united states

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

Two Federal Judges issue injunctions against enforcement of the latest Trump travel ban

On Tuesday, October 17, Judge Derrick K. Watson, a Federal judge in Hawaii, issued an injunction against the enforcement of large portions of President Trump’s most recent (third) iteration of the travel ban. Fast on the heels of this decision,…

IanScottOctober 20, 2017

Immigration

Can I start a Company while on F-1 Status? Permissible Business Activities while on F-1 Status

In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven economy, being first to successfully implement an innovative new software or technology is crucial for the aspiring entrepreneur. Indeed, some of the most popular social media platforms, software-as-a-service, and technological innovations came from an idea formed…

IanScottOctober 17, 2017

EB-5 Visa Immigration Investor Visas

EB-5 Status & What Happened on September 30th – EB-5 Program Extended Yet Again Without Change

Obtaining a green card through an investment is possible if you have $800,000 to invest in a project or business that will create 10 full-time jobs in the U.S. This visa is often called the "million dollar" green card as…

IanScottOctober 16, 2017

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Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

The US is Now Accepting Applications for the Diversity Visa Lottery for 2019

As of October 3, 2017 the U.S. government began accepting Diversity Visa Lottery (Green Card Lottery) applications for 2019, which is the year successful applicants will be able to enter the US on the Green Card issued to them. An…

IanScottOctober 11, 2017

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Deportation & Humanitarian Immigration Immigration

What is the benefit to filing a Withdrawal for an Application for Admission to the U.S.? When does it come up?

Any foreign nationals who travels to the U.S. on a visa and applies for admission at a designated port of entry may be told by CBP that they are inadmissible (not eligible to enter the U.S.) following an inspection. Grounds…

IanScottSeptember 28, 2017

E-2 Visa Immigration Investor Visas

I want to apply for an E-2 Investor visa. Can I bring over an employee right away? What is the process for getting the E-2 investor and E-2 employee visas at the same time?

An E-2 Investor Visa is a great visa for entrepreneurs who are nationals of treaty countries, have money to invest and want to start a business in the United States. The business can be large or small, but it must plan…

IanScottAugust 23, 2017

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Immigration National Interest Waiver

The New National Interest Waiver (NIW) Standard Explained. A New Option for Entrepreneurs – The National Interest Waiver (NIW).

Before December of 2016, the National Interest Waiver EB-2 green card was seen by most as an unattainable dream. With a court decision in December though (Matter of Dhanasar), things changed and the landscape for applying for a National Interest…

IanScottAugust 8, 2017

H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

Potential Issues with nonimmigrant workers admitted in E-3 status

If you are an Australian national seeking to live and work in the United States, the E-3 visa may be an excellent option. The E-3 classification allows for the temporary entry of Australian professions to perform services in a “specialty…

IanScottJuly 24, 2017

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Family Immigration Immigration

What is humanitarian reinstatement? What happens if my petitioning family member passes away before my visa is available?

Anyone who has gone through the family based immigration process knows that it can take a very long time, sometime years or even decades, for a visa to be available after a relative petition (also known as an I-130 petition)…

IanScottJuly 15, 2017

Extraordinary Ability Immigration

Are extraordinary ability visas available for professions outside of the arts? What do I need to show to qualify for an extraordinary ability visa if I am not in the arts?

The O visa, which is a classification for people with extraordinary ability, is often used by people with professions in the arts as its flexibility lends itself well to the non-traditional employer-employee relationships. This O visa for those in the…

IanScottJuly 6, 2017

Immigration

What is an H-3 Visa for a Nonimmigrant Trainee and What is Needed to Qualify for H-3 Status?

The H-3 visa is a nonimmigrant visa which permits foreign nationals to enter the U.S. to receive professional training with a U.S. company. To qualify for H-3 status, the “trainee” must be invited by a petitioning organization or individual to…

IanScottMay 31, 2017

EB-5 Visa Immigration Investor Visas

EB-5 Program Extended to September 30th Without Change

The EB-5 program allows investor to obtain a green card if they invest either $900,000 or $1,800,000 in business or projects that will ultimately create 10 full-time jobs. A full summary of the EB-5 requirements can be obtained by clicking…

IanScottMay 6, 2017

Extraordinary Ability Immigration

What is a good Visa for Artists? What is an “artist visa”? What is an agent for an O-1B visa?

The O-1B is an employment based nonimmigrant classification for artists who have garnered a high level of distinction in their field. Sometimes informally called the “artist visa”, O-1 classification can actually be applied to a broad range of professions in…

IanScottFebruary 23, 2017

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Immigration

Can I Work in the U.S.? Do I Need a Work Permit to Work in the U.S.?

Each year, the United States admits thousands of foreign nationals to work in various industries around the country. Many of these foreign nationals work in specialized positions and are critical to the success of many U.S. companies. All foreign workers,…

IanScottFebruary 20, 2017

E-2 Visa EB-5 Visa Immigration Investor Visas

Can I Apply for an EB5 Immigrant Investor Visa using my E-2 company? Does an E-2 Visa Lead to an EB-5 Visa? Does an E-2 Visa Lead to a Green Card?

What is an E-2 Visa? An E-2 visa is a perfect visa for an individual or company who wants to start or purchase a business in the United States. In order to obtain the visa, the applicant must invest in a…

IanScottJanuary 28, 2017

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EB-5 Visa Immigration Investor Visas News

Breaking News: EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Extended by Congress with No Changes

Congress extended the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program allowing the visa program to run in its current format until December. The House and Senate approved short-term federal spending legislation containing an extension for the program’s Regional Center component through December 9,…

IanScottSeptember 30, 2016

Deportation & Humanitarian Immigration Immigration

How Will the New I-601A Rule Affect Foreign National Workers, Families and Individuals in the U.S.?

Our staff attended the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Public Engagement Session on Tuesday, September 20th 2016, where USCIS discussed the new i-601A Provisional Waiver Rules. We have noted points of interest and would like to share this information…

IanScottSeptember 28, 2016

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Approvals

E-2 Visa Approval for 2 Investors at London Consulate

Scott Legal, P.C. just won an approval for E-2 visa for a law firm for two investors. The two investor visas were approved for one company at the U.S. consulate in London. Click on the buttons below in order to…

IanScottNovember 19, 2015

Immigration

2017 Visa Lottery is Here!

The 2017 Visa Lottery Program is here again. The online registration is now open and will remain open until Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST). This program is administered annually and is geared towards attracting…

IanScottOctober 3, 2015

EB-5 Visa Immigration News

Breaking News: EB-5 Program Extended in Current Format until December 11, 2015

The EB-5 investor visa is a green card option for an entrepreneur that would like to buy or start a business (Direct Investment) or an investor who wants to invest in a job creation project such as the building of…

IanScottOctober 1, 2015

EB-5 Visa Immigration Investor Visas

What is Happening to the EB-5 Program? What Are the Changes Being Proposed to the EB-5 Program and Regional Centers and Is the Investment Amount for EB-5 Increasing?

IanScottSeptember 23, 2015

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Family Immigration Immigration

Consular Processing: Applying for a Green Card While Out of the U.S.

When applying for a green card, you will either adjust status or obtain the green card through Consular processing. If you are in the United States, you will normally apply by filing an I-485 petition with USCIS to adjust your…

IanScottSeptember 19, 2015

EB-5 Visa Immigration Investor Visas

Can an EB-5 Investment be Based on a Loan or Gift?

An EB-5 Visa is an investor visa that requires an entrepreneur to invest either $800,000 or $1,050,000 of capital in the in the United States to either start a business or purchase one. The other significant requirement is that the…

IanScottOctober 11, 2014

EB-5 Visa Immigration Investor Visas

EB-5 Investor Green Card Visas Cap Hit for Chinese Nationals

The EB-5 Investor visa program is a program where foreign nationals can invest either $800,000 or $1,050,000 in a business and if certain criteria are met, the investor and his/her family can receive green cards. While there are several requirements…

IanScottSeptember 2, 2014

EB-5 Visa Immigration Investor Visas Questions & Answers

Thinking of Investing in an EB-5 Regional Center? Some Things to Consider and Top 10 Due Diligence Questions

The EB-5 Immigrant (Green Card) Investor Visa requires that you invest either $1,050,000 in a city settings, or $800,000 in rural settings, and in return, the U.S. Government will give you, your spouse and your children a Green Card. The…

IanScottOctober 10, 2013

Two Federal Judges issue injunctions against enforcement of the latest Trump travel ban

Can I start a Company while on F-1 Status? Permissible Business Activities while on F-1 Status

EB-5 Status & What Happened on September 30th – EB-5 Program Extended Yet Again Without Change

The US is Now Accepting Applications for the Diversity Visa Lottery for 2019

What is the benefit to filing a Withdrawal for an Application for Admission to the U.S.? When does it come up?

I want to apply for an E-2 Investor visa. Can I bring over an employee right away? What is the process for getting the E-2 investor and E-2 employee visas at the same time?

The New National Interest Waiver (NIW) Standard Explained. A New Option for Entrepreneurs – The National Interest Waiver (NIW).

Potential Issues with nonimmigrant workers admitted in E-3 status

What is humanitarian reinstatement? What happens if my petitioning family member passes away before my visa is available?

Are extraordinary ability visas available for professions outside of the arts? What do I need to show to qualify for an extraordinary ability visa if I am not in the arts?

What is an H-3 Visa for a Nonimmigrant Trainee and What is Needed to Qualify for H-3 Status?

EB-5 Program Extended to September 30th Without Change

What is a good Visa for Artists? What is an “artist visa”? What is an agent for an O-1B visa?

Can I Work in the U.S.? Do I Need a Work Permit to Work in the U.S.?

Can I Apply for an EB5 Immigrant Investor Visa using my E-2 company? Does an E-2 Visa Lead to an EB-5 Visa? Does an E-2 Visa Lead to a Green Card?

Breaking News: EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program Extended by Congress with No Changes

How Will the New I-601A Rule Affect Foreign National Workers, Families and Individuals in the U.S.?

E-2 Visa Approval for 2 Investors at London Consulate

2017 Visa Lottery is Here!

Breaking News: EB-5 Program Extended in Current Format until December 11, 2015

What is Happening to the EB-5 Program? What Are the Changes Being Proposed to the EB-5 Program and Regional Centers and Is the Investment Amount for EB-5 Increasing?

Consular Processing: Applying for a Green Card While Out of the U.S.

Can an EB-5 Investment be Based on a Loan or Gift?

EB-5 Investor Green Card Visas Cap Hit for Chinese Nationals

Thinking of Investing in an EB-5 Regional Center? Some Things to Consider and Top 10 Due Diligence Questions

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