Immigration Blog Luba Smal Attorney at Law - Smal Immigration Law Office

DV 2020 Lottery How an IV Interview Can be Rescheduled After COVID-19 Cancellation

5/21/2020

Q: Is there any chance to reschedule an immigrant visa interview for the DV Lottery 2020? A visa interview was cancelled because of COVID-19.

A: A DV immigrant visa interview for FY 2020 must be rescheduled before September 30, 2020, and a visa has to be issued before September 30th, or the chance to immigrate through a Green Card lottery for this FY will be lost.

The embassies and consulates are currently closed because of COVID-19. If the case is pending at the U.S. embassy or Consulate, when they reopen, contact the consulate directly and without delay. They should be rescheduling everyone when they reopen. If the case is still at the NVC stage, you can contact NVC directly even now. NVC is currently open.

If you applied for adjustment of status and the case is pending at the local USCIS office, USCIS will begin rescheduling soon. USCIS had previously announced that they plan to reopen local offices on or after June 4, 2020. This date might change.

QandA: K1 fiancee visa mother adjusted status, but K-1 petitioner refused to sponsor K2 child for a Green Card

5/12/2020

Question/Вопрос: ВИЗА НЕВЕСТЫ И VAWA ПЕТИЦИЯ РЕБЕНКА.

Здравствуйте! Приехала в США по визе K1 с ребенком виза K2, я получила Гринкарту на 10 лет в 2019, американский муж все это время обманывал меня и говорил что подал документов на мою дочь, но неделю назад я нашла папку которую он прятал от меня все эти годы. Ребенку 17 лет сейчас, документы обещал подать уже завтра , но я вижу что у него маленький доход за год, всего 20000$. Боюсь что он опять обманет и подаст документы как обещал, но мне сказали что ему могут отказать потому что он не может выступить гарантом, так как маленький доход у него. Еще сказали что я тоже не могу подать документы на мою дочь так как я не имею работы Full time и медицинской страховки и тоже нет хорошего дохода. У дочки нет вообще никаких документов вообще, но она учится в школе. Не представляю что делать в этом случае. Подскажите пожалуйста!!!

Answer/Ответ: Добрый день!

Я вам сочувствую. Это сложная ситуация. Я понимаю, что вы подали на грин карту только на себя, и уже получили грин карту в 2019 и все еще замужем В тоже время на вашу малолетнюю дочь, которая приехала с вами по визе К-2, ничего подано не было и она проживает в США "без статуса". У нее нет даже SSN.

Вы никогда не настаивали или интересовались у мужа, почему на вашу дочь ничего не подано, и почему на интервью вызвали только вас, а не дочь?

Возможно, что ситуацию, которую вы описываете, это ситуация домашнего насилия - отказ подать документы, низко зарабатывающий супруг с антисоциальными тенденциями, мнгоголетний обман, вы не работаете и сидите дома (почему? муж настаивает, чтобы вы не работали?) и т.п. Домашнее насилие бывает в разных формах, и нередко люди привыкают к такой ситуации и терпят такую жизнь пока она не обостряется.

Если да, и нет возможности получить грин карту иначе, то иногда ребенок сама может подать петицию ВАВА, как жертва насилия в семье со стороны отчима.

Тут вопрос не столько в том, что у вас нет дохода для вашей петиции как мать, а в том, что ребенок приехал по визе невесты К-2 и петиционер отказывается ее спонсировать.

Вам стоит обсудить детально сложившуюся ситуацию с компетентным иммиграционным адвокатом и решить, что лучше делать. Многие адвокаты проводят платные конфиденциальные консультации по телефону или видео чату, т.е. вам не нужно выходить из дома (например, если у вас нет машины, прав).

С нами можно связаться по адресу

Буду рада вам помочь!

Если у вас нет средств на адвоката, поищите на интеренете организации, бесплатно помогающие жертвам домашнего насилия, например YWCA, Free Legal Aid, Domestic Violence Hotline. Не забывайте чистить браузер вашего компьютера.

