FY 2021 Diversity Visa Lottery Results Delayed Until June 6
The U.S. State Department has announced today that it has postponed the diversity visa lottery result date from May 5, 2020 to June 5, [...]
What is an Independent Expert Opinion Letter for the Purposes of the O-1B Visa? How Can I Obtain an Independent Expert Opinion Letter? Who is an Independent Expert?
As part of your O-1B extraordinary ability visa process, you may obtain expert opinion letters from certain key individuals. Considering the importance of the [...]
I am an employer and may need to furlough, reduce the working hours, or reduce salaries of my staff. Can my L-1 employees work part-time? Can they be furloughed?
Covid-19 has changed the rules for travel, engagement and employment. Many companies have started to reduce wages and put staff on leave, and some companies have [...]
Lawsuit Filed against White House Blocking Stimulus Check for U.S. Citizens Married to Immigrants without Social Security Numbers
A lawsuit has been filed again President Trump over the federal government declining to make the $1200 stimulus checks to U.S. citizens who are [...]
What is a high salary for the EB-1A green card? Do I have to have a high salary to get the EB-1A green card? What documents should I submit to demonstrate this?
To qualify for the EB-1A Green Card, you will need to prove that you are one of the small percentage of people who have [...]
What are some activities an E-2 visa holder can do while in the U.S.? What are some activities that an E-1 visa holder can do while in the U.S.?
E-2 investor visa is an excellent choice for an entrepreneur that wants to start or buy a business in the U.S. You can find [...]
Coronavirus Update: USCIS Office Preparing to Reopen on June 4
USCIS has announced today that it is planning to reopen local offices on June 4. On March 18, USCIS temporarily suspended all in-person services [...]
Presidential Proclamation Suspends Some Immigrants from Entering the US for 60 Days but will have very limited Impact
Starting on 11:59 PM EST on April 23, 2020, President Trump has suspended the entry of certain employment and family-based green cards for 60 [...]
What is the E-1 application process? Should I apply for an E-1 visa at a Consulate? Can I file an E-1 Change of Status application with USCIS?
If you are a national of a treaty country and you want to come to the U.S. to engage in international trade between the [...]
My H-1B registration was selected in the lottery and my F-1 OPT work authorization expires soon. Does the H-1B application have to be filed before it expires??
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that permits a company to hire workers in specialty occupations. There are a limited number of H-1B petitions that USCIS [...]
Trump Administration Announces Suspension of Green Card Issuance
President Trump announced on Tuesday that he will sign an executive order that will suspend the processing of permanent residence applications for 60 days. [...]
Coronavirus Update: President Trump Promises to Temporarily Suspend Immigration into the US
President Trump tweeted on Monday that he will sign an Executive Order to temporarily suspend immigration into the U.S. The purpose of the order [...]
Coronavirus Update: CPB and Ports of Entries Allowing Second Satisfactory Departure Application
The Visa Waiver Program or ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is a program that allows citizens from certain countries (38 countries) to apply [...]
Coronavirus Update: U.S. Canada and Mexico Land Border Restrictions Extended Through May 20
On March 21, U.S., Canada, and Mexico announced that the land borders between the three countries will close to non-essential travel. The initial closure [...]
O-1 approval with USCIS for a UI/UX Digital Designer
We just had an O-1B change of status application approved with USCIS for an applicant with extraordinary ability in UI/UX and digital design. The [...]
What kind of media articles should I submit with my EB-1A application? What is a professional publication, a major trade publication, and a major media publication?
To qualify for the EB-1A Green Card, you will need to prove that you are one of the small percentage of people who have [...]
What are original contributions of major significance in the field? How can I meet this EB-1A criterion?
To qualify for the EB-1A Green Card, you will need to prove that you are one of the small percentage of people who have [...]
Coronavirus Update: DHS to Allow Farms to Hire Farm Workers Holding Valid H-2A Visas and Already in the US
The Department of Homeland Security has announced a temporary rule to allow farmers facing delays in getting approval for foreign agricultural laborers to hire [...]
I want to apply for an E-1 employee visa. What categories of E-1 employees can come to the U.S. and work for the E-1 Company?
