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Integrity Legal

Posts Tagged ‘American Visa Cambodia’

6th February 2018

It has recently been announced that the Trump administration is creating a new “National Vetting Center”. The following article is intended to shed light on what this institution is designed to do and how it will fit into the overall immigration process.

It should first be noted that the National Vetting Center should not be confused with the preexisting National Visa Center which acts as a sort of clearing house and central repository for documentation pertaining to visa applications through the Department of State. The National Visa Center’s function is to gather relevant documentation and forward cases to the appropriate US Embassy or US Consulate for visa interview scheduling.

The National Vetting Center would seem to have a different mandate, although not altogether different as both institutions deal with matters pertaining to US Immigration. In an effort to provide further insight it is necessary to cite a recent article from the website of USA Today:

The National Vetting Center will be run by the Department of Homeland Security with assistance from the intelligence community and the departments of State, Justice and Defense. Its mission: To “collect, store, share, disseminate, and use” a broad range of information about people who seek to enter the United States, with a goal of identifying people who may be a threat to national security or public safety. “This is yet another step towards knowing who is coming to the United States — that they are who they say they are and that they do not pose a threat to our nation,” said Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen in a statement.

Although disregarded by some at the time as overreacting, this blogger has noted in prior discussion of so-called extreme vetting policy that although it was initially discussed in a very narrow geographical and situational context the establishment of the National Vetting Center and the presumption that all future US Immigration processing will involve said institution shows that this policy will have broad ramifications for all visa applicants.

What does this mean for the timing of US visa applications? At this time it is too soon to say whether the addition of National Vetting Center protocols will result in slower processing times. However, it stands to reason that adding an entirely new institutional bureaucracy to the overall immigration framework will result in at least some delays in the processing of petitions and applications.

As has been discussed previously on this blog and through some of our firm’s videos: the Trump administration’s policies with respect to Immigration could have wide ranging and long lasting ramifications for those seeking visas in the future. Furthermore, if a deal can be reached with respect to Comprehensive Immigration Reform it looks as though the era of so-called “chain migration” (allowing extended family of Lawful Permanent Residents and American citizens to seek visa benefits)  and the visa lottery will likely come to an end.

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7th December 2017

Khmer language translation of the video found here: ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K-3 ពី​ប្រទេស​កម្ពុជា

សួស្ដី! ខ្ញុំ​ឈ្មោះ Benjamin Hart ។​ ខ្ញុំ​គឺ​ជា​មេធាវី និង​ជា​នាយកគ្រប់គ្រង​នៃ​ក្រុមហ៊ុនIntegrity Legal នៅ​ក្នុងទី​ក្រុង​បាងកក​នៃប្រទេស​ថៃ ។

នៅ​ក្នុង​វីដេអូ​ថ្ងៃ​នេះ យើង​នឹង​ពិភាក្សា​ជា​ពិសេស​អំពី​​ទិដ្ឋាការមួយគឺ​ ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K-3 ដែល​ជា​ប្រភេទ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ដ៏គួរអោយ​ចាប់​អារម្មណ៍មួយ ដោយ​​ផ្តោ​ត​ទៅ​លើ​​បរិបទ​ប្រទេស​កម្ពុជា សំរាប់ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ​ខ្មែរ​ដែល​ចង់​ដាក់​ពាក្យ​រៀបអាពាហ៍ពិពាហ៍ជា​មួយ​ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ​អាមរិក ។ និយាយ​អោយ​ចំ​ទៅ គឺ​អ្នកដែល​​ត្រូវ​​រៀបអាពាហ៍ពិពាហ៍ជា​មួយ​ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក ដើម្បី​ដាក់​ពាក្យ​សុំទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K-3 ។

ដូច​ដែល​យើងបាន​លើក​ឡើង​ខាង​លើ យើង​ស្ថិត​នៅ​ក្នុង​ទីក្រុង​បាង​កក ។ យើងបាន​រត់ការ​សំណុំរឿង​របស់ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋ​ថៃជា​ច្រើន ហើយ​ដោយ​សារ​តែ​យើង​ក៏​ស្ថិត​នៅ​​ជិត​ប្រទេស​កម្ពុជា ដែរ​នោះ ជា​ច្រើន​ឆ្នាំ​កន្លង​មក​នេះយើង​ក៏​បាន​​​រត់​ការអោយសំណុំរឿង​ជាច្រើនរបស់​​ប្រជាពលរដ្ឋខ្មែរ ឬ​សំណុំរឿង​ផ្សេងៗ​ទៀត​ដែល​មាន​ពាក់ព័ន្ធ​នឹង​ជនជាតិ​ខ្មែរ ។ ដូច្នេះ​យើងចង់​​បញ្ជាក់ថា ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K-3 នេះ​ជា​ទិដ្ឋាការ​មួយ​ដ៏​គួរ​អោយ​ចាប់​អារម្មណ៍ ។