Всего доброго!

https://www.thehotline.org/help/

Мой овет опубликован тут.

How to file a VAWA self-petition and apply for a Green Card

5/9/2020

Briefly for our clients in Russian:

Q/Вопрос: Как я могу подать петицию на VAWA . Я и мой муж расписаны. Проживали вместе, но как оказалось он не в себе когда пьет. Документы на грин карту мы не подавали. У меня нет ни грин карты ни разрешения на работу.

A/Ответ: Добрый день! Вы можете подать петицию VAWA и также заявление на грин карту, разрешение на работу и на поездки БЕЗ участия мужа (во многих случаях это можно делать одновременно).

Если вы замужем (или развелись в течение 2-х лет перед подачей VAWA self-petition), проживали вместе в США (даже если сейчас вы выехали за пределы США), муж вас обижал/бил/притеснял/оскорблял/совершал другие насильственные действия против вас, вы человек моральный и без судимостей и т.п. -- вы можете подать все заявления вместе в USCIS в отдел VAWA, если ваш муж американский гражданин, и даже если он постоянный житель США (т.к. сейчас категория F2A is current).

Подготовка и подача VAWA petition очень сложный и трудоемкий процесс. Крайне важно предоставить и подать вместе ВСЕ сопроводительные документы и доказательства по делу. ВАВА отличается от других петиций тем, что решение по петиции VAWA принимается БЕЗ интервью, а на основании рассмотрения ваших документов. Консультация и помощь компетентного и опытного адвоката по делам ВАВА очень важны.

Сроки рассмотрения дел ВАВА в настоящий момент около 18-24 месяцев. Но в течение этого времени у вас будет разрешение на работу и SSN, если вы подготовили и подали все правильно. Вы можете подать петицию и во время COVID-19, т.к. отдел ВАВА открыт и работает. Всего доброго и удачи!

Если вам нужна помощь и консультация, пожалуйста свяжитесь с адвокатом по адресу [email protected] , мы вам вышлем список вопросов и документов нам нужно просмотреть перед консультацией, подтвердим стоимость и условия оплаты за консультацию, и договоримся о дате и времени телефонной или видеочат video call консультации. По делам ВАВА мы работаем с клиентами со всех штатов.

Мой ответ опубликован here.

Bill to Recapture 40,000 Unused Green Cards for Medical Doctors and Nurses

5/6/2020

On May 4, 2020, a bipartisan group of Senators introduced a bill to recapture 40,000 unused green cards/immigrant visas, and give them to much needed doctors and nurses.
This is not a new law yet, but a bill. See text at https://www.durbin.senate.gov/…/Healthcare%20Workforce%20Re…
The Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act would speed the ability of foreign-born healthcare workers to become lawful permanent residents of the United States and allow them to assist in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bill would recapture unused immigrant visas for 25,000 nurses and 15,000 doctors that Congress had previously authorized and allocate them to those who can help in the fight against COVID-19. The proposal does not increase current immigration numbers.
“This proposal would simply reallocate a limited number of unused visas from prior years for doctors and nurses who are qualified to help in our fight against COVID-19.”
“Consider this: one-sixth of our health care workforce is foreign-born. Immigrant nurses and doctors play a vital role in our health care system, and their contributions are now more crucial than ever."
The Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act would do the following:
Recapture unused green cards from previous years for doctors, nurses and their families;
Exempt these visas from per-country caps;
Require employers to attest that immigrants from overseas who receive these visas will not displace American workers;
Require the DHS and the State Department to expedite the processing of recaptured visas; and
-->Limit the filing period for recaptured visas to 90 days following the termination of the President’s COVID-19 emergency declaration. Given the 90-day limit, U.S. health care providers who wish to sponsor doctors and nurses for green cards need to do so without delay.

When the results of the DV 2021 Green Card lottery will be available?

