Visa Bulletin For July 2015
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during July
Latest News
DHS Final Rule on ESTA and the Visa Waiver Program
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 109 (Monday, June 8, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32267-32294]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-13919]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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USCIS to Reopen H-2B Cap for the Second Half of Fiscal Year 2015
On June 5, 2015, USCIS will reopen the congressionally mandated fiscal year (FY) 2015 cap and will accept Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, requesting new H-2B workers with an employment start date between April 1 and September 30, 2015.
Did You Know? A Green Card Does Not Always Have a Signature
USCIS wants you to know that Green Cards (also known as Permanent Resident Cards) do not always include the holder’s signature. In limited cases, USCIS may waive the signature requirement for certain people, such as children under the age of consent or individuals who are physically unable to provide a signature.
DHS Announces Re-designation and 18-Month Extension of Designation of Somalia for Temporary Protected Status
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has re-designated Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and has extended the existing TPS designation for Somalia from Sept. 18, 2012 through March 17, 2014, allowing eligible nationals of Somalia to register or re-register for TPS in accordance with the Federal Registernotice.
USCIS Will Accept Only the New Version of Form I-907 Beginning June 1
Beginning Monday, June 1, 2015 USCIS will accept only the new version (edition date: 01/29/2015) of Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service. The edition date is printed at the bottom of every page. USCIS will reject previous editions of this form if you submit them on or after June 1.
USCIS Started Accepting EAD Applications for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses
REMINDER: Do NOT submit an application for employment authorization (Form I-765) before May 26, 2015. USCIS will not accept a Form I-765 requesting employment authorization based on your H-4 status until the H-4 rule takes effect on May 26, 2015. If you submit a Form I-765 requesting employment authorization on this basis before May 26, 2015, USCIS will reject and return your application with the filing fee. You would then need to re-submit the application on or after May 26, 2015.
Revised Form I-765 Now Available - USCIS
***Please note that you may not apply for employment authorization under the new H-4 rule until May 26, 2015***
USCIS Guidance on When to File an Amended H-1B Petition after the Simeio Solutions Decision
On April 9, 2015, USCIS’ Administrative Appeal Office (AAO) issued a precedent decision, Matter of Simeio Solutions, LLC, which held that employers must file amended H-1B petitions when a new Labor Condition Application for Nonimmigrant Workers (LCA) is required due to a change in the H-1B worker’s worksite location. Specifically, the decision stated:
USCIS Publishes Filing Guidance for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses
USCIS has published information to help eligible H-4 dependent spouses who want to apply for employment authorization under the Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses final rule.
You can view the information on: