gchope07
07-20 03:17 PM
Hi,
My lawyer used a G325-A which was not downloaded from the USCIS website but was a physical form which had 4 pages of the same form in different colors(I think blue,green,yellow and pink).
I filled the first one and it automatically carbon copied it to the other 3.
Has anybody used such a form? and it is o.k to sign the first one and have the other 3 with carbon copy signatures?
Let me know if this is o.k
My lawyer used a G325-A which was not downloaded from the USCIS website but was a physical form which had 4 pages of the same form in different colors(I think blue,green,yellow and pink).
I filled the first one and it automatically carbon copied it to the other 3.
Has anybody used such a form? and it is o.k to sign the first one and have the other 3 with carbon copy signatures?
Let me know if this is o.k
wallpaper cute love quotes collage. cute
nb_des
04-14 11:51 AM
My LC is still in process after auditing (EB2). My employer wants to 'drastically' cut back my salary due the national depression, which is particularly affecting the field my company is operating in (sub-primes). If he does that, and I accept it, is LC in jeopardy? We filed back in September 2007 with a certain salary and now it will be lower. Do we have to communicate the change to the DOL? And if yes, what will happen? Do we have to re-file? Thank you to everybody for all the info you can give me! Really!:(
I think GC and your LC is for future job and as long as employer has ability to pay based on their financials it should be fine. But again I am no expert check with your immigration lawyer.
I think GC and your LC is for future job and as long as employer has ability to pay based on their financials it should be fine. But again I am no expert check with your immigration lawyer.
mpadapa
06-19 10:00 AM
bump
2011 love and friendship quotes
immiguy
07-20 04:47 PM
If your friend maintains H status, she could bring her baby back on H4 visa.
Well, actually she does. But they are worried that they GC might be approved and their child would be out of status- any suggestions?
Well, actually she does. But they are worried that they GC might be approved and their child would be out of status- any suggestions?
more...
gc_lover
06-28 03:44 PM
O MY GOD !! You are so right............guys.. check out Rajiv Khanna's web site, Check out Sheela Murthy's web site, USCIS.....everyone is saying the same.........we are royally screwed. God Helppppppppppp
It's not funny!
It's not funny!
ganguteli
02-09 11:53 AM
US experience won't count much unless you are from fortune 500 company. These days anyone even with Aptech certificate can get a chance to come and work in USA on L visa for short assignments. So if your experience is in a desi consulting firm, I do not think your resume will be attractive.
The figures shown are all looking good for experienced people in good companies. But it is not easy to get jobs as senior people in top companies. Also remember you have to work much more than you work here. You also have to work on Saturdays in a lot of companies. If your clients are in USA you may also need work in the night too to interact with your people in USA. Also remember in small companies you rarely get to do cutting edge world class work or new idea or planning. You will hardly learn or get special trainings.
Grass is always green on the other side
The figures shown are all looking good for experienced people in good companies. But it is not easy to get jobs as senior people in top companies. Also remember you have to work much more than you work here. You also have to work on Saturdays in a lot of companies. If your clients are in USA you may also need work in the night too to interact with your people in USA. Also remember in small companies you rarely get to do cutting edge world class work or new idea or planning. You will hardly learn or get special trainings.
Grass is always green on the other side
more...
mchundi
07-09 01:31 PM
upgraded on June25 to PP got status changed on 30th. Received approval notice by attorney on July 6th
Was this at TSC, mine is at NSC. My First I140 was approved, My company refiled after acquisition (successor in interest) and later upgraded to Premium
Was this at TSC, mine is at NSC. My First I140 was approved, My company refiled after acquisition (successor in interest) and later upgraded to Premium
2010 funny friend quotes. Cute
qualified_trash
11-30 12:11 PM
I have Labor (PERM) and I140 approved from my current employer.
can I apply trasfer and extension with new employer.
Advice is highly appreciated.
you can!!
BUT, your new employer has to do your PERM and I140 all over again. you can retain your old PD though!!
can I apply trasfer and extension with new employer.
Advice is highly appreciated.
you can!!
BUT, your new employer has to do your PERM and I140 all over again. you can retain your old PD though!!
more...
texanguy
06-10 12:40 PM
i think you are missing the point. this will put things in perspective, that current stupid and archaic practice of giving 1 year AP to India and China EB folks is outdated and that current delays are more to the tune of 10 + years. This will create awareness!!!
I support this !