5/4/2020

On or after June 6, 2020 at only one website at https://dvprogram.state.gov/ DV-2021 Entrants may enter their confirmation information through the link below starting at noon (EDT) on June 6, 2020. The DV-2021 registration period opened on October 2, 2019, and closed on November 5, 2019. DV-2021 Entrants should keep their confirmation number until at least September 30, 2021.

F2A Family Preference Continue to be Current in April 2020 Visa Bulletin

3/15/2020

Family preference category F2A for spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents remains CURRENT in April 2020 Visa Bulletin.

It means that it is possible to file the I-130 and concurrent application for adjustment of status, I-485, but only if you qualify.

One of the requirements is maintaining a lawful nonimmigrant status at the time of filing.

В апреле 2020 продолжается период, когда супруги и малолетние дети постоянных жителей США могут одновременно подавать петицию на воссоединение семьи и заявление на грин карту, если они находятся в США в легальном статусе и соответствуют другим требованиям закона.

April 2020 Visa Bulletin

Adjustment of Status on a New Basis After Termination of Conditional Permanent Residence

11/26/2019

On November 21, 2019, USCIS published a Memorandum explaining a new policy regarding second Adjustment of Status for Conditional Permanent Residents after termination of the conditional residence.

New policy will make it easier for a former conditional resident, whose status was terminated by USCIS, to reapply for adjustment of status under another petition or eligibility basis without having to go through Immigration Court removal proceedings. USCIS will consider the date of admission to be the date USCIS approved the subsequent (second) adjustment application. Time spent in the prior terminated conditional resident status does not count toward the residency requirement for naturalization purposes. The clock will restart after second adjustment.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to update and clarify when USCIS may adjust the status of an applicant whose conditional permanent resident (CPR) status was terminated. Background Sections 245(d) and 245(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) bar an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence on a conditional basis from adjusting status under INA 245(a).

However, in Matter of Stockwell, the Board of Immigration Appeals held that INA 245(d) does not prohibit an alien whose CPR status had been terminated from adjusting his or her status under INA 245(a).

USCIS is updating its guidance to ensure consistent adjudication of Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485) filed by applicants whose CPR status was terminated.

The guidance contained in Volume 7, Part B of the Policy Manual, replaces guidance found in Chapter 25.1(d) of the Adjudicator’s Field Manual. The guidance contained in the Policy Manual is controlling and supersedes any related prior USCIS guidance.

This policy is effective on November 21, 2019, and only applies to adjustment applications received on or after that date.

New Policy Highlights
• Explains how USCIS applies Matter of Stockwell and clarifies when USCIS may adjust the status of an alien whose CPR status was terminated in certain circumstances.
• Clarifies that the time an alien spent in prior CPR status does not count towards his or her residency requirement for naturalization purposes.

In general, an alien granted lawful permanent resident status on a conditional basis[20] is ineligible to adjust status on a new basis under the provisions of INA 245(a).[21] Instead, conditional permanent residents (CPRs) must generally comply with the requirements of INA 216 or 216A to remove the conditions on their lawful permanent resident status.[22]

This bar to adjustment, however, only applies to an alien in the United States in lawful CPR status. In Matter of Stockwell (PDF),[23] the Board of Immigration Appeals adopted a narrow interpretation of the regulation implementing this adjustment bar,[24] stating that the bar no longer applies if USCIS terminates the alien’s CPR status.[25]

USCIS can terminate CPR status for reasons specified in INA 216 or INA 216A. [26] Although the immigration judge may review the termination in removal proceedings, the bar no longer applies upon USCIS terminating the CPR status; it is not necessary that an immigration judge have affirmed USCIS’ decision to terminate the alien’s CPR status before the alien may file a new adjustment application.

