Revised Version of Form I-9 Now Required

As of December 26, 2007, employers must use the revised Form I-9, which lists a revision date of June 5, 2007 (located at the lower-right hand corner of the document). This is now the only valid version of the I-9. Employers who fail to use the revised I-9 will be subject to applicable penalties. Changes to the form include revisions to the instructions and the number of documents deemed acceptable in confirming a new employee’s employment eligibility.

 

2009 Diversity Visa Lottery

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced the 2009 Diversity Visa Lottery Program Registration. 50,000 permanent resident visas will be made available via the lottery system to natives of all countries except Brazil, Canada, China (Mainland-Born), Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Russia, South Korea, United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland) and its dependent territories, and Vietnam. Please note that persons born in Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR and Taiwan are eligible.

Applications for the 2009 Diversity Visa Lottery will be accepted between 12:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Wednesday, October 3, 2007 and 12:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) Sunday, December 2, 2007. Applications must be submitted electronically at www.dvlottery.state.gov during the registration period. Paper entries will not be accepted.

Each applicant must be a native of one of the listed countries; meet either the education or training requirements; and, must submit digital photographs. As usual, applicants are limited to one (1) entry. The DOS will send applicants an electronic confirmation notice of a completed application. The entry will be disqualified if the digital images do not conform to the required specifications or if more than one entry for the applicant is received.

Those selected will be notified by mail between May and July 2008. Those not selected will not receive any notification. The 2009 Diversity Visa Lottery Program visas will be issued between October 1, 2008 and September 30, 2009.

For further information or if you require our assistance to file an entry form, please contact our San Francisco office.

 

 

Change of Address in Mailing Change of Address Form to INS

As many of you know, the INS has begun enforcing the requirement for noncitizens over the age of 13 report any changes of address to the Service within ten (10) days of moving. Both nonimmigrants and lawful permanent residents must file a Notice of Change of Address Card (AR-11) with the INS. Additionally, those who have been placed in proceedings before the Immigration Court must file a Form EOIR-33 with the court.

As to the AR-11, the form was previously mailed to:
U.S. Department of Justice
Immigration and Naturalization Service
HQ REC
ULLICO, 3rd Floor
Washington, D.C. 20536

However, on November 8, 2002, INS announced a new mailing address for the AR-11:
INS
Change of Address
P.O. Box 7134
London, KY 40742-7134

Note that commercial overnight and fast freight services can deliver to:
INS
Change of Address
1084-I South Laurel Road
London, KY 40744

If you previously forwarded a change of address form to the "ULLICO 3rd Floor" address, you need not submit a new one. INS will forward all change of address forms received at the old, Washington, D.C. address to the new, London, Kentucky address.

For further information, or if you require our assistance to file a change of address form, please contact our San Francisco office.