IMMIGRATION AND POLICY BY NYC BUSINESS IMMIGRATION LAWYER - Phone (212) 564-1589: VISA BULLETIN FOR AUGUST 2016

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY BY NYC BUSINESS IMMIGRATION LAWYER - Phone (212) 564-1589: VISA BULLETIN FOR AUGUST 2016: *U.S. Visas - U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affair FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES First : ( F1 ) Unmarried Sons and Daug...

VISA BULLETIN FOR AUGUST 2016

*U.S. Visas - U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affair

FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCES

First: (F1) Unmarried Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens:  23,400 plus any numbers not required for fourth preference.

Second: Spouses and Children, and Unmarried Sons and Daughters of Permanent Residents:  114,200, plus the number (if any) by which the worldwide family preference level exceeds 226,000, plus any unused first preference numbers:

A. (F2A) Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents:  77% of the overall second preference limitation, of which 75% are exempt from the per-country limit;

B. (F2B) Unmarried Sons and Daughters (21 years of age or older) of Permanent Residents:  23% of the overall second preference limitation.

Third: (F3) Married Sons and Daughters of U.S. Citizens:  23,400, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences.

Fourth: (F4) Brothers and Sisters of Adult U.S. Citizens:  65,000, plus any numbers not required by first three preferences.

A.  APPLICATION FINAL ACTION DATES FOR
     FAMILY-SPONSORED PREFERENCE CASES

On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); "C" means current, i.e., numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants; and "U" means unauthorized, i.e., numbers are not authorized for issuance. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlierthan the final action date listed below.)

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	22MAY09	22MAY09	22MAY09	08MAR95	22MAR05
F2A	15NOV14	15NOV14	15NOV14	01SEP14	15NOV14
F2B	08JAN10	08JAN10	08JAN10	08SEP95	15SEP05
F3	01DEC04	01DEC04	01DEC04	22OCT94	15MAR94
F4	15SEP03	01JAN03	01JAN01	15APR97	01FEB93

*NOTE: For August, F2A numbers EXEMPT from per-country limit are authorized for issuance to applicants from all countries with priority datesearlier than 01SEP14. F2A numbers SUBJECT to per-country limit are authorized for issuance to applicants chargeable to all countries EXCEPT MEXICO with priority dates beginning 01SEP14 and earlier than 15NOV14. (All F2A numbers provided for MEXICO are exempt from the per-country limit; there are no F2A numbers for MEXICO subject to per-country limit.)

B.  DATES FOR FILING FAMILY-SPONSORED
     VISA APPLICATIONS

The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart below may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all applicants in the relevant category may file applications, regardless of priority date.

The “C” listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be filed regardless of the applicant’s priority date. The listing of a date for any category indicates that only applicants with a priority date which isearlier than the listed date may file their application.

Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 4.A.) this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. 

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA- mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	01JAN10	01JAN10	01JAN10	01APR95	22DEC05
F2A	22NOV15	22NOV15	22NOV15	22NOV15	22NOV15
F2B	08FEB11	08FEB11	08FEB11	22MAY96	01FEB06
F3	22AUG05	22AUG05	22AUG05	01MAY95	01AUG95
F4	15JUN04	15JUN04	01MAY04	01JUN98	15JUL93

5.  Section 203(b) of the INA prescribes preference classes for allotment of Employment-based immigrant visas as follows: 

EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES

First:  Priority Workers:  28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required for fourth and fifth preferences.

Second:  Members of the Professions Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability:  28.6% of the worldwide employment-based preference level, plus any numbers not required by first preference.      

Third:  Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers:  28.6% of the worldwide level, plus any numbers not required by first and second preferences, not more than 10,000 of which to "*Other Workers".

Fourth:  Certain Special Immigrants:  7.1% of the worldwide level.

Fifth:  Employment Creation:  7.1% of the worldwide level, not less than 3,000 of which reserved for investors in a targeted rural or high-unemployment area, and 3,000 set aside for investors in regional centers by Sec. 610 of Pub. L. 102-395.

A.  APPLICATION FINAL ACTION DATES FOR
     EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCE CASES

On the chart below, the listing of a date for any class indicates that the class is oversubscribed (see paragraph 1); "C" means current, i.e., numbers are authorized for issuance to all qualified applicants; and "U" means unauthorized, i.e., numbers are not authorized for issuance. (NOTE: Numbers are authorized for issuance only for applicants whose priority date is earlierthan the final action date listed below.)

Employ- ment based	All Charge- ability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA- mainland  born	EL SALVADOR GUATEMALA HONDURAS	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
1st	C	01JAN10	C	01JAN10	C	C
2nd	01FEB14	01JAN10	01FEB14	15NOV04	01FEB14	01FEB14
3rd	15MAR16	01JAN10	15MAR16	08NOV04	15MAR16	15MAY09
Other Workers	15MAR16	01JAN04	15MAR16	08NOV04	15MAR16	15MAY09
4th	C	C	01JAN10	01JAN10	01JAN10	C
Certain Religious Workers	C	C	01JAN10	01JAN10	01JAN10	C
5th Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5)	C	15FEB14	C	C	C	C
5th Regional Center (I5 and R5)	C	15FEB14	C	C	C	C

*Employment Third Preference Other Workers Category:  Section 203(e) of the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) passed by Congress in November 1997, as amended by Section 1(e) of Pub. L. 105-139, provides that once the Employment Third Preference Other Worker (EW) cut-off date has reached the priority date of the latest EW petition approved prior to November 19, 1997, the 10,000 EW numbers available for a fiscal year are to be reduced by up to 5,000 annually beginning in the following fiscal year. This reduction is to be made for as long as necessary to offset adjustments under the NACARA program. Since the EW cut-off date reached November 19, 1997 during Fiscal Year 2001, the reduction in the EW annual limit to 5,000 began in Fiscal Year 2002.

B.  DATES FOR FILING OF EMPLOYMENT-BASED
     VISA APPLICATIONS

The chart below reflects dates for filing visa applications within a timeframe justifying immediate action in the application process. Applicants for immigrant visas who have a priority date earlier than the application date in the chart may assemble and submit required documents to the Department of State’s National Visa Center, following receipt of notification from the National Visa Center containing detailed instructions. The application date for an oversubscribed category is the priority date of the first applicant who cannot submit documentation to the National Visa Center for an immigrant visa. If a category is designated “current,” all applicants in the relevant category may file, regardless of priority date.

The “C” listing indicates that the category is current, and that applications may be filed regardless of the applicant’s priority date. The listing of a date for any category indicates that only applicants with a priority date which isearlier than the listed date may file their application.

Visit www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo for information on whether USCIS has determined that this chart can be used (in lieu of the chart in paragraph 5.A.) this month for filing applications for adjustment of status with USCIS. 
 

Employment-  based	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA- mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
1st	C	C	C	C	C
2nd	C	01JUN13	01JUL09	C	C
3rd	C	01MAY15	01JUL05	C	01JAN13
Other Workers	C	01AUG09	01JUL05	C	01JAN13
4th	C	C	C	C	C
Certain Religious Workers	C	C	C	C	C
5th Non-Regional Center (C5 and T5)	C	01MAY15	C	C	C
5th Regional Center (I5 and R5)	C	01MAY15	C	C	C

6.  The Department of State has a recorded message with the cut-off date information for Final Application Action which can be heard at:  (202) 485-7699.  This recording is updated on or about the tenth of each month with information on final action dates for the following month. 

* www.travel.state.gov

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY BY NYC BUSINESS IMMIGRATION LAWYER - Phone (212) 564-1589: 2016 OLYMPICS IN BRAZIL

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY BY NYC BUSINESS IMMIGRATION LAWYER - Phone (212) 564-1589: 2016 OLYMPICS IN BRAZIL: Planning to travel to Brazil to watch the 2016 Olympics? During the 2016 Olympics the Brazilian government has announced that it will gra...

2016 OLYMPICS IN BRAZIL

Planning to travel to Brazil to watch the 2016 Olympics?

During the 2016 Olympics the Brazilian government has announced that it will grant a visa waiver program for U.S. citizens from June 1 to September 18, 2016. To see if your trip qualifies for visa waiver, visit the Brazilian Embassy’s website. Outside of this period Brazil requires U.S. citizens to carry a valid U.S. passport and visa when traveling to Brazil for any purpose. You must obtain your Brazilian visa in advance from the Brazilian Embassy or consulate nearest to your place of residence in the United States. Visas cannot be obtained at the airport, and immigration authorities will refuse entry into Brazil to anyone not possessing a valid visa. The U.S. government cannot assist you if you arrive in Brazil without proper documentation.

Ensure you have a valid U.S. passport valid for at least six. If your passport will expire before or during your trip, renew it now.  Remember to sign your passport – in ink – and complete the emergency information page.

U.S. citizens and other foreign travelers must fill out an immigration form on arrival that will be stamped and handed back by immigration officials at the airport.  It is important to retain this form to hand back to immigration officials upon exit from the country.

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). It https://br.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/olympics-2016-u-s-citizen-services/will allow you to: 

• Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
• Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
• Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergence

Have a safe flight and enjoy Brazil! 

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY BY NYC BUSINESS IMMIGRATION LAWYER - Phone (212) 564-1589: 4TH OF JULY IN NEW YORK CITY

IMMIGRATION AND POLICY BY NYC BUSINESS IMMIGRATION LAWYER - Phone (212) 564-1589: 4TH OF JULY IN NEW YORK CITY: LAW OFFICES OF NORKA M. SCHELL, LLC 11 Broadway, Suite 615 New York, New York 10004 Tel. (212)564-1589 Website: norka@lawschell.c...

4TH OF JULY IN NEW YORK CITY

LAW OFFICES OF NORKA M. SCHELL, LLC

11 Broadway, Suite 615

New York, New York 10004

Tel. (212)564-1589

Website: norka@lawschell.com

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