The Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has already communicated with the petitioners of certain visas to expedite the processes.
After USCIS recorded office closures during the COVID-19 pandemic, last year not all visas for fiscal year 2021 were issued. Additionally, consulate closures did not allow the processing of certain employment-based visas.
In this way, USCIS has begun to expedite these procedures to complete them before the end of the current fiscal year, so that the persons eligible to expedite this procedure have already been notified by USCIS.
Around 140,000 family-based visas went unused during 2021, which will be delivered this year. Of which 65,000 petitions have already been received and correspond to the visas issued by Congress, likewise another 20,000 visas have already received applicants, and correspond to the advanced degree exemption.
In this sense, Green Card petitioners who applied through employment by submitting form I-458 to USCIS will receive a request for evidence for form I-693 from the agency. If the Form I-458 does not have a valid medical report or immunization record, it is necessary to see a USCIS-accredited physician to complete the Form I-693.
It should be clarified that USCIS has established communication with the people who qualify through notifications, in case an applicant has not received this communication it is because they do not qualify. Similarly, it is important to note that the 60-day rule for submitting form I-693 is suspended for this specific procedure.
Regarding H-1B work visas, USCIS will accept applications for extension of stay in the United States, modification of terms of employment, change of employer, and petition to perform other positions with the same visa.