Therefore, under INA 245(a), USCIS may adjust the status an alien whose CPR status was previously terminated, if:[27]

The alien has a new basis for adjustment;
The alien is otherwise eligible to adjust;[28] and
USCIS has jurisdiction over the adjustment application.[29]

When seeking adjustment of status again, the alien may not reuse the immigrant petition associated with the previous CPR adjustment or admission. Therefore, the alien must have a new basis to adjust.
An alien seeking to adjust status again who was admitted as a fiancé(e) (K nonimmigrant) may only re-adjust based on an approved Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) filed by the same U.S. citizen who filed the Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) (Form I-129F) on his or her behalf.[30]
The alien must also be otherwise eligible to adjust status including not being inadmissible or barred by INA 245(c).

If the alien successfully adjusts status on a new basis, USCIS generally considers the date of admission to be the date USCIS approved the subsequent adjustment application.[31] Time spent in the prior CPR status does not count toward the residency requirement for naturalization purposes.[32]

More here.

F2A Family Preference Visa Category Remains Current in November 2019

11/15/2019

REMINDER: Family preference category F2A for spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents remains CURRENT in NOVEMBER 2019!

It means, there is still enough time to file the I-130 and concurrent application for adjustment of status, I-485, but only if you qualify.

One of the requirements is maintaining a lawful nonimmigrant status at the time of filing.

Briefly in Russian:

В ноябре 2019 продолжается период, когда супруги и малолетние дети постоянных жителей США могут одновременно подавать петицию на воссоединение семьи и заявление на грин карту, если они находятся в США в легальном статусе.
November Visa Bulletin:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2020/visa-bulletin-for-november-2019.html?fbclid=IwAR1vdZviX7HsBvZXeDDXrUNMJ5Av2q8mOKPKSRr2nv6nrJabmhNhEWapN1Y

DV or Green Card Lottery 2021 registration period open from October 2 to November 5, 2019

10/1/2019

DV or Green Card Lottery 2021 registration period open from October 2 to November 5, 2019:

Applicants must submit entries for the DV-2021 program electronically at dvlottery.state.gov between
noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Wednesday, October 2, 2019, and noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST), Tuesday, November 5, 2019.

Do not wait until the last week of the registration period to enter, as heavy demand may result in website delays. No late entries or paper entries will be accepted.

The law allows only one entry per person during each registration period. Individuals with more than one entry will be disqualified.

For DV-2021, natives of the following countries are not eligible to apply, because more than 50,000 natives of these countries immigrated to the United States in the previous five years:
Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam. Persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan are eligible.

Eligibility:

Requirement #1: Individuals born in countries whose natives qualify may be eligible to enter.
If you were not born in an eligible country, there are two other ways you might be able to qualify.
 Was your spouse born in a country whose natives are eligible? If yes, you can claim your spouse’s country of birth – provided that both you and your spouse are named on the selected entry, are found eligible and issued diversity visas, and enter the United States simultaneously.
 Were you born in a country whose natives are ineligible, but in which neither of your parents was born or legally resident at the time of your birth? If yes, you may claim the country of birth of one of your parents if it is a country whose natives are eligible for the DV-2021 program.

Requirement #2: Each DV applicant must meet the education/work experience requirement of the DV
program by having either:
 at least a high school education or its equivalent, defined as successful completion of a 12-year
course of formal elementary and secondary education;
OR
 two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience to perform. The Department of State will use the U.S. Department
of Labor’s O*Net Online database to determine qualifying work experience.

NEW Passport Requirement: A green card lottery entry includes a question about your valid and unexpired passport . If you have no passport, you may not apply, unless you fall under a narrow exception:
a) Stateless (no nationality of any country),
b) A national of a Communist-controlled country, and unable to obtain a passport from my government,
c) Unable to obtain a passport, and have received an individual waiver of the passport requirement by the Secretary of Homeland Security or Secretary of State.

Do not submit an entry to the DV program unless you meet both of these requirements.

If you need help, please contact us at [email protected]

Read more here: https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/Diversity-Visa/DV-Instructions-Translations/DV-2021-Instructions-Translations/DV-2021-Instructions-English.pdf

F2A Family Preference Green Card Category Continues to be CURRENT in October 2019

9/18/2019

Family preference category for spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents remains CURRENT in October 2019!

