U.S. Department of State releases Visa Bulletin every month. It contains information on priority dates. Persons waiting to apply for green card can look into the visa bulletin to check whether their 'priority dates' became current or not. We analyze the visa bulletin every month and post key updates on progress of Employment based EB1, EB2 and EB3 preference priority dates as well as movement of priority dates for Family Sponsored preferences for F1, F2A, F2B, F3 and F4.
Unfortunately there is no progress in the Employment based priority dates for the backlogged countries in the November 2024 Visa Bulletin. However, there is a slight improvement in the Family based priority dates. In depth analysis of the November Visa Bulletin 2024 is described on this page. Jump to Country Specific UpdatesKey Updates from the Visa Bulletin
Priority Dates for IndiaEmployment Based Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Employment Based Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Priority Dates for China - MainlandEmployment Based Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Employment Based Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Priority Dates for MexicoEmployment Based Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Employment Based Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Priority Dates for PhilippinesEmployment Based Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Employment Based Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Priority Dates for Rest of the WorldEmployment Based Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Employment Based Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Filing Dates
State Department November Visa Bulletin 2024 - Frequently Asked Questions1. What is the EB1 India priority date? EB1 India Final Action Date is Feb 01, 2022 and EB1 India Filing Date is Apr 15, 2022 2. What is the EB2 India priority date? EB2 India Final Action Date is Jul 15, 2012 and EB2 India Filing Date is Jan 01, 2013 3. What is the EB3 India priority date? EB3 India Final Action Date is Nov 01, 2012 and EB3 India Filing Date is Jun 08, 2013
U.S. Department of State releases Visa Bulletin every month. It contains information on priority dates. Persons waiting to apply for green card can look into the visa bulletin to check whether their 'priority dates' became current or not. We analyze the visa bulletin every month and post key updates on progress of Employment based EB1, EB2 and EB3 preference priority dates as well as movement of priority dates for Family Sponsored preferences for F1, F2A, F2B, F3 and F4.
In depth analysis of the October Visa Bulletin 2024 is described on this page. Jump to Country Specific UpdatesKey Updates from the Visa Bulletin
Priority Dates for IndiaEmployment Based Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Employment Based Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Priority Dates for China - MainlandEmployment Based Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Employment Based Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Priority Dates for MexicoEmployment Based Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Employment Based Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Priority Dates for PhilippinesEmployment Based Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Employment Based Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Priority Dates for Rest of the WorldEmployment Based Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Employment Based Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Filing Dates
State Department Visa Bulletin - Frequently Asked Questions1. What is the EB1 India priority date? EB1 India Final Action Date is Feb 01, 2022 and EB1 India Filing Date is Apr 15, 2022 2. What is the EB2 India priority date? EB2 India Final Action Date is Jul 15, 2012 and EB2 India Filing Date is Jan 01, 2013 3. What is the EB3 India priority date? EB3 India Final Action Date is Nov 01, 2012 and EB3 India Filing Date is Jun 08, 2013
U.S. Department of State releases 'Visa Bulletin' every month. It contains information on priority dates. Persons waiting to apply for green card can look into the visa bulletin to check whether their 'priority dates' became current or not. We analyze the visa bulletin every month and post key updates on progress of Employment based EB1, EB2 and EB3 preference priority dates as well as movement of priority dates for Family Sponsored preferences for F1, F2A, F2B, F3 and F4.
In depth analysis of the September2024 Visa Bulletin is described on this page. Jump to Country Specific UpdatesKey Updates from the Visa Bulletin
Priority Dates for IndiaEmployment Based Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Employment Based Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Priority Dates for China - MainlandEmployment Based Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Employment Based Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Priority Dates for MexicoEmployment Based Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Employment Based Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Priority Dates for PhilippinesEmployment Based Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Employment Based Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Priority Dates for Rest of the WorldEmployment Based Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Employment Based Preference Cases - Filing Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Final Action Dates
Family Sponsored Preference Cases - Filing Dates
State Department Visa Bulletin - Frequently Asked Questions1. What is the EB1 India priority date in the Sept 2024 bulletin? EB1 India Final Action Date is Feb 01, 2022 and EB1 India Filing Date is Feb 08, 2022 2. What is the EB2 India priority date in the Sept 2024 bulletin? EB2 India Final Action Date is Jul 15, 2012 and EB2 India Filing Date is Jul 22, 2012 3. What is the EB3 India priority date in the Sept 2024 bulletin? EB3 India Final Action Date is Oct 22, 2012 and EB3 India Filing Date is Nov 01, 2012
DOL (Department of Labor) has announced an Interim Final Rule (IFR) titled “Strengthening Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain Aliens in the United States”, which has changed how prevailing wages for the H-1B, H-1B1 and E-3 jobs are calculated. The proposed DOL new rule will be effective immediately from October 8, 2020.
DOL’s proposed rules will result in very high prevailing wages for all occupations. Specifically, the following chart shows how the percentiles have been increased for computing the wages for each level.
With the New DOL rule, the New Level 1 wages are going to be more than Old Level 2 wages. Similarly the New Level 2 wages are going to be more than Old Level 3 wages. This is going to be hard to digest for H1B petitioners.
Furthermore, our research indicates higher wages under new rule in several counties across the United States. Following chart illustrates the level 1 wage increase for Software Developer - Applications, across 10 locations: Seattle, Dallas, New Jersey, Chicago, Atlanta, Tampa, Phoenix, Boston, Charlotte and Philadelphia.
At first glance, it looks like good news for H1b employees as this would increase their salaries. For the H-1B petitioners it's a steep increase in costs and could potentially reduce the appetite for hiring H-1B employees. The H-1B employees need to be careful as it is a double edge situation, in which the H-1B jobs could disappear as the appeal around H-1B jobs decreases considerably, which could potentially force them to leave the country. F-1 Visa holders on OPT or STEM-OPT who are fresh out of college may find it difficult to find an employer who can sponsor their H-1B visa with higher prevailing wages.
It is expected that DOL's new rule will be challenged in the court. Learn more about the New DHS and DOL rules. Key Updates Presidential Bill H.R 8337. President recently signed H.R. 8337 Bill, which will fund the government and address USCIS’s budget shortfall. The bill expands premium processing service to other categories of Immigration like Employment Authorization Document (EAD), Extensions or Change of status (e.g. H-4 to F-1), and few others. It will increase the premium processing fee from $1,440 to $2,500 for H-1B and L-1 applicants. There will be a fee of $1,750 for EAD and change of status requests for F, J and other Visas. It also increases processing time from 2 weeks to 4 weeks or longer. But the USCIS is yet to provide further guidelines on how they will implement the new process. Injunction of Fee Increase. California Dist. Court granted an injunction against DHS on implementation of new fee rule effective October 2, 2020 (new USCIS fee rule). Therefore, DHS adheres to the injunction and will not increase fee while injunction is in effect. Its a tremendous relief for people applying for Citizenship/Naturalization, Adjustment of Status, etc. Limited Injunction on temporary suspension of certain immigrants into USA. Court granted an injunction on temporary suspension of certain immigrants into US (H-1B and others). But the benefit is only available to plaintiffs who sought the injunction against the DHS. Some of the plaintiffs are Technet, National Association of Manufactures and few others. This is not a nationwide injunction and employees of such companies/associations can make use of this injunction. Stringent enforcement of Affidavit of Support. USCIS is going to publish a new rule which would make sponsors of immigrant petitioners (I-864) accountable for their attestations on affidavit of support. Furthermore, petitioners who have received means tested public benefits within the last 36 months of submitting the I-864 form need to be backed by a joint sponsor who has not received such benefits. Next: We have recently posted an article on questions we get frequently on I-485 Filing. You may be interested in that article too.
With the release of October 2020 Visa Bulletin and progression of priority dates for Indian nationals under EB-3 category to January 2015, our office has been receiving many calls and email inquiries regarding the process of EB-2 to EB-3 downgrade. Can you downgrade from EB2 to EB3? Downgrading is possible provided following criteria is met: Beneficiary should be qualified under EB-3 criteria as well; though it shouldn’t be hard to show that beneficiary has met EB-3 requirement where he/she has approved I-140 under EB-2. But, Attorneys carefully review prior Labor certifications to see if the requirements match. What is the process to downgrade from EB-2 to EB-3?
