immigrant | Scott Legal, P.C.

Immigration

I am waiting for my change of status petition to be approved. Can I travel outside the U.S. in the meantime?

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

COVID-19

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, and Tanzania. Nonimmigrant visas are not affected by the proclamation. The government stated the cause for…

Jenny ZhanFebruary 4, 2020

Immigration News

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 requiring visa services, including immigrant and nonimmigrant, may be able to obtain U.S. visas by traveling…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 28, 2019

Family Immigration Immigration

What is Aging Out? How do I Prevent My Children from Aging Out?

The Immigration and Nationality Act defines a child who as a person under the age of 21 and is unmarried. Parents who apply for non-immigrant and immigrant visas in the United States can include their children (including biological, step, and…

Jenny ZhanJune 29, 2018

Immigration

USCIS Releases New Immigration Application Form Versions and New Fees

Effective December 23, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated many immigration application forms with corresponding increases in filing fees. We have included below a list of the commonly used forms that were recently updated. For a list…

IanScottJanuary 3, 2017

Immigration

What is Nonimmigrant Intent? What is Dual Intent?

Intent is an important concept in immigration law. Under the law, most foreign nationals coming to the United States are presumed to be immigrants (meaning there is a presumption that they want to move to the U.S. permanently) and they…

IanScottDecember 20, 2016

Family Immigration Immigration

What happens if I get married when I am the beneficiary of a family based immigrant petition? Will my family-based preference category change if I get married or divorced?

Legal Permanent Residents and U.S. Citizens are usually able to submit immigration petitions for their children. The ability for parents to sponsor their children for green cards and length of time that they need to wait for a green card…

IanScottOctober 21, 2016