It means, there is still enough time to file the I-130 and concurrent application for adjustment of status, I-485, and other concurrent applications, but only if you qualify.

One of the requirements is maintaining a lawful nonimmigrant status at the time of filing.

USCIS October 2019 announcement is here:

October 2019 visa bulletin is here.

Like in July and August, F2A is CURRENT in September 2019

8/19/2019

The USCIS will honor the Final Action Dates chart, rather than the Dates for Filing chart, in September 2019. Just as it was done in July and August. When such retrogressions have occurred in the past, the USCIS has accepted applications and held them until priority dates become current again.

If a F2A spouse or a minor child is in the USA in a valid nonimmigrant status, it is still possible to file a concurrent petition and application for adjustment of status in September 2019.

If you need help or advice, please email us to schedule a phone or Skype consultation with an attorney.

Please see USCIS' announcement here.

Reminder: Very Rare F2A Concurrent Filing Period Opened on July 1 2019

7/1/2019

Today, July 1, 2019, begins the exceptionally rare period of authorized concurrent filing of I-130 and I-485 for spouses and minor children of permanent residents/green card holders. The filing period is expected to end on July 31, 2019, unless August 2019 Visa Bulletin also projects F2A preference category to be "current".
It is important to file all applications properly and submit all required initial evidence in order to avoid rejection, because there could be no time for re-filing if the filing period ends on July 31st.
Spouses and minor children of the lawful permanent residents who are in the USA in *lawful status* might be able to apply for adjustment of status concurrently with the filing of I-130 petition. Consult an attorney if not sure if you are eligible to apply.
If you need legal help please email at [email protected]

In Russian:

Сегодня 1 июля 2019 открылся период для подачи одновременно петиции на воссоединение семьи и заявления на грин карту для жен и малолетних детей постоянных жителей США, которые находятся в США *в легальном статусе*, например приехали по гостевой визе или находятся в США по студенческой визе. Этот период продлится с 1 по 31 июля 2019, в соответствии с июльским календарем виз. Помните, что важно правильно все подготовить и подать в USCIS, чтобы избежать отказа в принятии заявлений, rejection, так как не известно, продолжится ли этот период в августе или закончится 31 июля. Если вам нужна помощь, обращайтесь по электронной почте [email protected]

New: USCIS to Remind About I-864 Affidavit of Support at Green Card Interview

7/1/2019

On June 14, 2019, USCIS announced the implementation of the “Presidential Memorandum on Enforcing the Legal Responsibilities of Sponsors of Aliens,” issued May 23, 2019.

Now, USCIS officers are required to remind applicants and their petitioners at the adjustment of status (aka green card) interviews of their sponsors’ responsibilities:

Officers must remind applicants and sponsors that the Affidavit of Support is a legal and enforceable contract between the sponsor and the federal government, and that the sponsor must be willing and able to financially support the intending immigrant.
If the sponsored immigrant receives any federal means-tested public benefits, the sponsor “will be expected to reimburse the benefits-granting agency for every dollar of benefits received by the immigrant,” USCIS said.

USCIS announcement is here; Presidential Memorandum is here.

