Miriam Lacroix Joins Scott Legal
Ms. Lacroix received both her undergraduate and Juris Doctor degrees from Pace University and is licensed to practice law in the State of New [...]
State Department Public Charge Regulations Postponed
The State Department's new public charge rules that was originally set up take effect on October 15 has now been postponed. These new rules [...]
New Health Insurance Requirements on Immigrant Visa Applicants
Starting on November 3, 2019, immigrant visa applicants at U.S. Consulates abroad must prove either that they will acquire approved health insurance within thirty [...]
What is L-1 visa? What is blanket L petition? Can my company file blanket L petition? What are the advantages of filing blanket L petition?
An L-1 visa is a great option when a foreign company wants to transfer an employee working for abroad to a U.S. office. These [...]
What is PIMS? What Happens if My Visa Approval is Not in PIMS?
PIMS (Petition Information Management Service) is an electronic system that provides U.S. consular posts with notification of non-immigrant visa petition approvals. It is the [...]
I have a Conditional Green Card based on a Marriage to a U.S. citizen. What do I need to do to remove the conditions from my Green Card? What if I am no longer with my spouse?
If you obtained your green card based on a marriage to a U.S. citizen and you have been married to the U.S. citizen for [...]
Will filing an immigrant petition impact my E-2 renewal? Is an E-2 visa a dual intent visa? Can I Renew my E-2 visa if I file an I-140 petition?
An E-2 visa is not a dual intent visa but it is about as close to a dual intent visa as you can get. [...]
Which non-immigrant visa categories allow my spouse to work in the U.S.? How and when can my spouse apply for the work authorization? Can my spouse work for any employer?
If you are currently in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa, your spouse may be able to work in the U.S. This article will [...]
State Department Issues Public Charge Regulations that Align with DHS Rules
The State Department published new public charge rules that will take effect on October 15. These new rules largely mirror the Department of Statement’s [...]
New York Judge Issues Nationwide Preliminary Injunction to Block New Public Charge Rule
Today, a New York District judge issued a preliminary injection against the new “public charge” rules, preventing it from coming into effect on October [...]
H-1B Transfer Approval for Senior Digital Product Manager at E-Commerce Retail Company
We received an approval for an H-1B transfer case for a Senior Digital Product Manager who had extensive experience in the field working in [...]
What is Premium Processing Service? When can I file for Premium Processing? How much is the fee for Premium Processing?
Premium Processing Service means that USCIS will issue a decision (approval, denial, Request for Evidence, or Notice of Intent to deny) within 15 calendar [...]
I am a U.S. citizen, which members of my family can I sponsor for a green card? Who are my immediate relatives? Can my immediate relatives get a green card?
If you are a U.S. citizen, you can sponsor certain family members for a green card. There are two categories of family members you [...]
Can Social Media Influencers Apply for the O-1 Visa? Ban Brand Ambassadors Apply for the O-1 Visa?
The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is for individuals who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who have a demonstrated [...]
United States Once Again Lowers Number of Refugees it Will Accept
For the third year in a row, the United States will slash the number of refugees it will accept. In the next fiscal year, [...]
Syria TPS Re-Registration Period Opens
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syrian nationals have been extended for 18 months from September 30, 2019 to March 31, 2021. Current beneficiaries will [...]
Poland Nominated for Visa Waiver Program (ESTA)
Today, the Department of State has formally nominated Poland for entry into the Visa Waiver Program. The Department of Homeland Security will now take [...]
E-2 Visa approval for a Digital Marketing Company at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto for a National of France
We just had an E-2 investor visa approval at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto for a national of France. The applicant was granted the [...]
H-1B Change of Employer Petition Approval for an Accountant at the U.S. Consulate in New Delhi for a National of India
We just had an H-1B petition approval at the U.S. Consulate in New Delhi. USCIS approved the I-129 change of employer petition (because the [...]
Can I apply for the Diversity Lottery While on an E-2 visa? Will the Diversity Lottery impact my visa? Can I apply for the diversity lottery?
The diversity lottery gives 50,000 people from different countries the opportunity to get a green card. You can find out more about the Diversity [...]
E-2 Visa approval for a UK national at the U.S. Consulate in London
We just had an E-2 investor visa approval at the U.S. Consulate in London. The applicant was granted the visa for 5 years and [...]
H-1B Approval for a Cap-Subject H-1B Change of Status case at USCIS for an Accountant
We just received an H-1B approval from USCIS for a cap-subject H-1B. The applicant is an Accountant and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting [...]
What is TN visa? Can I be self-employed on TN visa? Can I work as an independent contractor on TN Visa?
Certain professionals who are citizens of Canada or Mexico can apply for TN visa. For example, architects, engineers, lawyers, management consultants, psychologists, and computer [...]
What is Cap-Gap Extension? Can I stay in the U.S. after my OPT work authorization card expires but before I am able to start working in H-1B status?
Let’s analyze the following scenario: You are in the U.S. on F-1 OPT status and you are working for an employer. During the cap [...]
Do E-2 investment funds have to come from my home country? Can my E-2 investment come from money I made in the U.S.? Where can the E-2 Investment come from?
An E-2 visa requires a substantial investment (usually over $100,000) and this money must be spent on all of the things needed to get [...]
Green Card Approval For EB-5 Applicant
Scott Legal just received a Green Card approval for an EB-5 applicant. The applicant submitted the original I-526 in April 2017 and retained Scott [...]
Congress Passes Short Term Spending Measure Extending EB-5 and Other Immigration Programs
On September 26, 2019, Congress has passed a short-term spending bill through until November 21, 2019. This means that the programs that were slotted [...]
FY 2021 Diversity Visa Lottery Opens October 2
Starting from noon EST on October 2, 2019, the State Department will begin accepting online registration for Fiscal Year 2020 Diversity Visa lottery here. Foreign [...]
E-2 Visa Approval for Employee Management Company at Toronto Consulate
Scott Legal just had an approval for an employee performance management solutions company located in New York. The applicant is an experienced management consultant. [...]
E-2 Visa approval for General Manager of a Spanish Restaurant at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid
We just had an E-2 employee visa approval at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid. The employee is an experienced chef and restaurant manager. The employee was [...]
What is “extreme cruelty”?
Extreme cruelty is a term often used within the context of Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA) Self-petitions. VAWA is immigration benefit available for some [...]
H-4 EAD Rescission Delayed Until Spring 2020
The Department of Homeland Security has announced that the proposed regulation to rescind the H-4 employment authorization program is not likely to be published [...]
October 2019 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 and EB-3 Visas Now Current for Most Countries.
In the recently published October visa bulletins, EB-2 and EB-3 visas are now current for most countries expect for Mainland China, India, and the [...]
Government to Process Deferred Action Cases Again After Backlash
The government announced on Monday that it will process recently denied deferred action cases from seriously ill immigrants who are currently undergoing life saving [...]
K-1 Visa approval at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok
We just had a K-1 visa approved at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok. K-1 visas can be granted to fiancé(e)s of U.S. Citizens. Once a [...]
