Immigration News Briefs
Asylum applicants get two-year work permits
Effective October 5, 2016, USCIS has increased the validity period for initial or renewal Employment Authorization Documents for asylum applicants from one year to two years. Applicants with pending asylum claims file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, under category (c)(8). This change applies to all (c)(8)-based applications that are pending as of October 5, 2016 and all such applications filed on or after October 5, 2016.
Eyeglasses prohibited in visa photographs
Under a new policy that goes into effect on November 1, 2016, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) will no longer accept photographs of visa and passport applicants wearing eyeglasses. The reasoning behind this is to ensure the photographs can be easily scanned and identified using facial recognition technology.
The only exception to the prohibition on eyeglasses is for applicants with a medical necessity—such as recent eye surgery—that is documented in a statement signed by a doctor. When allowed for medical reasons, the eyeglasses must not cover or shadow the eyes or have any glare. Other requirements for the visa photograph remain unchanged. The websites of local U.S. embassies or consulates provide specific details on these requirements.
The new eyeglasses policy does not affect the DOS policy on religious head coverings. A head covering is allowed in a visa photograph if removing it would conflict with local or religious custom, as long as the applicant’s entire face is visible.
Form I-131A available for permanent residents
USCIS has published Form I-131A, Application for Travel Document (Carrier Documentation), a new form that allows lawful permanent residents (LPRs) to apply for a travel document (carrier documentation) if they
• Are returning from temporary overseas travel of less than one year, and their Green Card has been lost, stolen, or destroyed, or
• Are returning from temporary overseas travel of less than two years, and their Reentry Permit has been lost,
stolen, or destroyed.
The length of the absence will be measured from the time the LPR departed the U.S. to the time he or she pays the Form I-131A fee.
To file Form I-131A, LPRs must pay the required fee online and then apply in person at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
The carrier documentation allows an LPR to prove to a transportation carrier only that they are authorized to travel to a U.S. port of entry to apply for admission to the U.S. It is not a guarantee of admission or parole into the U.S., as the CBP will conduct all required inspections when the LPR arrives at a U.S consulate to make that determination.
APPLICATION FINAL ACTION DATES FOR November 2016
|
FAMILY |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
22Oct09 |
22Oct09 |
|
2A |
22Jan15 |
22Jan15 |
|
2B |
15Apr10 |
15Apr10 |
|
3rd |
22Jan05 |
22Jan05 |
|
4th |
15Feb03 |
01Dec03 |
|
EMPLOYMENT |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
Current |
Current |
|
2nd |
01Nov07 |
Current |
|
3rd |
08Mar05 |
01Jul16 |
|
Other |
08Mar05 |
01Jul16 |
|
4th |
Current |
Current |
|
5th |
Current |
Current1B |
DATES FOR FILING VISA APPLICATIONS - November 2016
|
FAMILY |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
||
|
1st |
01Jan11 |
|
||
|
2A |
22Nov15 |
22Nov15 |
||
|
2B |
08Feb11 |
08Feb11 |
||
|
3rd |
22Aug05 |
22Aug05 |
||
|
4th |
01May04 |
01Jul04 |
|
EMPLOYMENT |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
Current |
Current |
|
2nd |
22Apr09 |
Current |
|
3rd |
01Jul05 |
Current |
|
Other |
01Jul05 |
Current |
|
4th |
Current |
Current |
|
5th |
Current |
Current1B |
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