H1B Visa Lawyer Blog

May 13, 2020

Update – USCIS Offices Closed to the Public until June 4th

USCIS announced on March 18th that they have suspended routine in-person services, they have now extended that public closure until at least June 4th. This step is being taken to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)! USCIS will continue to operate but without public personal contact. USCIS will provide very limited emergency services that require personal contact; you must contact the USCIS Contact Center for more information.

Please visit this USCIS News Alert for more information: USCIS Offices Preparing to Reopen on June 4

Source of Information:

May 12, 2020

Military Personnel and Veterans Can Now File Their Naturalization Application Online

by Kellie N. Lego

USCIS announced on Wednesday, May 6th that military personnel and veteran aliens can now file their form N-400, Naturalization Application online! By filing online applicants will be allowed to submit forms electronically, check the status of their case and receive notices directly from USCIS. Joseph Edlow, Deputy Director for Policy, stated, “We’re excited to offer our service men and women the convenience of filing their naturalization application online…”

Please visit this USCIS News Release for more information: Military Personnel and Veterans Can Now File Their Form N-400, Naturalization Application, Online

Source of Information:

May 11, 2020

AAO Processing Times – FY 2020 2nd Quarter

by Kellie N. Lego

The Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) provides an updated ‘processing times’ in table form, with information on FY2020 second quarterly completions; January 2020 to March 2020. These figures indicate the time that it takes from the date the case is received at AAO coming from the Service Center or District Office to completion.

AAO Processing Times were released with processing dates as of 4/8/20. If you filed an appeal, please review the link below to determine the applicable processing time associated with your particular case.

Note: Starting with the January 2017 Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) Processing Times Report, the AAO has changed how it presents processing time data. The AAO will now provide, by form type, the total number of case completions for the fiscal year quarter and the percentage completed within 180 days, cases completed divided by their projected case goal.

May 8, 2020

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – May 8, 2020

by Kellie N. Lego

MVP Law Group, P.A. makes available the information and materials in this forum for informational purposes only. The information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice or any contractual obligations. Further, the use of this site, and the sending or receipt of this information, does not create an attorney-client relationship between us. Therefore, your communication with us through this forum will not be considered as privileged or confidential.

Question #1 – J-1 Visa

My niece has a J1 visa and some things have occurred and now the sponsor wants to cancel her visa. My question is what is the time period that she has to leave the country without incurring any unlawful presence?

May 7, 2020

Reminder – USCIS Offices Closed to the Public – Closure Extended until June 4th

by Kellie N. Lego

USCIS Offices Closed to the Public – Closure Extended until June 4th

USCIS announced on March 18th that they have suspended routine in-person services, they have now extended that public closure until at least June 4th. This step is being taken to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)! USCIS will continue to operate but without public personal contact. USCIS will provide very limited emergency services that require personal contact; you must contact the USCIS Contact Center for more information.

Please visit this page for more information: USCIS Offices Preparing to Reopen on June 4

May 4, 2020

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – This Friday, May 8, 2020

by Kellie N. Lego

We wanted to find a new way to engage our reader base. Every other Friday, we will post the ten (10) best/most frequently asked questions received during the week from our h1bvisalawyerblog, Facebook, and Twitter readers. We will answer those questions and provide the Q&A on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

If you have a burning question, are seeking assistance with a difficult immigration related case, wish to discuss your views on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, DREAMers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, priority dates, the monthly visa bulletin, adjustment applications, etc., please contact us by submitting your question/comment/viewpoint in our comment box provided on our H-1B Visa Lawyer Blog.

Our next “Q & A Forum” will take place this Friday, May 8, 2020. Act now and submit your questions!

April 30, 2020

USCIS Online Response to COVID-19

by Kellie N. Lego

USCIS announced on March 18th that they have suspended routine in-person services, they have now extended that public closure until at least June 4th. USCIS will continue to operate but without public personal contact. USCIS will provide very limited emergency services that require personal contact; you must contact the USCIS Contact Center for more information. I have also listed the different subjects and actions available online below:

Field Office Appointments and Rescheduling
Application Support Center Appointments and Rescheduling

April 28, 2020

Visa Bulletin – May 2020

by Kellie N. Lego

The Department of State has released its latest Visa Bulletin.

Click the link to view the May 2020 Visa Bulletin

The monthly Visa Bulletin has changed. The bulletin now summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during the reported month for: “Application Final Action Dates” (consistent with prior Visa Bulletins) and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center using Consular Processing (outside of the US) or file on their own with USCIS Form I-485 (within the US).

April 24, 2020

MVP “Immigration Q & A Forum” – April 24, 2020

by Kellie N. Lego

MVP Law Group, P.A. makes available the information and materials in this forum for informational purposes only. The information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice or any contractual obligations. Further, the use of this site, and the sending or receipt of this information, does not create an attorney-client relationship between us. Therefore, your communication with us through this forum will not be considered as privileged or confidential.

Question #1 – Exchange Visitors

My niece has a J1 visa and some things have occurred and now the sponsor wants to cancel her visa. My question is what is the time period that she has to leave the country without incurring any unlawful presence?

April 23, 2020

Reminder – USCIS Offices Closed to the Public – Closure Extended until May 3

by Kellie N. Lego

USCIS Offices Closed to the Public – Closure Extended until May 3

USCIS announced on March 18th that they have suspended routine in-person services, they have now extended that public closure until at least May 3rd. This step is being taken to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19)! USCIS will continue to operate but without public personal contact. USCIS will provide very limited emergency services that require personal contact; you must contact the USCIS Contact Center for more information.

Please visit this page for more information: USCIS Temporary Office Closure Extended until at least May 3