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UNITED STATES: USCIS Tightens Rules for Green Card Applicants
September 5, 2017
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that, effective 1st October 2017, it will eliminate the practice of waiving employment-based adjustment of status interviews, which has been standard practice for approximately two decades.
In another departure from previous standard practice, USCIS has now started to deny Advance Parole applications when the applicant departs the United States, even if the applicant holds H-1B, H-4 or L status.
Adjustment of Status Interviews
The adjustment of status application is the final stage of the green card permanent residence process, and reviews the applicant’s personal and visa history. This new measure will impact foreign nationals who apply for permanent residence, while physically present in the United States, through USCIS. All foreign nationals who have submitted adjustment of status applications will be required to undergo a personal interview at the USCIS office with jurisdiction over their place of residence.
In fiscal year 2015 alone, USCIS adjudicated 122,000 employment-based permanent residence applications, most of which did not require the applicants to attend an interview. Therefore, the elimination of waiving the interview requirement will almost certainly result in additional significant delays in processing applications for permanent residence.
Advance Parole
Applicants for permanent residence (green card) in the US often rely on a grant of Advance Parole (AP) to travel internationally while their green card applications are pending.
Without Advance Parole, green card applicants are not permitted to travel internationally, unless the applicant holds a valid H-1B, H-4 or L visa. However, for years, USCIS has permitted green card applicants holding valid H-1B, H-4 or L visas, and those holding a valid Advance Parole document, to travel internationally without consequence while their initial or renewal AP applications are pending.
Our Advice
Companies sponsoring employees for green cards should anticipate longer processing times due to the forthcoming new interview requirement.
Advance Parole applicants should avoid travelling abroad while their AP application is pending.
For advice and information on US immigration in general, please email us at [email protected].
