|
Please call us at:
(919) 833-0840
|
Archive for July, 2008
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008
The Indian American Forum for Political Education (IAFPE), NC Chapter, will be holding an immigration seminar on Saturday, July 26, 2008, from 4-7 pm. The presenters will be members of our law firm and the topics covered will include, but not be limited to, PERM labor certification, visa issues, applying for US Citizenship, family based immigration issues, and post 6th year H1B extensions. There will also be a long question and answer session, so bring your questions and attend this informative event. Please RSVP to info@bashyamspiro.com.
Venue: 316 North Academy Street, Cary, NC 27519
Date: Saturday, July 26, 2008
Time: 4:00 pm- 7:00 pm
Price: Free for IAFPE members, $10.00 for non IAFPE members
Posted in News, Other | No Comments »
Sunday, July 13th, 2008
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it would extend the validity of initial work authorization documents for refugees to two years after arrival in the United States. Previous policy required renewal of the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) after one year.
The new policy will reduce the financial burden on refugees by eliminating the need for many refugees to apply for renewal of work documents before they are able to adjust status to permanent residency. While there is no fee for the initial application for a refugee EAD, applicants incur a $340 fee for renewals.
This new policy is consistent with the USCIS policy to provide two-year EADs for I-485 adjustment applicants when an immigrant visa is not available.
Stay tuned to www.bashyamspiro.com for additional information as it becomes available.
Posted in News, Other | 2 Comments »
Sunday, July 13th, 2008
The U.S. Department of State released its August 2008 Visa Bulletin. Although employment-based category three (EB3) remains ‘unavailable’, employment-based category two (EB2) made a considerable jump to June 2006 for citizens of India and China. We think that EB3 will continue to be ‘unavailable’ until at least October, when the new USCIS fiscal year begins.
To access the Visa Bulletin, please go to the Processing Times link on our web site.
Posted in News, Other, Visa Bulletin | No Comments »
Sunday, July 13th, 2008
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) posted an update on its web site about changes it is making to the biometrics requirement for reentry permit and refugee travel document applications (Form I-131). The most important change is that applicants (between the ages of 14 and 79) must now provide biometics (finger prints) before departing the United States. This is in addition to the requirement that the application be made while the applicant is physically present in the U.S. The immigration service filing fee for biometrics is $80.
Although the USCIS advises applicants to apply for a reentry permit well in advance of travel, one can request expedited processing. To do so, an applicant must submit pre-paid express mailers with the Form I-131 for USCIS to send the applicant his or her receipt and ASC appointment notice, as well as the completed reentry permit or refugee travel document, if approved. A request for expedited processing should contain the applicant’s reasons for such processing so that USCIS may determine whether the applicant qualifies for expedited processing.
A reentry permit is needed if a lawful permanent resident needs to travel outside the U.S. for more than one (1) year.
Posted in I-485 Adjustment of Status, News, Other | No Comments »
Sunday, July 13th, 2008
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) announced today that the suspension of premium processing for nonimmigrant religious worker (R-1) cases will continue at least until January 7, 2009. The original suspension of premium processing for these cases was announced on January 4, 2008.
Premium processing is a faster processing service for certain types of cases. By paying an additional $1000 to the Immigration Service, applicants can get their cases processed within 15 days. USCIS originally suspended premium processing for religious worker cases since it could no longer guarantee a 15 day turnaround as a result of extensive background checks and the time it takes to process them.
As more information becomes available, we will post it here at www.bashyamspiro.com.
Posted in News, Other, Religious Workers | No Comments »
Sunday, July 6th, 2008
The H-2B visa category allows U.S. employers in industries with peak load, seasonal or intermittent needs to augment their existing labor force with temporary workers. The H-2B visa category also allows U.S. employers to augment their existing labor force when necessary due to a one-time occurrence which necessitates a temporary increase in workers. Typically, H-2B workers fill labor needs in occupational areas such as construction, health care, landscaping, lumber, manufacturing, food service/processing, and resort/hospitality services.
We will provide more information on the H-2B cap count as it becomes available.
Posted in H2B Visas, News, Other | No Comments »
Sunday, July 6th, 2008
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently launched an online FOIA Request Status Check service providing applicants a quick and secure way to check the status of requests they have made under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Applicants can use the online service at the USCIS web site anytime by entering their assigned control number to receive an immediate response on the status of their FOIA request. The applicant will then receive either a ‘pending’ or ‘processed’ response. A ‘pending’ response indicates to the applicant the position of their request relative to all other requests in the same processing track. A ‘processed’ request indicates that the request was processed and the applicant will be provided that processing date.
Applicants without Internet access can still obtain information on their FOIA requests by calling the USCIS FOIA Requester Service Center at (816) 350-5785 from 7 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. (Central Time).
Posted in News, Other | No Comments »
|
