I am an employee and my company has offered to sponsor me for an L-1 or H-1B visa. Which visa is the best option?
If you are working for a company abroad and you are given the option to transfer to the U.S., questions may arise as to [...]
I am an employer and I want to transfer several employees to the U.S. Is the L-1 visa a good option? Is the E-2 visa a good option?
Sometimes employers are faced with the need to transfer many employees from abroad to the United States within a short time frame. For example, [...]
In which country can I apply for a non-immigrant visa? Do I have to apply for a visa in my home country?
One question we often receive from our clients or potential clients is where they can apply for a non-immigrant visa (such as E-1 visa, [...]
What does the Presidential Proclamation on L visas mean for my application? Can I still apply for an L visa at a U.S. Consulate? Can I apply for L-1 status from within the US?
On June 22, 2020, a Presidential Proclamation was issued that impacts the ability of certain visa holders to enter the United States. Under this [...]
USCIS to Increase Application Fees
The Department of Homeland Security has announced new application fees that will take effect on October 2, 2020. This new announcement will increase the [...]
New York Federal District Court Issues Temporary Injunction on State Department and DHS Public Charge Rules
On July 30, 2020, New York District Court Judge George Daniels issued a nationwide preliminary injunction on the public charge rules. This injunction applies [...]
Who is authorized to sign USCIS forms on behalf of a company?
If a U.S. company is sponsoring a beneficiary for example for an H-1B visa, O-1 visa, E-2 employee visa, or L-1 visa, an authorized [...]
Does my passport have to be valid for 6 months beyond my initial period of stay in the U.S.?
If you are coming to the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa (e.g. a B-1 visa or B-2 visa), the general rule is that your [...]
Update on USCIS Furlough of Employees
USCIS has issued furlough notices to 70% of its workforce at the end of June. USCIS is a for profit agency that uses application [...]
What is the L-1 visa application process? How long does it take to get an L-1 petition approved?
An L-1A visa is a great visa for an employee or owner of a company abroad who wants to transfer to a U.S. office or open [...]
Do I have to show ties to my home country when applying for L-1 visa?
An L-1A visa is a great visa for an employee or owner of a company abroad who wants to transfer to a U.S. office or open [...]
How do I prove that I have been working for the foreign entity at least for one continuous year? Does the time I spent in the U.S. on a B visa count towards the one year?
An L-1A visa is a great visa for an employee or owner of a company abroad who wants to transfer to a U.S. office or open [...]
I am in the U.S. on an L-1B and would like to stay for longer than 5 years. What are my options? Can I switch to an L-1A? Can I switch to any other visa?
The L-1B visa category allows employers outside the U.S. to transfer employees with specialized knowledge to a U.S. company that is a branch, affiliate, [...]
What is the maximum amount of time I can spend in the U.S. on an L-1 visa? What is an L-1 recapture petition?
An L-1A visa is a great visa for an employee or owner of a company abroad who wants to transfer to a U.S. office or open [...]
Does the new Proclamation apply to Canadians? Can a Canadian get an H-1B or L-1 visa? Can a Canadian get a TN visa?
On Monday June 22, The Trump Administration signed an Executive Order suspending the entry of some H-1B, H-4, H-2B, J, and L visa holders, [...]
Who does the new Executive Order Banning Certain Visas Impact?
On Monday June 22, The Trump Administration signed an Executive Order suspending the entry of some H-1B, H-4, H-2B, J, and L visa holders, [...]
Presidential Proclamation Suspends Some Non-Immigrants from Entering the US Until December 31
The Trump Administration has signed an Executive Order that will extend the April 2020 suspension of some immigrant visas until December 31. To learn [...]
What are the Approval Rates for Visas? How Many Visas Are Approved?
The U.S. Government publishes data on the number of people who apply for visas at U.S. Consulates along with the number of visas that [...]
What are the U.S. visa fees? What is a visa reciprocity fee? Is the reciprocity fee already included in the visa fee?
If you want to come to the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa, you will have to apply for a U.S. visa at a Consulate [...]
Trump to Sign Executive Order Temporarily Suspending H-1B, J, and L Visas Until December 31
The Trump Administration will sign an Executive Order that will extend the April 2020 suspension of some immigrant visas until December 31. To learn [...]
I am applying for a visa at a Consulate. Do I have to go to an interview?
Generally, yes. If you are applying for a non-immigrant intent at a U.S. Consulate abroad, you will have to go to an interview. The [...]
Can I Qualify for an L-1A if I do Not Manage Employees? What is a Function Manager?
The L-1A visa permits a U.S. employer to transfer a manager or executive from a company abroad to a U.S. branch office or to [...]
What Makes a Good L-1 Business Plan? Considerations for L-1 Business Plans.
A business plan is a standard requirement when applying for a New Office L-1 visa. These applications are adjudicated by USCIS and an adjudicator [...]
USCIS to Resume Premium Processing for Applications in Phases
USCIS has announced today that they will resume premium processing for Form I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker and Form I-140 Immigrant Petition for [...]
I filed a change of status/extension of status petition. Can I stay in the U.S. while the petition is pending? What is unlawful presence?
If you are in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa and you filed a change of status (“COS”) or an extension of status (“EOS”) [...]
Can I get a Green Card if I have an L-1 Visa? Can I move from an L-1A to a Green Card? What are the differences between and L-1A and EB-1C?
On paper, the criteria for an L-1A and EB-1C are similar. In both cases, the following must exist: a qualifying relationship must exist between [...]
I am on an L-1 visa for a new office and had to lay off or furlough employees due to Corona virus. Am I eligible to renew my L-1 visa if the company does not have employees?
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 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 [...]
I was not selected in the H-1B visa lottery. What other visa can I apply for? Can my employer sponsor me for a green card? Can I apply for a green card?
If you were not selected in this year’s H-1B visa lottery and you want to stay in the U.S., here are some possible visa [...]
Department of Homeland Security Extends REAL ID Deadline
The Real ID Act of 2005 is an Act of Congress that modifies U.S. federal law pertaining to security, authentication, and issuance procedure standards [...]
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. [...]