What if I-485 is already pending with Service Center under EB-2?A new approved I-140 under EB-3 category will be transferred to the service center where I-485 is currently pending and no new fee is required. On June 22, 2020, President Trump has issued a Proclamation that suspends the entry of foreign nationals on certain employment-based non-immigrant visas into the United States.
It is affecting the following visa classifications:
But it is not applicable to Lawful Permanent residents, Spouse/children of US Citizens and few others. The suspension of entry without a valid visa is effective from June 24th to December 31st, 2020 Beneficiaries with valid visa should be able to enter the US and the current Proclamation will not impact adjudications of extensions/amendments/change of employer that are being filed within US. CAP subject petitions that are filed with a request for consular processing will be adjudicated by USCIS, but the entry of certain beneficiaries will be delayed due to the current Proclamation. This Proclamation also extends, effective immediately, Presidential Proclamation 10014 issued on April 22, 2020, which suspended the entry of certain immigrants into the United States. Every year large number of international students arrive in United States on F-1 visa with a motive to pursue masters/bachelors programs in various universities. These students who complete their masters/bachelors with a major field in one of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) are eligible for one year of initial OPT (Optional Practical Training Program) and 2 years of STEM OPT Extension, which allows them to work in the United States. There has been a constant rise in the employment of OPT/STEM-OPT students by IT services companies. Several factors are contributing to this trend, ranging from shortage in local workers to recent complexities in H-1B program. This article discusses the advantages of hiring OPT/STEM-OPT students and employer’s obligations when hiring students. Advantages of hiring OPT/STEM-OPT students
Specialized degree and knowledge: The rigorous curriculum of the US universities educates the students with cutting edge technologies and prepare them with the knowledge required to join the workforce. Furthermore, some students have prior work experience gained either through employment in their home country or through CPT (Curricular Practical Training Program) making them attractive to the IT services companies. Willing to adapt to new technologies: As part of their education program, OPT/STEM-OPT students get exposed to wide varieties of latest technologies. These technological foundations allow the students to adapt to new emerging technologies quickly. Ready work authorizations: OPT/STEM-OPT students have work authorizations which allow them to work in the domains related to their field of study. This helps the employer in avoiding the costs and uncertainties associated with other types of work authorizations. Job location flexibility: IT services companies have job opportunities throughout the US and those opportunities needs to be filled quickly. Students are generally flexible and willing to relocate to new places on a short notice. This flexibility helps the IT services companies to fill the job openings with OPT/STEM-OPT students efficiently. Employer Obligations in hiring OPT/STEM-OPT students Even though OPT/STEM-OPT students are attractive to IT services companies, there are certain obligations & challenges that needs to be considered by employers. This is especially true, when students are placed at 3rd party worksites where daily supervision remains a challenge for few companies. IT services companies should be cautious when hiring STEM-OPT students and consider various factors to avoid potential liabilities. E-Verify Employer: The employer must be an E-Verify employer to hire any STEM-OPT student. I-9 Compliance: Often employers have the questions like “our company doesn’t pay the OPT student, should we still run the I-9 for such student”. As per the rule of I-9 compliance, an I-9 must be run for a paid employee. Therefore, it may not be required for unpaid internship/volunteer employment cases. When employer decides to start making payment to the services of OPT student, the I-9 compliance requirements should be met. Also, employer should be cautious when the EAD of student is about to expire. Labor Laws: Small companies often ignore local, state, and federal labor laws while hiring OPT students. The labor laws kick in when the stated student is engaged in productive work and not getting paid for his/her services. Therefore, it is recommended to check the local, and state labor laws before hiring the OPT/STEM-OPT talent. Compensation: There is a myth that STEM OPT students can be paid a minimum wage and prevailing wage is only applicable to H-1B workers due to the labor condition applications (LCAs). All employers and STEM OPT students are required to complete form I-983 as part of the hiring process providing specific information about the training program and agreeing to notify the designated school official (DSO) if there are any material changes to the training