VisaJourney Immigration News

Change of Filing Location for Form I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiancé(e)

August 12th, 2010

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced a change in filing location instructions and addresses for the Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) (Form I-129F). The new instructions, dated 6/14/10, are part of an overall effort to transition the intake of forms from Service Centers to USCIS Lockbox facilities. Centralizing form and fee intake to a Lockbox environment allows USCIS to provide customers with more efficient and effective initial processing of applications/petitions and fees.

Beginning Aug. 3, 2010 all Form I-129F petitions being filed by a U.S. citizen on behalf of a fiancé(e) or spouse must be submitted to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility.
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Revised Filing Instructions for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

August 12th, 2010

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced revised filing addresses for petitioners who live in Canada, and who are filing a stand-alone Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. The new form is dated 6/14/10. This form is now processed through the USCIS Chicago Lockbox facility.

The instructions were revised to broaden the group of petitioners who may file their Form I-130 at the USCIS Chicago Lockbox facility to include those petitioners who live in Canada. These petitions were previously filed at the USCIS Vermont Service Center (VSC). This change also simplified the instructions by providing only one filing address for all petitioners who are filing a stand-alone Form I-130. There is no filing address change if Form I-130 is filed with Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
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Change of Filing Location for Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker

August 11th, 2010

WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced revised filing instructions for petitioners filing an Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (Form I-140). The new form, dated 6/14/10, reflects an overall effort to transition the filing of benefit forms from USCIS Service Centers to USCIS Lockbox facilities. Centralizing form and fee filing to a Lockbox environment allows USCIS to provide customers with more efficient and effective initial processing of applications, petitions and fees.

Form I-140 filed alone or together with an Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485) should be filed at the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility, or at the USCIS Nebraska or Texas Service Centers, depending on the classification for which the petition is being filed. Forms I-140 for skilled workers (marked “f” in Part 2, Petition Type, of the form) should continue to be submitted to either the Nebraska or to the Texas Service Centers. Forms I-140 that are accompanied by a Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service should also go only to the Nebraska or Texas Service Centers. Beginning on Aug. 3, 2010 all other Form I-140s should be submitted to the USCIS Dallas Lockbox facility. Detailed guidance can be found in the updated Form I-140 instructions on the USCIS website at www.uscis.gov.
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New Consular Visa Fees in Effect on July 13th

July 8th, 2010

The Department of State has (again) revised US Visa fees and will begin charging per the following table. Non Immigrant Visa fees were previously increased in June while Immigrant Visa fees have now been revised effective July 13th, 2010.

* Non Immigrant Visa “New” Fees already in effect.

Reference: US Dept of State official press release.

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Update: USCIS Proposes Increased Fees for Immigration Benefits

June 11th, 2010

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is seeking public comment on a proposed federal rule that would adjust fees for immigration benefit applications and petitions. The proposal, posted to the Federal Register on June 11, 2010 for public viewing, would increase overall fees by a weighted average of about 10 percent but would not increase the fee for the naturalization application.
Background

USCIS is a fee-based organization with about 90 percent of its budget coming from fees paid by applicants and petitioners to obtain immigration benefits. The law requires USCIS to conduct fee reviews every two years to determine whether it is recovering its costs to administer the nation’s immigration laws, process applications, and provide the infrastructure needed to support those activities. This proposed rule results from a comprehensive fee review begun in 2009.

USCIS’s fee revenue in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 was much lower than projected, and fee revenue in fiscal year 2010 remains low. While USCIS did receive appropriations from Congress, budget cuts of approximately $160 million have not bridged the remaining gap between costs and anticipated revenue. A fee adjustment, as detailed in the proposed rule, is necessary to ensure USCIS recovers the costs of its operations while also meeting the application processing goals identified in the 2007 fee rule.
Highlights of 2010 Proposed Fee Rule

The proposed fee rule would increase the average application and petition fees by approximately 10 percent.

Understanding the unique importance of naturalization, USCIS is proposing that the naturalization application fee not be increased.

The proposed rule would establish three new fees for:

Regional center designation under the Immigrant Investor Pilot Program (EB-5);

Individuals seeking civil surgeon designation; and

Recovery of the cost of processing immigrant visas granted by the Department of State.

The rule also proposes to adjust fees for the premium processing service. This would ensure that USCIS can continue to modernize to become a more efficient and effective organization.

