Administrative Relief
This topic and its links have been disabled due to
lack of current information, policies, procedures.
(Posted: Dec 2019)
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Archive
Alert: President-elect Donald Trump will take office at noon on January
20, 2017. The new president may decide to make adjustments
to the current legal immigration system and enforcement policies
and may discontinue DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals)--an election promise he issued. Checking with
the various U.S. Department of Justice agencies listed in the
second paragraph below will help keep you informed of future
changes in immigration policy, procedures and programs.
(Posted: Jan 2017)
Archived
Info:
If you have questions, concerns,
or need basic facts concerning President Obama’s recent
“Administrative Relief” actions announced on November
20, 2014 visit the Committee for Immigration Reform
Implementation (CIRI) Resource Center at www.adminrelief.org for
details and sign up for email alerts as well!
(Posted: Dec 2014)
U.S.
Department
of Justice agencies are also providing information and
details on how Administrative Relief will be implemented
within their own agencies.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS):
https://www.dhs.gov/archive/immigration-action
Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE):
https://www.ice.gov/immigrationAction
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): https://www.uscis.gov/immigrationaction
Affidavit of Support Letters:
Authorization
Reminder:
For the past several years, it has been the
established protocol of the Society of the Divine Word's Chicago
Province (USC) that the USC Provincial is the
only person authorized to write letters of invitation for family
members, friends, and other SVDs seeking to come to the U.S. to
visit on a B1/B2 Tourist Visa. (This also includes so-called
"simple" letters of invitation.) This policy was recommended to
us by our immigration legal team who firmly advise that only one
person should speak for the Chicago Province when inviting nonimmigrants
into the United States. Since the legal responsibility for these
nonimmigrants lies with the Chicago Province while they are here in the U.S.,
it is the Provincial who speaks for (and represents) the Chicago
Province in
this the legal responsibility.
(Posted:
Jul 2020)
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Alien Registration "Green Card" Holder
Reminders
REMINDER:
If you are a Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) traveling outside of the
U.S., you need to have a valid passport and your
"green card" with you. It is also a good idea to have your passport
stamped as you travel so that you can keep track of your travel
dates. Later should you decide to apply for naturalization, you
will be required to list all your trips outside the U.S. since
becoming an LPR. Having your passport stamped will help you
accurately recall the dates.
(Updated: Jul 2021)
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Application to Preserve
Residence for Naturalization Purposes (for LPRs)
Info:
Certain LPRs serving outside the U.S.
may be eligible to file a form N-470 Application to Preserve
Residence for Naturalization Purposes. If approved, time spent
outside the U.S. may be counted as physical presence in the U.S.
and count toward the LPR’s naturalization.
(Verified: Jan 2022)
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Canada:
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
Update: The Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) Program is in full
operation. The Government of Canada's official website to apply for
an eTA to fly or transit through a Canadian airport is
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada/eta/facts.html.
You
will also be able to find answers to frequently asked questions,
details for applying online, and more. If you are travelling to or
transiting through Canada, be sure to check this site first.
(Posted: Dec 2020. Link verified 11/24/2020)
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Archived Update:
The leniency period for complying with the new Electronic
Travel Authorization (eTA) requirement has been extended to
September 29, 2016 but if you need an eTA don’t wait! Find
instructions at
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp and answers to frequently asked questions at
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/results-by-topic.asp?st=16.7.
(Posted: Jun 2016)
Archived
Alert: As of March 15, 2016, visa-exempt foreign
nationals are expected to have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)
to fly to or transit through Canada. Exceptions include U.S.
citizens and travelers with a valid Canadian visa. Check
http://cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp
for details on eTA requirements, documents, and applying.
(Posted: May 2016)
Canadian Immigration Websites
Update:
The website addresses and information listed for these Canadian
immigration websites have been reviewed, updated, and are current
as of December 2020.
(Posted: Jan 2021)
Info: Following are several websites that could be helpful to our
members assigned to Canada. The list is courtesy of our
Canadian immigration attorneys.
(Posted: Mar 2013)
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Canadian Residency Obligation
Reminder: Individuals with Permanent Resident (PR) status in Canada are
required to comply with the residency obligation with respect to
"every five-year period". This means that an
individual must be physically present in Canada for at least 730
days during each five-year period.
(Verified and Posted: Feb 2021)
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CBP One™
Mobile Application
CBP One™ is a mobile application launched by U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) that serves as a single portal to a variety of CBP
services. Through a series of guided questions, the app will direct
each type of user (including travelers to the U.S.) to the
appropriate services based on their needs. Go to
https://www.cbp.gov/about/mobile-apps-directory/cbpone for more information and
directions on downloading the CBP One™ app to your web-enabled smart
device.
(Posted: May 2021)
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Change of Address
INFO:
Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)
and all nonimmigrant visa holders, including R-1 Religious Workers,
are required to notify U.S. Customs and Immigration Service (USCIS)
about any address changes.
Failure to
report a change of address is punishable by fine or imprisonment
and/or removal.
For details about changing your
address go to
https://www.uscis.gov/addresschange. You will be asked to
complete an AR-11 Alien's Change of Address Card. The form is
available online at
https://www.uscis.gov/ar-11.
We suggest you keep a copy of the
completed AR-11 form for your records (and for SVDs only: To send a
copy to the USC Provincial's office).
(Verified: Nov 2021)
ARCHIVED: Starting December 30, 2019, USCIS will only
accept the September 10, 2019 edition of the AR-11 Alien's Change of
Address Card. The link for this form can be found at https://www.uscis.gov/ar-11.
(Posted: Dec 2019)
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Correct (and Consistent) Name on
Immigration Documents
Reminder: Visa
holders are urged to make sure that their name is correct on all
official immigration documents as well as driver's license
applications and other identity-related documents. All
documents should have your name spelled exactly as it is listed
on your passport and the passport should match exactly what is
listed on your U.S. visa.
(Posted: Sep
2020)
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Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Update:
You should refer to the following USCIS
(U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service) website page for the most
current guidelines concerning renewal of a DACA (Deferred
Action for Childhood Arrivals) status:
https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/renew-your-daca
Regarding first-time applicants, the USCIS can accept
first-time applications but they are prevented from approving or
processing the applications based on a Texas ruling dated July 16,
2021.