យើង​សូមពន្យល់​រៀបរាប់បន្តិច​​ថា​តើ​អ្វីជា​ទិដ្ឋាការប្រភេទ K-3 ។ ទិដ្ឋាការប្រភេទ K-3 ត្រូវ​បាន​បង្កើតឡើង​​ដោយ​យោង​តាម​ប្រការ​មួយ​ចំនួន​នៅក្នុង​ច្បាប់អាយុ​ជីវិត ដែល​ត្រូវ​បាន​បង្កើត​ឡើង​នៅ​ក្នុង​អណត្តិរបស់​ប្រធានាធិបតី Clinton នៅ​ពេល​ដែល​មាន​សំណុំរឿង​ជា​ច្រើន​ដែល​បាន​កកស្ទះ​ ពាក់​ព័ន្ធ​នឹង​ប្រភេទទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្ដី​ប្រពន្ធ គឺ CR-1 និង IR-1 ហើយ​នៅ​ក្នុង​ទំព័រ​របស់​យើង​នេះ​ ក៏​មាន​វីដេអូ​មួយ​ទៀត​ដែរ ដែល​និយាយ​ផ្ដោត​ជា​ពិសេស​ទៅលើប្រភេទ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ CR-1 និង IR-1 នេះនៅ​ក្នុង​ប្រទេស​កម្ពុជា ។ នៅ​ពេល​នោះ​ ជា​ធម្មតា​វា​ទាម​ទារ​រយៈពេល​ជា​ច្រើន​ឆ្នាំ​ដើម្បី​បញ្ចប់​សំណុំរឿងមួយ ។ ក្រសួង​មាតុភូមិ ធ្វើ​ការ​សំរេ​ច​លើ​ពាក្យ​ធានា​សំរាប់​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​រៀប​អាពាហ៍​ពិពាហ៍ ។ ក្នុង​ពេល​ជាមួយ​គ្នា​នោះដែរ​ វា​ទាម​ទារ​ពេល​ប្រហែល ៦, ៧ ឬ​៨​ខែ ដើម្បី​ទទួល​បាន​ការ​សំរេច​យល់​ព្រម​លើសំណុំបែបបទ​ធានា​សុំ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទគូដណ្ដឹង ។ ដូច្នេះ​ជា​ចុង​ក្រោយ​ អ្វី​ដែល​គេ​​ជួប​ច្រើន គឺ​​ស្ថានភាព​ដែល​សំណុំរឿងគូដណ្ដឹង​ត្រូវ​បាន​ដំណើរ​ការ​លឿន​ជាង​ប្ដីប្រពន្ធ ហើយ​យើង​សូម​បញ្ជាក់​ផងដែរ​ថា​តាម​ផ្លូវ​ច្បាប់ ជាពិសេស​ច្បាប់​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍ ​មិន​មាន​ភាព​ខុស​គ្នា​នោះ​ទេ​រវាង​ប្ដីប្រពន្ធ​ និង​គូដណ្ដឹង ដោយ​តាម​ផ្លូវ​ច្បាប់​សំណុំរឿង​ទាំង​ពីរ​នេះ​ត្រូវ​បាន​ចាត់​ទុក​ថា​ដូចគ្នា ។ បើ​គិត​តាម​ផ្លូវ​​រដ្ឋបាល​វិញ មាន​ការ​​កក​ស្ទះ​សំណុំរឿង​ទិដ្ឋាការ ឬ​សំណុំពាក្យ​ធានា​​ប្រភេទ​រៀបអាពាហ៍ពិពាហ៍ជា​ច្រើន ។ ​ខ្ញុំ​មិន​ដឹង​ថាវា​មក​ពីហេតុ​អ្វី​​ដែរនោះ​ទេ ប្រហែល​ជា​​​​អាច​បណ្ដាល​មក​ពី​ពួក​គេ​ដំណើរ​ការ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K-1បានយ៉ាង​មាន​ប្រសិទ្ធិភាព​ជាង ឬ​មក​ពី​មាន​សំណុំរឿងទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K-1មាន​ចំនួន​តិច​ ប៉ុន្តែនៅ​ពេល​នោះ​វា​ទាម​ទារ​ពេល​ជា​ច្រើន​ឆ្នាំដើម្បី​ទទួល​បាន​ការ​ដំណើរ​ការ​ពាក្យ​សុំ​ធានា​សំរាប់​ការ​រៀបការ​ជាមួយ​ពលរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក ដោយ​ក្នុង​ខណៈពេល​ជាមួយ​គ្នា​នោះ វា​ទាម​ទារ​ពេល​ត្រឹម​តែ​ប៉ុន្មាន​ខែ​ប៉ុណ្ណោះ​សំរាប់​សំណុំរឿង​គូដណ្ដឹង ។ ដូច្នេះហើយ ទើប​ពួក​គេបាន​​បង្កើតទិដ្ឋាការ​​ប្រភេទ K-3 ដោយ​និយាយថា «ប្រសិនបើ​អ្នក​បាន​ដាក់​ពាក្យ​ធានា​​ប្ដី​ឬប្រពន្ធ​របស់​អ្នក​តាម​ប្រភេទទិដ្ឋាការ CR-1 ឬ IR-1ជា​ធម្មតាហើយ អ្នក​អាច​ដាក់​ពាក្យ​មួយ​ទៀត​ ដោយ​សុំទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K-3 វិញ» ។ អ្នក​គ្រាន់​តែ​ដាក់​ពាក្យ​ម្តង​ទៀត​តាម​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K ។ នោះ​​ហើយ​គឺ​ជា​អ្វី​ដែល​ពួក​គេ​បាន​ធ្វើ ។ ពួក​គេ​គ្រាន់​តែទាញ​យក​សំណុំរឿងទិដ្ឋាការរៀបការ​ទាំង​នេះ​ហើយនិយាយ​ថា អូខេ សំណុំរឿង​នេះ​ត្រូវ​បាន​ដាក់​ពាក្យ​ហើយ​ អ្នក​ត្រូវ​បញ្ជាក់​ថា​ពាក្យ​ធានា​របស់​អ្នក​ត្រូវ​បាន​ដាក់តាម​ដំណើរការ​​ដូច​ដែល​គេ​ធ្វើសំរាប់​គូដណ្ដឹង ។ ជា​លទ្ធផល K-3  គឺ​ជា​ពាក្យ​ដែល​ត្រូវ​បាន​គេ​ប្រើ​សំរាប់​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​រៀបការ​ជាមួយ​ពលរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក ប៉ុន្តែតាម​ពិត ​វិធីតាម​ទំលាប់ដែល​​គេត្រូវ​​ធ្វើ​ដើម្បី​នាំអ្នក​ណា​ម្នាក់​មក​កាន់​សហរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិកគឺ​តាម​រយៈទិដ្ឋាការប្រភេទ CR-1 ឬ IR-1 ។ ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3 ត្រូវ​បាន​គេ​ប្រើ​ជា​ទូទៅនៅ​ក្នុង​សំណុំរឿង​នេះ ពី​ព្រោះមនុស្ស​ទូទៅ​ស៊ាំនឹង​ការ​រត់​ការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3 ដោយ​សារ​តែ​វា​គឺ​ជា​វិធី​ដ៏​មាន​ប្រសិទ្ធភាព​ក្នុង​ការ​នាំយក​ប្ដី​ឬប្រពន្ធ​មក​កាន់​សហរដ្ឋអាមេរិក ។ វា​ជា​រឿង​មួយ​ដ៏​​គួរ​អោយ​ចាប់​អារម្មណ៍​ដែរ​ ដោយ​សារ​តែ​ ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3 នៅ​តែ​តំរូវ​អោយ​មាន​ការ​ផ្លាស់​ប្តូរ​ស្ថានភាព​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍​របស់​អ្នក​ទៅ​ជា​អ្នក​រស់នៅ​ជាអចិន្ត្រៃ​យ៍​ដោយ​ស្របច្បាប់ ។ សំរាប់​អ្នក​ដែល​ចង់​ដឹង​អំពី​ដំណើរ​​ការ​ក្នុង​ការ​ផ្លាស់​ប្ដូរស្ថានភាព​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍ សូម​ចូល​ទៅ​មើល​វីដេអូនៅក្នុង​ទំព័រ​នេះផង​ដែរ​ដែល​ពិភាក្សា​ជាពិសេស​អំពី​ដំណើរ​ការ​នៃការ​ផ្លាស់ប្ដូរ​នេះ ប៉ុន្តែអ្វី​ដែល​យើង​នឹង​ពិភាក្សា​នៅ​ថ្ងៃ​នេះគឺ ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3 ។ ទោះ​បី​ជា​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទនេះអាច​នឹង​មាន​ប្រយោជន៍​នៅ​ក្នុង​លក្ខខណ្ឌសព្វថ្ងៃ​នេះ ក៏​ប៉ុន្តែ​កាល​ពី​មុនគឺ​មាន​បទបញ្ជា​រដ្ឋបាល​ ដែល​ជា​គោលនយោបាយ​បិទតាម​បែបរដ្ឋបាល ដែល​ត្រូវ​បាន​អនុវត្ត​ដោយ​មជ្ឈមណ្ឌលទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិ ដែល​ជា​ធម្មតា​និយាយថា «ឥឡូវ​មើល ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3 ត្រូវ​បាន​បង្កើតឡើង​សំរាប់​ស្ថានភាព​ដែល​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​រៀបការឬ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍ ត្រូវ​បាន​បាត់​នៅ​ក្នុង​គំនរ​ឯកសារ​កក​ស្ទះ​របស់​ស្ថាប័ន USCIS​ ។ តាម​ពិត​ទៅ​ វា​មិនមែន​បាត់​នោះ​ទេ ប៉ុន្តែ​គឺវា​ជាប់ ​នៅ​ក្នុង​គំនរ​ឯកសារ​កក​ស្ទះ​របស់​ស្ថាប័ន USCIS ។ ដូច្នេះហើយ​ ប្រសិន​បើ​យើង​ទទួល​បាន​ពាក្យ​ធានា​សំរាប់​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3 មុន យើង​នឹង​ដំណើរ​ការ​ទិដ្ឋាការនេះ​មុន ប៉ុន្តែ​ប្រសិន​បើ​យើង​ទទួល​បាន​ពាក្យ​ធានា​សំរាប់​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍​សំរាប់ប្តីប្រពន្ធ​មុន យើងនឹង​ដំណើរ​ការ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​នេះ​មុន ហើយ​យើង​នឹង​ទុកពាក្យ​សុំ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3ជា​មោឃៈ» ។ នេះ​ជា​រឿង​ដ៏​សំខាន់​ ពី​ព្រោះ​តួនាទី​របស់​មជ្ឈមណ្ឌលទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិក្នុង​ដំណើរ​ការ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍​ មាន​លក្ខណៈ​ខុស​ពី​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K ។ សំរាប់​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K​ មជ្ឈមណ្ឌលទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិ គ្រាន់​តែ​ផ្ញើ​ឯកសារ​សំណុំរឿង​នោះ​ទៅកាន់​ស្ថានទូត​ដែល​ពាក់​ព័ន្ធ ហើយ​ស្ថានទូត​នឹង​ដំណើរ​ការ​សំណុំរឿងនោះ​តាម​ដំណើរការ​របស់​ស្ថានកុងស៊ុល ។ ចំណែកឯក្នុង​សំណុំរឿង​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍​វិញ ដំណើរ​ការ​របស់​មជ្ឈមណ្ឌលទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិមាន​សភាព​យឺតយ៉ាវ ព្រោះមជ្ឈមណ្ឌលទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិត្រូវ​ធ្វើ​ការ​ទទួល​យក​ឯកសារនិង​បញ្ចូល​ពត៌មាន​ ហើយ​ខ្ញុំ​មិន​និយាយ​ថា​មជ្ឈមណ្ឌលនេះ​ធ្វើ​ការ​សំរេច​ចេញ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​នោះ​ទេ ប៉ុន្តែ​ពួក​គេ​ធ្វើ​ការ​ត្រួត​ពិនិត្យ​ដោយ​ល្អិត​ល្អន់ ដើម្បី​ធានា​អោយ​ប្រាកដ​ថា ពួកគេ​មាន​ពត៌មាន​គ្រប់គ្រាន់ដើម្បី​បន្តដំណើរ​ការ និង​ដាក់​ថ្ងៃ​ណាត់​សំភាស ។ ដូច្នេះប្រសិន​បើ​អ្នក​អាច​ដាក់​ពាក្យ​សុំ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3 ហើយ​ត្រូវ​បាន​គេ​សំរេច​យល់​ព្រមលើ​ពាក្យ​សុំ នោះទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3 នេះ​នៅ​តែ​ដំណើរ​ការ​លឿន​ជាង​ទិដ្ឋាការប្រភេទ​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍ ។ ទោះ​បី​ជា​យ៉ាង​ណា​ក៏​ដោយ ​ខ្ញុំ​នៅ​តែ​យល់​ថា មជ្ឈមណ្ឌលទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិនៅ​តែ​រក្សា​គោលនយោបាយ​បិទតាម​បែប​រដ្ឋបាល ដែល​ពួកគេ​ត្រូវ​ដំណើរ​ការ​សំណុំរឿង​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍​មុន ។ ​ឥឡូវ​នេះ​ ការ​ដំណើរ​ការ​សំណុំរឿង​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍​ជា​ពិសេស​គឺ​សំណុំរឿង​ប្ដីឬ​ប្រពន្ធ​របស់​ពលរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក ត្រូវ​បាន​កាត់​បន្ថយ​យ៉ាង​ច្រើន ។ ស្ថាប័ន USCIS បាន​ចាត់​វិធានការ​សំខាន់ៗជាច្រើន​​ដើម្បី​ធ្វើ​អោយ​និតិវិធី​របស់​ពួកគេ​កាន់​តែ​មាន​ប្រសិទ្ធិភាព ហើយ​ពួកគេ​បាន​ធ្វើ​វា​អោយ​កាន់​តែមាន​ប្រសិទ្ធិភាព​ឡើង ។​ ខ្ញុំ​គិត​ថា​ពួកគេ​មាន​បុគ្គលិក​ច្រើន​ជាង​មុន ហើយ​ក៏មាន​រឿង​ច្រើន​ដែរដែល​ត្រូវ​ដោះ​ស្រាយពាក់​ព័ន្ធ​នឹង​​សំណុំរឿង​ទាំង​នោះ ហើយ​ពួក​គេ​ក៏​មាន​ធនធាន​ជាច្រើន​ដែរ​ដើម្បី​អោយ​សំណុំរឿង​ទាំង​អស់​នោះ​បាន​ដំណើរ​ការ​ទៅមុខ ដែល​ជា​លទ្ធផល គឺ​ខ្ញុំ​មិន​និយាយ​ថា​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3 ​ផុត​សម័យលែង​ត្រូវ​បាន​គេ​ប្រើប្រាស់​​នោះ​ទេ ប៉ុន្តែគឺវា​លែង​សូវ​ចាំបាច់​ក្នុង​ការ​ប្រើប្រាស់​ដូច​កាលពីពេល​ដែល​​វា​ត្រូវ​បាន​បង្កើត​ពីដំបូង​នោះ​ទេ ។ ដោយ​សារ​មូលហេតុនេះ​ហើយ ទើប​ខ្ញុំ​គិត​ថា​អ្នក​អាច​នឹង​ឃើញ​សំណុំរឿង​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​K-3​ កាន់​តែ​តិច​ទៅៗដែល​នឹង​ត្រូវ​ដំណើរ​ការ​នៅ​ក្នុង​ប្រទេស​កម្ពុជា ឬ​ប្រទេស​ផ្សេងៗទៀត ។