The E-1 visa is a great visa for treaty traders who engage in international trade between the U.S. and their home country. You can [...]
My O-1 status is about to expire but my employer filed an application for extension. Can I continue working for my employer after my O-1 status expires? Can I Leave the Country?
If you are currently in the U.S. on O-1 status, and your O-1 status is about to expire, you can stay in the U.S. [...]
Federal Judge Issues Ruling that USCIS’ Interpretation of Specialty Occupation is too Narrow
Federal judge Rudolph Contreras issued a ruling on three new court cases that USCIS has unlawfully denied H-1B petitions by improperly limiting the definition [...]
Coronavirus Update: U.S. and Canada Border Closure Likely to be Extended
On March 21, U.S., Canada, and Mexico announced that the land borders between the three countries will close to non-essential travel. The initial closure [...]
Coronavirus Update: California Announces Access to Disaster Relief Funds for Undocumented Immigrants
California’s Governor Gavin Newsom announced on April 15 that the State is granting undocumented immigrants access to the State’s $125 million disaster assistance program. [...]
I am on an L-1 visa and my employment was terminated because of Corona virus/COVID-19. What are my options? Do I have to depart the U.S. right away?
Covid-19 has changed the rules for travel, engagement and employment. Many companies have started to reduce wages and put staff on leave, and some companies have [...]
I was selected in the H-1B lottery and I am currently in the U.S. on a J-1 trainee visa. Does Cap-Gap apply to J-1 visa? Can I stay in the U.S. until October 1? Can I Change Status?
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that permits a company to hire workers in specialty occupations. There are a limited number of H-1B [...]
Kelly R. LeGrand Weiner Moderates COVID-19 related Non-immigrant visa updates and strategies Question and Answer for Immigration Lawyers
Kelly R. LeGrand Weiner will moderate the Q&A for a Corporate Practice Committee event for AILA’s New York chapter as part of a panel [...]
My status is running out and I cannot leave because of Corona Virus. Can I file a Change of Status application in the U.S.? What are the Implications of filing this application?
When you enter the U.S. on a visa, your I-94 date governs the amount of time that you are permitted to stay in the [...]
I want to apply for an E-1 visa but the trade is not substantial yet. Can I come to the U.S. on a B-1 visa, meet with potential U.S. clients and negotiate contracts? What activities can I do?
If you want to apply for an E-1 visa, you will have to demonstrate that the trade is already in existence, the trade is [...]
My H-1B registration was selected in the H-1B lottery. Is the company required to file the H-1B petition? What if the company does not file, are there any consequences?
Covid-19 has changed the rules for travel, engagement and employment. Many companies have started to reduce wages and put staff on leave, and some [...]
Coronavirus Update: FY 2021 H-1B Cap Petition Processing Will be Delayed Due to the Coronavirus
USCIS has announced on April 13 that due to the Coronavirus outbreak and for health and safety reasons, they will not begin to perform [...]
I had to terminate the employment of an H-1B employee due to the Corona virus outbreak. What are my obligations as an H-1B Employer? Do I have to pay for the employee’s flight?
Covid-19 has changed the rules for travel, engagement and employment. Many companies have started to reduce wages and put staff on leave, and some companies have [...]
My employer is sponsoring me for a green card & I am concerned about being laid off or furloughed. If I get laid off or furloughed am I still eligible to get a green card?
Covid-19 has changed the rules for travel, engagement and employment. Many companies have started to reduce wages and put staff on leave, and some companies have [...]
Coronavirus Update: No Special COVID Relief for Nonimmigrants Seeking Change or Extension of Stay
At the moment, USCIS is not offering flexibility to nonimmigrant who are unable to depart the U.S. because of the COVID outbreak. Foreign nationals [...]
Coronavirus Update: Florida Imposes Checkpoints for Out of State Travelers
The U.S. State of Florida has imposed checkpoints on their borders with Alabama and Georgia. Police checkpoints are set up on the I-95 and [...]
Coronavirus Update: CDC Public Health Measure Used to Expedite Removal Processes
On March 21, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a public charge measure that border officials are using to override [...]
