December 10: January 2025 visa bulletin
Hi all, Jan. 2025 visa bulletin has been released. USCIS has decided to use Dates for Filing chart to determine I-485 filing in Jan. 2025. Here’s the DOS website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/visa-law0/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-for-january-2025.html and here’s the USCIS webpage: https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/visa-availabil[…]tatus-application-for-family-sponsored-or-employment-based-108.
December 10: I-485 form edition update
USCIS announcement: On Dec. 10, 2024, we published a new edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Resident or Adjust Status, which includes updates to questions and instructions. Starting Feb. 10, 2025, we will accept only the 10/24/24 edition of Form I-485 and will reject any older editions of Form I-485.
The new edition of Form I-485 features these major changes:
Requires applicants who need to submit a Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, or a partial Form I-693 (such as a vaccination record), to submit the Form I-693 or partial Form I-693 with their Form I-485. If the applicant does not submit the Form I-693 with Form I-485 when it is required, the Form I-485 may be rejected;
Enables applicants who are exempt from the Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA, requirement to request the exemption on Form I-485 rather than submitting Form I-864W, Request for Exemption for Intending Immigrant’s Affidavit of Support. Form I-864W has been discontinued and removed it from uscis.gov;
A clarification of the form questions about the public charge ground of inadmissibility. The questions now will require an applicant to identify their immigrant category so that we can more easily determine whether or not they are exempt from this ground of inadmissibility and can adjudicate the application accordingly. We expect that this change will reduce confusion among applicants; and
Streamlines the collection of information and consolidates and clarifies instructions and requirements.
December 9: DOS updates 212(e) skill list
DOS has updated their J-1 212(e) skill list and the updated version is effective starting today.
The new skill list applies retroactively, which means it supersedes older skills list. There are major changes happening in this new skills list, e.g. China and India are removed from the list.
December 2: Medical exam required for every I-485 filing
Hi all, there is a major update on I-485 from USCIS and there is no grace period whatsoever. The update is that USCIS will now require every I-485 to be filed with medical exam without fail, and for any new I-485s that are submitted without medical exams, they would be rejected. Please review this link for details: