News and Questions
H-1B Lottery Completed for FY2017
On April 9, 2016, USCIS used a computer-generated random
selection process, or lottery, to select enough petitions
to meet the congressionally mandated H-1B cap for FY2017.
USCIS will reject and return all unselected petitions. USCIS
received more than 236,000 H-1B petitions during the filing
period, and will begin premium processing no later than
May 16, 2016.
As of April 12, 2016, some petitioners have already begun receiving notifications from accepted cases in the Master’s Quota (premium processing unit). Other notices and rejections may take up to two months, as was the case during the last quota.
USCIS Revises Naturalization Form (N-400)
USCIS revised Form N-400, Application for Naturalization.
The 9/13/13 edition of the form may be used until 8/9/16.
USCIS made several changes to the form: removed the 2D
barcode, streamlined the application, and added language
to the instructions to help identify evidence needed.
Q: I have changed my status to an F1 student, but I
entered the US on a visit visa. Can I travel and return
safely to the US?
A: This is a very common scenario and there is no clear
answer. First, it is important to note that a legal status is
very different from a visa. A legal status just means that
you are staying legally in the US and are complying with
the terms of your legal status. A visa, however, is stamped
in your passport and allows you to travel. You cannot travel
out of the country and then re-enter without a legal visa
stamped in your passport. In order to get the visa stamped,
you must make an appointment with a US consulate
abroad and in most cases, go through a visa interview.
For a student visa, you would need to present the
following documents:
• Form I-20, endorsed for travel and signed by your
Designated School Official (DSO) (see your DSO before
you travel).
• Original evidence showing proof of necessary funds to
cover tuition and living expenses.
• Evidence showing your intention to return to your
home country upon program completion, including evidence
of compelling social and economic ties to your home
country (i.e. property, investments you own, family who
lives in the home country, potential job offers, etc.).
• If you have applied for or had optional practical
training (OPT) approved, bring a copy of your Form I-20
endorsed for OPT and your Employment Authorization
Document (EAD).
It is advisable to see your DSO and/or immigration attorney when you are trying to obtain an intention-based visa.
APPLICATION FINAL ACTION DATES FOR May 2016
|
FAMILY |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
22Nov08 |
22Nov08 |
|
2A |
01Nov14 |
01Nov14 |
|
2B |
01Sep09 |
01Sep09 |
|
3rd |
01Dec04 |
01Dec04 |
|
4th |
22Jul03 |
22Jul03 |
|
EMPLOYMENT |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
Current |
Current |
|
2nd |
22Nov08 |
Current |
|
3rd |
01Sep04 |
15Feb16 |
|
Other |
01Sep04 |
15Feb16 |
|
4th |
Current |
Current |
|
5th |
Current |
Current1B |
DATES FOR FILING VISA APPLICATIONS - May 2016
|
FAMILY |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
01Oct09 |
01Oct09 |
|
2A |
15Jun15 |
15Jun15 |
|
2B |
15Dec10 |
15Dec10 |
|
3rd |
01Aug05 |
01Aug05 |
|
4th |
01May04 |
01May04 |
|
EMPLOYMENT |
India |
Pakistan/Bangladesh |
|
1st |
Current |
Current |
|
2nd |
01Jul09 |
Current |
|
3rd |
01Jul05 |
Current |
|
Other |
01Jul05 |
Current |
|
4th |
Current |
Current |
|
5th |
Current |
Current1B |
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