international

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COVID-19

New COVID Test Rule for International Travelers

The Biden Administration has announced today that, starting from December 6, all inbound international airline passengers aged 2 and up, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status, must submit a negative COVID test taken within 1 calendar day of travel in…

Jenny ZhanDecember 3, 2021

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Approvals

National Interest Exception Application approved at the U.S. Consulate in Amsterdam

We just had a National Interest Exception Application approved at the U.S. Consulate in Amsterdam for a B-1 business visitor who is a national of Netherlands. It took the Consulate 10 days to approve the NIE request. Please see more…

Jenny ZhanFebruary 8, 2021

Immigration L-1 Visa

L-1 Processing and the L-1 Visa Interview

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 are the four main requirements to obtain L-1 visa: The U.S. employer must have a qualifying relationship with…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 26, 2021

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COVID-19 Immigration

Can I apply for a National Interest Exception at a CBP office at the airport? Do I need to apply through a U.S. Consulate abroad first? What is the procedure?

In July 2020, the Department of State announced that certain business and student travelers coming from Schengen countries or the U.K. (such as B-1 business visitors), treaty traders, or treaty investors may apply for a National Interest Exception (“NIE”). The NIE allows such…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 5, 2021

Approvals

National Interest Exception Application approved at the Atlanta International Airport

We just had a National Interest Exception Application approved at the CBP office at the Atlanta International Airport for an E-2 spouse and E-2 child who are nationals of the UK. Please see more about the National Interest Exception when you…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 4, 2021

Immigration L-1 Visa

What is the process to apply for an L-1 visa on the basis of an approved blanket petition?

Certain large international companies that are engaged in commercial trade or services may file a blanket L-1 petition with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). The main advantage of filing a blanket L petition is that it is a single…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 2, 2021

Immigration

What is Global Entry? Can I apply for a Global Entry?

Global Entry is one of the Trusted Travel Programs – these programs allow pre-screened travelers to use expedited lanes when coming to the U.S. If you are part of the Global Entry program, you can use the Global Entry kiosks…

Jenny ZhanDecember 26, 2020

Immigration L-1 Visa

If I am in the U.S. should I apply for an L-1 through a change of status, or should I go to a Consulate?

An L-1 visa is a good option for a foreign company that seeks to send an employee to work at an existing U.S. company. An L visa is also a good option for a foreign company trying to send an…

Jenny ZhanDecember 23, 2020

Immigration L-1 Visa

Can L-1 employees work remotely? Do employers need to file anything with the government if the worksite location changes for L-1 employees?

Due to COVID-19 many companies had to rethink their workplace arrangements in 2020. Some companies had employees work remotely while others temporarily shut down or furloughed employees. As local requirements and lockdown restrictions have shifted, some companies have gone back…

Jenny ZhanDecember 22, 2020

Immigration L-1 Visa

What is an L-1A managerial visa? How do I know if I meet the requirements? Is there a certain number of people I have to manage in order to qualify?

The L-1A visa can be used by companies abroad to transfer managers or executives to the U.S. to work at an established U.S. company or to form a new office. The U.S. company must have a qualifying relationship with the…

Jenny ZhanDecember 21, 2020

Immigration L-1 Visa

What is an L-1A executive visa? How do I know if I meet the requirements? Do I need to be a CEO to qualify?

Jenny ZhanDecember 17, 2020

Immigration L-1 Visa

L-1 Visa Questions & Answers

The L-1 visa permits U.S. employers that have a qualifying relationship with a company abroad to transfer employees in managerial, executive or specialized knowledge roles to the U.S. The employee must have worked for the company abroad for at least…

Jenny ZhanDecember 15, 2020

Immigration L-1 Visa

What is an intermittent or commuter L visa? How long can this visa be granted for?

What are the normal time limits on L-1A and L-1B status? The L-1 visa is used by companies to transfer employees to the United States to work in managerial, executive or specialized knowledge roles. The employee must be transferred from…

Jenny ZhanNovember 12, 2020

Immigration L-1 Visa

I am on an L-1 and my company is sponsoring me for a green card. Once my green card petition is filed and I receive my work authorization, do I need to extend my L-1 visa?

