USCIS announces quicker processing times for naturalization

According to the USCIS, the average processing time for Naturalization (Form N-400) fell from an average of 14 months to the current average of five months processing time.

2008 Diversity Visa Lottery Program registration begins on October 4, 2006!

The Dept of State (DOS) announced that applications for the 2008 Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery will be accepted between Wednesday, October 4, 2006, 12 pm and Sunday, December 3, 2006, 12 pm. Applicants may access the electronic Diversity Visa entry form online. Paper entries will not be accepted. Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Remember that there is no charge for applying, so beware of official looking websites that pretend they are the State Dept site and try to charge you a fee. The only official site is: www.dvlottery.state.gov. Countries NOT eligible to apply are:  BRAZIL, CANADA, CHINA, COLOMBIA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, EL SALVADOR, HAITI, INDIA, JAMAICA, MEXICO, PAKISTAN, PHILIPPINES, PERU, POLAND, RUSSIA, SOUTH KOREA, UNITED KINGDOM (except Northern Ireland) and VIETNAM, however, remember that nationals of these non-qualifying countries can apply using their spouses’ qualifying country. For instance, if a Jamaican is married to a spouse from Trinidad, he or she can apply using the spouse’s qualifying country of citizenship, Trinidad. For additional information, including a list of countries whose natives are and are not eligible for this year's diversity program, see the DOS press release, available at: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/72835.htm

IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS:

Question:  I am from the Bahamas, now visiting in Florida on my tourist visa. I tried for a student visa in the Bahamas, but the Embassy denied me. Now that I am here, can I apply for a student visa and stay without going back the Embassy?? If yes, what should I do now?  

Answer: USCIS regulations do allow you to apply to change your status to that of a student inside the U.S., but there is no guarantee of approval. First, generally, you must wait at least 60 days from the time of entry to apply for the F-1 Student Visa. The next step is to apply for admission to the school of your choice (this may include language schools, for instance to study English) which issues a document to foreign students, called an I-20. Once the school issues the I-20, it will detail the exact amount of tuition and expense, which you must be able to show is available to you, in order to support your studies and living expenses during your study in the U.S. In order to qualify for the F-1 Student visa, you must demonstrate through your own funds in the U.S. or abroad, or through a sponsor (either in the U.S. or abroad), that you have the funds available to you as required. Typically, an applicant will open a U.S. savings account and have the funds wire transferred from their home country. Be careful about maintaining the required balance until the student visa is approved. Before applying to the USCIS for the F-1 Student visa, you must register on the SEVIS student system and pay a $100 fee, then get a print-out showing registration. The final step, after getting the required documentation together from the school, Sevis and the sponsor, is to have your F-1 Student visa case is filed with USCIS. It typically takes between 90 to 120 days for the USCIS to receive a decision. Individuals changing from Tourist B-1/B-2 visas to F-1 status may not begin their studies until a change of status has been approved by USCIS. As with any application to change status, be very careful about your legal status. Don’t let your I-94 expire! Once it expires, if you are denied the F-1 Student visa, you will be illegal in the U.S. Always give yourself plenty of time to allow for extended USCIS processing times.

Question:  My sister is a born American citizen. However, ever since she was two she and my parents moved out of the U.S. back to Jamaica. Now she is 24. If she moves back to the U.S. now, can she apply for my parents to get their Green Cards?

Answer: As long as your sister re-establishes residency in the U.S. she can apply for your parents as immediate relatives. It usually takes about 1 –1 ˝ years for the process, then your parents can immigrate to the U.S. She can also apply for you, but the wait will likely be 12 – 14 years.