The USCIS is partnering with the U.S. Department of State (DOS) in processing employment-based immigrant visas for those applicants living outside the U.S. The following advice has been prescribed by USCIS for Adjustment of Status (AOS/I-485) applications currently living within the U.S. at this time:
- If you have a pending Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, please do not send an unsolicited Form I-693 to USCIS. They are proactively identifying employment-based adjustment of status applications with available visas that lack a valid Form I-693 and are directly contacting applicants to request that form.
- If you know that your previously filed Form I-485 does not have a valid Form I-693, your underlying petition is approved, and a visa is available to you, it will help USCIS use the available visas and adjudicate your application if you visit a civil surgeon and have a valid Form I-693 on hand when they send the request to you.
- If you are planning to file an adjustment of status application in the future, be sure to include a valid Form I-693.
- A Form I-693 is valid for two years from the date that the civil surgeon signs the form.
USCIS has also stated they are “well-positioned to use all the available employment-based immigrant visas in FY 2022 despite the higher annual limit.” We look forward to seeing many AOS approvals this fiscal year.
For more information, visit the Fiscal Year 2022 Employment-Based Adjustment of Status FAQs, which has been recently updated and provides further information from USCIS.
Source: USCIS Public Engagement Division