(Posted: Sep 2021)
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Archived UPDATE
(Nov 2019):
Below is the current status of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals) as stated on USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services) website and dated July 17, 2019. For more details and
instructions visit: (link removed)
https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/deferred-action-childhood-arrivals-response-january-2018-preliminary-injunction
USCIS is not accepting requests from individuals who have never
before been granted deferred action under DACA. Due to federal court
orders on Jan. 9, 2018 and Feb. 13, 2018, USCIS has resumed
accepting requests to renew
(only)
a grant of deferred action under DACA.
Archived
Alert
(Jan 2017):
President-elect Donald Trump will take office at noon on January
20, 2017. Although he stated during his campaign that he
would end DACA, it is unclear how, when, or if this will
actually happen. If you are planning to apply for DACA or
renewing your application, it is advised that you consult with
your attorney or a trusted legal service provider for advice
first.
Archived
Update
(Sep 2012):
On June 15, 2012, President Obama announced a
program offering deferred action to certain people who are
present in the United States unlawfully and came to the United
States as children.
Program details can be found at
https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/consideration-deferred-action-childhood-arrivals-daca (link updated October 7, 2015)
or visit our Immigration Resources page
here.
Deferred
Inspection Sites
Info:
These sites provide assistance to those individuals who at the time
of entry into the United States were scheduled for a deferred
inspection or believe that the documentation and corresponding
endorsements issued at the port of entry require review and possible
correction. For locations and details go to U.S. Customs and Border
Protection’s website at
https://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/deferred-inspection-sites.
(Posted: Dec 2020. Link updated 11/24/2020)
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Driver's License
Info: The State of Nevada offers an
up-to-date, comprehensive list of all 50 state's Department of
Motor Vehicles (DMV) websites. Visit
https://dmvnv.com/50_state_dmv_list.html
(Link updated: Feb 2020)
Info: The requirements for applying for a driver's
license may vary from state to state, so you will need to check
with the local office that issues the license in your area of
residence. For State of Illinois requirements, please visit
www.cyberdriveillinois.com
which will provide you with information regarding necessary
documents for both driver’s licenses and state ID cards.
(See also Section VI of the SVD USC Visa Holders Handbook.)
(Verified: Feb 2020)
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Employment for F-1 Students Targeted
Update: On March 7, 2014 the
U.S. General Accountability Office (GAO) responded to Sen.
Grassley's concerns. You can access the GAO’s recommendations
and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) responses
here.
(Posted: Sep 2015)
Update:
Sen. Charles Grassley (R. IA) has focused on F-1
student employment as a possible threat to U.S. national and
economic security and program integrity. In a May 31, 2012
letter to the Government Accounting Office (GAO), he called for
a complete investigation of the Optional Practical Training
Program. In a February 2012 letter to President Obama, Sen.
Grassley criticized an expansion of OPT for certain students in
high tech fields during a period of high unemployment of U.S.
workers. Recently, USCIS has begun denying OPT requests that
are not timely filed by the student within 30 days of the DSO’s
recommendation.
Unauthorized employment by F-1 students is a violation of
status. Employment may be authorized:
•
at an on-campus job;
•
as curricular practical training (“CPT”) to engage in an
externship or work-study program for course credit or
required by his or her academic program;
•
as optional practical training (“OPT”), with
authorization by USCIS to allow a student to work in a
job related to his or her field of study but not
required by his or her academic program and for which
course credit is not granted; or
•
because of proven, unanticipated financial hardship.
F-1 students must consult with their DSO
before beginning
employment to make sure their employment is lawful and that
all necessary paperwork is completed. All of these employment
categories contain restrictions on the number of hours or number
of months a student may work. For example on-campus employment,
OPT engaged in prior to graduation, and financial hardship
employment may be only part-time (i.e. no more than 20 hours a
week) except during school holidays and in the summer. In
addition, in most cases students must have completed at least
one academic year of full-time study before being eligible for
employment authorization. Finally, with the exception of
on-campus employment, all employment requires the DSO to
authorize the employment in SEVIS. For OPT and financial
hardship employment, the student must also apply to USCIS and
receive an employment authorization card before beginning work.
(Posted: Sep 2012)
Sen. Grassley letter to GAO regarding OPT
Sen. Grassley Letter to the President
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F-1
Student Status: Completion of Studies
Alert: After you have completed your academic studies,
you must depart the U.S. within 60 days of completing your program.
See the SVD USC Handbook for Visa Holders, Section I, page 6 for
complete details.
(Posted: May 2016)
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Global Entry Program (LPRs)
INFO: How it works: At airports, program members proceed to
Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or U.S.
permanent resident card, place their fingerprints on the scanner for
fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration. The
kiosk will then issue the traveler a transaction receipt and direct the
traveler to baggage claim and the exit. For information on
enrollment, benefits, kiosk locations, and more details, go to
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry
(Verified: Aug 2021)
Update: CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) has expanded program
eligibility for Global Entry to citizens of India. The announcement
was made July 3, 2017 and can be read at
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-announces-expansion-global-entry-indian-citizens.
(Posted: Aug 2017)
Info: If you are enrolled in the Global Entry Program (GE) and
your LPR card (aka "green card") has been renewed or
replaced since enrolling in GE, you will need to visit a Global
Entry Center so that a Customs Border Protection (CBP) officer
can input the LPR card's "new" information. The CBP-entered
data will then coincide with your Global Entry Program
membership and your LPR card will be accepted at GE kiosks.
Global Entry Centers are located in most major U.S. airports.
Visit
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/locations for a list.
(Posted: Jun 2015)
Reminder:
"Green Card" holders are eligible to apply for
the Global Entry Program. See the information below (Apr
2012) and
the
U.S.
Customs and Border Protection
website for details.
(Posted: Feb 2015)
Info: Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that
allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon
arrival in the United States. For full details, requirements, and
to sign up for the program, visit the CBP site
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/how-apply. As
we understand it, this program is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful
Permanent Residents (LPRs) and citizens of Mexico.
(Posted: Apr 2012)
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Guide to USCIS Online Tools
USCIS
offers a variety of online tools for their customers, the
organizations that serve them and the general public. The
links and information is updated based on their
systems and usually provides the same information you would get
by calling the USCIS national toll-free number.