I do not support this.
one, We simply do not want a temporary fix to our big genuine bureaucratic issue. and two, we are not alone, there are others who are filing/have filed labor/i140s and are waiting to file 485s.
also, it will mellow down our resolve to overcome this injustice.
money is really not the issue, as if they issue a 10 year EAD, they are definitely gonna make it that much more expensive, and USCIS cannot delay EAD APs, as that would make our case even stronger.
I support this !
I do not support this.
one, We simply do not want a temporary fix to our big genuine bureaucratic issue. and two, we are not alone, there are others who are filing/have filed labor/i140s and are waiting to file 485s.
also, it will mellow down our resolve to overcome this injustice.
money is really not the issue, as if they issue a 10 year EAD, they are definitely gonna make it that much more expensive, and USCIS cannot delay EAD APs, as that would make our case even stronger.
hair cute love pics and quotes.
TO BE OR NO TO BE
02-03 09:13 AM
I have a question.
I am EB3 with priority date Oct. 2006. My qualification from India is 3 years (B.Com) plus 1 year of M.com (I didn't complete the 2nd year) plus Intermediate ICWA and Chartered Accountancy. I got here in the USA in December 1999 on H1B and always maintained the status. I completed CPA in 2002 in the USA.
I did some research to port to EB2 (based on Bachelors degree plus 5 years experience) but it seems that USCIS wants 4 years continuous degree to be considered for EB2.
Is that true? Is there anyone in my situation who has done this porting successfully?
Any help will be greatly appreciate.
Thank you,
I am EB3 with priority date Oct. 2006. My qualification from India is 3 years (B.Com) plus 1 year of M.com (I didn't complete the 2nd year) plus Intermediate ICWA and Chartered Accountancy. I got here in the USA in December 1999 on H1B and always maintained the status. I completed CPA in 2002 in the USA.
I did some research to port to EB2 (based on Bachelors degree plus 5 years experience) but it seems that USCIS wants 4 years continuous degree to be considered for EB2.
Is that true? Is there anyone in my situation who has done this porting successfully?
Any help will be greatly appreciate.
Thank you,
more...
sparky_jones
10-05 10:49 AM
Never knew that spouse had to be included in the I-140 stage... Is this a new rule?
No, this is basically the left arm of the government not knowing how the right arm does its business.
No, this is basically the left arm of the government not knowing how the right arm does its business.
hot wallpaper cute love quotes and
conchshell
09-17 11:06 AM
Keep calling guys ...
more...
house 2010 cute friendship quotes
phillyag
05-30 03:33 PM
I meant what docs we need to make sure we have from the employer whom we will be quitting.
Any suggestion on what is the best way to quit the existing employer ? What kind of explanation would let them create least trouble when I exit.
Any suggestion on what is the best way to quit the existing employer ? What kind of explanation would let them create least trouble when I exit.
tattoo cute
.jpg "cute friendship quotes for")
arnet
09-17 07:11 PM
disclaimer: i'm nt an immigration attroney, so please consult one for exact situation, as laws and procedures are constantly changing.
I'm NOT in medical field but writing based on what i heard..thought might be useful for you.....below is the most common way of coming to US for MBBS degree holders in india....
they can write USMLE exam (check www.usmle.org) and if they pass the step1, step2, step3 exams they can apply to US universities (atleast few of them based on the score) for MD residency programs which is usually four years course.
some say step1 and step2 is enough to apply but step3 gives more advantage but nt sure. BUT CHECK THE ELIGILIBITY FOR EXAM AND DO RESEARCH ON THESE COURSE AND OTHER TOPICS TO GET EXACT DETAILS...
they can come here in H1 or J1 visa if they get into residency programs but check the procedures. but in general, after residency program, they need to work 3 yrs in underreserved areas (mostly 30-50 miles away from city, nt bad, oppurtunites are good there).
writing USMLE and getting into residency programs is really very very tough as more competition now and need very top score and their previous experience, degree/diplomas, research, etc helps.
if they both try and one get it through, then the one who get it into residency program can come into J1 or H1 visa and others can come in H4 visa (dependents-children and spouse).
they will be paid atleast 40-50k per yr during the residency (four yrs) and after that based on their work and experience, they will paid more atleast >100k per yr.
regd greencard, i think, they can apply only after 3yrs of working in under-reserved areas. some say they wont have to do labor because they get waiver because they worked 3 yrs in under-reserved areas but for this you need to consult an immigration lawyer.
but for all this, they have to first COLLECT all the details and CHECK THE ELIGILIBITY FOR ALL THIS...they have to plan properly because while studying for USMLE or during this entire process, it is nt easier but they have to undergo a LOT of stress as they might think we are doing well in india why we moved here. but remember, it pays them in long run, it depends on each one how they look.
good luck....:)
Folks,
I need some guidance from experienced folks particularly those who hold MBBS degree from India and are already in US in medical profession.
