Published: July 10, 2014
In recent months, the line allowing foreign nationals seeking residence in the U.S., by way of a job offer as a professional healthcare worker, has moved forward considerably. So whether they are in the U.S. or abroad, the intending immigrant should pay careful attention to the expiration date on their Visa Screen Certification and U.S. license (if applicable to their profession), since the final approval of their I-485 application for permanent residence (if in the U.S.) or application for immigrant visa (if applying at a U.S. consular post abroad) will depend on the submission of current documentation.
Further, individuals in the U.S. who have been waiting for their priority dates to be current so they can finally submit their I-485 applications, face the same issue, although CIS has had a history of allowing applicants to provide up to date certifications and licenses after their I-485’s have been filed, and not necessarily require them at time of filing. The safer route for such applicants, of course, is to have their visa screen certifications and licenses up to date at time of I-485 filing, especially if the applicant failure to obtain the document in the past has to do with their challenges in passing the applicable English language tests.
PUBLISHED July 10, 2014 “IMMIGRATION LAW FORUM” Copyright © 2014, By Law Offices of Richard Hanus, Chicago, Illinois