipalities relaxing mask mandates and other COVID-19 restrictions, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reminds the public that we will continue to enforce our visitor policy in all USCIS facilities. This includes a requirement that all visitors 2 years of age or older wear a face covering while in USCIS facilities.

USCIS continues to prioritize the health and safety of our customers and employees, as well as the American public. We will continue to review and update our policies as ne

DHS Secretary Statement on the 2019 Public Charge Rule

Today, DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced that the government will no longer defend the 2019 public charge rule as doing so is neither in the public interest nor an efficient use of limited government resources.

"The 2019 public charge rule was not in keeping with our nation's values. It penalized those who access health benefits and other government services available to them," said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. "Consistent with the President's vision, we will continue to implement reforms that improve our legal immigration system."

President Biden's Executive Order on Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans called for an immediate review of agency actions on public charge inadmissibility and deportability. DHS's review, in consultation with the Department

April 2021 Visa Bulletin

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

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

April 2021 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from April 1 to April 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	08OCT14	08OCT14	08OCT14	22FEB98	22JAN12
F2A	C	C	C	C	C
F2B	08AUG15	08AUG15	08AUG15	22JUL99	01SEP11
F3	08AUG08	08AUG08	08AUG08	01OCT96	01APR02
F4	01NOV06	01NOV06	08APR05	22JUL98	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	15SEP15	15SEP15	15SEP15	01MAR00	01SEP13
F2A	01MAR21	01MAR21	01MAR21	01MAR21	01MAR21
F2B	15JUN16	15JUN16	15JUN16	08JUL00	08NOV12
F3	22JUN09	22JUN09	22JUN09	08SEP00	01MAY03
F4	01OCT07	01OCT07	01DEC05	08MAY99	01MAY03

April 2021 Visa Bulletin Analysis

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

Please see below analysis of April 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	+16 Days	+16 Days	+16 Days	+14 Days	+14 Days
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	+17 Days	+17 Days	+17 Days	+7 Days	+17 Days
F3	+7 Days	+7 Days	+7 Days	+16 Days	+24 Days
F4	+10 Days	+10 Days	+17 Days	+7 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	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	+1 Month 7 Days	+1 Month 7 Days	+1 Month 7 Days	No Change	+10 Months 10 Days
F2A	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month	+1 Month
F2B	+24 Days	+24 Days	+24 Days	+6 Months 17 Days	+6 Months 23 Days
F3	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	+3 Months 24 Days
F4	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	+7 Months

April 2021 Visa Bulletin Special Notes

For the official April 2021 Visa Bulletin & Analysis, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2021/visa-bulletin-april-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. The first chat is scheduled to take place on March 17, 2021 at 1:00 pm EST to discuss the April 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 answ

Secretary Mayorkas Designates Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status for 18 Months

New Designation Allows Eligible Venezuelans to Apply for TPS and Employment Authorization Documents

WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas is designating Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, until September 2022. This new designation of TPS for Venezuela enables Venezuelan nationals (and individuals without nationality who last resided in Venezuela) currently residing in the United States to file initial applications for TPS, so long as they meet eligibility requirements.

This designation is due to extraordinary and temporary conditions in Venezuela that prevent nationals from returning safely, including a complex humanitarian crisis marked by widespread hunger and malnutrition, a growing influence and presence of non-state armed groups, repression, and a crumbling infrastructure. TPS can be extended to a country

USCIS Extends Flexibilities to Certain Applicants Filing Form I-765 for OPT

USCIS today announced flexibilities for certain foreign students affected by delayed receipt notices for Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. These flexibilities apply only to applications received on or after Oct. 1, 2020, through May 1, 2021, inclusive.

USCIS has experienced delays at certain lockboxes in issuing receipt notices for Form I-765 for optional practical training (OPT) for F-1 students. These delays are a result of COVID-19 restrictions, a dramatic increase in filings of certain benefit requests, postal service volume and delays, and other external factors. While we have made progress in addressing the problem, we are extending the following flexibilities to assist certain applicants for OPT impacted by the delays.

14-month OPT Period Flexibilities

F-1 students may participate in up to 12 months o