My brother has received MBBS about 5 years go and he is doing his practice in rural area. His wife is also MBBS and also holds a diploma on OB/GYN area.
My question is if they want to immigrate to US what are various paths they can follow to get here?
Thanks in advance.
PAN123
I'm NOT in medical field but writing based on what i heard..thought might be useful for you.....below is the most common way of coming to US for MBBS degree holders in india....
they can write USMLE exam (check www.usmle.org) and if they pass the step1, step2, step3 exams they can apply to US universities (atleast few of them based on the score) for MD residency programs which is usually four years course.
some say step1 and step2 is enough to apply but step3 gives more advantage but nt sure. BUT CHECK THE ELIGILIBITY FOR EXAM AND DO RESEARCH ON THESE COURSE AND OTHER TOPICS TO GET EXACT DETAILS...
they can come here in H1 or J1 visa if they get into residency programs but check the procedures. but in general, after residency program, they need to work 3 yrs in underreserved areas (mostly 30-50 miles away from city, nt bad, oppurtunites are good there).
writing USMLE and getting into residency programs is really very very tough as more competition now and need very top score and their previous experience, degree/diplomas, research, etc helps.
if they both try and one get it through, then the one who get it into residency program can come into J1 or H1 visa and others can come in H4 visa (dependents-children and spouse).
they will be paid atleast 40-50k per yr during the residency (four yrs) and after that based on their work and experience, they will paid more atleast >100k per yr.
regd greencard, i think, they can apply only after 3yrs of working in under-reserved areas. some say they wont have to do labor because they get waiver because they worked 3 yrs in under-reserved areas but for this you need to consult an immigration lawyer.
but for all this, they have to first COLLECT all the details and CHECK THE ELIGILIBITY FOR ALL THIS...they have to plan properly because while studying for USMLE or during this entire process, it is nt easier but they have to undergo a LOT of stress as they might think we are doing well in india why we moved here. but remember, it pays them in long run, it depends on each one how they look.
good luck....:)
Folks,
I need some guidance from experienced folks particularly those who hold MBBS degree from India and are already in US in medical profession.
My brother has received MBBS about 5 years go and he is doing his practice in rural area. His wife is also MBBS and also holds a diploma on OB/GYN area.
My question is if they want to immigrate to US what are various paths they can follow to get here?
Thanks in advance.
PAN123
more...
pictures these cute love quotes
Pineapple
10-10 08:54 AM
My wife finally got her EAD card.. Hooray!
But: It has MY photo on it instead of hers!! All other information on the card is correct.
I called USCIS and the received wisdom is that I need to send in another I-765 (with no fees as it is obviously their mistake) and include the current EAD card.
Is this the only option? We cannot wait for another 3-6 months while the application is lost in the pile (again).. I asked the USCIS representative if the local office can help, but she wasn't sure either way..
I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and if taking an Info Pass appointment helped in getting a corrected card faster.
But: It has MY photo on it instead of hers!! All other information on the card is correct.
I called USCIS and the received wisdom is that I need to send in another I-765 (with no fees as it is obviously their mistake) and include the current EAD card.
Is this the only option? We cannot wait for another 3-6 months while the application is lost in the pile (again).. I asked the USCIS representative if the local office can help, but she wasn't sure either way..
I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and if taking an Info Pass appointment helped in getting a corrected card faster.
dresses cute quotes for friendship.
pappu
08-07 10:31 AM
The summer August recess is here and the lawmakers are back in their constituencies. This is an opportunity for us to meet with them and address our issues and present solutions in preparation for the upcoming CIR. We must push for our agenda to get our provisions in the base bill as CIR is being drafted currently. If we do not get our provisions in the base bill then it is much harder to get them attached to the bill in the form of amendments.