DHS has revised the definition of “public charge” to incorporate consideration of more kinds of public benefits received, which the Department believes will better ensure that applicants subject to the public charge inadmissibility ground are self-sufficient. The rule defines the term “public charge” to mean an individual who receives one or more designated public benefits for more than 12 months, in the aggregate, within any 36-month period (such that, for instance, receipt of two benefits in one month counts as two months). The rule further defines the term “public benefit” to include any cash benefits for income maintenance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), most forms of Medicaid, and certain housing programs.
The regulation also excludes from the public benefits definition: public benefits received by individuals who are serving in active duty or in the Ready Reserve component of the U.S. armed forces, and their spouses and children; public benefits received by certain international adoptees and children acquiring U.S. citizenship; Medicaid for aliens under 21 and pregnant women; Medicaid for school-based services (including services provided under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act); and Medicaid benefits for emergency medical services.
This rule also makes certain nonimmigrant aliens in the United States who have received designated public benefits above the designated threshold ineligible for change of status and extension of stay if they received the benefits after obtaining the nonimmigrant status they seek to extend or from which they seek to change.
Importantly, this regulation does not apply to humanitarian-based immigration programs for refugees, asylees, Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJs), certain trafficking victims (T nonimmigrants), victims of qualifying criminal activity (U nonimmigrants), or victims of domestic violence (VAWA self-petitioners), among others.
This rule also explains how USCIS will exercise its discretionary authority, in limited circumstances, to offer an alien inadmissible only on the public charge ground the opportunity to post a public charge bond. The final rule sets the minimum bond amount at $8,100; the actual bond amount will be dependent on the individual’s circumstances.
This final rule supersedes the 1999 Interim Field Guidance on Deportability and Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds and goes into effect at 12:00 a.m. Eastern on Oct. 15, 2019, 60 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register. USCIS will apply the public charge inadmissibility final rule only to applications and petitions postmarked (or, if applicable, submitted electronically) on or after the effective date. Applications and petitions already pending with USCIS on the effective date of the rule (postmarked and accepted by USCIS) will be adjudicated based on the 1999 Interim Guidance.

FB2A applicants may use the Final Action chart in July 2019: concurrent filing of the I-130 and I-485 permitted in July for some FB2A beneficiaries already in USA in lawful status

6/30/2019

On June 26, 2019, USCIS had finally published the final guidance: they will accept concurrent filing for adjustment of status in the F2A preference category in July 2019.
Next Month’s Adjustment of Status Filing Charts
For Family-Sponsored Filings:
In the F2A category, there is a cutoff date on the Dates for Filing chart. However, the category is “current” on the Final Action Dates chart. ***This means that applicants in the F2A category may file using the Final Action Dates chart for July 2019.**
For all the other family-based preference categories, you must use the Dates for Filing chart in the Department of State Visa Bulletin for July 2019.
https://www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo

The USCIS has updated the Adjustment of Status Filing Charts from the Visa Bulletin webpage to clarify that the family-based, second preference “A” (FB2A) category is “current” under the July 2019 Visa Bulletin.

The July 2019 Visa Bulletin contains an extremely unusual entry in the FB2A category, which is for spouses and children of U.S. permanent residents. This category is designated as being current in the “final action” (FA) chart for all countries of chargeability, but has a cutoff date of March 8, 2019 in the “dates for filing” (DF) chart. This is unprecedented, as the DF date is usually as favorable, or more favorable than the cutoff date in the FA chart.

Earlier this month, the USCIS updated its website to state that, for July 2019, only the DF chart dates may be used for all family-based cases for purposes of filing an application for adjustment of status (form I-485). Now, the USCIS has updated its website to clarify that FB2A applicants may use the FA chart in July. This means that concurrent filing of the I-130 and I-485 will be permitted in July for FB2A beneficiaries who are already in the United States in lawful status.

Briefly in Russian:

В начале июня USCIS объяснил, что в июле 2019 в категории F2A только те заявления на грин карту через adjustment of status будут приниматься, где петиция I-130 была подана до 8 марта 2019.

Затем, 26 июня 2019 USCIS поместил новое объяснение июльского процесса на подачу заявлений на грин карту в категории для супругов и малолетних неженатых детей постоянных жителей США, разрешив использовать final action date для подачи одновременно петиции на воссоединение семьи и на грин карту, если супруг или ребенок находятся в США в легальном и неистекшем статусе. Эта ситуация крайне необычна. Если вы в такой ситуации, стоит проконсультироваться у адвоката перед подачей заявлений в USCIS.