Go to
https://www.uscis.gov/tools/uscis-tools-and-resources/uscis-tools-and-resources
for a list of the online tools (topics) available.
(Verified: May
2021)
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I-94 Arrival / Departure Record (NonImmigrants)
Info:
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has changed the website address
at which you can obtain a copy of your I-94 and travel
history. Please note that the new address is
https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home.
When requesting a copy of your I-94 (or travel history), you should
have your passport available as you will be asked for your first name, last name, date of birth,
passport number and the country of issuance as noted on your
passport.
(Verified and Posted: Feb 2021)
Info: Nonimmigrants departing the U.S. by air or sea and who
were previously issued a paper Form I-94 (White Card) should
surrender it to their commercial carrier or to Customs and
Border Protection (CBP) upon departure. Those with the new
electronic I-94 record printout do NOT need to surrender the
document since CBP will record their departure electronically
via the manifest information provided by their carrier.
(Posted: Sep 2015)
Update:
The paperless I-94 is now in effect. Travelers arriving to
the U.S. by sea or air will have their passports stamped with an
admission stamp that notes their date of admission, class of
admission and admitted-until date. It is the
responsibility of the traveler to then retrieve/obtain their own
I-94 paper copy at
https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home.
(Posted: Sep 2015)
Reminder: Rule 264e of the Immigration and
Nationality Act, states that the I-94 Arrival/Departure Card must be
carried on your person. There is a fine as well as possible jail
time (misdemeanor charge) for not complying with the rule. This rule
also applies to anyone in the U.S. holding a B1/B2 Tourist status.
(Posted: Sep 2015)
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I-94:
Traveler Compliance Check
Reminder: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP of
USCBP) has added a new function to the I-94 website that allows
visa holders to check the status of their stay in the United
States. On the website after entering your name, birthdate,
passport number and passport country of issuance, you can view your
admitted-until-date, how much longer you may remain and/or how many
days you have overstayed with instructions on what to do in the
event of an overstay.
The I-94
website is:
https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home. There is also a
FAQ section on the site.
(Verified: Oct 2021)
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Immigration Documents
Reminder: Visa
holders must carry their I-94 with them at all times.
This is the law for visa holders. Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) must carry their permanent
residence card (aka "green card") with them at all times.
This is the law for LPRs.
(Verified: Aug 2021)
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Immigration Site Visits by the USCIS
INFO: Between April 2020 and March 2021, the Chicago Province cooperated with two site visits by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS). Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the
visits were conducted via phone with the USCIS agent.
(Posted: Apr 2021)
Info: The number of unannounced site inspections by U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is now seven: Five
in-person inspections occurring at the Province Center, an SVD
community or parish; and two inspections via phone by a USCIS
agent.
(Posted: Apr 2020)
Info:
The
Chicago Province experienced the sixth unannounced site inspection
by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Department
of Homeland Security, Administrative Site Visit and Verification
Program on April 16, 2014. Four of the unannounced visits
have taken place at the Province Center, one at an SVD
Community, and one at an SVD Parish. The Provincial also
received a phone call from a USCIS Site Verification Office on
May 15, 2014 asking to verify the R-1 employment of two SVDs
working at a parish in the Midwest.
All Religious Worker (R-1) applicants and valid R-1
status holders are subject to these inspections. An
example being the latest inspection which was for an SVD
recently approved for an R-1 extension. Remain vigilant!
(Posted: Aug 2014)
Info:
The
Chicago Province had its fourth unannounced immigration visit on May
24, 2011 when an agent from the Administrative Site Visit and
Verification Program, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services,
Department of Homeland Security came to the Province Center.
The interview was lengthy and detailed, but we were well prepared
and answered all questions thoroughly. The visit also involved a
campus tour, as well as some picture taking by the officer.
Earlier this year the same government agency paid an unannounced
visit to one of our communities, and prior to this the USCIS conducted
an inspection over the phone with a member.
(Posted: May 2011)
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Immigration
Terminology
Update: The SVD Handbook for Visa
Holders has a section that explains many frequently used terms and acronyms with regards to
immigration (i.e., "alien", "Port of Entry", "SEVIS", etc.).
The terminology section now starts on page 30, Section XIV of
the January 2019 eEdition of the Handbook.
(Reviewed: Jul 2021)
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InfoPass
UPDATE: InfoPass is no longer available for scheduling appointments online.
Should you need to cancel or have questions about your interview or
appointment, visit your "Case Status Online" at
https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do
or the USCIS Contact Center at
https://www.uscis.gov/contactcenter.
(Updated: Nov 2020)
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Lawful Permanent Residence (LPR):
Procedure for Applying
Info: SVDs applying for Lawful Permanent
Residence status, i.e. a “green card” can only do so after
receiving authorization from the Provincial. Only the
Provincial is authorized to give permission for this process.
For complete procedure details see Section X, page 20 of the
SVD Handbook for Visa Holders
(Posted: Nov 2020)
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Maximum Status Rule (R-1s)
Reminder:
An individual holding an R-1 visa must depart the U.S. for at least
one full year after reaching the five-year maximum. R-1 Holders need to keep this in mind when planning
extended trips outside of the United States.
This five-year time limit could also affect those filing for Legal
Permanent Resident (LPR. Such persons must remain in valid R-1 status
up to the time he applies for LPR status and must obtain an
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in order to remain eligible
to adjust status.
(Posted: Mar 2020, Mar 2018, Oct 2015)
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Archived Update: On March 8, 2012 the USCIS issued a
Policy Memorandum which formally recognizes that
time spent outside of the U.S. by R-1 nonimmigrants will not be
counted toward their five-year time limit. This reverses their
official position of August 29, 2011 (below) and is good news, indeed!
(Posted: Apr 2012)
Archived Alert:
The USCIS reaffirmed their position on recapturing R-1 time while
outside of the U.S. and this official position was published in "88
Interpreter Releases", pp. 2048, dated August 29, 2011. The USCIC
decision was made public during the National Religious Worker
Stakeholder Engagement Q&A Sessions held on July 14, 2011 and July 28,
2011.