The proposed fee structure also reduces fees for five individual applications and petitions as a result of lower processing costs:

Petition for Alien Fiancé (Form I-129F);

Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (Form I-539);

Application to Adjust Status From Temporary To Permanent Resident (Form I-698);

Application for Family Unity Benefits (Form I-817); and

Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document (Form N-565).

USCIS New Fees

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Nonimmigrant US Visa Fees to Increase June 4th

May 30th, 2010

On May 20, 2010, the Department of State published an interim final rule in the Federal Register to increase nonimmigrant visa application processing fees, also called the Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee, and Border Crossing Card (BCC) fees. The interim final rule also establishes a tiered structure with separate fees for different nonimmigrant visa categories. The new fees are scheduled to go into effect on June 4, 2010.

The Department is increasing fees to ensure sufficient resources to cover the rising cost of processing nonimmigrant visas. This increase applies both to nonimmigrant visas placed in passports and to border crossing cards issued to certain applicants in Mexico.

The new, tiered fee structure was created to cover the higher unit costs for processing certain categories of nonimmigrant visas that are more complicated and require more in-depth consideration than most other categories of nonimmigrant visas. The Department is required to recover, as far as possible, the cost of processing nonimmigrant visas through the collection of the application fees. For a number of reasons, including new security enhancements, the $131 fee set on January 1, 2008 no longer covers the current, actual cost of processing nonimmigrant visas.

Under the new schedule of fees, applicants for all visas that are not petition-based, including B1/B2 tourist and business visitor visas and all student and exchange visitor (F, M and J) visas, will pay a fee of $140.

Applicants for petition-based visas will pay an application fee of $150. These categories include:

· H visa for temporary workers and trainees
· L visa for intracompany transferees
· O visa for aliens with extraordinary ability
· P visa for athletes, artists and entertainers
· Q visa for international cultural exchange visitors
· R visa for religious occupations

The application fee for K visas for fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens will be $350. The fee for E visas for treaty-traders and treaty-investors will be $390.

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USCIS Issues Revised Employment Authorization Document

May 25th, 2010

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced that it has revised the Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or Form I-766, to incorporate the addition of a machine-readable zone on the back of the card..

This update to the EAD is part of USCIS’s ongoing efforts to deter immigration fraud. Starting May 11, USCIS began issuing the revised EAD cards. The machine-readable zone is compliant with International Civil Aviation Organization standards. USCIS also removed the two-dimensional bar code on the backside of the card and moved the informational box of text to just beneath the magnetic stripe on the card. The revised card retains all of its existing security features.

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USCIS Transitions the Intake Function to Lockbox Network for Several Benefit Requests

May 25th, 2010

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced that it will be transitioning the intake function of several more forms from the Service Centers to its Lockbox network. By centralizing form and fee intake to a Lockbox environment, USCIS will improve consistency and integrity in the intake process.

The forms scheduled for the transition:

– I-817, Application for Family Unity Benefits (If filing under section 301 of the Immigration Act of 1990);
– I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur ;
– I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status (Only those filed separately from the I-129);
– I-129F, Petition for Alien Fiance ;
– I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker.

The transition will start mid-May with the Service Centers forwarding applications to the USCIS Dallas and Phoenix Lockbox facilities for processing. In June, USCIS will post the revised filing instructions, update the web page for each form, and announce the address change with a USCIS Update.

Throughout the transition period and up to the point where USCIS formally announces the new filing addresses, customers with concerns should contact the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

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USCIS To Issue Redesigned Green Card

May 12th, 2010

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has redesigned the Permanent Resident Card – commonly known as the “Green Card” – to incorporate several major new security features. The Green Card redesign is the latest advance in USCIS’s ongoing efforts to deter immigration fraud. State-of-the-art technology incorporated into the new card prevents counterfeiting, obstructs tampering, and facilitates quick and accurate authentication. Beginning today, USCIS will issue all Green Cards in the new, more secure format.

“Redesigning the Green Card is a major achievement for USCIS,” said Director Alejandro Mayorkas. “The new security technology makes a critical contribution to the integrity of the immigration system.”

The enhanced features will better serve law enforcement, employers, and immigrants, all of whom look to the Green Card as definitive proof of authorization to live and work in the United States. Among the benefits of the redesign: Secure optical media will store biometrics for rapid and reliable identification of the card holder. Holographic images, laser engraved fingerprints, and high resolution micro-images will make the card nearly impossible to reproduce. Tighter integration of the card design with personalized elements will make it difficult to alter the card if stolen. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) capability will allow Customs and Border Protection officers at ports of entry to read the card from a distance and compare it immediately to file data. Finally, a preprinted return address will enable the easy return of a lost card to USCIS.

