question about USCIS in California

lawrence01 · Nov 9, 2006

Hi,
I've checked the website of USCIS in California and I haven't seen the processing times for I-140.. Can somebody explain to me why?
Anyway, I would like to know how long it might take if I apply now - I already hold Arizona RN license and have signed a contract - so how long it might take from now till I get my visa. Any input will be appreciated.
Zohar

CA service center doesn't handle I-140 petitions anymore and this is for quite sometime now. It is now bi-specialization. Nebraska Service Center and Texas now handles the I-140 petitions. It is initially filed to NSC then it has an option to keep and handle it or transfer it to Texas.

We are also currently on retrogression (started Nov.1, 2006) but you may wish to start you petition as USCIS and the National Visa Center will still process it (packet 1-3).

You may wish to read more details at http://www.uscis.gov and several immigration lawyer's website that you can google on your own.

RGN1 · Nov 9, 2006

All the I-140 processing areas are taking about 6 months - I chescked them out just last month. you can pay $1000 to speed that to 15 days but until retrogression is sorted you may well be wasting that money. Also I believe it is not possible to apply that fee to papers already submitted - only to new applications.

Silverdragon102, BSN · Nov 9, 2006

and the I140 is just the start you still have to go through DS230 with the NVC. For now for everyone it is wait and see

zohar_i · Nov 9, 2006

Thanks for your replies. I didn't know that the I-140 was redirected to another centers, because I stopped the whole process in the last 6 months, because I gave birth to my baby...

Does the retrogression apply to nurses from any country or to specific countries only?

BTW, I think that it's not possible to speed the process up, even for 1000 $, this is possible in EOS only and not in I-140, am I not correct?

Thank you

Zohar

RGN1 · Nov 9, 2006

Thanks for your replies. I didn't know that the I-140 was redirected to another centers, because I stopped the whole process in the last 6 months, because I gave birth to my baby...
Does the retrogression apply to nurses from any country or to specific countries only?
BTW, I think that it's not possible to speed the process up, even for 1000 $, this is possible in EOS only and not in I-140, am I not correct?
Thank you
Zohar

Since July, August or September this year (can't remember which now) nurses have been added to the list of occupations who can fast track their I-140 applications. $1000 means they will process it in 15 days. It is definitely possible but until retrogression ends may not be worth it.

suzanne4, RN · Nov 9, 2006

Since August 28, 2006, the $1000 premium has been available for nurses. It applies to the I-140 only, and therefore can be used for those undergoing consular procession, and those undergoing AOS, adjustment of status. And can also now be applied to petitions that are also in process. This was added in later, past the August start-ip date.

However, because of the retrogression in place, it will not help anyone right now on most cases. You can only get as far as thru the Packet#3 and then you will be waiting for visas to become available.

And for those that are going the AOS route, nothing can be submitted right now other than the I-140. So it makes no sense to pay the extra money.