 

more Comments: 04

6th December 2017

Khmer language translation of video found here: ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​រៀបការសំរាប់​ពលរដ្ឋ​កម្ពុជា​ទៅ​រស់​នៅ​សហរដ្ឋអាមេរិក

សួស្ដី! ខ្ញុំឈ្មោះ Benjamin Hart ។ ខ្ញុំគឺជាមេធាវី និងជានាយកគ្រប់គ្រងនៃក្រុមហ៊ុនIntegrity Legal នៅក្នុងទីក្រុងបាងកកនៃប្រទេសថៃ ។

នៅក្នុងវីដេអូថ្ងៃនេះ យើងនឹងពិភាក្សាអំពីទិដ្ឋាការប្រភេទរៀបការ​ ដោយផ្តោតទៅលើបរិបទនៃ​ស្ថាន​ទូត​សហរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិកប្រចាំ​នៅ​រាជធានី​ភ្នំពេញនៃប្រទេសកម្ពុជា ។

ដូចដែលយើងបានលើកឡើងខាងលើ យើងស្ថិតនៅក្នុងទីក្រុងបាងកក ។ ខ្ញុំ​គឺ​ជា​មេធាវី​ជនជាតិ​អាមេរិកាំង ប៉ុន្តែ​ក្រុមហ៊ុន​របស់​យើង​គឺ​ស្ថិត​នៅ​ក្នុង​ទីក្រុង​បាងកក ។ ការ​ងារ​របស់​យើង​ជា​ច្រើន​ដែល​ពាក់ព័ន្ធ​នឹង​ការ​ធ្វើ​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍​ទៅ​កាន់​សហរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក គឺ​កើតឡើង​នៅ​ជុំវិញ​ទីក្រុង​បាង​កក និង​ការិយាល័យ​កុងស៊ុល​នៃស្ថាន​ទូត​សហរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក ហើយ​ជាពិសេស​ ​សំណុំរឿង​របស់​យើង​ គឺ​នឹង​ត្រូវ​បញ្ចប់​នៅ​ក្នុង​កុងស៊ុល​នៃស្ថាន​ទូត​សហរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិកនៅ​ទី​នេះ ។ ជាមួយ​គ្នា​នេះ​ យើង​ក៏​ទទួល​យក​សំណុំរឿង​ផ្សេងៗ​នៅ​ក្នុង​តំបន់​ផង​ដែរ ។ ខ្ញុំ​បាន​រត់ការ​សំណុំរឿង​ផ្សេងៗទាំង​នោះ​ញឹកញាប់​គួរសម​ដែរ ។ បើ​និយាយ​អោយ​ជាក់​លាក់ទៅ កម្ពុជា​គឺ​ប្រទេស​មួយ​ដែល​ខ្ញុំ​បាន​ធ្វើ​ការ​ជាមួយ​ញឹកញាប់​ជាង​គេ​នៅ​ក្នុង​តំបន់នេះ ។ ខ្ញុំ​គិត​ថា​ វា​អាស្រ័យ​ទៅ​លើ​ឆ្នាំផ្សេងគ្នា ។ ប៉ុន្តែ​យើង​បាន​ពិភាក្សា​អំពី ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-1 នៅ​ក្នុង​វីដេអូ​ផ្សេង​មួយ​ទៀត ដែលជា​​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​គូដណ្ដឹង ។ នៅ​ក្នុង​វីដេអូ​នេះ យើង​នឹង​ពិភាក្សា​ជា​ពិសេស​អំពី​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទរៀប​ការ ។ ដូច្នេះ​ក្នុង​ពេល​នេះ ខ្ញុំ​នឹង​និយាយ​អំពីទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ CR-1, IR-1 ឬ​ K-3 ។ មាន​វីដេអូ​មួយ​ផ្សេងទៀត​នៅ​ក្នុង​ទំព័រ​នេះ ដែល​និយាយ​ជា​ពិសេស​អំពីទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-3 ហើយ​ខ្ញុំ​នឹងទុក​អោយ​វីដេអូ​នោះ​​ពិភាក្សា​លំអិត​ ឬ​ជាក់លាក់​អំពី​ទិដ្ឋាការ​នេះ​ ។ ទោះ​បី​ជា​យ៉ាង​ណា​ក៏​ដោយ ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ CR-1 និង IR-1 ដែល​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ CR-1 គឺ​ប្រភេទ​អ្នក​រស់​នៅជា​អចិន្ត្រៃយ៍​ដោយ​មាន​លក្ខខ័ណ្ឌ និង IR-1 ជា​ប្រភេទ​សាច់ញាតិ​ផ្ទាល់ ហើយ​អ្នក​ដែល​ចូល​ទៅកាន់​សហរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក​តាម​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ IR-1 គឺ​ជា​អ្នក​រស់​នៅ​ជា​អចិន្ត្រៃយ៍​ដោយ​ស្របច្បាប់​ដោយ​មិនមាន​លក្ខខ័ណ្ឌ ដែល​ខុស​ពី​​អ្នក​រស់​នៅ​ជា​អចិន្ត្រៃយ៍​ដោយ​ស្របច្បាប់​តែមាន​លក្ខខ័ណ្ឌ ។ និយាយ​ជា​រួម គឺ​ខ្ញុំ​និយាយ​អំពី​ជន​បរទេស ដែល​បាន​រៀប​ការ ហើយ​ខ្ញុំ​និយាយ​ជា​ពិសេស​អំពីពលរដ្ឋ​ខ្មែរ ដែល​រៀបការ​ជាមួយ​នឹងពលរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក ។ ទោះ​បី​ជា​ការ​វិភាគ​នេះ​អាច​យក​ទៅអនុវត្ត​បានចំពោះ​​​​អ្នក​រស់​នៅ​ជា​អចិន្ត្រៃយ៍​ដោយ​ស្របច្បាប់​នៅ​ក្នុង​សហរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក​ដែល​មាន​បំណង​ចង់​យក​ប្ដី​ឬ​ប្រពន្ធ​ជនជាតិ​ខ្មែរ​របស់​ពួក​គេទៅ​កាន់​​សហរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិកក៏​ដោយ​ ក៏​ប៉ុន្តែ​ខ្ញុំ​នឹង​ព្យាយាម​និយាយតែ​​អំពី​ពលរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក ដែល​មាន​បំណង​ចង់​យក​ប្ដី​ឬ​ប្រពន្ធ​ជនជាតិ​ខ្មែរ​របស់​ពួក​គេទៅ​កាន់​​សហរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិកតែ​ប៉ុណ្ណោះ ។

