Suite #204
San Jose, CA 95112
Tel: (408) 292-3757
Fax: (408) 292-3818
Email:info@avlawoffice.com
| Newsletter, June 2003 |  |
We are pleased to enclose a copy of our newsletter on employment immigration news and updates. Our newsletter is targeted at businesses that employ foreign professionals on a regular basis. We understand that your time is precious; therefore, the focus of our newsletter is primarily on employment immigration matters.
We hope you find the enclosed information useful. If you would like to
subscribe to our newsletter, please go to our Website at www.avlawoffice.com and enter your email address at
the Free Newsletter icon.
This issue contains information on:
- BCIS starts e filing ;
- Publication on PERM Regulation Delayed;
- Missouri Service Center to have Jurisdiction over Family-Based Filings & Other Issues;
- U.S. to Fingerprint, Photograph All Visitors with Visas;
- Latest INS Service Center Processing Times Labor Certification Application (Green Card) Processing Times and Visa Cut Off Dates.
BCIS starts e filing.
Effective May 29, 2003, the BCIS (Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services)has started accepting the electronic filing for two of the most commonly submitted immigration form I-90 (Application to Renew or Replace green card) and I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization). Both these forms consist approximately 30 percent of the 7 million applications filed every year. BCIS will confirm the identity of the person using e filing in the initial stage of the application and will collect photographs, signature and fingerprints electronically. Instead of submitting photograph at the time of filing the application, customers using e-filing will have to schedule an appointment with the National Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283 to visit a BCIS Application Support Center (ASC) for the electronic collection of their photographs, signature, and fingerprint. Customers using e filing can also pay the fees for these applications online through electronic transfer of U.S. funds from their checking or saving accounts, later this year BCIS will start accepting payments through credit cards.
Publication on PERM Regulation Delayed.
The Department of Labor on May 09, 2003 has stated there has been a delay in the PERM (expedited green card) regulations publication and it is now expected to be published in September 2003.
Missouri Service Center to have Jurisdiction over Family-Based Filings & Other Issues.
The Missouri Service Center (MSC) will be soon changing into the “National Benefits Center” (NBC).
After changing to NBC, MSC will handle preliminary processing of all family based Adjustment of Status Applications and Lottery Visa adjustment applications and later on introduce Citizenship Applications. Initially NBC will be processing family based Adjustment of Status Applications from the Pacific Northwest (HI, AK, WA, MT, OR, ID, UT, WY and CO) and will be moving in a clockwise direction around the country.
All the family based Adjustment of Status Application packages will be filed through the Chicago lockbox at the NBC. The lockbox will take the fee, scan the documents for electronic transfer to NBC and send application package to NBC. The receipt notice will direct applicants to an Application Support Center (ASC) for biometrics (photos & fingerprints). NBC will confirm prima facie eligibility, conduct the IBIS check, adjudicate the Advance Parole and Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and produce the EAD and Advance Parole Approval. The biometrics digitally captured at the ASC will be used to produce the EAD. The case will be forwarded to district office after the production of the EAD and fingerprint clearance by FBI for scheduling of the interview.U.S. to Fingerprint, Photograph All Visitors with Visas.
The Homeland Security Undersecretary Asa Hutchinson released details regarding the new U.S. Visitor and Immigration Status Indication Technology (US-VISIT) which will be used to keep track of comings and goings of certain foreign travelers.
From January 01, 2004, every visitor arriving at U.S. airports or seaports will have travel documents scanned; fingerprints, photographs taken and identification will be checked against terrorist watchlists. Checks apply to all the visitors arriving the country carrying visas.
The information contained in our newsletter is general in nature and is not meant for any specific fact pattern or situation nor does it establish an attorney-client relationship. For legal advice, please consult an attorney.
Click here to visit our homepage at www.avlawoffice.com