IV therefore requests its members, to call up and start scheduling lawmaker meetings NOW. Please take appointment with your local lawmakers of both houses of Congress. You can find more information about how to reach your lawmaker guide that we have on the website, http://immigrationvoice.org/media/HowTo_Guide_MeetLawmakers.doc
The State Chapters will be organizing state level calls to coordinate this effort. You will be given detailed instructions and given documents to carry for these meetings. If you do not have a state chapter in your state, please join a nearby state chapter. You will be verified and included. Anonymous and unverified members are not given access to state chapters. You can find state chapters here: http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=72&Itemid=52
In summary there are four parts to this action item
1) Please start taking the appointments with your lawmakers now. Once you schedule these lawmaker meetings, please post the details in your state chapter yahoo/google group (date of the appointment and the lawmaker office) so that these efforts will be coordinated with others from your state chapter / local area. Do not post the details of your appointment on this thread.
2) We will be organizing conference calls in the coming weeks for members who are participating in this action item.
3) Once you have your meetings, please email the details and feedback to info at immigrationvoice.org to help us follow up with their DC office with your feedback.
4) If you are a state chapter member, set up a conference call any time starting this weekend to execute this action item. If you do not have a state chapter, join the conference calls of your nearby states for guidance. State chapter leaders will however verify you before giving access. State chapter leaders will find further updates and instructions in their state chapter leader forum.
We must push ourselves harder and stronger in this month if we have to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Advocacy is an integral, essential and important part of democracy and we must exercise our first amendment right to demonstrate that we not only are highly skilled and are high income individuals but we are truly the best and the brightest Future Americans.
Thank You.
Team IV
IV therefore requests its members, to call up and start scheduling lawmaker meetings NOW. Please take appointment with your local lawmakers of both houses of Congress. You can find more information about how to reach your lawmaker guide that we have on the website, http://immigrationvoice.org/media/HowTo_Guide_MeetLawmakers.doc
The State Chapters will be organizing state level calls to coordinate this effort. You will be given detailed instructions and given documents to carry for these meetings. If you do not have a state chapter in your state, please join a nearby state chapter. You will be verified and included. Anonymous and unverified members are not given access to state chapters. You can find state chapters here: http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=72&Itemid=52
In summary there are four parts to this action item
1) Please start taking the appointments with your lawmakers now. Once you schedule these lawmaker meetings, please post the details in your state chapter yahoo/google group (date of the appointment and the lawmaker office) so that these efforts will be coordinated with others from your state chapter / local area. Do not post the details of your appointment on this thread.
2) We will be organizing conference calls in the coming weeks for members who are participating in this action item.
3) Once you have your meetings, please email the details and feedback to info at immigrationvoice.org to help us follow up with their DC office with your feedback.
4) If you are a state chapter member, set up a conference call any time starting this weekend to execute this action item. If you do not have a state chapter, join the conference calls of your nearby states for guidance. State chapter leaders will however verify you before giving access. State chapter leaders will find further updates and instructions in their state chapter leader forum.
We must push ourselves harder and stronger in this month if we have to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Advocacy is an integral, essential and important part of democracy and we must exercise our first amendment right to demonstrate that we not only are highly skilled and are high income individuals but we are truly the best and the brightest Future Americans.
Thank You.
Team IV
more...
makeup cute love and friendship
sgorla
02-20 03:30 PM
Out of 105960 filed applications, 79,782 applications have been certified, and Indians have 22,298, which is almost 28 % (DOL certified EB petitions).
I was looking at the flcdatacenter website for Perm labors filed in 2006, and here are the numbers of total perm filed :
Total : 105960
India : 26636 = 25.2%
China : 8222 = 7.75%
No wonder china is moving faster in the EB categories
I was looking at the flcdatacenter website for Perm labors filed in 2006, and here are the numbers of total perm filed :
Total : 105960
India : 26636 = 25.2%
China : 8222 = 7.75%
No wonder china is moving faster in the EB categories
girlfriend cute friendship quotes for
gcgalore
08-05 10:22 PM
I got my approval email today, but my wife's online status remain unchanged received and pending. Does USCIS process dependent's application separately? Both mine and wife's application was sent the same day, FP notices were received at the same time..I mean everything was done at the same time except approval.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
hairstyles cute friendship quotes with
priti8888
10-01 01:03 PM
This is how PD and RD work.
ASSUME ALL ARE EB3
Mr. A PD JULY 2004 RD MARCH 2005(1)
Mr B PD FEB 2004 RD DECEMBER 2005 (2)
MR C PD JAN 2003 RD JANAURY 2006 (3)
USCIS Processes applications based on RD. After they are processed they are in the "staging area" (pre-adjudicated)
IF ALL visa bulletin DATES ARE "CURRENT" MR A would get GC first
If visa bulletin date has a PD of "May 2003" Mr. C would get GC first
If visa bulletin date has a PD of "MAY 2004 "MR B would get GC first
If visa bulletin date is August 2004 "Mr A would get GC first"
In a summary, when PD is current, people with the earliest RD would get GC first. Your PD HAS to be CURRENT to be eligible for a visa number.
ASSUME ALL ARE EB3
Mr. A PD JULY 2004 RD MARCH 2005(1)
Mr B PD FEB 2004 RD DECEMBER 2005 (2)
MR C PD JAN 2003 RD JANAURY 2006 (3)
USCIS Processes applications based on RD. After they are processed they are in the "staging area" (pre-adjudicated)
IF ALL visa bulletin DATES ARE "CURRENT" MR A would get GC first
If visa bulletin date has a PD of "May 2003" Mr. C would get GC first
If visa bulletin date has a PD of "MAY 2004 "MR B would get GC first
If visa bulletin date is August 2004 "Mr A would get GC first"
In a summary, when PD is current, people with the earliest RD would get GC first. Your PD HAS to be CURRENT to be eligible for a visa number.
chanduv23
09-10 07:54 AM
Though there are companies that do have ethics - most of these people have exploited their employees and continue to behave unethically - they drive expensive cars and behave with arrogance on face of their employees who are working hard and earning for these cayotes.
These cayotes have this love affair with Attorneys - and they have this common protocol on how to handle their employee.
As long as the community is scared - wants to lie low and not want to rise - we will still be in this situation.
IV HAS PROVIDED AN EXCELLENT PLATFORM FOR ALL THE PEOPLE TO COME FORWARD.
I would recommend that IV members who are affected by such cayotes must utilize the resources IV has provided and try to get more media attention.
I encourage people to do youtube videos using hidden cameras when their employers are trying to talk or do dirty deals.
Write blogs, make all this visible.
These cayotes have this love affair with Attorneys - and they have this common protocol on how to handle their employee.
As long as the community is scared - wants to lie low and not want to rise - we will still be in this situation.
IV HAS PROVIDED AN EXCELLENT PLATFORM FOR ALL THE PEOPLE TO COME FORWARD.
I would recommend that IV members who are affected by such cayotes must utilize the resources IV has provided and try to get more media attention.
I encourage people to do youtube videos using hidden cameras when their employers are trying to talk or do dirty deals.
Write blogs, make all this visible.
dontcareaboutGC
03-19 11:24 AM
Ignore this if this is a repost!
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on the Judiciary
Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security,
and International Law
Hearing on Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Government Perspectives
on Immigration Statistics
Testimony of Charles Oppenheim
Chief, Immigrant Control and Reporting Division
Visa Services Office
U.S. Department of State
June 6, 2007
2:00 p.m.
2141 Rayburn House Office Building
Chairman Lofgren, Ranking Member King, and distinguished members of
the Committee, it is a pleasure to be here this afternoon to answer
your questions and provide an overview of our immigrant visa control
and reporting program operated by the U.S. Department of State. The
Department of State is responsible for administering the provisions of
the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) related to the numerical
limitations on immigrant visa issuances. At the beginning of each
month, the Visa Office (VO) receives a report from each consular post
listing totals of documentarily-qualified immigrant visa applicants in
categories subject to numerical limitation. Cases are grouped in three
different categories: 1) foreign state chargeability, 2) preference,
and 3) priority date.
Foreign state chargeability for visa purposes refers to the fact that
an immigrant is chargeable to the numerical limitation for the foreign
state or dependent area in which the immigrant's place of birth is
located. Exceptions are provided for a child (unmarried and under 21
years of age) or spouse accompanying or following to join a principal
to prevent the separation of family members, as well as for an
applicant born in the United States or in a foreign state of which
neither parent was a native or resident. Alternate chargeability is
desirable when the visa cut-off date for the foreign state of a parent
or spouse is more advantageous than that of the applicant's foreign
state.
As established by the Immigration and Nationality Act, preference is
the visa category that can be assigned based on relationships to U.S.
citizens or legal permanent residents. Family-based immigration falls
under two basic categories: unlimited and limited. Preferences
established by law for the limited category are:
Family First Preference (F1): Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S.
citizens and their minor children, if any.
