December | 2019 | | Scott Legal, P.C.

Family Immigration Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

USCIS Now Accepting Green Card Applications under the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act

Starting on December 26, 2019, USCIS is now accepting adjustment of status applications from certain Liberian nationals under Section 7611 of the National Defense Authorization Act. Section 7611 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, Liberian Refugee…

Jenny ZhanDecember 27, 2019

Family Immigration Immigration

What is a Reentry permit? When should I apply for a reentry permit? What is a Special Immigrant Returning Visa? When should I apply for a Special Immigrant Returning Visa?

As a green card holder, you have to keep in mind that you may lose your green card if you remain outside the U.S. for an extended period of time (1 year or more) or even if you remain outside…

Jenny ZhanDecember 23, 2019

Client Advice

What is STEM OPT extension? What degree do I have to have to qualify for the STEM OPT extension? When do I have to apply for the STEM OPT extension?

If you are currently in the U.S. and you are participating in a regular OPT, you may apply for a STEM OPT if you meet certain requirements. Do I have to have a degree from a U.S. University to qualify…

Jenny ZhanDecember 23, 2019

Immigration

January 2020 Visa Bulletin: EB-3 Visa Expected to Retrogress Worldwide by March 2020

The State Department’s January 2020 Visa Bulletin included projections of immigrant visa availability though April and May 2020, and EB-3 visas are expected to retrogress worldwide by March 2020. The date it will be retrogressed to will not be known…

Jenny ZhanDecember 20, 2019

Family Immigration Immigration

What is derivation of citizenship? How can I derive citizenship through my parent(s)?

There are several ways to obtain U.S. citizenship. For example, you automatically obtain U.S. citizenship if you are born in the U.S. If case you are born outside the U.S. and one (or both) of your parents are U.S. when…

Jenny ZhanDecember 20, 2019

H-1B Visa

I am currently in the U.S. on H-1B status. Can I find a new employer or do I have to keep working for the employer who initially sponsored me for an H-1B?

H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that permits a U.S. company to hire workers in specialty occupations. The H-1B visa may be granted for up to 6 years. We sometimes get the following question from potential clients: Company X sponsored…

Jenny ZhanDecember 20, 2019

E-2 Visa EB-5 Visa Family Immigration H-1B Visa L-1 Visa TN Visa

A Lawsuit has been filed Against the Collection of Social Media Information

In May 2019, the U.S. Department of State updated the DS160 and DS260 forms to include a question asking for the applicant’s last 5 years of social media information. The DS160 form is an electronic form used for U.S. nonimmigrant visa…

Jenny ZhanDecember 17, 2019

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

USCIS Issues Guidance on “Terms of Imprisonment or a Sentence” for Good Moral Character Determinations

One of the requirements for naturalization be become an U.S. citizen or other immigration benefits is good moral character (GMC). An applicant for naturalization must show that he or she has been, and continues to be, a person of good moral character.…

Jenny ZhanDecember 17, 2019

Approvals

Employment Based Green Card Approval for Model at a Beauty Brand Company

We just had an approval for an employment based green card after the PERM and I-140 process. The green card was approved in New York through U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services. You can find out more about the three steps for…

Jenny ZhanDecember 17, 2019

Family Immigration Immigration

I am a U.S. citizen and I want to sponsor my parents for a Green Card. What documents do I need to submit to USCIS to demonstrate the parental relationship?

If you are a U.S. citizen and you want to sponsor your parents for a Green Card, you will need to submit evidence demonstrating the parental relationship. I was born in wedlock and I want to sponsor my parents for…

Jenny ZhanDecember 16, 2019

Family Immigration Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

USCIS Further Expands Guidance on Good Moral Character Requirement

Jenny ZhanDecember 13, 2019

Approvals

E-3 Visa Approval for a Senior Recruiter at the U.S. Consulate in Sydney for a National of Australia

We just had an E-3 visa approval for an Australian national at the U.S. Consulate in Sydney. The applicant will be working for a major e-commerce company based in New York. He had been working at the company during his…

Jenny ZhanDecember 12, 2019

Approvals

O-1 Approval for a Social Media Influencer aka Branding Consultant for a National of the U.K.

We just had an O-1 petition approval for a social media influencer who had been working at his petitioning agency for the past three years and was looking to extend his employment with the agency. The petitioner is an award…

Jenny ZhanDecember 11, 2019

Approvals

E-2 Visa Approval for a Research Consulting Business at the U.S. Consulate in London for a National of the U.K.

We just had an E-2 visa approval for a national of the U.K. at the U.S. Consulate in London. The applicant was granted the visa for 5 years and the business is a research-based consultancy specializing in understanding urban issues.…

Jenny ZhanDecember 11, 2019

Approvals

TN Visa Approved for a Lawyer at Vancouver Airport

Scott Legal, P.C. just had a TN visa approval for a Canadian national under the category of Lawyer. The visa was approved for 3 years. A TN visa is a visa available to Canadian and Mexican nationals for certain professions. …

Jenny ZhanDecember 11, 2019

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

USCIS Issues New Guidance on “Good Moral Character” Determination for Driving Under the Influence Convictions

Jenny ZhanDecember 10, 2019

Approvals

E-2 Employee Visa Approval in Brussels

We just had an E-2 employee visa approval at the U.S. Consulate in Belgium. The business is a pilates studio located in Florida. The client qualified under the supervisory/managerial category. You can set up a consultation by clicking the link below.…

Jenny ZhanDecember 10, 2019

Approvals

E-2 Visa Approval for a Franchise for a National of Mexico

E-2 Visa Approval for a Franchise for a National of Mexico We just had an E-2 investor visa approval at the U.S. Consulate in Ciudad de Juarez. The applicant has been running a successful business in the U.S. for several years…

Jenny ZhanDecember 10, 2019

Extraordinary Ability Family Immigration H-1B Visa L-1 Visa

DHS Extends Deadline for Public Comment Period for Proposed Fee Changes

DHS has extended the public comment period for the proposed fee changes to December 30. This extension gives stakeholders more time to weigh in on the recent proposal that would significantly increase most USCIS filing fees. For the detailed breakdown…

Jenny ZhanDecember 9, 2019

H-1B Visa

H-1B Cap Registration Will be Implemented in the Upcoming Fiscal Year Cap Season

USCIS has announced today that it has successfully completed the testing phase of the online registration system for the H-1B lottery. To learn more about the H-1B visa and your eligibility, please click here. The online registration process will be implemented…

Jenny ZhanDecember 9, 2019

EB-5 Visa Family Immigration H-1B Visa Immigration Law Changes & New Law L-1 Visa

Federal Immigration Policy Changes To Look Forward to in the New Year

The Department of Homeland Security and Department of State have announced the planned publication dates for proposed changes to several different visa categories. Here is what we can look forward to in the coming year. H-1B Visas Planned publication date:…

Jenny ZhanDecember 4, 2019

Approvals

E-2 Visa approval for a Law Firm at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto

We just had an E-2 investor visa approval at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto. The applicant was granted the visa for 5 years and the business is a law firm. The business will be based in California. You can set…

Jenny ZhanDecember 2, 2019

Extraordinary Ability H-1B Visa

Should I apply for an O-1 Visa or an H-1B Visa? What are the advantages of an O-1 visa? Is an O-1 visa better than an H-1B visa? Do I Qualify for an O-1 Visa?

An O-1 visas are for people with extraordinary ability in a number of fields (e.g. television, science, business, etc.) To learn more about O-1 visas, please click here. The bar for an O-1 visa is a high one and the…

Jenny ZhanDecember 2, 2019

Extraordinary Ability

How to Prepare an Expert Opinion Letter for the O-1 Visa? How to Prepare a Recommendation Letter for the O-1 Visa?

As part of your extraordinary ability visa process (O-1 and EB-1), you must obtain expert opinion letters from key individuals. Considering the importance of the letters, it is worth the time and effort for an applicant to seek expert opinion…

Jenny ZhanDecember 2, 2019

December 2019

USCIS Now Accepting Green Card Applications under the Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act

What is a Reentry permit? When should I apply for a reentry permit? What is a Special Immigrant Returning Visa? When should I apply for a Special Immigrant Returning Visa?

What is STEM OPT extension? What degree do I have to have to qualify for the STEM OPT extension? When do I have to apply for the STEM OPT extension?

January 2020 Visa Bulletin: EB-3 Visa Expected to Retrogress Worldwide by March 2020

What is derivation of citizenship? How can I derive citizenship through my parent(s)?

I am currently in the U.S. on H-1B status. Can I find a new employer or do I have to keep working for the employer who initially sponsored me for an H-1B?

USCIS Issues Guidance on “Terms of Imprisonment or a Sentence” for Good Moral Character Determinations

Employment Based Green Card Approval for Model at a Beauty Brand Company

I am a U.S. citizen and I want to sponsor my parents for a Green Card. What documents do I need to submit to USCIS to demonstrate the parental relationship?

USCIS Further Expands Guidance on Good Moral Character Requirement

E-3 Visa Approval for a Senior Recruiter at the U.S. Consulate in Sydney for a National of Australia

O-1 Approval for a Social Media Influencer aka Branding Consultant for a National of the U.K.

E-2 Visa Approval for a Research Consulting Business at the U.S. Consulate in London for a National of the U.K.

TN Visa Approved for a Lawyer at Vancouver Airport

USCIS Issues New Guidance on “Good Moral Character” Determination for Driving Under the Influence Convictions

E-2 Employee Visa Approval in Brussels

E-2 Visa Approval for a Franchise for a National of Mexico

DHS Extends Deadline for Public Comment Period for Proposed Fee Changes

H-1B Cap Registration Will be Implemented in the Upcoming Fiscal Year Cap Season

Federal Immigration Policy Changes To Look Forward to in the New Year

E-2 Visa approval for a Law Firm at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto

Should I apply for an O-1 Visa or an H-1B Visa? What are the advantages of an O-1 visa? Is an O-1 visa better than an H-1B visa? Do I Qualify for an O-1 Visa?

How to Prepare an Expert Opinion Letter for the O-1 Visa? How to Prepare a Recommendation Letter for the O-1 Visa?

About The Blog

Search

Search Articles by Topic

Visa Services

Business Services

AS SEEN OR FEATURED IN