EB-5 Updates: Visa Processing after Re-Start of EB-5 Regional Center Program
Washington, D.C., April 4, 2022: Based on our docket of several thousand EB-5 visa petitions, Donoso & Partners provides below some notes regarding our office’s recent processing experience for EB-5 visas based on regional center investments after the re-start to the EB-5 program on March 15, 2022: Donoso & Partners is preparing I-485 Adjustment of […]
Does New USCIS Policy Help EB-5 Investors?
Washington, D.C., March 30, 2022: On March 29, 2022, USCIS issued the long-awaited policy guidance and regulatory initiatives to reduce the outrageous delays plaguing the U.S. immigration system for the last 36 months. EB-2 National Interest Waiver applicants and EB-1C multinational managers are particularly interested in the potential for Premium Processing of I-140 petitions. This […]
USCIS Takes Action Reduce Backlogs
WASHINGTON, March 29, 2022: The Biden Administration today announced new initiatives to reduce long processing times for hundreds of thousands of visa applications. These initiatives are set out in a new Final Rule released today to the public for comment. First, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will set new agency-wide backlog reduction goals. Second, […]
USCIS Indicates that there are High Numbers of Employment Based Visas Available
Washington, D.C., March 28, 2022: USCIS notes in its website that here are an exceptionally high number of employment-based visas available this fiscal year (October 2021 through September 2022). In partnership with the U.S. Department of State, USCIS is attempting to use all these visa numbers. There are many more visas available in the first […]
DOL PERM Processing Times
Washington, D.C., March 28, 2022: The Department of Labor’s (DOL) processing time reports for February 2022 indicates that the DOL is taking an average of approximately 5.5 months (166 days) to issue a new Prevailing Wage request. The DOL reports that it is taking approximately 6 months (178 days) to review a PERM ETA9089 application. […]
Will USCIS Accelerate Processing for EADs?
Washington, D.C., March 22, 2022: During the COVID19 pandemic, USCIS processing of Form I-765 temporary work authorization application (known as Employment Authorization Documents (“EADs”)) slowed to a crawl. Excessive delays in EAD processing were partly caused by a shortage of appointments at USCIS Application Support Centers for biometrics due to the COVID19 pandemic. Excessive delays […]
Did You Know?
Blog Update, March 22, 2022: Are you having trouble finding the new I-94 number in the database of US Customs and Border Protection after filing Change of Status or Extension of Status. For example, an employer may request a Change of Status or Extension of Status from USCIS for a foreign employee. Once USCIS approves […]
DHS Ends I-9 Flexibility Policy for Expired List B Documents
March 17, 2022, Washington, D.C.: DHS is ending the COVID‑19 Temporary Policy for List B Identity Documents. Beginning May 1, Employers will no longer be able to accept expired List B documents. DHS adopted the temporary policy in response to the difficulties many individuals experienced with renewing documents during the COVID‑19 pandemic. Now that document‑issuing […]
April Visa Bulletin: List B Adjustment of Status Available for EB-2 India
Washington, D.C., March 17, 2022: In the recently published April Visa Bulletin, the Department of State advanced the Date for Filing (also known as List B) for adjustment of status based on EB-2 immigrant visa petitions for India from to Sept. 1, 2014. USCIS is encouraging persons with an approved immigrant visa petition in the […]
Section 245(k) Now Available for EB-5 Petitions
Washington, D.C., March 16, 2022: The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (“Act”) included some technical improvements to the EB-5 program that will benefit investors. One of the most prominent improvements is the possibility for investors to file EB-5 visa petition simultaneously with Form I-485 Adjustment of Status. Simultaneously filing the I-526 EB-5 green […]