Family Second Preference (F2): Spouses, minor children, and unmarried
sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents.
Family Third Preference (F3): Married sons and daughters of U.S.
citizens and their spouses and minor children.
Family Fourth Preference (F4): Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens
and their spouses and minor children provided the U.S. citizen is at
least 21 years of age.
The Priority Date is normally the date on which the petition to accord
the applicant immigrant status was filed, generally with U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). VO subdivides the annual
preference and foreign state limitations specified by the INA into
monthly allotments. The totals of documentarily-qualified applicants
which have been reported to VO are compared each month with the
numbers available for the next regular allotment. The determination of
how many numbers are available requires consideration of several
variables, including: past number use; estimates of future number use
and return rates; and estimates of USCIS demand based on cut-off date
movements. Once this consideration is completed, the cutoff dates are
established and numbers are allocated to reported applicants in order
of their priority dates, the oldest dates first.
If there are sufficient numbers in a particular category to satisfy
all reported documentarily qualified demand, the category is
considered "Current." For example: If the monthly allocation target is
10,000, and we only have 5,000 applicants, the category can be
"Current.� Whenever the total of documentarily-qualified applicants in
a category exceeds the supply of numbers available for allotment for
the particular month, the category is considered to be
"oversubscribed" and a visa availability cut-off date is established.
The cut-off date is the priority date of the first
documentarily-qualified applicant who could not be accommodated for a
visa number. For example, if the monthly target is 10,000 and we have
25,000 applicants, then we would need to establish a cut-off date so
that only 10,000 numbers would be allocated. In this case, the cut-off
would be the priority date of the 10,001st applicant.
Only persons with a priority date earlier than a cut-off date are
entitled to allotment of a visa number. The cut-off dates are the 1st,
8th, 15th, and 22nd of a month, since VO groups demand for numbers
under these dates. (Priority dates of the first through seventh of a
month are grouped under the 1st, the eighth through the 14th under the
8th, etc.) VO attempts to establish the cut-off dates for the
following month on or about the 8th of each month. The dates are
immediately transmitted to consular posts abroad and USCIS, and also
published in the Visa Bulletin and online at the website
www.travel.state.gov. Visa allotments for use during that month are
transmitted to consular posts. USCIS requests visa allotments for
adjustment of status cases only when all other case processing has
been completed. I am submitting the latest Visa Bulletin for the
record or you can click on: Visa Bulletin for June 2007.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE SYSTEM AND CLARIFICATION OF SOME
FREQUENTLY MISUNDERSTOOD POINTS:
Applicants entitled to immigrant status become documentarily qualified
at their own initiative and convenience. By no means has every
applicant with a priority date earlier than a prevailing cut-off date
been processed for final visa action. On the contrary, visa allotments
are made only on the basis of the total applicants reported
�documentarily qualified� (or, theoretically ready for interview) each
month. Demand for visa numbers can fluctuate from one month to
another, with the inevitable impact on cut-off dates.
If an applicant is reported documentarily qualified but allocation of
a visa number is not possible because of a visa availability cut-off
date, the demand is recorded at VO and an allocation is made as soon
as the applicable cut-off date advances beyond the applicant's
priority date. There is no need for such applicant to be reported a
second time.
Visa numbers are always allotted for all documentarily-qualified
applicants with a priority date before the relevant cut-off date, as
long as the case had been reported to VO in time to be included in the
monthly calculation of visa availability. Failure of visa number
receipt by the overseas processing office could mean that the request
was not dispatched in time to reach VO for the monthly allocation
cycle, or that information on the request was incomplete or inaccurate
(e.g., incorrect priority date).
Allocations to Foreign Service posts outside the regular monthly cycle
are possible in emergency or exceptional cases, but only at the
request of the office processing the case. Note that, should
retrogression of a cut-off date be announced, VO can honor
extraordinary requests for additional numbers only if the applicant's
priority date is earlier than the retrogressed cut-off date. Not all
numbers allocated are actually used for visa issuance; some are
returned to VO and are reincorporated into the pool of numbers
available for later allocation during the fiscal year. The rate of
return of unused numbers may fluctuate from month to month, just as
demand may fluctuate. Lower returns mean fewer numbers available for
subsequent reallocation. Fluctuations can cause cut-off date movement
to slow, stop, or even retrogress. Retrogression is particularly
possible near the end of the fiscal year as visa issuance approaches
the annual limitations.