program. In addition to that, Form I-983 must be repeatedly updated with the student’s progress in the training program. Employers, in section 3 of I-983, attest, verify, and sign under penalty of perjury that “The student on a STEM OPT extension will not replace a full- or part-time, temporary or permanent U.S. worker and duties, hours, and compensation would be in commensurate with the similar US employees”. Therefore, STEM OPT students can’t be paid less than what comparable workers are getting paid. It is often a good practice to refer to proper wage source before determining salary for STEM OPTs. STEM OPT site inspections: ICE has recently started visiting worksites of employers to ensure that employers are complying with Form I-983 statements. The site visits are to ensure that employer meets program requirements and have the resources to provide structured and guided work-based learning to students. ICE usually reviews the records and questions the supervisors. The whole process can take around 5 hours per employer. As of now, based on few inspections, the length of the site visits appears to be in the range of 1-2 hours rather than 5 hours. Even without a site visit, compliance is extremely important. Form I-983 creates obligations certified by both the student and the employer. Violations could impact future adjudications if USCIS finds discrepancies between the Form I-983 and social media information, submitted resumes etc. Furthermore, students will accrue unlawful presence if some of the conditions haven’t been met or ignored, jeopardizing not only student’s status but also the reputation of the employer. Conclusion Employers have several advantages in hiring the OPT/STEM-OPT students in terms of their specialized knowledge, flexibility, adaptability and work authorizations in filling the job opportunities throughout the US. Also, employers have obligations and must follow the requirements of I-983, Labor laws etc. to avoid potential penalties and liabilities. When the regulations are followed properly, OPT/STEM-OPT students can be a great resource for employers like IT services companies. There have been speculations going around that Trump Administration has plans to stop granting work permits to spouses of H-1B visa holders, overturning a 2015 H-4 EAD Rule, which allowed work permits for eligible H-4 visa holders. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is already facing a lawsuit from Save Jobs USA to this effect. As per recent development, court granted the DHS’s motion to hold the proceedings in abeyance pending further order of the court and denied the motion to reschedule briefing and oral argument. Parties were directed to file motions to govern further proceedings by January 2, 2018. DHS sought time to review the H-4 EAD rule to ensure that it meets the newly announced priorities and to decide whether to undertake a new rulemaking concerning the H-4 Rule and comply with the President’s Order “Buy American and Hire American”. Finally, there is no official notification from DHS other than above. The rule is still under review by authorities and it is likely that a decision may come out at any time in coming months. I’m humbled to see the overwhelming response the posts have received so far and wanted to share my reflections on them. Before I go further, I want to share with you the genesis of why I started these posts. Generally, when a client asks their attorney or law firm about the current situation in the industry, most of the time the client receives a localized view of the trends based on the information their attorney/lawfirm has seen internally. Unfortunately, this doesn’t reflect the global view of the trends and sometimes misses the trends. I thought business owners and beneficiaries deserve better information and should have access to global view of the trends. So I have analyzed the data and started sharing the findings on social media channels. You will continue to seem them over the next 2-3 weeks. The social measures like impressions and views are very impressive so far and have blown away my expectations. Big thanks to you. If you like the posts, please share with your friends or Like them. The images I have shared are optimized for mobile devices. Because of the limited mobile device screen sizes, I have limited the number of data points in each image to around 6. But there are more data points for each trend like the one below and you can get access to them at http://www.kamalalaw.com/h1b-trends. Several people have got access to them already. I’m sure, you will like them too and don’t miss out. The post on Occupational Titles triggered several messages from the community, requesting to include trends on wage levels for Occupational Titles like Computer Programmers. Also, there are requests to include trends on RFEs. I initially thought of providing around 15 h1b trends, but now I plan to extend the trends to cover the information the community is requesting.
If you have any questions/comments/feedback, please drop a line at [email protected] and I will get back to you. Have a great weekend. |
Kamala Maddipoti
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