Useful Immigration Links
VARIOUS U.S. CITIZENSHIP & IMMIGRATION (USCIS) WEB SITES
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):
This is the web site for what was formally known as INS.
USCIS-National Customer Service Center Information
USCIS-Naturalization Home Page
USCIS-Info Pass Appointment Scheduler
USCIS-Finding a Designated Immigration Physician
USCIS-How to Change Your Address
USCIS-Frequently Asked Questions
USCIS-Recently Released Public Information
PETITION AND CONSULATE PROCESSING TIMES
USCIS-Check the status of your pending petition
Department of Labor Processing times for Labor Certification petitions
Visa Bulletin:
Contains waiting period for various family-based and employment-based petitions.
National Benefits Center Processing times of national benefits
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES
Census Information:
This site gives you the NAICS codes that are needed for the I-129 W form.
Department of Labor - Home Web Page:
United States Department of Labor for PERM Labor Certification Applications
Illinois Department of Public Health:
Website for the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and information for physician J-1 Visa Waivers and National Interest Waivers.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
US Department of Health & Human Services - Describes requirements for designation as a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) and guidelines regarding Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs) and Medically Underserved Populations. (MUP) for the various Physician J-1 Visa Waiver and National Interest Waiver Programs
Social Security Administration - Information about social security cards
Department of Homeland Security
Bureau of Consular Affairs:
This is the web site for the Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs.
Department of State:
United States Department of State
FOREIGN MEDICAL GRADUATES (FMG/IMG) and J-1 VISA WAIVERS FOR PHYSICIANS
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates:
Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)-Website for foreign medical graduates for sitting for the various US visa qualifying examinations and requirements. Describes the exams necessary for physicians to qualify for H-1B visa status also.
Conrad-30 Waiver Program Contacts-Information about the J-1 Visa Waiver Program:
Illinois Department of Public Health-Describes Illinois Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program for Physicians; Provides support letters for physician national interest waiver applications.
J-1 Visa Waiver Application:
J-1 Visa Waiver Application and Case Status Inquiry
Appalachian Regional Commission - J-1 Visa Waiver Program for Physicians:
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) - J-1 Visa waiver program for physicians and Doctors
Delta Regional Authority - J-1 Visa Waiver Program for Physicians:
The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) - J-1 Visa Waiver Program for Physicians and Doctors
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Physician J-1 Visa Waiver Program:
US Department of Health & Human Services - Physician J-1 Visa Waiver Programs
U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs- Physician J-1 visa waiver programs:
US Department of Veteran's Affairs - Physician J-1 visa waiver programs Description, Qualifications and Application Procedures
Physician/Healthcare Worker Recruitment:
Health professional recruitment/retention resources for rural areas and J-1 visa physicians and other health care professionals. Also contains publications and helpful articles on J-1 visa waivers for physicians
J-1 Waiver Contacts and Help-List of the state J-1 Visa Waiver contacts:
Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Waiver for Physicians - This provides the various state contacts and coordinators for the Conrad 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program for Physicians. Also provides support for physician national interest waiver petitions.
Medically Underserved Areas:
Website to find out which areas are designated as medically underserved areas: HPSA, MUP or MUA.
Information on Health Professionals Shortage Areas (HPSA):
Website to find out statistical information for areas designated as medically underserved, HPSA, MUA and MUP for J-1 and National Interest Waiver Physicians
To Locate Census Tract Numbers:
Determines the Census Tract Numbers for use in determining HPSA, MUA, MUP status and HPSA score of particular locations for physician J-1 visa waivers and national interest waiver applications
Department of Labor:
This site gives you information on PERM Labor Certification Petitions.
Department of Labor:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Labor Certifications, A/K/A, PERM.
Department of Labor:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about H-1B Petitions.
IMMIGRATION COURTS & RELATED INFORMATION
Chicago Immigration Court: Chicago immigration court website
BIA Practice Manual: Web site of the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Administrative Appeals Office
OTHER USEFUL IMMIGRATION LINKS
Immigration Links:
A website with an abundance of information on immigration matters.
AILA:
This is the home page for American Immigration Lawyers Association. It gives a great wealth of information on aspects of immigration law.
Immigration Law Information:
Website with Immigration Law Updates.
US Embassies and Consulates
Foreign Embassies in the United States
Occupational Outlook Handbook