ដូចនេះ អ្វី​ដែល​ត្រូវ​គិត​ពាក់ព័ន្ធ​នឹង​ពលរដ្ឋ​ខ្មែរ​ដែល​ចង់​ដាក់​ពាក្យ​សុំ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​រៀបការដើម្បី​ទៅ​រស់​នៅ​សហរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក គឺ​ថា​វា​គឺ​ជា​ដំណើរ​ការ​ដែល​មាន​៣​ផ្នែក ដែល​អ្នក​ត្រូវ​តែ​ចាប់​ផ្ដើម​ដោយ​រត់ការ​ដាក់​ពាក្យ​នៅ​​ក្រសួង​សន្តិសុខ​មាតុភូមិ​ និង​ភ្នាក់ងារ​សេវាអន្តោប្រវេសន៍ និង​ពលរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក ។ បន្ទាប់​មក​ទៀត អ្នក​ត្រូវ​ពាក់ព័ន្ធ​ជាមួយ​នឹង​មជ្ឈមណ្ឌល​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិ ដែល​នៅ​ក្នុង​បរិបទ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍ប្រភេទ​ប្ដីឬ​ប្រពន្ធ​ មជ្ឈមណ្ឌល​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិមាន​តួនាទី​ផ្សេងពីតួនាទីរបស់​ខ្លួន​ពាក់​ព័ន្ធ​នឹង​ទិដ្ឋាការ​​ប្រភេទ K គឺ​ប្រភេទ K-1 និង K-3 ។ នៅ​ក្នុង​សំណុំ​រឿង​សុំ​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K-1 និង K-3 ដែល​ក្នុង​ករណី​ទាំង​នោះ​​​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K-3 ត្រូវ​បាន​សំរេច​យល់​ព្រម នោះ​មជ្ឈមណ្ឌល​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិគ្រាន់​តែ​ដើរ​តួ​ជា​ទី​កន្លែង​លាង​សំអាត​ឯកសារ ឬ​កន្លែង​បញ្ជូន​ឯកសារ ដើម្បី​ធានា​អោយ​ប្រាកដ​ថា​សំណុំ​រឿង​នោះ​ចាក​ចេញ​ពី​ភ្នាក់ងារ USCIS ទៅ​កាន់​ស្ថានទូត​ក្រៅ​ប្រទេស​ដែល​សមស្រប ។ ពាក់ព័ន្ធ​នឹង​ទិដ្ឋាការអន្តោប្រវេសន៍​ទៅ​រស់​នៅ​សហរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក វិសាលភាព​នៃ​ការ​ងារ​របស់​មជ្ឈមណ្ឌល​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិគឺ​មាន​លក្ខណៈ​ទូលំទូលាយ ។​ ពួក​គេ​ធ្វើ​ការ​ប្រមូល​ឯកសារ​ជា​ច្រើន ពួក​គេ​នឹង​ទាក់​ទង​ទៅ​អ្នក​ដាក់​ពាក្យ​ប្រសិន​បើ​ពួក​គេមាន​អារម្មណ៍​ថា​ខ្វះឯកសារ​ណាមួយ ឬ​ពួកគេ​មាន​អារម្មណ៍​ថាត្រូវ​ការ​ពត៌មាន​ចាំបាច់​បន្ថែម​ទៀត ។ នៅ​ក្នុង​វីដេអូ​មួយ​ផ្សេង​ទៀត​នៅ​ក្នុង​ទំព័រ​នេះ​យើង​បាន​ពិភាក្សាអំពីអ្វី​ដែល​គេ​ហៅ​ថា និតិវិធី​នៃ​ការ​ត្រួតពិនិត្យ​ដ៏​ខ្លាំង​បំផុត​របស់​រដ្ឋបាល​ប្រធានាធិបតី​ Trump ក្នុង​ពេល​ឥឡូវ​នេះ ។ ខ្ញុំ​មិន​ដឹង​ដែរ ហើយ​​ខ្ញុំក៏​​មិន​ទាន់​បាន​ឃើញ​ការ​​ត្រួតពិនិត្យ​ដ៏​ខ្លាំង​បំផុត​ណាមួយ​ត្រូវ​​បានធ្វើ​ឡើង​នៅ​មជ្ឈមណ្ឌល​​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិនៅ​ឡើយ​ទេ ប៉ុន្តែ​ខ្ញុំ​អាច​មើល​ឃើញ​ថា​នៅ​ក្នុង​ពេល​ណា​មួយ​នៅ​​ថ្ងៃ​អនាគត មជ្ឈមណ្ឌល​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិ​នឹង​អនុវត្ត​និតិវិធី​នៃ​ការ​ត្រួតពិនិត្យ​ដ៏ខ្លាំង​បំផុតនេះ ។ ទោះ​បី​ជា​យ៉ាង​ណា​ក្ដី ពួក​គេ​មាន​តួនាទី​យ៉ាង​សកម្មក្នុង​សំណុំ​រឿង​ទិដ្ឋាការ​អន្តោប្រវេសន៍ ។ នៅពេ​ល​ដែល​មជ្ឈមណ្ឌល​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិយល់​ថា​ឯកសារ​មាន​គ្រប់​គ្រាន់​ហើយ ពួកគេ​នឹង​បន្តដំណើរ​ការ​សំណុំរឿង​ទៅ​កាន់​ស្ថានទូតសហរដ្ឋអាមេរិកប្រចាំនៅរាជធានីភ្នំពេញ ហើយ​ថ្ងៃ​សំភាស​នឹង​ត្រូវ​កំណត់​នៅ​ស្ថានទូត ។ នៅ​ពេល​សំភាស មាន​រឿង​ជា​ច្រើន​ដែល​អាច​កើត​ឡើង ដែល​មាន​ដូច​ជា​អ្វី​ដែល​គេ​ហៅ​ថាសំណើ 221-G ដើម្បី​ស្នើសុំ​អោយ​បេក្ខជន​ដាក់​ឯកសារ​បន្ថែម ដែល​មន្ត្រី​ដែល​ធ្វើ​ការ​សំភាស​ចង់​ឃើញ​ពាក់​ព័ន្ធ​នឹង​ករណី​នោះ ។ ជា​ទូទៅ បន្ទាប់​ពី​មាន​ការ​ត្រួត​ពិនិត្យ​ពីមជ្ឈមណ្ឌល​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិហើយ ការ​ស្នើ​សុំ​ឯកសារ​បន្ថែម​នេះ​មិន​សូវ​ជា​មាន​ញឹក​ញាប់​ទេ ប៉ុន្តែ​វា​អាច​កើតឡើង​បាន ។ ខ្ញុំមិន​គួរ​និយាយ​ថា​វា​កំរ​កើត​ឡើង​នោះ​ទេ ។ នៅ​ក្នុង​ករណី​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ​ K-1 វា​អាច​កើត​ឡើង​ជា​ញឹកញាប់​ ដោយ​សារ​តែ​ស្ថានភាព​នីមួយៗ​គឺ​ផ្សេងៗគ្នា ។ ទិដ្ឋាការប្រភេទ​រៀបការ ហាក់​ដូច​ជា​មាន​ភាព​ច្បាស់​លាស់ និង​ងាយ​យល់ ហើយ​ខ្ញុំ​គិត​ថា​វា​ជា​រឿង​ដែល​ត្រឹម​ត្រូវ​ក្នុង​ការ​មើល​ទៅ​លើ​ករណី​នេះ​តាម​បែប​​ហ្នឹង ។ ប៉ុន្តែ​អ្វី​ដែល​ខ្ញុំ​ចង់​និយាយ​នៅ​ពេល​នេះ​គឺថា មជ្ឈមណ្ឌល​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិនឹង​កំណត់​ថ្ងៃ​សំភាស ហើយ​កាល​កំណត់​នោះ​នឹង​ត្រូវ​បញ្ជូន​ទៅ កាន់​ស្ថានទូត​នៅ​រាជធានី​ភ្នំពេញ បន្ទាប់​មក​អ្នក​ត្រូវ​តែ​ចូល​សំភាស ។ ជា​រឿយៗ យើង​ធ្វើ​ការ​ត្រៀម​សំភាស​ជាមួយ​អតិថិជន​របស់​យើង ដើម្បី​អោយ​ពួកគេ​មាន​ការ​យល់​នូវ​អ្វី​ដែល​មន្ត្រី​កុងស៊ុល អាច​នឹង​ចង់ដឹង​ពាក់ព័ន្ធ​នឹង​ពាក្យ​សុំ ឬ​ពាក់​ព័ន្ធ​នឹង​ចំណុច​ជាក់លាក់​ណា​មួយ​នៃ​អ្នក​ដែល​ដាក់​ពាក្យ​សុំ ។​ រឿង​ផ្សេង​ទៀត​ដែល​យើង​ធ្វើ​គឺ​ផ្ដល់​នូវ​ការ​យល់​ដឹង​ខ្លះៗ​ពាក់​ព័ន្ធ​នឹង​និតិវិធី​ដែល​សំណុំ​រឿង​នឹង​ត្រូវ​ដំណើរ​ការ​នៅ​ស្ថាន​ទូត ។

ជា​រួម​ ខ្ញុំ​គិត​ថា​វិធីមើល​ទៅ​លើ​ដំណើរ​ការ​ទូទៅ​នៃ​ការ​ដាក់​ពាក្យ​សុំ​ទិដ្ឋាការអន្តោប្រវេសន៍​ទៅរស់​នៅ​សហរដ្ឋអាមេរិក​គឺដូចនេះ៖ វា​ចាប់​ផ្ដើម​នៅ​ក្រសួង​សន្តិសុខមាតុភូមិនៃ​សហរដ្ឋ​អាមេរិក ហើយ​បន្ត​ទៅ​មជ្ឈមណ្ឌល​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិដែល​ខុសពី​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ប្រភេទ K មជ្ឈមណ្ឌល​ទិដ្ឋាការ​ជាតិ​ មាន​តួនាទី​យ៉ាង​សកម្ម​ក្នុង​ដំណើរ​ការ​នេះ ហើយ​បន្ទាប់​មក​វា​នឹង​ត្រូវ​បញ្ជូន​ទៅ​កាន់​ស្ថានទូតសហរដ្ឋអាមេរិកប្រចាំនៅរាជធានីភ្នំពេញ ។ នៅ​ពេល​នោះ ការ​សំភាស​នឹង​ត្រូវ​ធ្វើ​ឡើង ហើយ​ឯកសារ​បន្ថែម​ផ្សេងៗ​អាច​នឹង​ត្រូវ​ស្នើសុំ ដែល​អ្នក​នឹង​ត្រូវ​ ​រក​ឯកសារ​ដើម្បី​ដាក់​ជូន​ទៅ​កុងស៊ុលមុនពេល​ដែល​ ទិដ្ឋាការ​អាច​នឹង​ត្រូវ​សំរេច​យល់​ព្រមចេញ​អោយ​អ្នកនៅ​ចុង​បញ្ចប់ ។

more Comments: 04

21st November 2017

The following is a transcript of a video which can be found here: US Marriage Visa Cambodia

In this video today, we are going to be discussing marriage visas in the specific context of the US Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

As you can see from the aforementioned preamble to this video, we are based here in Bangkok. I am an American attorney but the firm is based here in Bangkok. The bulk of our work in US immigration matters does revolve around Bangkok and the Consular section of the US Embassy here primarily our cases that are going to end up at the US Consular Section here. That being said, we do take other cases in the region, I do deal with a fair number of these rather frequently. Cambodia is one I deal with probably more often than any other country in the region if I ‘m being very specific. It kind of depends on the year, I guess. But that being said, the K-1, we discussed specifically in another video, that’s a fiancée visa. In this video, we are discussing US marriage visas specifically. So for now, I’m talking about the CR-1, IR-1 or the K-3 visa. There’s another video on this channel which goes specifically into the K-3 visa and I am going to sort of leave it to that video to discuss that directly if there’s specific things to think about with respect to the K-3. But suffice it to say, the CR-1 and the IR-1, CR-1 is Conditional Resident category, IR-1 is Immediate Relative and the person that enters on an IR-1 enters in unconditional lawful permanent residence as opposed to conditional lawful permanent residence to the United States. Generally speaking, I am talking about foreign nationals married, and I am specifically talking about Khmer, Cambodian Nationals married to an American citizen. Although some of this analysis could apply to a lawful permanent resident in the United States trying to bring their Cambodian spouse over as well but I’m going to try to keep it more on point with respect to an American citizen, seeking to bring a Cambodian female or male spouse to the United States.

So the thing to think about with respect to Cambodian nationals applying for marriage visa benefits to the US, it’s kind of a 3 part process in so far as you have to initially deal with the Department of Homeland Security and their United States Citizenship and Immigration Service  apparatus. Then you have got to go ahead and deal with the National Visa Center which in the context of Immigrant Spousal Visas, the National Visa Center is a very different animal than when you compare it to the K categories, the K-1 and the K-3. In the K-1 and the K-3 cases, in those cases where the K-3 gets processed through, in a way NVC just acts as a sort of clearing house or sort of a postal hub, if you will, to make certain that the case gets from USCIS over to the correct embassy abroad. With respect to US Immigrant visas the NVC’s job is much more broad in scope, and depth for that matter. They do a lot of document collection, they will do follow ups if they feel there’s a document deficiency or they feel that more information is necessary. In another video on this channel we discussed the so called extreme vetting protocols of the Trump Administration right now. I don’t know, specifically I haven’t seen anything with extreme vetting happen yet at NVC but I can see theoretically, sometime in the future, extreme vetting protocols may pertain directly to NVC at some point as well.  But that being said, they have a much more active role in the immigrant visa cases.  Once they are satisfied documentarily at National Visa Center, they will then go ahead and process the case out over to the embassy in Phnom Penh and an interview date will be set at the embassy. At the interview, things can happen like what are called the 221-G request for further documentation where basically the interviewing officer determines that they would like to see something more with respect to the case. Generally speaking, after an NVC vetting, this isn’t very frequent, but it does happen. I shouldn’t say that it’s infrequent. In K-1s, it can happen quite frequently because the circumstances are different. Marriage visas, the cases tend to be more clear-cut, I guess is the right way to look at it.  But that being said, basically the point I want to get across is, NVC will set that interview appointment, it will get over to the embassy in Phnom Penh and you have got to get in for an interview. We oftentimes do an interview prep with our clients so that they have an understanding, generally speaking, what the officer is probably going to want to know regarding the application or regarding the specifics of the person making the application and the other thing is we provide some insight with respect to the protocols for how the case is going to be taken in and dealt with at the post.

So to sort of sum up, I think the way to look at the overall process of applying for a US immigrant is this: it starts in the United States with the Department of Homeland Security, it moves over to the NVC which unlike the K categories, the NVC has a very active role in this process and then finally, it’s going to end up at the US Embassy at Phnom Penh and at that point the interview is going to take place and it’s possible more documentation could be requested and you may have to deal with a follow on submission before hopefully, the visa is ultimately approved.

more Comments: 04

21st November 2017

The following is a transcript of the video which can be found here: K-3 Visas from Cambodia.

In this video today, we are going to specifically discuss one visa that is sort of an interesting little niche visa, the K-3 visa, in the specific context of a Khmer, Cambodian national who would be seeking that in connection with marriage to a US citizen. Let’s be clear, you have got to be married to a US citizen in order to apply for a K-3.

First things first. As previously noted in my preamble, we’re located here in Bangkok. We do deal with a large number of Thai cases but being fairly geographically close to Cambodia, over the years we’ve done a fair number of Cambodian cases or cases that arise with a Cambodian national, a Khmer national involved. That being stated, it should be noted that the K-3 is an interesting animal.

To provide a little background on what the K-3 visa is. The K-3 visa was created pursuant to the provisions of the LIFE act created under the Clinton presidency and it was created at a time when the back log associated with spousal visas, CR-1 and IR-1, and there’s another video on this channel specific to CR-1 and IR-1 visas, in Cambodia. Basically, at the time, it was taking multiple years to get finalized Department of Homeland secure the approval of the petition for marriage visas. Meanwhile, at the same time it was like 6 or 7 months, 8 months to get a fiancée visa petition approved. So you ended up with the sort of counter intuitive situation where fiancées were moving through the system more quickly than spouses and it should be noted that from a legal perspective there is no qualitative difference as far as the law is concerned, specifically Immigration law is concerned, with respect to a fiancée versus a spouse; from a legal standpoint they’re treated the same way.  From an administrative standpoint, they just had a high back log of marriage visas or marriage petitions, for whatever reason, were they were processing K-1s more efficiently or they just had a lower case load, I don’t know what the deal was, but at the time it was taking multiple years to get a petition for marriage to an American citizen process through and meanwhile it was taking a matter of months for fiancées. So what happened is they created this K-3 category and the K-3 category was created, basically they said “look if you have got a petition on file for a spousal visa benefits in the normal manner, the CR-1 or IR-1 category basically, you can take that filing and do a duplicative version of that and go ahead and file for this K-3 category. You just go ahead and file it again through the K line. That’s basically what they did. They just took these marriage visa cases and said – Okay, it’s been filed, you have got to prove it’s filed and you put it in the line that was processing for fiancées so what ended up happening is K-3 has kind of become the ubiquitous term for a US marriage visa but in point of fact, the traditional methodology of bringing someone into the United States is through a CR-1 or IR-1 visa.  The K-3 just sort of became rather common place in the lexicon of these matters because people got used to dealing with K-3s because that was effectively the way to get your spouse into the United States. It’s interesting because K-3 still requires adjustment of status to lawful permanent residence.  Those of you who are interested in learning about that, in order to get a green card you have to undergo the adjustment of status process and I urge you to take a look at the video that specifically discusses the adjustment of status process on this channel, but something to bring up with respect to K-3s in the present context. Although they may be useful under present processing conditions, in the past there was an administrative ruling, it was a policy of administrative closure that was undertaken by the National Visa Center whereby they basically said – “Look, the K-3 was created for these situations where basically a marriage visa, an immigrant visa case got lost in the back log of USCIS. Not lost but stuck in the back log of USCIS. So if we got the K-3 position first we will process through on the K-3. But if we get the petition for the Immigrant Spouse Visa first, we’re going to process the Immigrant Spouse Visa benefits. We’re going to disregard the K-3”. This is important because NVC’s function is qualitatively different in an immigrant visa context that it is in a K Visa context. The K Visa context, NVC just shoots the case on to the embassy in question and the embassy sort of deals with all the nuts and bolts of the consular processing. In an immigrant visa context, the NVC process is slower because NVC deals with the nuts and bolts of document intake and in a way, I won’t say, adjudication but sort of pre vetting to make sure that they have generally what they need to go ahead and continue to process and get an interview scheduled. So in a way, the K-3 may still, if you can go ahead and get one through, the K-3 may still process more quickly compared to an immigrant visa but it’s my understanding that NVC still maintains the policy of administrative closure, where they get the immigrant case first and now processing of immigrant matters, immigrant spouse matters of American citizens, has reduced significantly. USCIS, to their credit, took significant substantial steps to make their process more efficient and they streamlined it, and I think they got more staff and things to deal with those matters and they put more resources on getting those cases processed, and as a result, in a way the K-3 is, I won’t say it’s obsolete, but its original reason for being there is not quite so pressing as it was at the time that it was created. And for that reason, I think it’s very probable that you are going to see fewer and fewer K-3 visas being processed in Cambodia or elsewhere.

more Comments: 04

2nd February 2012

In order to provide relevant information for those seeking Consular Services in Southeast Asia the administration of this web log routinely posts the holiday closing schedules of the various US Missions in Asia. The following is quoted directly from the official website of the US Embassy in Cambodia:

Month Day Holiday Khmer/U.S.
January 2 Mon International New Year’s Day U.S.
Jan 16 Mon Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. U.S.
Feb 20 Mon George Washington’s Birthday U.S.
Mar 8 Tue International Women’s Day Khmer
Apr 13 Fri Khmer New Year’s Day Khmer
Apr 16 Mon Khmer New Year’s Day Khmer
May 14 Fri King Sihamoni’s Birthday Khmer
May 28 Mon Memorial Day U.S.
Jun 18 Mon King Mother’s Birthday Khmer
Jul 4 Wed Independence Day U.S.
Sep 3 Mon Labor Day U.S.
Oct 8 Mon Columbus Day U.S.
Oct 15 Mon Pchum Ben Day Khmer
Oct 16 Tue Pchum Ben Day Khmer
Oct 31 Mon King Father’s Birthday Khmer
Nov 9 Wed Independence Day Khmer
Nov 12 Mon Veterans Day U.S.
Nov 22 Thu Thanksgiving Day U.S.
Nov 29 Thu Water Festival Khmer
Dec 25 Mon Christmas U.S.