USCIS Official
position: The five-year time limit will
continue to accrue even while a person is outside of the U.S.
for meetings, home leave or other reasons.
(Posted: Sep 2011)
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Medical Examination and Vaccination Record
(LPR Applicants)
UPDATE: Effective December 9, 2021, USCIS is temporarily waiving the
requirement that the civil surgeon sign the Report of Medical
Examination and Vaccination Record (Form I-693) no more than 60 days
before the date the applicant files an Application to Register
Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485). It is still in
the best interest of applicants to undergo the immigration medical
examination close to the time of filing the Form I-485, as the Form
I-693 only retains its evidentiary value for 2 years from the date
of the civil surgeon’s signature. After the 2-year timeframe, the
applicant would need to submit a new Form I-693 if USCIS has not
adjudicated the Form I-485. This temporary waiver is effective until
September 30, 2022. See
https://www.uscis.gov/i-693
for specific details and instructions.
(Update posted: Jan 2022)
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Archived UPDATE: Generally, all applicants
filing for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent
resident must submit Form I-693 completed by a designated civil
surgeon. Form I-693 is used to report results of a medical
examination to USCIS. The examination is required to establish that
an applicant is not inadmissible to the United States on public
health grounds. See https://www.uscis.gov/i-693 for
specific details and instructions.
(Posted: May 2019)
Archived
Update: Form I-693 Report of Medical Examination and
Vaccination Record has been updated by USCIS. Starting April
28, 2017, USCIS will only accept the 02/07/17 edition of this
form. Until then, you can use the 03/30/15 edition.
(You can
find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the Form and
Instructions.) For specific details and instructions go to the USCIS website at
https://www.uscis.gov/i-693.
(Posted: Apr 2017)
Archived
Alert:
Starting May 30, 2014, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services (USCIS) will limit the validity period for all Forms
I-693 Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record to
one year from the date of submission to USCIS. Applicants
must also submit Form I-693 to USCIS within one year of the
immigration medical examination.
(Posted: Aug 2014)
Naturalization
Reminder: Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) intending to
apply for naturalization--whether soon or in the coming
years--should review the U.S. residency requirements noted in
the Oct 2011 Alert below.
(Verified: April 2021)
Alert:
The rule for naturalization is that
the applicant must be an LPR residing in the U.S. for at least five
years, and physically present in the U.S. for at least one half of those
five years. Any departure of more than six months and less than
one year gives rise to a presumption that the LPR broke his continuous
residence. That presumption may be overcome by evidence that the
LPR did not intend to abandon his residence in the U.S. Any
departure of more than one year will necessarily break residence for
naturalization purposes, unless the LPR has filed an N-470 application
to preserve residence for naturalization purposes.
The N-470
application, when approved, treats period of time spent outside the U.S.
as if it were physical presence in the U.S. It is available to
priests and religious workers assigned to perform religious service
outside the U.S. But the LPR must have been continuously
physically present in the U.S. for one year in order to qualify for the
N-470 benefit.
If the
priest or confrere will be outside the U.S. for longer than six months,
it is recommended that he file an application for a re-entry permit.
This is one way to argue that the LPR did not intend to abandon his
residence in the U.S.
(Posted: Oct 2011)
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Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM)
INFO:
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has
replaced the United States Visitor and Immigration Status
Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) Program with the Office of
Biometric Identity Management (OBIM). Information about
OBIM can be found at
https://www.dhs.gov/obim.
You should also mark this new information in your SVD USC
Handbook for Visa Holders on page 19.
(Posted: Nov 2018, Links reviewed: Dec 2020)
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One Year Presence (LPRs)
Update:
LPRs
(with the exception of religious workers) must be continuously
and physically present in the U.S. for a one year period after
becoming a Lawful Permanent Resident
if they intend to file an Application to Preserve Residence
for Naturalization Purposes Form N-470 anytime in the future.
Religious
workers
are exempt from this requirement and are not required to have
lived in the United States for a specific period of time prior
to filing Form N-470. You can refer to the section titled
When to File Form N-470 found on page 6 of the Instructions for
Form N-470 at
https://www.uscis.gov/n-470.
This link has full details on filing requirements and
instructions for filing.
(Verified: Mar 2021)
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Overseas Training Program / Cultural
Training Program (F-1s)
Reminder:
The
guidelines
issued by this Province for OTP/CTP
have been updated to be more specific and to also include
information about C transit visas. See item 2.(B) under
section "Before
returning to the U.S." We suggest you print a copy of
these guidelines for
your reference.
(Verified: Oct 2021)
Info: The USC
Education Office and Scott D. Pollock and Associates have
developed a set of
guidelines for F-1 Students planning to participate in the OTP (Overseas Training Program) / CTP (Cultural Training
Program) outside of the United States. You are encouraged
to review the guidelines in order to ensure a timely and trouble-free
return to the U.S.
(Posted: Sep 2012)
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Passport: Expiration Date
Reminder:
You are reminded to check the expiration date of your passport
and renew it well in advance of the expiration. The
renewal process for some countries can be lengthy. You
should check the website,
https://www.embassyworld.org for specific embassy and consulate locations and direct
contact information.
(Verified: Sep 2021)
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Passport: Lost or Stolen
Info: The U.S.
Department of State has complete information and
instructions on what to do if your valid U.S. passport is
lost or stolen either in the United States or abroad or if
you find another person's lost U.S. passport. The website is
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies/lost-stolen-passport-abroad.html.
If you have a foreign passport that has been lost or stolen,
contact your home country's consulate general for additional
information. To locate your home country's embassy or
consular offices within the U.S. visit
https://www.embassyworld.org.
(Verified: Sep 2021)
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Passport: Renewal
Info:
If you renew your passport and
your old valid visa is in your old passport, please make
sure your Consulate returns the old passport with the valid visa
inside to you. Normally when this happens the Consulate stamps
your passport VIOP, which means "visa in the old passport". This
signals U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) to check your
old passport (which you must keep with you) for your valid visa.
If your Consulate does not return your old passport with the
valid visa inside, you will not be allowed to re-enter
the U.S. and will be required to apply for a new visa, which
takes a lot of extra time.
