The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently published a final rule in the Federal Register announcing an increase in premium processing fees that will go into effect February 26, 2024. The fee increase is based on the inflation index from June 2021 through June...
On December 12, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the release of updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual relating to family-based conditional permanent residents (CPRs). The USCIS added consolidated guidance to the policy manual, which includes updated direction on waivers based...
Most family-based immigration cases require the petitioner to also serve as a financial sponsor for the intending immigrant. To qualify as a sponsor, a petitioner must demonstrate sufficient means to ensure that the beneficiary family member will not become a public charge, in need of...
In the United States, Valentine's Day often brings with it an increase in marriage proposals. U.S. immigration law has long-valued the idea of family unity. And, to that end, a U.S. citizen (USC) wishing to bring a foreign national fiancé/e or spouse to the United...
Most petitions filed for an alien relative (form I-130) require the petitioner to also serve as a financial sponsor for the intending immigrant. Among the requirements to qualify as a sponsor, the individual must be domiciled in the United States or a U.S. territory. While...
Answer The processing time can vary, but assuming the priority date remains current, it typically takes about 6-to-8 months to get an appointment. (22.Nov.2023)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more...
In each permanent resident (“green card”) case, one must decide whether to request consular processing (CP) or adjustment of status (AOS). There are two possibilities for this last step in the green card process: adjustment of status within the United States or processing for an...
Answer While a U.S. citizen may sponsor a foreign national spouse as an immediate relative, the same does not hold true for a green card holder sponsoring a spouse. In this situation, the petition would fall under the family-based, second preference “A” (FB2A) category. After the...
On October 12, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) launched the new Enterprise Change of Address (E-COA) self-service tool for an individual to notify the USCIS of a change in address. The tool is intended to improve the speed and efficiency of updating...
Answer If you do not take care of your biometrics appointment, your case eventually will be denied. Fortunately, you may be able to reschedule. Call the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283, be prepared to provide evidence of the emergency, and hopefully they will exercise discretion and...
