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. [...]
Is there any difference between Change of Status and Adjustment of Status?
In plain language, the phrases ‘change of status’ and ‘adjustment of status’ may sound like they are describing the same process. However, in immigration [...]
USCIS Expands NTA Categories
USCIS announced today that the agency has expanded the types of applications that can be issued a notice to appear if the application is [...]
Pilot Program for Canadian L-1 Nonimmigrants Extended
USCIS and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) have announced that they are extending the joint agency pilot program for Canadian citizens seeking L-1 nonimmigrant [...]
Canada’s Cannabis Act and its Impact on Travel to the United States
As of October 17, 2018, Canada became the second country in the world to legalize recreational marijuana use and certain commercial activities. Despite the [...]
I Am an Entrepreneur, Can I Qualify for an L-1 Visa?
For business owners and entrepreneurs interested in expanding their business in the U.S. market, one important question is which U.S. visa is right for [...]
USCIS Ombudsman Annual Report Confirms Continued Processing Delays and Emphasizes Anti-Fraud Initiatives
In the Annual Report to Congress, USCIS Ombudsman Julie Kirchner has addressed several anti-fraud initiatives that have caused delays and longer processing times for [...]
Do I have to be an established specialist in my field to get an L-1B visa? How can employees that are newer to their industry prove they have specialized knowledge?
L-1 visas are available for employees who are being transferred to the U.S. by a foreign company that has a qualifying relationship with the [...]
USCIS to Use Secure Mail Delivery Service
Starting from April 30, 2018, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will use U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) Signature Restricted Delivery service to [...]
New Pilot Program for Canadian L-1 Applicants at Blaine, Washington Ports of Entry
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on March 28, 2018 that, starting from April 30, 2018, U.S. Customs and Border Protection [...]
新办公室的L-1A签证规则。如果公司尚未开始运营，我如何证明我的美国公司将在美国开展业务？
L-1A签证允许海外公司将他们的管理人员，行政人员，或专业人员转移到美国公司担任相同的职务，条件是这些人员在过去三年中至少连续一年在这家海外公司工作。美国公司必须与这家海外公司有合格关系，这意味着它必须是海外公司的分支机构：子公司、母公司、或附属公司。 那些在海外和在美国有业务活动的公司可以利用L-1A签证、已经在海外成立的公司、希望在美国开设新办事处也可以利用L-1A签证。后者还需要满足其他的要求。您可以在这里阅读有关L-1A新办公室签证要求的更多信息。 […]
申请L-1签证是否需要提供商业计划书？
我想给员工申请L-1签证，我是否需要提供本公司的商业计划书？ 需要。通常所有L-1签证申请都应该包含美国公司的商业计划书。然而，取决于公司的规模大小以及是否是新办公室的L签证申请，商业计划书的重要性会不一样。如果你有一家小公司并且计划在美国开设新办事处，那么商业计划书对你的签证申请至关重要。大型跨国公司在申请中也应包含商业计划书，但总体而言，商业计划书就没有那么重要。 […]
L签证是什么？我怎样才能用这个签证在美国创业？
如果一个外国公司派遣员工到本公司在美国设立的公司工作，为员工申请L-1签证是个很好的选择。对于试图在美国开设新办事处的外国公司而言，L签证也是一个很好的选择。 员工必须具备一套特定的技能并且必须是经理/主管人员或者有特定的专业知识。 在过去，L签证相对容易得到批准，但近几年要求补件（RFE）和被拒绝的L签证申请的数量急剧增加。 对于申请专业知识类别的申请人或寻求延期新办公室签证的申请人来说尤其如此。 相对较严的审查使得L签证成为难度较高的签证。 […]
U.S. Embassy in Ankara Resumes Limited Visa Processing Services in Turkey
The U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey announced that it is resuming limited visa processing services of nonimmigrant visas at U.S. Consular posts in Turkey. [...]
Do all companies have to disclose sensitive financial information to get L-1 petitions approved?
The L-1 visa allows companies abroad to transfer executives, managers and employees with specialized skills and knowledge to U.S. companies with whom they have [...]