(Reviewed: Sep 2021)
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Payment Requests: Scam Alert
Alert:
Please be aware that USCIS officials will never ask for payment
over the phone or in an email. If USCIS need payment, they will
mail a letter on official stationery requesting payment. Never
respond to a request for payment made by phone or email, no
matter how persuasive or aggressive it sounds. You can report a
scam email or phone call to the Federal Trade Commission at
https://www.ftc.gov/.
(Posted: Oct 2016)
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Permanent Residence Card (LPRs)
Reminder:
Those
in Legal Permanent Resident (LPR)
status must carry their
"permanent residence card" (also known as a "green card") with them at all times. It is the law.
(Verified: Jun 2021)
Info: USCIS began issuing redesigned Permanent
Resident Cards (“green cards”) and Employment Authorization Document
(EAD) on May 1, 2017. The new
cards' design demonstrates USCIS’ continuing commitment to taking a
proactive approach against the threat of document tampering and
fraud. All cards—regardless of design—remain valid until
expiration.
(Posted: Apr 2019)
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R-1 Approval vs. I-94
Retrieval Validity Dates
Reminder: An individual may receive R-1 status for a total
period of up to five years in the U.S., with a maximum 30 month
authorization at any given time. An individual must have an
approved R-1 petition in order to request an R-1 visa from a
U.S. Consulate.
There has been a great discrepancy among CBP officials and the
amount of R-1 authorized time that they issue upon an
individual’s arrival to the U.S. If at any time you see a stamp
in your passport authorizing your stay in the U.S. beyond the
validity period of you R-1 approval notice, it is IN ERROR.
This is the same for your I-94 printout, which often contains a
different R-1 ending date than from the end date noted in your
passport stamp.
You must rely on the dates of your original R-1 approval notice
(issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Form
797B - Notice of Action),
and be sure to always have an approved R-1 petition if you
travel outside the U.S. If you do not, you will be ineligible
to receive a new visa and cannot return to the U.S.
It is confusing to see different dates on your approval,
passport and I-94 printout. Based on one document you appear to
be in status while looking at another you are not. For this
reason it is of utmost importance that you provide a copy of
your visa, any stamps placed in your passport and your I-94
printout to us within 48 hours of every new trip and re-entry to
the U.S. Only by doing so can we be sure that you are
maintaining lawful status in the U.S.
(Verified: Mar 2021)
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Re-entry Permit (for LPRs)
Info: LPR holders planning to remain outside
of the U.S. for 12 months or more, should request a “re-entry
permit” with USCIS while still in the United States. An
approved permit from USCIS allows re-entry to the U.S. for up to
two years from your departure date.
(Verified: Feb 2020)
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SEVIS: Fraud Alert
Alert:
Recently, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) became
aware that scammers are targeting students in the Chicago area
in an attempt to solicit funds on behalf of the I-901 Student
and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Fee. The
scammers are using the 'Location Services' app on students'
cellular devices to find the students' location and threaten
them with continued pursuit if they do not receive the money.
Please read the full
fraud
alert for specific details on how to deal with this scam.
(Posted: May 2015)
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SEVIS: Status Verification at Ports of
Entry
Alert:
If the
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the
port of entry cannot verify your information, or if you do not
have all of the required documentation, a CBP officer may direct
you to an interview area known as “secondary inspection.”
Secondary inspection allows inspectors to conduct additional
research in order to verify information without causing delays
for other arriving passengers. See DHS’s website for more
information regarding secondary inspections:
https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/what-is-secondary-inspection
(Verified: Nov 2021)
ARCHIVE: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented a
system that updates U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
databases with a lookout for F, M. and J nonimmigrants whose
SEVIS record has been terminated, cancelled, or completed. The
protocol has been implemented to ensure that individuals whose
SEVIS records have been terminated, cancelled, or completed are
not admitted or readmitted without a thorough review of their
situation. Individuals who do not have a lookout on their record
(due to termination, cancellation or completion) should be
admitted to the United States as usual through primary
inspection, unless there is some other unrelated reason which
calls for a more thorough review in secondary inspection. For
up-to-date information regarding your student visa status visit
the "Study in the States" DHS website: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/
(Posted: May 2013)
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Social Security Number and Card
Info: Information about applying for a social security
number and/or card can be found online at
http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/. This is the U.S. Government’s
official Social Security website. You can also reference the
SVD USC Handbook for Visa Holders (Section VI, page 14)
and the Social Security Administration's publication Social
Security Numbers for Noncitizens
https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10096.pdf.
(Verified:
Oct 2020)
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Special Immigrant Religious Worker Sunset
Relief
Update:
The House and Senate passed, S. 3245, legislation
extending the Special Immigrant Religious Worker category for
non-ministers for three years until September 30, 2015. The
legislation passed unanimously in the Senate and by a large
majority in the House was sent to President Obama for signature
on September 13. Religious organizations should be able to
continue filing I-360 petitions for non-ministers without
difficulty.
Bill summary and status:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/senate-bill/3245/text?overview=closed
More details on the bill:
http://www.aila.org/infonet/s-3245-3-year-extension-of-certain-uscis-programs
(Posted: Sep 2012)
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Study in the States Website
Info: The U.S.
Department of Homeland Security has a website designed to
provide information to international students studying in the
U.S. as well as for the schools they attend. Among the
website's features are an interactive
glossary with definitions of
commonly used terms, a
FAQ section, and links to
SEVIS resources. The Study in the States website is at
https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/.
(Verified: Nov 2021)
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SVD USC Handbook for Visa Holders
INFO:
We call your attention to the SVD USC Handbook for Visa Holders—commonly
referred to as the Visa Holders Handbook—as a source of
information to understanding visas and immigration status, as well
as the Chicago Province's application process, definitions of
immigration terminology, and contact information for the various
USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) agencies. The
Visa Holders Handbook is accessible to members of the SVD Chicago
Province exclusively. (See below for access details.)
(Posted: Dec 2021)
INFO:
The Visa Handbook
has been updated to include information on Avoiding and Observing
Any Discrepancies in Documentation (page 11), the new Office of
Biometric Identity Management (page 22), and the Naturalization Test
(page 26). SVD visa holders are strongly urged to print out this
latest edition.
See
Accessing the Visa Holders Handbook
(below).
(Verified:
May 2021)
Accessing the Visa Holders Handbook: Hardcopies of the
Handbook are not physically distributed. All SVD visa
holders and those SVDs involved with
immigration issues are urged to
print out their own copy of the Handbook. To
do so, you will need to login to the USC Province members website
uscsvd.center.
Choose the option "More..." from the green-colored
menu bar, then choose
"SVD Visa Handbook" from the drop-down menu that
appears.
Please note that the
Handbook is copyrighted and intended for SVD members only.
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Archived
Update:
The Visa Handbook has been updated
to include new information on Practical Training (page 5),
Transit Visas (page 12), Change of Address Form (page 13)
US-Visit Program (page 19), and SVD Policy on Applying for U.S.
Citizenship (page 22). SVD visa holders are strongly urged
to print out this latest edition. See
Accessing the
Visa Holders Handbook (below).
(Posted: Jul 2015)
Archived
Update: The Visa Handbook has been updated to include
new information on practical training for F-1 Students (page 5
of the Handbook). It is suggested that you print out page
5 of the online Handbook and insert it in your print
copy. The current (most up-to-date) edition of the SVD USC
VISA Holders Handbook which includes all updates is
available to members at
uscsvd.center
(Posted: Oct 2014)
Archived
Update:
The Visa Handbook has been updated to include
changes to several website resources on page 24 as well
additions to pages 10, 13, 22, and 24.
(Posted: Jul 2014)
Archived
Update:
The Visa Handbook has been updated to include
changes to Section
IX: US-VISIT (pg. 19) wherein LPRs are no longer exempt from the US-VISIT program and
Section XIII:
RESOURCES (pg. 24) which has a new
website added. We strongly suggest you print out the
Handbook's cover page and the updated pages to replace
the old.
(Posted: Nov 2013)
Archived New: The SVD USC
Handbook for Visa Holders has been updated.
New information is included
with regards to: Fundraising (pg. 10); change of address (pg.
13); the paperless I-94 process (Sections I and II); photograph
requirements for F-1 visa applications (pg. 6); and applying for
a visa at an overseas U.S. consulate (pg. 9).
(Posted: Jul 2013)
SVD
Visa Holders Seminars
Archived
INFO: The dates for the
2020-21 series of SVD Visa Holders Seminars have not been
announced.
(Posted: Mar 2020)
Archived
INFO: The
2019-20 series of SVD Visa Holders Seminars will not be
held.
(Posted: Mar 2020)
Archived
INFO: The dates for the 2018-19 series of SVD Visa Holders Seminars were November 10, 2018 at Divine Word
Theologate, Chicago and April 25, 2019 at Divine Word Missionaries
in Bordentown, New Jersey.
(Posted: May 2019)
Archived
Info:
The dates for the 2017-18 series of SVD Visa Holders Seminars
were November 11, 2017 at Divine Word Theologate, Chicago and April
5, 2018 at Divine Word Missionaries in Bordentown, New Jersey.
(Posted: May 2018)
Archived
Info: The dates for the 2016-17 series of SVD Visa Holders Seminars
were November 12, 2016
at Divine Word Theologate, Chicago and April 20, 2017 at Divine
Word Missionaries in Bordentown, New Jersey.
(Posted: May 2017)
Archived
Info: The dates for the 2015-16 series of SVD Visa Holders Seminars
were November 14, 2015
at Divine Word Theologate, Chicago and April 23, 2016 at Divine
Word Missionaries in Bordentown, New Jersey.
(Posted: May 2016)
Archived
Info: The
dates for the 2014-15 series of SVD Visa Holders Seminars were November
8, 2014 at Divine Word Theologate in Chicago and April
25, 2015 at Divine Word Missionaries in Bordentown, New Jersey.
(Posted: May 2015)
Archived
Info: The
dates for the 2013-14 series of SVD Visa Holders Seminars were November 9, 2013 at Divine Word Theologate in Chicago and April
26, 2014 at Divine Word Missionaries in Bordentown, New Jersey.
(Posted: May 2014)
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Travel Record (R-1s
and LPRs)
INFO: View your U.S. arrival and
departure history for the past 5 years (certain types of travel
history may not be provided). Please know, this travel history is a
tool to assist you but not an official record for legal purpose.
Visit
https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home
to retrieve the history. But remember, you
should also maintain your own personal list or log as mentioned in
the reminder below.
(Posted: Sep 2020)
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Travel to Canada, Mexico (F-1s)
Reminder: Students in F-1 status may travel to Canada or
Mexico for no more than 30 days and are reminded that they must
have a current signed SEVIS I-20 with them when they re-enter
the U.S. Please refer to Section I, page 5 of the USC
SVD Handbook for Visa Holders for specific information and
more details.
(Posted: Sep 2020)
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Traveling Outside of the U.S.
Reminder:
Members should always carry with them a copy of their updated SVD Affidavit of Support letter when traveling outside of
the U.S. (for example: home leave) in case the U.S. Customs and
Border Protection officer at your port of re-entry asks for
proof of your continued membership and/or employment. The
Provincial Office or the Education Secretariat can provide you
with this letter before you leave the U.S. if you request
it well in advance. Carrying a current Affidavit of
Support letter is recommended even if your visa remains
valid.
(Posted: Mar 2020, Apr 2018)
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Traveling Outside of the U.S.: Travel Advisories
Alert:
The U.S. Department of State issues travel advisories on all
countries at
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/.
Link reviewed: August 2020 You are encouraged to check the travel advisory for your intended
destination as a first step in planning any trip abroad. In addition
to the advisories you can also sign up to receive updates as they
happen. Safety and security information is also available.
(Posted: August 2020)
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Trusted Traveler
Programs
INFO: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
released a news story (February 16, 2021) – Baltimore CBP
Revokes Second Trusted Traveler's Status in One Month for Zero
Tolerance Penalty. The article gives details on the incident and
should serve as a cautionary tale for anyone traveling under the
various Trusted Traveler Programs that violating U.S. law does have
penalties.
Read...(Posted: Apr 2021)
UPDATE: The current
Trusted Traveler Programs are Global Entry, TSA Pre✓®, SENTRI, NEXUS, and
FAST. They are designed to facilitate the entry of
pre-approved traverls. Registration in these programs is
required. Travelers can begin the application process online at
https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/.
It should be note that each program has a fee (payable with most major credit
cards) and that all applicants are vetted to ensure that they
meet the qualifications for the program to which they are
applying. Visit
https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/
for links to each program, program qualifications and to start
the application process.
Global Entry: Entry into the
U.S. from international destinations.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and
select foreign nationals.
TSA Pre✓®
(Transportation Security Administration)
https://www.tsa.gov/precheck:
Departures from U.S. airports.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents.
SENTRI (Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection):
Entry into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents and
all foreign nationals.
NEXUS:
Entry into the U.S. from Canada.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents,
Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, and Mexican
nationals.
FAST
(Free And Secure Trade): For truck drivers entering and
exiting the U.S. from Canada and Mexico.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents,
Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, and Mexican
nationals.
(Posted: Oct 2019)
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United States, China Extend Student
Visa Validity
Info:
On November 10, 2014, President Barack Obama announced that the
United States and China will increase the validity of student
and exchange visitor visas from one to five years, and the
validity of short-term tourist and business visas from one to 10
years. Details on this agreement and answers to frequently
asked questions can be found at
http://beijing.usembassy-china.org.cn/niv_info.html
and
https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/us-china-agree-to-extend-visas.html.
(Posted: Jan 2015)
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USC Province Immigration Activities
Info: An
overview of the immigration activities handled by the USC
Province's immigration administrator and staff from 1995 to the
present is available
for your review
here.
(Posted: May 2015)
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USCIS Case Status
Info: If you have a pending case with the USCIS, you can
now check its status online. You can also sign up to receive
case status updates by email and text message. Visit
https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do.
(Verified: Oct 2020)
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USCIS Forms: Applications, Petitions
INFO:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will occasionally
update select application and petition forms to easier-to-use
formats and/or to take advantage of new data collection
technologies. Our legal counsel is aware of form updates and will
always file the current acceptable form on your behalf. Thus, your
timely cooperation with counsel when you are asked for information
will keep your immigration case moving forward.
(Updated: Jul 2021)
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USCIS Response to Coronavirus 2019
(COVID-19)
Alert (July 22, 2020): Check
https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-office-closings for the most current list of USCIS offices and the status of each.
This would include Field Offices, Application Support Centers (ASC),
Asylum Offices, and International Offices. The website will also
indicate if the office is open to the public or by appointment only,
hours of operation, and contact information. Please note that you
can still submit applications and petitions to USCIS and that
online
filing remains the most convenient and interactive way to submit forms, to
check the status of your case, and to receive notices.
(Posted: August 2020)
Archived ALERT (June 29, 2020): Certain USCIS field offices and asylum offices
are resuming non-emergency face-to-face services to the public. Check
https://www.uscis.gov/about-us/uscis-office-closings for a list
of offices, their hours of operation and visitor instructions (on
preventing the spread of COVID-19).
Application support centers (ASC) still remain closed to the public.
Applications and petitions may still be submitted to USCIS. It is
strongly suggested to do so via
online filing. It (online filing) remains the most convenient and interactive way to
submit forms, to check the status of your case, and to receive
notices.
(Posted Jul 2020)
Archived
ALERT (June 4, 2020): U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services is preparing some domestic offices
to reopen and resume non-emergency public services on or
after June 4. On March 18, USCIS temporarily suspended
routine in-person services at its field offices, asylum
offices and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow
the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS is following the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines to
protect our workforce and the public. For the latest
information on the status of individual offices, check
USCIS office closures page.
While certain offices are
temporarily closed, USCIS continues to provide limited
emergency in-person services. Please call the USCIS
Contact Center for assistance with emergency services.
As services begin to reopen,
offices will reduce the number of appointments and
interviews to ensure social distancing, allow time for
cleaning and reduce waiting room occupancy. Appointment
notices will contain information on safety precautions that
visitors to USCIS facilities must follow.
(Posted: Jun 2020)
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USCIS: Uses More
Secure Mail Delivery Service
News
(Jun 2018):
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced April
27, 2018 that the agency will begin phasing in use of the U.S.
Postal Service’s (USPS) Signature Confirmation Restricted Delivery
service to mail Green Cards and other secure documents beginning
April 30, 2018. For details go to
https://www.uscis.gov/news/news-releases/uscis-begin-using-more-secure-mail-delivery-service
(Posted: Jun 2018)
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USCIS Website
May 2020:
While USCIS offices
remain closed to the public, their website offers multiple ways
to find answers, check status of applications, offer guidance
and more (see below).
Info: USCIS has
created a new look for their website (https://www.uscis.gov/)
that will help you easily navigate the site. The new design
includes:
-
An announcement ribbon featuring
important or breaking news. Since it’s smaller than the old banner,
you will immediately see announcements and popular items on desktop
computers and mobile devices.
-
Easy access to our most sought-after
tools, such as online filing, check case status, and processing
times.
-
Prominent links to information on the
citizenship process, immigration data, the “Buy American, Hire
American” executive order, and documents in the Electronic Reading
Room.
-
An educational panel at the bottom of
the page that displays videos, multimedia items, and other
interactive content such as citizenship quizzes.
-
An animated link at the top right
corner of each page that will make finding our multilingual
resources easier.
-
A larger search box, bigger navigation
buttons, and a more consistent look on mobile devices.
-
Social media icons at the top of the
page and in color to make them easier to find and use.
(Posted: May 2020)
Info: USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) has added a
virtual assistant
to their website. Her name is "Emma" and she is named
after Emma Lazarus, whose famous words are inscribed at the base
of the Statue of Liberty. Emma can answer questions in
plain English and navigate users to relevant USCIS web pages.
Check out Emma at
https://www.uscis.gov and click the "Emma" icon in the upper
right-hand corner of the page.
(Posted: Jan 2016)
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US-VISIT Program (LPRs)
Update: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has replaced the United
States Visitor and Immigration Status Indicator Technology
(US-VISIT) Program with the Office of Biometric Identity Management
(OBIM). Information about OBIM can be found at
https://www.dhs.gov/obim. You should also mark this change in your SVD USC Handbook for Visa Holders on page
19.
(Posted: Nov 2018, Links reviewed: Dec 2020)
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Visa (an overview)
Info: A visa is
a
document issued by a U.S.
consulate and placed in the visa holder’s passport. It allows
the visa holder to travel to and enter the U.S. before the
expiration date of the visa. The expiration date of the visa
does not determine how long the visa holder may remain in the
U.S. (How long you can stay in the U.S. is determined by and
recorded by an immigration officer at the port of
entry and is noted on your I-94.)
-
If your visa expires while you are in the U.S. this is not a
problem. The visa is an entry document.
-
For SVD purposes a new visa must be obtained outside of the
U.S., preferably in the home country when a person is on
home leave.
-
A visa can be applied for in Canada or Mexico but if the SVD
is denied a visa for any reason he must return immediately
to his home country and will not be allowed back into the
United States. The online Visa Appointment Reservation
System for U.S. nonimmigrant visa appointments at U.S.
Consulates in Canada is at
https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-ca/niv; for Mexico
it is at
https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-mx/niv.
-
Visas are issued for various periods of time based on the
Department of State (DS) Visa Reciprocity Table. This table
may be accessed online at (link updated Jan 2020)
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html
(Verified: Jan 2022)
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Visa: Application Fees
INFO:
Current U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) fees for
applications and petitions may be found on USCIS Form G-1055
https://www.uscis.gov/g-1055.
You may also use the USCIS Fee Calculator
https://www.uscis.gov/feecalculator
to determine fees to be paid.
(Verified: Mar 2021)
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Visa: Application Status Check
Info: You can now
check the status of your visa application online at
https://ceac.state.gov/CEACStatTracker/Status.aspx?app=niv. You will
need to enter your visa application type: Immigrant Visa (IV) or
Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV); and your visa case number. Note that
the site is managed by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, U.S.
Department of State--not U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
(Posted: Jul 2020: Link updated)
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Visa:
Evidence of Nonimmigrant Intent / Visa Denials
Info:
Documents needed to prove nonimmigrant intent when applying for
a visa vary according to the particular visa being requested.
Below is a list to assist you with this particular requirement
(proof of nonimmigrant intent).
B1/B2 Visa:
•
Clearly explain reasons for travel
•
Have set dates of intended travel to and from
•
Proof of financial support
•
Roundtrip ticket
•
Detailed itinerary while in the U.S.
•
NO full time study
•
No fundraising activities (refer to Visa Handbook,
Section II, pg. 10)
F-1 Visa:
•
SEVIS I-20 form from institution
•
Evidence of financial support (refer to Visa Handbook,
Section I, pg. 4 and pg. 7)
R-1 Visa:
•
USCIS pre-approved petition (refer to Visa Handbook,
Section II, pg. 8)
•
SVD Affidavit of Membership, which includes vow history,
ordination
•
SVD Affidavit of Financial Support
•
Detailed job description
•
Academic credentials
H-3 Visa:
•
USCIS pre-approved petition
•
Valid explanation that training is not available in home
country
•
Detailed program/training description including topics and
reading list
•
Program calendar day by day and month
•
Credentials of the program’s Director
Additional Resources:
•
Department of State website
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html
(as of February 2018)
•
SVD USC Handbook for Visa Holders,
Section VIII, pg. 17 and Section XII, pg. 23
(Posted: Apr 2020)
Info:
Visa applicants should be aware of the requirement
of providing evidence of nonimmigrant intent with the submission
of their visa application. Details on this
requirement can be found on page 7 of the SVD USC Handbook
for Visa Holders.
(Posted: Feb 2018)
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Visa: Fraud
(Document and Benefit Fraud)
Update: Visa fraud is a serious crime. To
underscore that statement, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
frequently releases details on investigations and trials involving
fraudulent visa schemes and those who exploit the legal immigration
system for personal gain. We mention this information as a caution
to anyone who may be considering falsifying information on an
application, concealing pertinent history, or simply attempting to
"bend the rules" during the immigration process. Visit ICE's
website for current stories regarding document and benefit visa
fraud
document and benefit fraud
(on the page, enter "visa fraud" in the search box).
(Link updated: Jun 2021)
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Visa: Reading and Understanding Your Visa
Info:
The U.S. Department of State has posted an illustrated guide to
reading and understanding visas at
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/frequently-asked-questions/what-is-us-visa.html
Link review: August 2020.
The
site also contains a link to FAQs as well as to the latest USCIS
news on visas.
(Posted: Aug 2020)
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Visa: Renewal
Info: The visa is an "entry
only" document and cannot be renewed within the United States.
Consult Section VII (page 18) of the online version of the
SVD USC Handbook for Visa Holders
for more details.
(Reviewed: Aug 2021)
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Visa: Scams
ALERT: The wrong help or advice can hurt. U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (USCIS) provides a list and details of current
immigration scams to help you avoid being taken advantage of. Visit
https://www.uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/common-scams
(Link updated: Jun 2021)
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Visa: Transit Visa
Info: Transit (C) visas are nonimmigrant
visas for persons (i.e. foreign citizens) traveling to
another country who will have a brief layover (such as
changing planes) in the United States when the only reason
for entering the United States is to transit. See
this updated link for details
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/other-visa-categories/transit.html.
(Verified: Feb 2020)
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Visa: Validity Periods
Info: Visa validity
periods vary depending on the country an individual is from.
Visa validity (the length of time the visa is good for and the
number of entries that can be made with that visa) is regulated
by the "visa reciprocity" agreement between the U.S. and
the visa
applicant's home country. See Section VII: USC Visa
Renewal Policy, page 15 of the SVD USC Handbook for Visa
Holders. You can also reference the USCIS Country
Reciprocity Tables for updates and current information at
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html.
(Posted: Dec 2020. Link verified 11/24/2020)
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Websites: Links and Resources
Reminder: The SVD USC Handbook for Visa
Holders contains a list of U.S. Department of State websites
and links to pertinent immigration information (i.e., I-94
retrieval, visa application and status, consulates, etc.).
Refer to Section XIII: Resources, page 28 of the Handbook.
(Posted: Feb 2021)
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Links reviewed and
updated as necessary: February 2021
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Society of the Divine Word
•
Chicago Province
• Techny, Illinois