Per-country limit: The annual per-country limitation of 7 percent is a
cap, which visa issuances to any single country may not exceed.
Applicants compete for visas primarily on a worldwide basis. The
country limitation serves to avoid monopolization of virtually all the
annual limitation by applicants from only a few countries. This
limitation is not a quota to which any particular country is entitled,
however. A portion of the numbers provided to the Family Second
preference category is exempt from this per-country cap. The American
Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act (AC21) removed the
per-country limit in any calendar quarter in which overall applicant
demand for Employment-based visa numbers is less than the total of
such numbers available.
Applicability of Section 202(e): When visa demand by
documentarily-qualified applicants from a particular country exceeds
the amount of numbers available under the annual numerical limitation,
that country is considered to be oversubscribed. Oversubscription may
require the establishment of a cut-off date which is earlier than that
which applies to a particular visa category on a worldwide basis. The
prorating of numbers for an oversubscribed country follows the same
percentages specified for the division of the worldwide annual
limitation among the preferences. (Note that visa availability cut-off
dates for oversubscribed areas may not be later than worldwide cut-off
dates, if any, for the respective preferences.)
The committee submitted several questions that fell outside of VO�s
area of work, therefore, I have provided in my written testimony today
the answers only to those questions that the Department of State can
answer. Thank you for this opportunity.
U.S. House of Representatives
Committee on the Judiciary
Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security,
and International Law
Hearing on Comprehensive Immigration Reform: Government Perspectives
on Immigration Statistics
Testimony of Charles Oppenheim
Chief, Immigrant Control and Reporting Division
Visa Services Office
U.S. Department of State
June 6, 2007
2:00 p.m.
2141 Rayburn House Office Building
Chairman Lofgren, Ranking Member King, and distinguished members of
the Committee, it is a pleasure to be here this afternoon to answer
your questions and provide an overview of our immigrant visa control
and reporting program operated by the U.S. Department of State. The
Department of State is responsible for administering the provisions of
the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) related to the numerical
limitations on immigrant visa issuances. At the beginning of each
month, the Visa Office (VO) receives a report from each consular post
listing totals of documentarily-qualified immigrant visa applicants in
categories subject to numerical limitation. Cases are grouped in three
different categories: 1) foreign state chargeability, 2) preference,
and 3) priority date.
Foreign state chargeability for visa purposes refers to the fact that
an immigrant is chargeable to the numerical limitation for the foreign
state or dependent area in which the immigrant's place of birth is
located. Exceptions are provided for a child (unmarried and under 21
years of age) or spouse accompanying or following to join a principal
to prevent the separation of family members, as well as for an
applicant born in the United States or in a foreign state of which
neither parent was a native or resident. Alternate chargeability is
desirable when the visa cut-off date for the foreign state of a parent
or spouse is more advantageous than that of the applicant's foreign
state.
As established by the Immigration and Nationality Act, preference is
the visa category that can be assigned based on relationships to U.S.
citizens or legal permanent residents. Family-based immigration falls
under two basic categories: unlimited and limited. Preferences
established by law for the limited category are:
Family First Preference (F1): Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S.
citizens and their minor children, if any.
Family Second Preference (F2): Spouses, minor children, and unmarried
sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents.
Family Third Preference (F3): Married sons and daughters of U.S.
citizens and their spouses and minor children.
Family Fourth Preference (F4): Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens
and their spouses and minor children provided the U.S. citizen is at
least 21 years of age.
The Priority Date is normally the date on which the petition to accord
the applicant immigrant status was filed, generally with U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). VO subdivides the annual
preference and foreign state limitations specified by the INA into
monthly allotments. The totals of documentarily-qualified applicants
which have been reported to VO are compared each month with the
numbers available for the next regular allotment. The determination of
how many numbers are available requires consideration of several
variables, including: past number use; estimates of future number use
and return rates; and estimates of USCIS demand based on cut-off date
movements. Once this consideration is completed, the cutoff dates are
established and numbers are allocated to reported applicants in order
of their priority dates, the oldest dates first.
If there are sufficient numbers in a particular category to satisfy
all reported documentarily qualified demand, the category is
considered "Current." For example: If the monthly allocation target is
10,000, and we only have 5,000 applicants, the category can be
"Current.� Whenever the total of documentarily-qualified applicants in
a category exceeds the supply of numbers available for allotment for
the particular month, the category is considered to be
"oversubscribed" and a visa availability cut-off date is established.
