March 2022 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 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.
March 2022 Visa Bulletin Update
As of March 2022, Priority Dates remain “current” for EB3 applicants from the Philippines, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, with the USA currently accepting applications from China-Mainland born who have a priority date prior to March 22, 2018, and from India who have a priority date prior to January 15, 2012. All other countries that are not specifically listed (e.g. Canada) will be categorized under “all chargeability areas” which is “current” at this time.
March 2022 USCIS Employment-Based (Green Card) Visa Application Filing Dates
(Source: travel.state.gov The US Department of State - Bureau of Consumer Affairs, March 2022)
“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 is earlier than the listed date may file their application.” - The US Department of State - Bureau of Consumer Affairs (March 2022)
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.