Information in Russian: how to apply for adjustment of status or green card in the U.S.

12/8/2018

Information in Russian: how to apply for adjustment of status in the U.S. Brief overview, including recent changes, effective October 1st and November 19th, 2018.

Информация по русски о том, как подать заявление на грин карту, разрешение на работу и на поездки за границу, не выезжая из США.

(1) Первое видео - информация о грин-карте - краткий обзор с учетом недавних изменений в законе:
ВИДЕО О ГРИН-КАРТЕ

(2) Второе видео - продолжение о разрешении на работу и на поездки - как избежать ошибок, отказа или передачи дела на депортации, после новых изменений, которые вступили в силу с 1 октября и 19 ноября 2018:
ПРОДОЛЖЕНИЕ О РАЗРЕШЕНИИ НА РАБОТУ И ПОЕЗДКИ.

I-693 Medical Exam Must be Signed Within 60 Days of Filing and Valid for 2 years

10/16/2018

USCIS Policy Manual Update:

USCIS is revising policy guidance for the validity period of Form I-693, Medical Examination. The updated policy goes into effect on November 1, 2018, and will require applicants to submit a Form I-693 signed by a civil surgeon no more than 60 days before filing.

The Form I-693 will remain valid for a 2-year period following the date the civil surgeon signed it (not submitted, but signed).

Read here.

DV-2020 Green Card Lottery Registration Period Oct 3 to Nov 6, 2018

9/25/2018

DV-2020 Program: Online Registration

DV-2020 Program: The revised online registration period for the DV-2020 Program begins on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), and concludes on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-4). Individuals who submit more than one entry during the registration period will be disqualified.

DV-2020 Program Instructions

The English version of the DV-2020 Program Instructions in PDF format are provided here. The English language version of the DV-2020 Program Instructions is the only official translation.

Note: If you do not see instructions in your native language, please see the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website to find out whether your country may have additional Diversity Visa information.

DV-2019 Translations (unofficial) are here.

See the Diversity Visa Program webpage for information about:

Briefly in Russian:

С 3 октября 2018 в 12:00 по EST по 6 ноября 2018 12:00 по EST времени продлится регистрация на участие в лотерее грин карт на 2020 год.

Как всегда, совет такой - лучше подать заявку пораньше, так как в последние дни могут возникнуть проблемы на сайте из-за большого количества заявок.

Помните, что каждый год всплывает множество мошенников, якобы предлагающих вам регистрацию через их сайты.

На самом деле всего один официальный сайт для приема заявок на Лотерею Грин Карт. Вам необходимо заполнить онлайн-форму Electronic Diversity Visa Entry Form или DS-5501 на официальном сайте Госдепа США https://dvlottery.state.gov/. Сайт начнет работу 3 октября в полдень.

How USCIS Can Help People in Unforeseen Circumstances or Affected by Wildfires?

8/15/2018

How USCIS can help people affected by wildfires in California and other unforeseen circumstances?

On a discretionary basis and upon request, USCIS offers the following immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances:

--Changing a nonimmigrant status or extending a nonimmigrant stay for an individual currently in the United States.
--Expedited processing of advance parole requests;
--Expedited adjudication of requests for off-campus employmentauthorization for F-1 students experiencing severe economic hardship;
--Expedited adjudication of employment authorization applications, where appropriate;
--Consideration of fee waivers due to an inability to pay;
--Extension of response time or acceptance of a late response to a Request for Evidence or a Notice of Intent;
--Rescheduling an interview with USCIS;
--Expedited replacement of lost or damaged immigration or travel documents issued by USCIS, such as a Permanent Resident Card (Green Card);
--Rescheduling a biometrics appointment.

Note: When making a request, please explain how the wildfires in California or other unforeseen circumstances are related to the need for the requested relief.

Read more here.

