Preparing for FY 2008 H-1B Filings
January 26, 2008
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin to accept advance filings of H-1B cases for employment in Fiscal Year (FY) 2008 on April 2, 2007, the first business day of the filing season. It is expected that FY 2008 H-1B numbers will be very rapidly used – perhaps within the opening week of the filing period. Given these expectations, employers should begin planning as soon as possible to ensure that new H-1B employees will be able to begin work during the forthcoming fiscal year. Employers should also prepare for possible processing changes as USCIS begins to plan for the anticipated surge of April 2 filings.
_________________________________________________________
If you liked this article, click here to buy me a beer!Dear visitor, thanks for dropping by. If you enjoyed reading this post, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. It could could win you some great prizes this month. Thanks for visiting!
USCIS Notification of Increase in Filing Fee
January 26, 2008
The division of United Stated Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently published a final rule in the Federal Register regarding significant increases to filing fee. The new fees take effect on July 30, 2007.
For the forms most frequently used by international students and scholars, the new fees are:
1. I-129 application or renewal of H-1B temporary employment $320 (currently $190)
2. I-140 petition for immigrant worker $475 (currently $195)
3. I-539 change of non immigrant status $300.00 (currently $200.00)
4. I-765 application for employment authorization (OPT, economic hardship, J-2 employment, etc) $340 (currently $180.00)
Additional information on the fee increase can be found at:
http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/FinalFeeRulePressRelease052907.pdf
Requirements for Adjustment of Status – I-485:
January 26, 2008
1. Original Forms I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status of self and his derivative spouse, if any and child/ren if any.
2. Original Forms G-325A Biographic Information.
3. Original Forms I-765 Application for Employment Authorization of adult applicants.
4. Original Forms I-131 Application for a Travel Document.
5. Form I-134 Affidavit of Support from Principal Applicant in favor of his derivative spouse and minor child.
6. Copy of all pages of Passport[s] of all of you. If either of you had entered the U.S. on another Passport that might have expired, copy of that passport also.
7. Copy of Birth Certificates. If you do not have proper birth certificate containing your name along with the names of your parents, it would be necessary to obtain the required affidavits of birth. Format for the same will be provided, if required.
8. Copy of Marriage Certificate
9. Copy of drivers license – clear copy with photo properly visible.
10. Total of 6 photos for you and your wife: 2 for I-485, 2 for I-765 and 2 for I-131.
11. Copy of I-94 [front and back], H-1B/H-4 Approval Notices from all employers, Form[s] I-120A-B and EAD [relevant for those who were on F-1 status].
12. Sealed cover containing the Medical and Vaccination Reports. Medical Examination Form + Vaccination Form will normally be available with the INS approved doctors of your area. A list of INS Panel Doctors is available online at http://www.immigration.com./
13. Income Tax Returns for last two years.
14. Job letter from your employer as per specimen attached. We will get this.
15. Letter from your Bank showing amount at credit in your Account[s] as on date or the latest Bank statement.
INS fees will be as follows:
$325/- each for I-485 Application for Adjustment of status for you and your wife.
$70/- each for Fingerprinting for you and your wife.
$180/- each for I-765 Employment Authorization Card for you and your wife.
$170/- each for I-131 Advance Parole Travel Document for you and your spouse.
$225/ for minor child in respect of I-485, if any.
Also, check out the i485 photo requirements
If you liked this article, click here to buy me a beer!USCIS Fees for Green Card Processing
January 26, 2008
USCIS FEES FOR GREEN CARD PROCESSING:
I-485:
Husband Wife Child/Children
I-485 $325 $325 $225 ( below 14)
Fingerprinting $70 $70 $70 (14 and above)
I-765 - EAD $180 $180 N/A
I-131 – Ad Parole $170 $170 $170
The above checks need to be drawn individually in favor Department of Homeland Security.
If you liked this article, click here to buy me a beer!USCIS Announces Change In Photo Standard
January 26, 2008
USCIS ANNOUNCES CHANGE IN PHOTO STANDARD TO TAKE EFFECT
Washington, DC – In accordance with language specified in the Border Security Act of 2003, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a change in the photo requirements for all applicants from a three-quarter face position to a standard, full frontal face position to take effect August 2, 2004.
USCIS will accept both three-quarter and full color frontal photographs until September 1, 2004 after which only full frontal color will be accepted.
The application process of customers who have already submitted materials that include color photos with the three-quarter standard will not be affected by this change.
If you liked this article, click here to buy me a beer!Processing Visa Applicants with Drunk Driving Hits
January 26, 2008
To all international students & scholars—
Please take note of this new Department of State Visa Policy regarding visa applicants with a history of drunk driving hits….
——————————————————————————————————————————————————-
DOS Visa Policy Telegram to Consular Posts on Processing Visa Applicants with Drunk Driving Hits
Cite as “AILA InfoNet Doc. No. 07071670 ”
http://travel.state.gov/visa/laws/telegrams/telegrams_3267.html
SUBJECT: GUIDANCE ON PROCESSING VISA APPLICANTS WITH DRUNK DRIVING HITS
1. Summary: This cable clarifies how consular officers should handle cases where an applicants’ criminal record shows an arrest or conviction for drunk driving or other alcohol related offence.
If you liked this article, click here to buy me a beer!Margaret McNamara Scholarship Fund Application for 2007/2008
January 26, 2008
Please see below information regarding a scholarship opportunity for woman from developing countries.
The Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund, is an outreach program of the World Bank Family Network.
The fund provides financial assistance to women from developing countries during Their studies in the United States or Canada. The MMMF annually awards about six to ten grants of approximately $11,000 each.
The application must be filled out online on our website at www.wbfn.org and click on OUTREACH.
For further information regarding the MMMF grant program, visit their website or contact them by email at mmmf@worldbank.org or at (202) 473-8751.
All questions should be directed to the World Bank Group at the contact info listed below.
The World Bank Group
Family Network
1818 H Street, NW
Washington DC 20433
Tel: (202) 473-8751
Fax: (202) 522 3142
Email: MMMF@worldbank.org
Recent Comments