[BlandDuck]

My impression is that over the past 20 years or so, the visa process has become a lot more bureaucratic, involved, and time consuming.

Is that your impression as well? What has changed, and why? Are any of the changes for the better?

[proberts]

I agree. From an outcome standpoint, the changes are for the worse. But some of them are understandable to the extent that in certain contexts USCIS is paying more attention to the letter of the law and not just accepting representations on face value but requiring evidence. From my standpoint, the biggest negative changes are the delays in the processing of green card applications (partly statutory and partly administrative) and the lack of access to USCIS officers.

[BlandDuck]

Thanks, that's sounds very reasonable.

Unfortunately, it also sounds like there is not much push at this point to reverse these changes and streamline the process.

[proberts]

Not much although the Biden Administration is prodding the agencies involved in immigration to facilitate (within the bounds of the law) the attraction and retention of tech/AI talent and companies.

[ashconnor]

My PERM was certified yesterday after 12 months and 2 weeks. That used to take 6 months.

I'm now backlogged until October which never used to happen at all to ROW (rest of world excluding India and China) applicants.

[swalberg]

My PERM was certified in August. Took a little over 16 months because it went to audit. Timelines on PERM shot up around the same time as I applied and have been steadily getting worse.

Filed I-485 in November, approved in 4 months and a week. So once your date comes up, they seem to be moving quickly.

[returningfory2]

Congrats on your green card!

[refurb]

It changes over time. My spouses PERM took 4 years.

[ashconnor]

That seems excessive. Just PERM or PWD, recruiting and PERM?