Resources

Other Helpful Links

The following links and resources are provided to help you navigate the immigration process more efficiently. In addition to the government agencies and non-profit organizations, we have also listed some service providers we’ve had a positive experience with. However, we provide these links only as a service and do not vouch for the content of any of these sites. Please send an e-mail to [email protected] in case you encounter any issues with any of the links below.

Check USCIS Case Status

You can use the receipt number (a unique 13-character identifier) from your USCIS petition to identify and track its case status.

USCIS Processing Times

This page shows estimates of how long each USCIS office is taking to process different types of cases. This page is usually updated around the 15th of each month. However, the data may change without any notice. To check processing times for your case, you will need to know:  Which office is handling your case, the type of form you filed, and the date your case was received. All of this information can be found on the receipt notice you received from the USCIS. Note that the processing times on the USCIS website do not include the processing times for U.S. Department of Labor forms (such as LCA) that are prerequisites for some USCIS petitions and forms, nor do they include the National Visa Center wait times for immigrant visa numbers, the wait time for getting visas from a U.S. consulate abroad, or border wait times.

USCIS Forms

This is a master list of various USCIS forms that can be downloaded and printed for free. Since USCIS forms are updated often, make sure you visit this link to get the latest version of each form.

Visa Bulletin

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) issues a monthly publication known as the visa bulletin, which provides detailed information on the availability of immigrant visa numbers. This link above, published by the United States Department of State, provides an updated waiting list (also known as Priority Date) for immigrants that are subject to the quota system.

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
The DOL is responsible for the welfare of U.S. wage earners, job seekers, and retirees. It enforces laws and regulations to ensure acceptable working conditions, advances opportunities for profitable employment, and assures work-related benefits and rights.

DOL Foreign Labor Certification

A permanent labor certification issued by the Department of Labor (DOL) allows an employer to hire a foreign worker to work permanently in the United States. In most instances, before the U.S. employer can submit an immigration petition to the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the employer must obtain a certified labor certification application from the DOL’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA).

Internal Revenue Service
The IRS collects taxes for the U.S. government. The IRS website is your one-stop-shop for information and questions regarding U.S. tax laws and processes. The IRS is organized to carry out the responsibilities of the secretary of the Treasury under section 7801 of the Internal Revenue Code.

United States Department of Justice

The mission of the DOJ is to enforce the law and ensure fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans. DOJ also ensures public safety against foreign and domestic threats, provides federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime and enforces U.S. laws, including immigration law, with fairness.

American Immigration Lawyers Association

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is the national association of more than 15,000 attorneys and law professors who practice and teach immigration law. Founded in 1946, AILA is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that provides continuing legal education, information, professional services, and expertise through its 39 chapters and over 50 national committees.

National Association of Foreign Student Advisors

With more than 10,000 members worldwide, NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the leading organization committed to international education and exchange, working to advance policies and practices that build global citizens with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in today’s interconnected world.

Immigrant Legal Resource Center

The mission of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is to work with and educate immigrants, community organizations, and the legal sector to continue to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people.

National Immigration Law Center

Established in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is one of the leading organizations in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of immigrants with low income.

Protax Consulting Services

Protax is a leading U.S. individual international income tax compliance and consulting firm specializing in the delivery of world-class professional services to U.S. expatriates- persons living and working outside the U.S. and Foreign Nationals- persons working and living inside the U.S. Protax operates on a worldwide platform through its AITC offices. Marc J Strohl, CPA, the prinicipal of Protax, is a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants’ (NYSSCPA), International Taxation Committee and Taxation of Individuals Committee. Please contact Marc directly for a pro bono consult.