August 2023 USCIS Visa Bulletin Update
What Is The USCIS Visa Bulletin?
The US Department of State - Bureau of Consumer Affairs posts a Visa Bulletin each month indicating the up-to-date priority dates for employment-based Green Card applicants to continue their immigration application for the USA. International Registered Nurses are sponsored on EB3 (Employment-Based 3rd) Visas, otherwise known as Green Card Visas, which grant you permanent residence in the USA.
August 2023 Visa Bulletin Update
As of August 2023, visa retrogression remains in place for all EB3 applicants, regardless of their citizenship. This includes the Philippines and Mexico having final action dates established for May 01, 2020, China-Mainland for June 01, 2019, and India for January 01, 2009. All other countries that are not specifically listed (e.g. Canada, Nigeria, United Kingdom, Kenya, Ghana, Germany, etc.) will be categorized under “all chargeability areas” and are also subject to visa retrogression with a final action date of May 01, 2020.
Final Action Dates For EB3 Visas (Source: travel.state.gov The US Department of State - Bureau of Consumer Affairs, August 2023)
The listing of a date for any category indicates that only applicants with a priority date which is earlier than the listed date may file their application.” - The US Department of State - Bureau of Consumer Affairs (August 2023)
What are the Steps to Obtain a Green Card Visa?
Obtaining a Green Card Visa is often completed in three steps:
Step 1. Employer Completion of the PERM Labor Certification (Recruitment and Prevailing Wage Determination)
Step 2. Submission of an I-140 Application for an Alien Immigrant Work Visa
Step 3. I-485 (Adjustment of Status) or DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application) Filing
What is an I-140 Document?
The I-140 document, is the Immigration Petition for Alien Workers to legally immigrate and work in the USA. The I-140 is the second step in the immigration process for international Registered Nurses after a PERM Labor Certificate (Recruitment and Prevailing Wage Determination) is filed by Medliant and approved. The I-140 document will be submitted by your employer, Medliant International Healthcare Staffing, to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to petition you, the employee, for employment-based permanent residence on an EB3 Visa (Green Card Visa). Medliant’s legal team will have you, the beneficiary, sign various documents as part of the I-140 application process.
What Happens After an I-140 Petition is Submitted?
After the I-140 petition has been submitted and received by USCIS, the USCIS will first issue a Receipt Notice and a File Number for your immigration case. Once your I-140 petition has been accepted, you will be sent an Approval Notice with a Priority Date, allowing for Medliant and the sponsored nurse to move forward to the next step in acquiring a Green Card once your Priority Date is current. Attaining the I-140 petition approval is an important milestone as it is the most challenging step and indicates you are half-way to receiving a Green Card Visa!
What Can I Expect After My I-140 Petition is Approved?
When your I-140 petition is approved you will be given your priority date, which is your "place in line" for a Green Card Visa. After receiving an approved I-140 petition, Medliant will continue with your Green Card application by completing the remaining immigration documents, filing payment fees, and submitting information about your employment and status to USCIS. When the USCIS indicates that your priority date is "current" then an I-485 (Adjustment of Status) if you are in the USA or more commonly a DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application) if you are outside of the USA will be filed by Medliant. Once the I-485 or DS-260 has been completed and returned within 6-8 weeks, an interview will be schedule, usually 1 month later to take place at the US embassy or consulate.
Once a successful interview has been completed, you will then receive an immigrant visa stamp in your passport allowing you to lawfully enter the USA and have your Green Card mailed to you.
Please note: While visa retrogression is in place, Medliant will continue to offer and provide NCLEX and USRN Sponsorship to qualified candidates as we have before this announcement. The only change that is expected, is the actual Green Card Visa processing time may take an additional few months. This is true for applicants applying to any agency for any position.