For further information from the aforementioned website please click HERE.

Those seeking services such as notarization, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, or US passport renewals are well advised to seek such services from the US Consular section of the US Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In many cases it will likely be necessary to make an online appointment prior to arrival at the Post in order to ensure processing of a specific request for services.

In order to obtain a US visa for a foreign fiancee the American fiance is generally required to submit a petition to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) prior to the case file being processed through the National Visa Center (NVC), assuming approval; and finally on to the US Embassy or US Consulate with appropriate jurisdiction. Those seeking an immigrant visa for a foreign spouse are also likely to be required to receive an approved USCIS petition prior to processing at the National Visa Center before eventual interview and processing at a US Embassy or US Consulate abroad.

In general, it has been this blogger’s experience that the non-immigrant visa categories for foreign loved ones, such as the K-1 visa or the K-3 visa are processed by the non-immigrant visa unit at the American post with appropriate Consular jurisdiction. Meanwhile, immigrant visa categories such as the CR-1 visa or the IR-1 visa are processed by an immigrant visa unit. That stated, some protocols may vary depending upon the unique circumstances of a particular Post.

For information related to legal services in Southeast Asia please see: Legal.

more Comments: 04

14th June 2011

Those who read this blog with any frequency may have noticed that the administration routinely posts the estimated processing times from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) as a courtesy to the public-at-large. To quote directly from the official website of the USCIS, USCIS.gov:

Field Office Processing Dates for California Service Center as of: April 30, 2011
Form Title Classification or Basis for Filing: Processing Timeframe:
I-102 Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival/Departure Record Initial issuance or replacement of a Form I-94 2.5 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker Blanket L 2 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker E – Treaty traders and investors 2 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-1B – Specialty occupation – Visa to be issued abroad 2 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-1B – Specialty occupation – Change of status in the U.S. 2 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-1B – Specialty occupation – Extension of stay in the U.S. 2 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-2A – Temporary workers 1 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-2B – Other temporary workers 1 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-3 – Temporary trainees 2 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker L – Intracompany transfers 1 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker O – Extraordinary ability 2 Weeks
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker P – Athletes, artists, and entertainers 2 Weeks
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker Q – Cultural exchange visitors and exchange visitors participating in the Irish Peace process 2 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker R – Religious occupation 5 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker TN – North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) professional 2 Months
I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance(e) K-1/K-2 – Not yet married – fiance and/or dependent child 5 Months
I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance(e) K-3/K-4 – Already married – spouse and/or dependent child 5 Months
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for a spouse or child under 21 5 Months
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a spouse, parent, or child under 21 5 Months
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 September 27, 2007
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 May 7, 2010
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a married son or daughter over 21 June 1, 2010
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a brother or sister April 25, 2007
I-131 Application for Travel Document All other applicants for advance parole 3 Months
I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant All other special immigrants 5 Months
I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant Religious workers 5 Months
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status Employment-based adjustment applications 4 Months
I-526 Immigrant Petition By Alien Entrepreneur For use by an entrepreneur who wishes to immigrate to the United States 5 Months
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Change status to the F or M academic or vocational student categories 2.5 Months
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Change of status to H or L dependents 2.5 Months
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Change Status to the J exchange visitor category 2.5 Months
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status All other change of status applications 2.5 Months
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Extension of Stay for F or M academic or vocational students 2.5 Months
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Extension of stay for H and L dependents 2.5 Months
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Extension of Stay for J exchange visitors 2.5 Months
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status All other extension applications 2.5 Months
I-612 Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement Application for a waiver of the 2-year foreign residence requirement based on exceptional hardship or persecution 4 Months
I-751 Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence Removal of lawful permanent resident conditions (spouses of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents 6 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on an approved asylum application [(a)(5)] 3 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student. [(c)(3)] 3 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on a pending asylum application [(c)(8)] 3 Weeks
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on a pending I-485 adjustment application [(c)(9)] 3 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on TPS for El Salvador [(c)(19)(a)(12)] 3 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on TPS for Honduras/Nicaragua [(c)(19), (a)(12)] 3 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization All other applications for employment authorization 3 Months
I-817 Application for Family Unity Benefits Voluntary departure under the family unity program 6 Months
I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status El Salvador extension December 16, 2010
I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status El Salvador initial or late filing December 16, 2010
I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status Honduras and Nicaragua extension December 16, 2010
I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status Honduras and Nicaragua initial or late filing December 16, 2010
I-824 Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition To request further action on an approved application or petition 3 Months
I-829 Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions Removal of lawful permanent resident conditions (immigrant investors) 6 Months
I-829 Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions Removal of lawful permanent resident conditions (immigrant investors) based on PL107-273 September 12, 1997
Field Office Processing Dates for Nebraska Service Center as of: April 30, 2011
Form Title Classification or Basis for Filing: Processing Timeframe:
I-102 Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival/Departure Record Initial issuance or replacement of a Form I-94 2.5 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker Blanket L August 1, 2006
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker E – Treaty traders and investors 2 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-1B – Specialty occupation – Visa to be issued abroad August 1, 2006
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-1B – Specialty occupation – Change of status in the U.S. August 1, 2006
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-1B – Specialty occupation – Extension of stay in the U.S. August 1, 2006
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-1C – Nurses 2 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-2A – Temporary workers 1 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-2B – Other temporary workers 1 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-3 – Temporary trainees August 1, 2006
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker L – Intracompany transfers 1 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker O – Extraordinary ability August 1, 2006
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker P – Athletes, artists, and entertainers August 1, 2006
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker Q – Cultural exchange visitors and exchange visitors participating in the Irish Peace process August 1, 2006
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker R – Religious occupation August 1, 2006
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker TN – North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) professional August 1, 2006
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for a spouse or child under 21 September 9, 2010
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 September 9, 2010
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 September 9, 2010
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a married son or daughter over 21 September 9, 2010
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a brother or sister September 9, 2010
I-131 Application for Travel Document Refugee or asylee applying for a refugee travel document 3 Months
I-131 Application for Travel Document Permanent resident applying for a re-entry permit 3 Months
I-131 Application for Travel Document Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA) dependent applying for advance parole 3 Months
I-131 Application for Travel Document Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA) principal applying for advance parole 3 Months
I-131 Application for Travel Document All other applicants for advance parole 3 Months
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Extraordinary ability 4 Months
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Outstanding professor or researcher 4 Months
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Multinational executive or manager 4 Months
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Advanced degree or exceptional ability 4 Months
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Skilled worker or professional 4 Months
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Unskilled worker 4 Months
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Advanced degree or exceptional ability requesting a National Interest Waiver 4 Months
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Schedule A Nurses 4 Months
I-212 Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the U.S. After Deportation or Removal Readmission after deportation or removal November 9, 2008
I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant All other special immigrants 5 Months
I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) November 9, 2008
I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant Religious workers 5 Months
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status Employment-based adjustment applications December 2, 2010
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status Based on grant of asylum more than 1 year ago 4 Months
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status Based on refugee admission more than 1 year ago 4 Months
I-526 Immigrant Petition By Alien Entrepreneur For use by an entrepreneur who wishes to immigrate to the United States 5 Months
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Change status to the F or M academic or vocational student categories January 21, 2011
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Change of status to H or L dependents January 21, 2011
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Change Status to the J exchange visitor category January 21, 2011
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status All other change of status applications January 21, 2011
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Extension of Stay for F or M academic or vocational students January 21, 2011
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Extension of stay for H and L dependents January 21, 2011
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Extension of Stay for J exchange visitors January 21, 2011
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status All other extension applications January 21, 2011
I-612 Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement Application for a waiver of the 2-year foreign residence requirement based on exceptional hardship or persecution 4 Months
I-730 Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition Petition for accompanying family members of a refugee or an asylee 5 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on an approved asylum application [(a)(5)] 3 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student. [(c)(3)] 3 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on a pending asylum application [(c)(8)] 3 Weeks
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on a pending I-485 adjustment application [(c)(9)] 3 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on TPS for El Salvador [(c)(19)(a)(12)] 3 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on TPS for Honduras/Nicaragua [(c)(19), (a)(12)] 3 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization All other applications for employment authorization 3 Months
I-817 Application for Family Unity Benefits Voluntary departure under the family unity program 6 Months
I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status El Salvador extension January 11, 2011
I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status El Salvador initial or late filing January 11, 2011
I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status Honduras and Nicaragua extension January 11, 2011
I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status Honduras and Nicaragua initial or late filing January 11, 2011
I-824 Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition To request further action on an approved application or petition November 21, 2010
I-829 Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions Removal of lawful permanent resident conditions (immigrant investors) 6 Months
I-829 Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions Removal of lawful permanent resident conditions (immigrant investors) based on PL107-273 6 Months
I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card Initial issuance or replacement 3.5 Months
I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card 10-year renewal January 3, 2011
I-90A Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card Initial issuance or replacement for Special Agricultral Workers (SAW) 3.5 Months
N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document U.S. citizen applying for a replacement of naturalization or citizenship certificate 6 Months
N-600 Application for Certification of Citizenship Application for recognition of U.S. citizenship 5 Months
N-643 Application for Certification of Citizenship on Behalf of an Adopted Child Application for recognition of U.S. citizenship on behalf of an adopted child 5 Months
Field Office Processing Dates for Texas Service Center as of: April 30, 2011
Form Title Classification or Basis for Filing: Processing Timeframe:
I-102 Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival/Departure Record Initial issuance or replacement of a Form I-94 January 22, 2011
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker Blanket L December 27, 2007
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker E – Treaty traders and investors December 27, 2007
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-1B – Specialty occupation – Visa to be issued abroad December 27, 2007
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-1B – Specialty occupation – Change of status in the U.S. December 27, 2007
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-1B – Specialty occupation – Extension of stay in the U.S. December 27, 2007
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-1C – Nurses December 27, 2007
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-2A – Temporary workers December 27, 2007
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-2B – Other temporary workers December 27, 2007
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-3 – Temporary trainees December 27, 2007
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker L – Intracompany transfers 1 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker O – Extraordinary ability December 27, 2007
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker P – Athletes, artists, and entertainers December 27, 2007
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker Q – Cultural exchange visitors and exchange visitors participating in the Irish Peace process December 27, 2007
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker R – Religious occupation December 27, 2007
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker TN – North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) professional December 27, 2007
I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance(e) K-1/K-2 – Not yet married – fiance and/or dependent child 5 Months
I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance(e) K-3/K-4 – Already married – spouse and/or dependent child 5 Months
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for a spouse or child under 21 5 Months
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a spouse, parent, or child under 21 5 Months
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 5 Months
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 5 Months
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a married son or daughter over 21 5 Months
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a brother or sister 5 Months
I-131 Application for Travel Document Refugee or asylee applying for a refugee travel document 3 Months
I-131 Application for Travel Document Permanent resident applying for a re-entry permit 3 Months
I-131 Application for Travel Document Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA) dependent applying for advance parole 3 Months
I-131 Application for Travel Document Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA) principal applying for advance parole 3 Months
I-131 Application for Travel Document All other applicants for advance parole 3 Months
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Extraordinary ability September 4, 2010
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Outstanding professor or researcher September 4, 2010
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Multinational executive or manager September 4, 2010
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Advanced degree or exceptional ability September 16, 2010
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Skilled worker or professional September 16, 2010
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Unskilled worker September 16, 2010
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Advanced degree or exceptional ability requesting a National Interest Waiver September 7, 2010
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Schedule A Nurses September 16, 2010
I-212 Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the U.S. After Deportation or Removal Readmission after deportation or removal July 31, 2009
I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant All other special immigrants July 31, 2010
I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) July 31, 2009
I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant Religious workers July 31, 2010
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status Employment-based adjustment applications October 31, 2010
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status Under the Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA) 4 Months
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status Under the Indochinese Adjustment Act 4 Months
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status Under the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) 4 Months
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status Based on grant of asylum more than 1 year ago November 26, 2010
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status Based on refugee admission more than 1 year ago 4 Months
I-526 Immigrant Petition By Alien Entrepreneur For use by an entrepreneur who wishes to immigrate to the United States September 29, 2008
I-612 Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement Application for a waiver of the 2-year foreign residence requirement based on exceptional hardship or persecution 4 Months
I-730 Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition Petition for accompanying family members of a refugee or an asylee 5 Months
I-751 Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence Removal of lawful permanent resident conditions (spouses of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents June 29, 2008
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on an approved asylum application [(a)(5)] 3 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student. [(c)(3)] 3 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on a pending asylum application [(c)(8)] 3 Weeks
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on a pending I-485 adjustment application [(c)(9)] 3 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on TPS for El Salvador [(c)(19)(a)(12)] 3 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on TPS for Honduras/Nicaragua [(c)(19), (a)(12)] 3 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization All other applications for employment authorization 3 Months
I-817 Application for Family Unity Benefits Voluntary departure under the family unity program 6 Months
I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status El Salvador extension 3 Months
I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status El Salvador initial or late filing 3 Months
I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status Honduras and Nicaragua extension 3 Months
I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status Honduras and Nicaragua initial or late filing 3 Months
I-824 Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition To request further action on an approved application or petition November 2, 2010
I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card Initial issuance or replacement March 16, 2010
N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document U.S. citizen applying for a replacement of naturalization or citizenship certificate 6 Months
N-600 Application for Certification of Citizenship Application for recognition of U.S. citizenship 5 Months
Field Office Processing Dates for Vermont Service Center as of: April 30, 2011
Form Title Classification or Basis for Filing: Processing Timeframe:
I-102 Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival/Departure Record Initial issuance or replacement of a Form I-94 2.5 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker Blanket L 2 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker E – Treaty traders and investors 2 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-1B – Specialty occupation – Visa to be issued abroad 2 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-1B – Specialty occupation – Change of status in the U.S. 2 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-1B – Specialty occupation – Extension of stay in the U.S. 2 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-1C – Nurses 2 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-2A – Temporary workers 1 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-2B – Other temporary workers 1 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker H-3 – Temporary trainees 2 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker L – Intracompany transfers March 13, 2011
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker O – Extraordinary ability 2 Weeks
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker P – Athletes, artists, and entertainers 2 Weeks
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker Q – Cultural exchange visitors and exchange visitors participating in the Irish Peace process 2 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker R – Religious occupation 5 Months
I-129 Petition for A Nonimmigrant Worker TN – North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) professional 2 Months
I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance(e) K-1/K-2 – Not yet married – fiance and/or dependent child 5 Months
I-129F Petition for Alien Fiance(e) K-3/K-4 – Already married – spouse and/or dependent child 5 Months
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for a spouse or child under 21 September 11, 2010
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a spouse, parent, or child under 21 November 27, 2010
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 5 Months
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative Permanent resident filling for an unmarried son or daughter over 21 5 Months
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a married son or daughter over 21 5 Months
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative U.S. citizen filing for a brother or sister July 10, 2010
I-131 Application for Travel Document Refugee or asylee applying for a refugee travel document September 14, 2010
I-131 Application for Travel Document Permanent resident applying for a re-entry permit September 14, 2010
I-131 Application for Travel Document Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA) dependent applying for advance parole 3 Months
I-131 Application for Travel Document Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA) principal applying for advance parole 3 Months
I-131 Application for Travel Document All other applicants for advance parole 3 Months
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Extraordinary ability January 30, 2008
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Outstanding professor or researcher January 30, 2008
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Multinational executive or manager January 30, 2008
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Advanced degree or exceptional ability January 30, 2008
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Skilled worker or professional January 30, 2008
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Unskilled worker January 30, 2008
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Advanced degree or exceptional ability requesting a National Interest Waiver January 30, 2008
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker Schedule A Nurses January 30, 2008
I-212 Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the U.S. After Deportation or Removal Readmission after deportation or removal 4 Months
I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant All other special immigrants 5 Months
I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) 5 Months
I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant Religious workers 5 Months
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status Employment-based adjustment applications November 13, 2010
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status Under the Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA) 4 Months
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status Under the Indochinese Adjustment Act 4 Months
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status Under the Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) 4 Months
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status Based on grant of asylum more than 1 year ago 4 Months
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status Based on refugee admission more than 1 year ago 4 Months
I-526 Immigrant Petition By Alien Entrepreneur For use by an entrepreneur who wishes to immigrate to the United States 5 Months
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Change status to the F or M academic or vocational student categories February 12, 2011
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Change of status to H or L dependents February 12, 2011
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Change Status to the J exchange visitor category February 12, 2011
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status All other change of status applications February 12, 2011
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Extension of Stay for F or M academic or vocational students February 12, 2011
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Extension of stay for H and L dependents February 12, 2011
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status Extension of Stay for J exchange visitors February 12, 2011
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status All other extension applications February 12, 2011
I-612 Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement Application for a waiver of the 2-year foreign residence requirement based on exceptional hardship or persecution 4 Months
I-730 Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition Petition for accompanying family members of a refugee or an asylee 5 Months
I-751 Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence Removal of lawful permanent resident conditions (spouses of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents 6 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on an approved asylum application [(a)(5)] 3 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on a request by a qualified F-1 academic student. [(c)(3)] 3 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on a pending asylum application [(c)(8)] 3 Weeks
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on a pending I-485 adjustment application [(c)(9)] 3 Months
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on TPS for El Salvador [(c)(19)(a)(12)] October 31, 2010
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization Based on TPS for Honduras/Nicaragua [(c)(19), (a)(12)] January 6, 2011
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization All other applications for employment authorization 3 Months
I-817 Application for Family Unity Benefits Voluntary departure under the family unity program 6 Months
I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status El Salvador extension October 31, 2010
I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status El Salvador initial or late filing October 31, 2010
I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status Honduras and Nicaragua extension October 31, 2010
I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status Honduras and Nicaragua initial or late filing October 31, 2010
I-824 Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition To request further action on an approved application or petition 3 Months
I-829 Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions Removal of lawful permanent resident conditions (immigrant investors) 6 Months
I-829 Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions Removal of lawful permanent resident conditions (immigrant investors) based on PL107-273 6 Months
I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card Initial issuance or replacement 3.5 Months
I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card 10-year renewal March 31, 2009
I-90A Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card Initial issuance or replacement for Special Agricultral Workers (SAW) 3.5 Months
I-914 Application for T Non-immigrant Status Provide temporary immigration benefits to an alien who is a victim of trafficking in persons, and immediate family 4 Months
I-918 Petition for U Non-immigrant Status Provide temporary immigration benefits to an alien who is a victim of qualifying criminal activity, and their qualifying family 4 Months
N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document U.S. citizen applying for a replacement of naturalization or citizenship certificate 6 Months
N-600 Application for Certification of Citizenship Application for recognition of U.S. citizenship 5 Months
N-643 Application for Certification of Citizenship on Behalf of an Adopted Child Application for recognition of U.S. citizenship on behalf of an adopted child 5 Months

Readers may recall that the processing times noted above only pertain to the USCIS processing portion of the overall US visa process. Therefore, readers should not mistake the processing times noted above for the time it takes to actually acquire a visa. After a visa petition has been adjudicated by the officers at the USCIS, if approved, the case file is forwarded to the National Visa Center where it is then sent on to the US Embassy, American Institute, or US Consulate with appropriate Consular jurisdiction. This phase of the process is referred to as Consular Processing. Consular Processing can sometimes be quite quick while, in some cases, the process can be rather cumbersome if the facts of the case are extremely complex.

For related information please see: K1 Visa Thailand.

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21st May 2011

Those conducting research with regard to United States Family Immigration often look at either the K-1 visa or a CR-1 visa for a recent or prospective spouse. That stated, an acute concern for many American Citizens is the speedy admission of the foreign fiance or spouse to the United States of America. Under many circumstances in places such as the Kingdom of Thailand or the Kingdom of Cambodia, virtually the only means to lawfully bring a Thai or Khmer fiance or spouse to the USA involves a US Marriage Visa (such as the CR-1 visa or the IR-1 visa) or a US fiance visa (officially categorized as a K-1 visa). The question then becomes: which visa can be obtained in a more timely manner?

Currently, it usually takes less time to obtain a K-1 visa compared to a CR-1 visa. That stated, it is this blogger’s opinion that the once large gap separating the processing times of these respective visa categories has closed somewhat, from a practical perspective; and, as a result, it may be best for those researching these issues to ponder the notion of applying for a CR-1 visa or an IR-1 visa from the outset rather than undergoing the K1 visa process. Bearing this in mind, the reader should note that the process is unique to every couple as circumstances tend to dictate the timing of various stages of the process.

Although the K-1 visa does usually result in a foreign fiancee arriving in the United States more quickly than a foreign spouse under the CR-1 visa category, readers should be aware of the fact that CR-1 visa holders are admitted into the United States in Lawful Permanent Resident status. Conversely, those admitted into the United States of America in K-1 visa status must undergo the adjustment of status process in order to obtain their Green Card.

Regardless of the fact that the current USCIS Processing Times note little change in the time it takes to receive adjudication of a K-1 visa petition compared to years past, the plain truth of the matter is that the overall K-1 visa process has lengthened for many in recent months. This increased wait time may be attributable to the fact that the National Visa Center and each and every US Embassy or US Consulate has its own backlog of cases to either process or adjudicate. As the ebb and flow of American immigration continues the consular processing times are likely to increase and/or decrease depending upon the circumstances at the various US Posts abroad. At present, it is difficult to calculate with any specificity what the time frame is for Consular Processing in Asia as many factors must be taken into consideration. It is this blogger’s current opinion that under the totality of the circumstances it may be prudent for prospective family visa petitioners to conduct thorough research into the immigration process before making an irrevocable immigration decision as a visa category that looks more efficient at first glance may, in fact, turn out to be an inefficient travel document if one takes into consideration all of the factors which must be addressed in order to ultimately receive lawful permanent resident status in the U.S.A.

For related information please see: Legal.

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1st December 2010

Those who frequently read this blog are likely to note that we frequently discuss issues surrounding Consular processing of US visa applications. In some cases, a visa applicant is refused a visa, but issued what is commonly referred to as a 221(g) form. The term “221g” refers to section 221(g) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act. Under this provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a Consular Officer adjudicating a visa application may refuse to issue a visa if the adjudicating Consular officer finds that the application is somehow deficient of documentation. Consular Officers are basically tasked with the responsibility of conducting due diligence regarding a visa applicant’s subjective intentions. Therefore, in a K1 visa interview the Consular Officer may be concerned with the Cambodian applicant’s subjective intentions regarding the K1 visa petitioner.

There is some debate as to the legal ramifications of a 221g especially in the context of the United States Visa Waiver Program. The American visa waiver program allows certain foreign nationals to enter the USA without a visa provided those individuals register on the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Although Cambodia is not currently a participating country in the Visa Waiver program it should be noted that a 221g refusal issued by a US Consulate or US Embassy abroad should be disclosed in the ESTA system when seeking travel authorization online. Therefore, a 221g refusal is effectively treated as a “denial” by the Department of Homeland Security which should be noted by anyone seeking American immigration benefits at an American Mission abroad since such a development could have an adverse impact upon one options at a later date.

Many are under the mistaken impression that a 221(g) refusal cannot be remedied. In point of fact, this is not the case as some 221g refusals simply require further documentation before a Consular Officer is prepared to make an adjudication in the underlying application. That said, in some cases, a 221g could evolve into a legal finding of inadmissibility which is an outright visa denial. In such cases, a visa applicant may be able to have the legal grounds of inadmissibility waived through use of an I-601 waiver of inadmissibility. That said, such waivers are adjudicated by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service under an “extreme hardship” standard of review. This “extreme hardship” standard can be difficult to overcome for some. In any event, many couples find that the assistance of an American attorney can be beneficial during the US visa process or the I-601 waiver process as such an individual can provide insight into the process and advocate on behalf of the petitioner and beneficiary. Furthermore, some find that an attorney’s assistance can result in smoother overall processing of visa applications as such an individual can foresee issues which may arise in a given case and attempt to deal with such issues before they become a problem.

Receiving a 221g refusal letter after the visa interview can be worrying, but in some cases the issue can be resolved through better understanding of the adjudication process and relevant United States Immigration law. Those who receive a 221g refusal at the US Embassy in Cambodia are likely required to follow up within 1 year of issuance lest the visa application be deemed to have been abandoned.

For related information please see: US Visa Cambodia.

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28th September 2010

A routinely asked question by many American Citizens who have been living overseas is: can I get an American tourist visa for my foreign girlfriend or boyfriend? In the context of Cambodia, the question is usually phrased as “Can I get my Cambodian girlfriend (or boyfriend) a US Tourist visa?” In most cases, the applicant cannot obtain a United States tourist visa pursuant to section 214(b) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act.

For those who are unfamiliar with the American Immigration process or the visa application process, the United States offers a recreational visa for foreign nationals under the category B-2. The B2 visa is highly sought after by those wishing to travel to the United States for recreational purposes. That said, the US Tourist visa application, and virtually all non-immigrant visa applications, requires that the applicant have true Non-Immigrant intent when traveling to the United States of America. Furthermore, pursuant to language contained in section 214(b) of the United States Immigration and Nationality Act a Consular Officer is required to presume that all non-immigrant visa applicants are actually intending immigrants unless evidence can be produced to the contrary. This creates a so-called “strong ties” vs. “weak ties” analysis whereby an applicant must show that he or she has strong ties to, in this scenario, Cambodia (or another country outside of the USA) and weak ties to the United States. Oftentimes, the mere existence of an American Citizen significant other is a mitigating factor in favor of denial. Therefore, those boyfriends and girlfriends of US Citizens applying for US tourist visas find their applications rejected pursuant to 214b.

Those who wish to reside in the United States should not apply for a Tourist visa. However, in the past, some tried to use the US tourist visa as a method of circumventing the comparatively longer processing times of the K1 visa (for foreign fiancees) or the Immigrant visas (for the spouses of US Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents). Under US Immigration law it is illegal to intentionally mislead an interviewing officer when applying for a visa. Therefore, those who apply for a B2 visa (or an F1 visa, J1 visa, or B1 visa for that matter) with the preconceived intention to use it to immigrate to the US could be severely penalized if the deception is discovered. For this reason, those who wish to bring a foreign loved one to the United States to reside are well advised to apply for a family based immigration petition rather than attempt to deceive Consular Officers abroad.

Even if a US Citizen’s girlfriend or boyfriend obtains a US visa, this does not necessarily mean that they will gain entry into the United States. In recent years, this author has noted that the United States Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) Service has been increasingly vigilant in watching for those “immigrants” traveling to the United States without proper documentation. Pursuant to legislation passed in the 1990s, USCBP is authorized to place those traveling to the US on tourist visas with undisclosed immigrant intent into expedited removal. Those who are removed from the United States in this manner may be ineligible to return for a substantial period of time.

Those seeking non-immigrant visa benefits are well advised to be clear and honest on a visa application. While those who wish to bring a fiance or spouse to the USA to reside should seriously consider the status of their relationship and submit an application or petition that accurately reflects the parties’ intentions.

For related information please see: US Visa Thai Girlfriend or K1 Visa Cambodia.

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