Does an L-1 Visa lead to a Green Card? Can I get a green card with an L-1 Visa? Is an L-1 visa better than an E-2 visa?
An L-1 visa is a visa that is available when a company outside of the U.S. wants to transfer an employee that has worked [...]
Coronavirus Update: USCIS Announced Temporary Suspension of Premium Processing for All I-129 and I-140 Petitions
USCIS has announced today, March 20, the immediate and temporary suspension of premium processing service for all Form I-129 and Form I-140 petitions until [...]
U.S. and Canada to Close Border from Non-Essential Traffic
The leaders of Canada and the United States have announced on March 18, 2020 that the border between the two countries will soon close [...]
Coronavirus Update: Travel Ban Extended to UK and Ireland
The White House issued another presidential proclamation imposing travel restrictions and quarantines on travelers from countries in the United Kingdom and Ireland starting on [...]
Coronavirus Update: U.S. Embassies in Rome and Kingston Closed to Routine Services
Announced on March 11 and March 12, the U.S. Embassies in Rome, Italy and Kingston, Jamaica are closed to visa and other routine services. [...]
Coronavirus Update: Travel Ban Extended to Europe
The White House issued another presidential proclamation imposing travel restrictions and quarantines on travelers from countries in the European Schengen Area starting on 5 [...]
Can an immigration officer search my electronic devices at the border? What is a basic search? What is an advanced search? Can the officer search my cloud?
In short, they can pretty much search whatever they want. You can certainly refuse any search but the officer may not admit you and/or [...]
Coronavirus Update: Travel Ban Extended to Recent Iran Travel
The White House issued another presidential proclamation imposing travel restrictions and quarantines on travelers from Iran starting on 5 PM EST March 2, 2020 [...]
What do I do if I lose my Passport with my Visa? What do I do if I lost my Passport with a Visa? What happens if my Passport with my Visa expires?
In some cases, visas are issued for up to 10 years. For example, B-1 and B-2 visas can be issued for 10 years and [...]
Travel Ban Expanded to include Six more Countries
On January 31, 2020, President Trump signed a presidential proclamation that suspended certain immigrant visas to foreign nationals from Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan, [...]
Travel Restrictions and Quarantines on Individuals Traveling from China
The White House issued a presidential proclamation imposing travel restrictions and quarantines on travelers from China starting on February 2, 2020 due to the [...]
Drastic Increase in Visa Reciprocity Fees for Netherlands Nationals Applying for U.S. visas
The amount of time an E-2 visa can be granted for and the cost of issuing said visa varies by country and depends on [...]
New DHS Public Charge Rule to Take Effect on February 24
On January 27, 2020, the Supreme Court lifted a nationwide injunction blocking the new public charge rule initially slotted to take effect on October [...]
What are the Immigration Ramifications of Working in the Cannabis/Marijuana Industry?
Our clients often have the following questions: Can I Work for a Cannabis/Marijuana Company in the United States? Can I be Denied Citizenship Due [...]
Drastic Increase in Visa Reciprocity Fees for Australian Nationals Applying for U.S. visas
The amount of time an E-2 visa can be granted for and the cost of issuing said visa varies by country and depends on [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
DHS Proposal to Increase Visa Application Fees
The Department of Homeland Security has proposed a fee schedule that would increase the filing fees for most applications. The proposal also seeks to [...]
What is a Recapture petition? Can I recapture time I spent outside the U.S. while on H-1B status? Can I recapture time I spent outside the U.S while on L-1A or L-1B status?
H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that permits a company to hire workers in specialty occupations. The beneficiary (the foreign worker) must have a [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
What is a 214(b) Visa Denial and How Can I Overcome It? What is immigrant intent?
You were on a J-1 visa program working in the United States as an intern or trainee and towards the end of your expiry [...]
New Public Charge Rules Revealed: Higher Scrutiny for Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Applicants Receiving Certain Federal Public Benefits
The Department of Homeland Security has issued the final rule on public charge. Originally published in October 10, 2018, the new rules seek to [...]
USCIS Issues Data Confirming Increase in Denials and RFEs for Nonimmigrant Applications
USCIS has released data for the first half of fiscal year 2019 confirming that denial and RFE rates have continued to increase for nonimmigrant [...]
USCIS to Reject Incomplete Form I-129
Starting on August 5, 2019, USCIS will reject any Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker that do not include the Petitioner or Applicant’s [...]
Five Years of Social Media Information Now Required for Visa Applications
Last week, the U.S. Department of State updated the DS160 and DS260 forms to include a question asking for the applicant’s last 5 years [...]
CBP Refusing to Adjudicate Canadian L Visa Renewals at Borders and Port of Entries
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency has implemented policy to no longer process L visa renewal applications for Canadian nationals at border and [...]
New Form I-539 for Change of Status Now in Effect. Biometrics Appointments Required for Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants
New Form I-539 for Change of Status Now in Effect. Biometrics Appointments Mandatory for Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants As previously reported, the new Form I-539, [...]
Visa Validity Reduced for Pakistani Nationals
Announced on March 5, 2019, the U.S. State Department has reduced visa validity length for Pakistani nationals. According to the State Department, this decision [...]
Biometrics Now Required for Certain Foreign Nationals Seeking a Change or Extension of Nonimmigrant Status
On March 11, USCIS will introduce a new Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. This revised version of the form will be implemented [...]
U.S. State Department Suspends Visa Services in Caracas, Venezuela
Routine visa services at the U.S. mission in Caracas have been suspended indefinitely as tension between the United States and Venezuela rises. Foreign nationals [...]
What is Administrative Processing? What Does Administrative Processing Mean? How long can I Stay in Administrative Processing? Why was I placed in Administrative Processing?
When you apply for a visa (For example, E-2, B-1, H1-B, O-1) at a Consulate, there are several possible outcomes. The visa can be [...]
Three Weeks into the Government Shutdown: An Update on Immigration Services
We are three weeks into the government shutdown since December 21, 2018 and the following is an update on different immigration agencies and services. [...]