In keeping with the Permanent Resident Card’s nickname, it will now be colored green for easy recognition. USCIS will replace Green Cards already in circulation as individuals apply for renewal or replacement.

For more information on permanent residency and other immigration benefits, visit www.uscis.gov, or call USCIS’s National Customer Service Center at (800) 375-5283.

For reference, here is the old Green Card design:

The new features of the Green Card (seen with the old design behind it):

Questions and Answers:

Q. What is a Permanent Resident Card, or “Green Card”?
A. A Green Card is proof of authorization to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis. It also is evidence of registration in accordance with U.S. immigration laws. Newly issued Green Cards are valid for ten years for lawful permanent residents and two years for conditional residents. The permanent resident must renew his or her card each time it expires.

Q. Why did USCIS redesign the Green Card?
A. The Green Card redesign is the latest advance in USCIS’s ongoing efforts to deter immigration fraud. State-of-the-art technology prevents counterfeiting, obstructs tampering, and facilitates quick and accurate authentication of the card. The enhanced features will better serve law enforcement, employers, and immigrants, all of whom look to the Green Card as definitive proof of authorization to live and work in the United States.

Q. What major improvements has USCIS included in the redesigned Green Card?
A. Secure optical media store biometrics for rapid and reliable identification of the card holder. Holographic images, laser engraved fingerprints, and high resolution micro-images make the card nearly impossible to reproduce. Tighter integration of the card design with personalized elements makes it difficult to alter the card if stolen. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) capability allows Customs and Border Protection officers at ports of entry to read the card from a distance and compare it immediately to file data. Finally, a preprinted return address enables the quick and easy return of a lost card to USCIS.

Q. Is the Permanent Resident Card actually green, as its nickname suggests?
A. After the redesign, the card is now colored green.

Q. Who will receive the redesigned Green Card?
A. Beginning May 11, 2010, USCIS will issue all Green Cards in the new, more secure format. Recipients of the redesigned card will include those newly approved for lawful permanent residency, as well as those who have sought a renewal or replacement card.

Q. What happens to existing Green Cards with the old design?
A. Some existing Green Cards bear an expiration date, and those cards will remain valid until they expire. Holders of those cards will receive the redesigned version when seeking a renewal or replacement.

Other existing Green Cards have no expiration date, and those cards remain valid. USCIS recommends that holders of cards without an expiration date apply to replace their cards with the redesigned version.

The current cost of renewing or replacing a Green Card is $370. Additionally, eligible permanent residents may choose to explore becoming a naturalized U.S. citizen. For more information on eligibility for naturalization, go to www.uscis.gov/citizenship.

Q. How does a lawful permanent resident replace a Green Card, if lost or damaged?
A. A lawful permanent resident may seek a replacement card by filing a Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. The Form I-90 and instructions are available online at http://www.uscis.gov/forms. If outside the United States, a lawful permanent resident should contact the nearest U.S. consulate, USCIS office, or U.S. port of entry before attempting to file a Form I-90.

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Change of Filing Location for Form I-131, Application for Travel Document

March 30th, 2010

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced revised filing instructions and addresses for applicants filing an Application for Travel Document (Form I-131). The change of filing location is part of an overall effort to transition the intake of some USCIS forms from USCIS local offices and Service Centers to USCIS Lockbox facilities. By Centralizing form and fee intake to a Lockbox environment, the agency can provide customers with more efficient and effective initial processing of applications and fees.

Beginning March 19, 2010 applicants will file their applications at the USCIS Vermont Service Center or at one of the USCIS Lockbox facilities. Detailed guidance can be found in updated Form I-131 instructions page at www.uscis.gov.

The USCIS Service Centers will forward incorrectly filed Form I-131 applications to the USCIS Lockbox facilities for 30 days, until Monday, April 19, 2010. After April 19, 2010, incorrectly filed applications will be returned to the applicant, with a note to send the application to the correct location.

If you are currently in removal proceedings or have been previously removed from the United States, submit your request to the Department of Homeland Security/Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Office of International Affairs, Attn: Section Chief, Law Enforcement Parole Branch, 800 N. Capitol Street, Washington, DC 20536.

When filing Form I-131 at one of the USCIS Lockbox facilities, you may elect to receive an email and/or text message notifying you that your application has been accepted. You must complete an E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance (Form G-1145), and attach it to the first page of your application.

For more information on USCIS programs, visit www.uscis.gov or call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.

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