The Department of State has announced that all available EB-1 and EB-4 green cards have been issued for fiscal year 2024. The government’s fiscal year runs from October 1st to September 30th. This means no additional green cards can be granted in this category through September 30th. New green cards can be issued in these […]
The Biden Administration’s Keeping Families Together initiative is officially live. The program allows certain spouses of US citizens, who did not lawfully enter the US, to apply for a green card without having to worry about traveling abroad with risky waiver applications. Applicants applying for parole in place need to provide evidence of physical presence […]
The Department of State has announced that all available EB-3 and unreserved EB-5 green cards have been issued for fiscal year 2024. The government’s fiscal year runs from October 1st to September 30th. This means no additional green cards can be granted in these categories through September 30th. New green cards can be issued in […]
USCIS Dependent Immigration Process for H-4 (with Spousal I-140) and J-2 Dependents
This guide outlines the process for nonimmigrant dependents (spouses and children under 21) residing in the U.S. who are linked to principal visa holders.
Key Points:
H-4 Dependents: Eligible for work authorization if the H-1B principal has an approved I-140. Employment can begin only after USCIS approves the work authorization.
J-2 Dependents: May apply for work authorization upon U.S. admission or status change approval, with employment commencing post-approval.
Application Process: Meltzer Hellrung assists in the preparation and submission of required forms (I-539, I-765), with USCIS processing times varying based on the Service Center.
Decision & Follow-Up: USCIS will communicate decisions or requests for additional information (RFE), with approved documents forwarded to applicants.
PERM The Department of Labor reports that PERM processing times are approximately 12-13 months. Cases that are currently being adjudicated have a Priority Date of July 2023. Cases that are under Audit Review have a longer processing time of about 18 months. Cases currently being adjudicated in Audit Review have a Priority Date of December […]
