For background, you can learn more about the H-1B visa here, and about the B-2 tourist visa here . But if you want to change status between the H-1B and B-2, how does the timing matter? Can I file a…
Jenny ZhanDecember 30, 2020
No, in general we discourage travel outside the U.S. while a change of status petition is pending. Travel Outside the U.S. While Change of Status Petition Is Pending An individual who has status under one nonimmigrant visa category can change…
Jenny ZhanOctober 15, 2020
Participants of some J-1 visa programs are subject to a 2 year home residency requirement. This means, that the J-1 visa participants will have to return to their home country for at least 2 years after the completion of the…
Jenny ZhanJune 11, 2020
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 U.S. and your home country, E-1 visa is a great option for you. Our clients often…
Jenny ZhanApril 22, 2020
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 can adjudicate every year (65,000 Regular Cap petitions and additional 20,000 U.S. Advanced…
Jenny ZhanApril 16, 2020
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 U.S. Normally, when status is about to expire, there is an option to either extend status,…
Jenny ZhanApril 15, 2020
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 who are soon out of status may seek a change or extension of status to stay…
Jenny ZhanApril 14, 2020
While most E-2 visas are filed at U.S. Consulates abroad, there are some instances where an applicant may apply for a change of status while in the U.S. For example, an applicant could enter the U.S. on B status and…
Jenny ZhanFebruary 14, 2020
Starting on August 29, 2019, E-2 visa reciprocity for French nationals will decrease from the current 60 months (5 years) to 15 months (1 year and 3 months). The amount of time an E-2 visa can be granted for varies…
Jenny ZhanAugust 20, 2019
When in the U.S., it may be possible to apply to change status to E-2 status. (Eg. moving from an F-1 to E-2) If an applicant changes status in the U.S. and has family members abroad, the question comes up…
Jenny ZhanJuly 18, 2019
One way to apply for an E-2 visa if you are in the U.S. is to file an I-129 form to change status. While most applicants apply for E-2 visas at a Consulate, there are some instances where applying through…
Jenny ZhanJuly 1, 2019
USCIS have announced today that it has began to accelerate USCIS’ transition into a digital business model. Starting today, Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status can now be filed online. Form I-539 is primarily used for dependents of nonimmigrant…
Jenny ZhanMay 22, 2019
The E-2 treaty investor agreement signed between the United States and Israel came into effect on May 1, 2019. Israeli nationals who are interested in investing in the United States can now apply for the E-2 visa. USCIS has also announced…
Jenny ZhanMay 3, 2019
In plain language, the phrases ‘change of status’ and ‘adjustment of status’ may sound like they are describing the same process. However, in immigration law there is a fundamental difference between these two procedures. Change of Status When you come…
Jenny ZhanDecember 27, 2018
USCIS has extended and expanded the suspension of premium processing for certain H-1B cases. This suspension affects Fiscal Year 2019 pending cap cases and, starting from September 11, 2018, most changes of employer, changes of status, and amendment applications. This…
Jenny ZhanAugust 29, 2018
If you are an F-1 student and an H-1B cap petition to change status to H-1B has been filed on your behalf, traveling internationally could impact your ability to change status and reenter the United States. It is very important…
Jenny ZhanMarch 29, 2018
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a program that was introduced by the Obama Administration in June 2012 to provide work authorization and administrative relief from immigration enforcement action to certain unlawfully present aliens who entered the United States…
Jenny ZhanMarch 29, 2018
The H-1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa suitable for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent and a job offer from a sponsoring employer in a specialty occupation that is related to their field of study. A specialty…
IanScottMay 13, 2017
We just received an approval for a B-1 visa for an applicant that is applying for an E-2 visa through USCIS. The applicant entered the U.S. on a B-2 visa and changed status to a B-1 to give him the…
IanScottMay 12, 2017
An E-2 visa is a visa that can be issued to nationals of certain countries who want to start a business in the U.S. that will ultimately hire U.S. workers. The business can be a small one that requires a…
IanScottApril 2, 2017
An E-2 visa is a great visa for a person who wants to launch a startup or purchase a business in the United States. In order to obtain the visa the applicant must invest in a business in the United States,…
IanScottOctober 12, 2016
We just received approval for an E-2 visa and change of status applications filed at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a Bangladeshi investor and his family. The applicant invested in and became majority owner of a Halal grocery.…
IanScottJanuary 4, 2016
People visit the United States for many different reasons, such as tourism, starting a business venture or visiting family members and friends. While you are in the U.S. your circumstances may change and you may want to extend your stay…
IanScottNovember 14, 2014
An E-2 visa is a visa that is available for entrepreneurs, investors and business owners who wish to live in the U.S. to develop and direct the operations of a business. The visa is perfect for those who want to…
IanScottOctober 24, 2013
