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BREAKING
NEWS...
Diversity Visa – 2009 Green Card Lottery
The Department of State annually holds the Diversity Visa program (also known as the Green Card Lottery) where 55,000 green cards are awarded by random computer selection. The next lottery will be the DV-2009 lottery and the entry period will begin in October 2007.
Click here for Questions and Answers about the DV-2009 Green Card Lottery.
H-1B visa cap used up on first day of filing
We have been told the H-1B visa cap was met on the first day of filing (April 2, 2007).
I have attached a link to the USCIS press release on this matter. USCIS has received 150,000 cases. They said it will take them time to sort through the cases, and see which ones are cap cases, exempt cases and U.S. master's degree cases.
Once the applications have been sorted, USCIS will randomly select cases to be adjudicated - like a lottery system. This is all new for everyone, as the cap has never been reached on day one before. We are also hoping that Congress will intervene and that legislation will be passed to increase the cap as this situation is completely unreasonable. There is actually legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives pending at this time.
Click here to read the press release... |
CHECK VISA BULLETIN FOR CURRENT PROCESSING TIMES
Every month, the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs issues the Visa Bulletin. Each bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers that month. Please review the bulletin to see which priority dates are current and when you can move ahead with your case. This is updated every month.
Click here for more...
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CHECK CONSULAR PROCESSING DATES HERE
Advance travel planning and early visa application are important, since visa applications are subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. If you plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to come to the United States, and you would like to estimate how long you will have to wait to get an interview appointment to apply for a visa.
Click here for more...
It is important to thoroughly review all information on the specific Embassy's Consular Section website for local procedures and instructions, such as how to make an interview appointment. Consular Websites will also explain any additional procedures for students, exchange visitors and those persons who need an earlier visa interview appointment.
You'll also want to know how long it will take for your nonimmigrant visa to be processed at the Consular Section, after a decision is made by a Consular Officer to issue the visa, and the visa is available for pick-up by you or the courier at the embassy. See the “Wait Times for a Nonimmigrant Visa to be Processed” information, which does not include time required for special clearances and administrative processing . Some visa applications require additional special clearances or administrative processing, which requires some additional time. Most special clearances are resolved within 30 days of application. Applicants are advised when they apply. When additional special clearances or administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case.
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VISA APPLICATION FORMS - FORMS REQUIRED FOR CONSULAR PROCESSING
When you travel abroad for your interview at the U.S. consulate or Embassy, you will need to completed a variety of forms. For more information about the most updated forms, please click here.
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USCIS PROPOSES NEW FEE CHANGE
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is proposing a new fee structure that ensures appropriate funding to meet national security requirements and customer service needs, and modernizes an outdated business infrastructure. The proposed new fee structure is built around a foundation of Strategic Pillars designed to enhance and sustain a secure and efficient immigration system. Those pillars are, according to USCIS, Enhancing the Security and Integrity of the Immigration System, Improving Service Delivery, and Modernizing Business Infrastructure.
For additional information, please click here |
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New Documents Required for Air Travel to the United States from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean from 01/23/2007
USCIS has advised that all individuals entering the United States by air from Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean must have a valid passport, Air NEXUS card, U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Document, or other acceptable documentation.
Lawful Permanent Residents of the United States may produce one of the following as acceptable documentation:
I-551, Permanent Residence Card ("Green Card").
Machine-readable immigrant visa with a CBP Admission Stamp
Temporary Residence Stamp (ADIT stamp) contained in a passport or on Form I-94
Valid Reentry Permit
Unexpired Immigrant Visa
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USCIS Announced Online Address Change Report Services for the Aliens (AR-11)
USCIS has announced that it has just launched the services of online address change system. Using this system, the aliens can file online AR-11 and other required address change reports to the USCIS This is indeed a terrific service giving a lot of help for the millions of immigrants and nonimmigrants in the country. To see this, please click here AR-11 Online Address Change Report
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE FY 2008 GREEN CARD LOTTERY
The State Department has announced that more than 6.4 million entries have been received for the 2008 Diversity Visa Lottery. Once dependents are taken into account, the total number of participants in the 2008 lottery exceeds 10 million. This is compared to the DV-2007 which attracted around 5.5 million applications by primary registrants. The details have yet to be released but its announcement indicates that Africa accounts for 41 percent of the total applications received, Asia accounts for 38 percent, Europe for 19 percent, and South America, Central America, and the Caribbean for 2 percent. Bangladesh was the country with the largest number of applicants, with more than 1.7 million, followed by Nigeria with 684,000 and Ukraine with 619,000.
The State Department is scheduled to send out notifications to the winners between April and July 2007.
For the announcement, please click here |
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