The cut-off date is the priority date of the first
documentarily-qualified applicant who could not be accommodated for a
visa number. For example, if the monthly target is 10,000 and we have
25,000 applicants, then we would need to establish a cut-off date so
that only 10,000 numbers would be allocated. In this case, the cut-off
would be the priority date of the 10,001st applicant.
Only persons with a priority date earlier than a cut-off date are
entitled to allotment of a visa number. The cut-off dates are the 1st,
8th, 15th, and 22nd of a month, since VO groups demand for numbers
under these dates. (Priority dates of the first through seventh of a
month are grouped under the 1st, the eighth through the 14th under the
8th, etc.) VO attempts to establish the cut-off dates for the
following month on or about the 8th of each month. The dates are
immediately transmitted to consular posts abroad and USCIS, and also
published in the Visa Bulletin and online at the website
www.travel.state.gov. Visa allotments for use during that month are
transmitted to consular posts. USCIS requests visa allotments for
adjustment of status cases only when all other case processing has
been completed. I am submitting the latest Visa Bulletin for the
record or you can click on: Visa Bulletin for June 2007.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON THE SYSTEM AND CLARIFICATION OF SOME
FREQUENTLY MISUNDERSTOOD POINTS:
Applicants entitled to immigrant status become documentarily qualified
at their own initiative and convenience. By no means has every
applicant with a priority date earlier than a prevailing cut-off date
been processed for final visa action. On the contrary, visa allotments
are made only on the basis of the total applicants reported
�documentarily qualified� (or, theoretically ready for interview) each
month. Demand for visa numbers can fluctuate from one month to
another, with the inevitable impact on cut-off dates.
If an applicant is reported documentarily qualified but allocation of
a visa number is not possible because of a visa availability cut-off
date, the demand is recorded at VO and an allocation is made as soon
as the applicable cut-off date advances beyond the applicant's
priority date. There is no need for such applicant to be reported a
second time.
Visa numbers are always allotted for all documentarily-qualified
applicants with a priority date before the relevant cut-off date, as
long as the case had been reported to VO in time to be included in the
monthly calculation of visa availability. Failure of visa number
receipt by the overseas processing office could mean that the request
was not dispatched in time to reach VO for the monthly allocation
cycle, or that information on the request was incomplete or inaccurate
(e.g., incorrect priority date).
Allocations to Foreign Service posts outside the regular monthly cycle
are possible in emergency or exceptional cases, but only at the
request of the office processing the case. Note that, should
retrogression of a cut-off date be announced, VO can honor
extraordinary requests for additional numbers only if the applicant's
priority date is earlier than the retrogressed cut-off date. Not all
numbers allocated are actually used for visa issuance; some are
returned to VO and are reincorporated into the pool of numbers
available for later allocation during the fiscal year. The rate of
return of unused numbers may fluctuate from month to month, just as
demand may fluctuate. Lower returns mean fewer numbers available for
subsequent reallocation. Fluctuations can cause cut-off date movement
to slow, stop, or even retrogress. Retrogression is particularly
possible near the end of the fiscal year as visa issuance approaches
the annual limitations.
Per-country limit: The annual per-country limitation of 7 percent is a
cap, which visa issuances to any single country may not exceed.
Applicants compete for visas primarily on a worldwide basis. The
country limitation serves to avoid monopolization of virtually all the
annual limitation by applicants from only a few countries. This
limitation is not a quota to which any particular country is entitled,
however. A portion of the numbers provided to the Family Second
preference category is exempt from this per-country cap. The American
Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act (AC21) removed the
per-country limit in any calendar quarter in which overall applicant
demand for Employment-based visa numbers is less than the total of
such numbers available.
Applicability of Section 202(e): When visa demand by
documentarily-qualified applicants from a particular country exceeds
the amount of numbers available under the annual numerical limitation,
that country is considered to be oversubscribed. Oversubscription may
require the establishment of a cut-off date which is earlier than that
which applies to a particular visa category on a worldwide basis. The
prorating of numbers for an oversubscribed country follows the same
percentages specified for the division of the worldwide annual
limitation among the preferences. (Note that visa availability cut-off
dates for oversubscribed areas may not be later than worldwide cut-off
dates, if any, for the respective preferences.)
The committee submitted several questions that fell outside of VO�s
area of work, therefore, I have provided in my written testimony today
the answers only to those questions that the Department of State can
answer. Thank you for this opportunity.
No comments:
Post a Comment