The L-1 visa allows companies abroad that have a qualifying relationship with a U.S. company to transfer employees to the U.S. in managerial, executive and specialized knowledge roles. The L-1 visa can be granted for up to 7 years for…

Jenny ZhanNovember 6, 2020

Immigration L-1 Visa

I am an employer who is sponsoring L-1 visa holders for green cards. Once the green card petition is filed and they receive work authorization, do I need keep extending their L-1 visas?

U.S. employers are able to use the L-1 visa to transfer employees from abroad to work in managerial, executive and specialized knowledge roles. The employees must have worked for a company abroad for at least 1 year within the last…

Jenny ZhanOctober 26, 2020

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

Immigration L-1 Visa

What is the current state of the presidential proclamation regarding L visas? Will I be eligible to apply for an L-1 visa in 2021?

On June 22, 2020, the issuance of Presidential Proclamation 10052 suspended the entry of people in the following visa categories through December 31, 2020: H-1B, H-2B, J (applying to interns, trainees, teachers, camp counselors, au pairs, or summer work travel…

Jenny ZhanOctober 15, 2020

Approvals

L-1B Change of Status Approval with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services for a Q-Grader working for a Coffee Wholesaler

We just had an L-1B approval with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services. The applicant was granted L-1B status for 3 years and the business is a coffee wholesaler. The applicant is a Q-Grader. Q-Graders are specialized and credentialed professionals who…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 29, 2020

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E-2 Visa Immigration Investor Visas L-1 Visa

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, a manufacturing company may take on a project that requires engineers or designers with a specific…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 28, 2020

Immigration L-1 Visa

I am a Canadian national, can I apply for an L-1 at the border? Can I renew my L-1 at the border?

The L-1 visa is a great option for companies that want to transfer employees in managerial, executive or specialized knowledge roles from a foreign company abroad to a US company with which it has a qualifying relationship. For most applicants,…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 23, 2020

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E-2 Visa Immigration Investor Visas L-1 Visa

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?

Jenny ZhanSeptember 2, 2020

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News

California Sues Trump Administration Over International Student Visa Ban

The California Attorney General has sued the Trump administration last Thursday seeking to block the recent student visa rule. As Colleges and University announce their course work for next semester, some schools have changed their schedules to all online courses…

Jenny ZhanJuly 13, 2020

Immigration L-1 Visa

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 a new office in the United States. First, you will need to determine whether you qualify…

Jenny ZhanJuly 7, 2020

Immigration L-1 Visa

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, parent or subsidiary of the foreign employer. The employee must have worked for the company outside the U.S.…

Jenny ZhanJune 30, 2020

Immigration L-1 Visa

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 a new office in the United States. If you are in the U.S. on an L-1A…

Jenny ZhanJune 29, 2020

New COVID Test Rule for International Travelers

National Interest Exception Application approved at the U.S. Consulate in Amsterdam

L-1 Processing and the L-1 Visa Interview

Can I apply for a National Interest Exception at a CBP office at the airport? Do I need to apply through a U.S. Consulate abroad first? What is the procedure?

National Interest Exception Application approved at the Atlanta International Airport

What is the process to apply for an L-1 visa on the basis of an approved blanket petition?

What is Global Entry? Can I apply for a Global Entry?

If I am in the U.S. should I apply for an L-1 through a change of status, or should I go to a Consulate?

Can L-1 employees work remotely? Do employers need to file anything with the government if the worksite location changes for L-1 employees?

What is an L-1A managerial visa? How do I know if I meet the requirements? Is there a certain number of people I have to manage in order to qualify?

What is an L-1A executive visa? How do I know if I meet the requirements? Do I need to be a CEO to qualify?

L-1 Visa Questions & Answers

What is an intermittent or commuter L visa? How long can this visa be granted for?

I am on an L-1 and my company is sponsoring me for a green card. Once my green card petition is filed and I receive my work authorization, do I need to extend my L-1 visa?

I am an employer who is sponsoring L-1 visa holders for green cards. Once the green card petition is filed and they receive work authorization, do I need keep extending their L-1 visas?

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

What is the current state of the presidential proclamation regarding L visas? Will I be eligible to apply for an L-1 visa in 2021?

L-1B Change of Status Approval with U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services for a Q-Grader working for a Coffee Wholesaler

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?

I am a Canadian national, can I apply for an L-1 at the border? Can I renew my L-1 at the border?

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?

California Sues Trump Administration Over International Student Visa Ban

What is the L-1 visa application process? How long does it take to get an L-1 petition approved?

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?

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?

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