USCIS Will Destroy Undeliverable Green Cards, Work Permits After 60 Days

4/3/2018

NEWS from USCIS: Starting April 2, 2018, USCIS will destroy Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards), Employment Authorization Cards (Work Permits) and Travel Documents returned to USCIS as undeliverable by the U.S. Postal Service after 60 business days, if USCIS is not contacted by the document’s intended recipient (applicant) to provide the correct address.

Update from USCIS: Начиная с 2 апреля 2018, USCIS будет уничтожать грин карты, разрешения на работу и на поездки за границу, если эти документы были возвращены в USCIS почтой как "недоставленные" (undeliverable), если заявитель не свяжется с USCIS, и не предоставит свой новый или правильный адрес в течение 60 дней после возврата документов почтой.

USCIS Started Accepting Credit Card Payments for Many Applications

2/15/2018

On February 14, 2018, USCIS announced that it will now accept credit card payments for filing most of its applications, including I-130, I-129F, I-485, I-765, I-131, I-601, I-90, N-400, N-600, etc.

Currently, credit card payment option is available for the 41 fee-based forms processed at USCIS Lockbox facilities. To pay by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover, applicants will need to use USCIS Form G-1450.

USCIS will enter credit card data into the Pay.gov system, operated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and will then destroy the Form G-1450 to protect the credit card information.

Applicants for naturalization, N-400, and applicants renewing or replacing their Green Cards, I-90, can already use a credit card if they file online at uscis.gov.

DV Lottery 2019 Green Card Lottery Registration: October 3, 2017 to November 7, 2017

9/16/2017

Registration for DV 2019 or Green Card Lottery Program for 2019 year will be open from October 3, 2017 until November 7, 2017.

Applicants must submit entries for the DV-2019 DV program electronically at dvlottery.state.gov between noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), Tuesday, October 3, 2017, and noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5), Tuesday, November 7, 2017.

Do not wait until the last week of the registration period to enter, as heavy demand may result in website delays. No late entries or paper entries will be accepted.

The law allows only one entry by or for each person during each registration period. The Department of State uses sophisticated technology to detect multiple entries. Individuals with more than one entry will be disqualified.

For DV-2019, natives of the following countries are not eligible to apply:

Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China (mainland-born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam.

Persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR, and Taiwan are eligible.

There are no changes in eligibility this year.

After you submit a complete entry, you will see a confirmation screen that contains your name and a unique confirmation number. Print this confirmation screen for your records. It is extremely important that you retain your confirmation page and unique confirmation number. Without this information, you will not be able to access the online system that will inform you of the status of your entry.

You also should retain access to the email account listed in the E-DV.

Starting May 1, 2018, you will be able to check the status of your entry by returning to dvlottery.state.gov, clicking on Entrant Status Check, and entering your unique confirmation number and personal information. Entrant Status Check will be the sole means of informing you of your selection for DV-2019, providing instructions on how to proceed with your application, and notifying you of your appointment for your immigrant visa interview.

The rules are here.

Briefly in-Russian:

Период подачи заявок на Лотерею грин карт на 2019 год открывается 3 октября и продлится до 7 ноября 2017.

Заявки могут быть поданы только онлайн на вебсайте Госдепа США: dvlottery.state.gov .

Не разрешено подавать более одной заявки на человека, за это дисквалифицируют.

После 1 мая 2018 можно будет проверить статус своей заявки онлайн на том же вебсайте Госдепа США. Поэтому крайне важно сохранить ваш конфирмационный номер и иметь доступ к адресу электронной почты, который вы указали в своей заявке.

Помните, что никто вам не будет присылать ни писем по почте, ни по электронной почте, с сообщением о выигрыше (если вы такие письма получите, это мошенничество). Единственный способ убедиться в том, что вы победитель, это проверить свой конфирмационнй номер онлайн.

Если вам будет нужна помощь, мы будем рады помочь! Каждый год мы оказываем помощь с правильной подачей заявок в лотерею, и также победителям лотереи грин карт в получении вида на жительство в США.

Тут опубликованы правила лотереи на 2019.