E-1 Visa Questions & Answers
Do I have to hire U.S. employees in order to get an E-1 visa? No. You do not have to hire U.S. employees when [...]
Bill Introduced in Congress to Allow 40,000 Doctor and Nurses Immigrant Visas
A group of Senators have introduced legislation in Congress that would allow 40,000 immigrant doctors and nurses to gain visas and work permits as [...]
I am in the U.S. on H-1B visa and my employment was terminated due to the Corona virus outbreak. Can I stay in the U.S. if I find a new job? How long do I have to find a new job?
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 [...]
Coronavirus Update: USCIS to Reuse Previously Submitted Biometrics to Process Work Permit Applications
USCIS has announced that they will reuse previously submitted biometrics in order to process valid work permit application extension requests due to the closure [...]
I am in the U.S. on E-2 employee visa. Can I apply for unemployment benefits due to the Coronavirus? Can my spouse apply for unemployment benefits due to the Coronavirus?
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, many of our clients ask us the following question: Can I apply for unemployment benefits? If I apply for [...]
H-1B Electronic Registration Closes Today!
At noon EST on March 20, the initial registration period for FY 2021 H-1B lottery selection will close. All registrations must be properly submitted [...]
Can a H-1B Petition Still Be Approved If I Don’t Have a Professional License That is Required for a Job? What Happens If I Do Not Have a License to Practice a Job That Require a License?
There are certain specialty occupations that require the appropriate licensure in order to be able to perform the duties required on the job. For [...]
What is an E-1 Visa? What are the E-1 visa requirements? Can I apply for an E-1 visa? Can my family apply for an E-1 visa? Can I hire employees from my home country?
E-1 visa is a great visa for treaty traders who engage in international trade between the U.S. and their home country. To qualify for [...]
FY H-1B Cap Registration Starts March 1!
The initial registration period for the FY2020 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern Standard Time on March 1 and run through noon EST [...]
E-2 Visa approval for an IT Consulting Company at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw for a National of Poland
We just had an E-2 employee visa approval at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw. The business provides IT consulting services. The applicant has extensive [...]
What is the Last Action Rule? Should I be worried when I travel internationally after the H-1B petition was approved but before the H-1B effective start date?
Let’s analyze the following scenario: You were in the U.S. on a post-completion OPT and found an employer willing to sponsor you for an [...]
I want to apply for an E-2 visa. Can my spouse apply for an E-2 spousal visa? Do we have to apply at the same time? What documents should my spouse bring to the interview?
If you are applying for an E-2 investor or an E-2 employee visa, your spouse may apply for an E-2 spousal visa. Please note [...]
Do E-2 spouses get the automatic 180 day EAD extension? My EAD expires in 2 weeks, is there any way to expedite the EAD renewal application? Can I file an Expedite Request?
Spouses of E-2 Investors or E-2 employees can apply for a Work Authorization Card (EAD card). What is the automatic 180 day extension? Aliens [...]
USCIS Announced Eligible Countries for H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs for 2020
USCIS has announced today the countries that are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs effective January 19, 2020. The H-2A [...]
What should I Expect During the E-2 Visa Process? What are the E-2 visa steps?
There are a number of steps associated with obtaining an E-2 visa. This document summarizes the various steps as they relate to the E-2 [...]
January 2020 Visa Bulletin: EB-3 Visa Expected to Retrogress Worldwide by March 2020
The State Department’s January 2020 Visa Bulletin included projections of immigrant visa availability though April and May 2020, and EB-3 visas are expected to [...]
Premium Processing Fee to Increase on December 2
Fees for Form I-907 Premium Processing will increase from the current $1410 to $1440 on December 2. Premium Processing Service means that USCIS will [...]
TPS for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan Extended in Compliance with Court Orders
The Department of Homeland Security will continue to extend Temporary Protected Stats (TPS) designations for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, and Sudan to [...]
Syria TPS Re-Registration Period Opens
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Syrian nationals have been extended for 18 months from September 30, 2019 to March 31, 2021. Current beneficiaries will [...]
October 2019 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 and EB-3 Visas Now Current for Most Countries.
In the recently published October visa bulletins, EB-2 and EB-3 visas are now current for most countries expect for Mainland China, India, and the [...]
USCIS Proposes New Rule Eliminating 30-Day Guarantee Processing for Work Authorization for Asylum Applicants
USCIS announced a proposed regulation to change the process for granting or denying an initial application for employment authorization documents (EADs) by reforming the [...]
New Public Charge Rules Revealed: Higher Scrutiny for Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Applicants Receiving Certain Federal Public Benefits
The Department of Homeland Security has issued the final rule on public charge. Originally published in October 10, 2018, the new rules seek to [...]
Temporary Protected Status Extended for Syrian Nationals
On August 1, 2019, the Department of Homeland Security announced that temporary protected status (TPS) for Syrian nationals will be extended to March 31, [...]
I-140 Approval with USCIS for a Model at Beauty Brand Company
We just received an I-140 approval with USCIS. The company is a beauty brand company and the beneficiary is a model for the beauty brand. To find out [...]
Can I quit my current job and start working at another employer while my I-485 is pending? Can I use my approved EAD to work at another employer?
Many employment based green card applications are processed while an applicant is on an H-1B visa. This usually involves filing an I-140 petition along [...]
PERM application approval
Scott Legal, P.C. just had the first step of the green card process (PERM Application) certified by U.S. Department of Labor for one of our clients. The PERM [...]
My Green Card application is pending, and my EAD card and Advance parole are about to expire. Do I have to renew them? Do I have to pay for the renewals?
Let’s analyze the following scenario: You filed your Green Card application with the USCIS and you simultaneously applied for an Employment Authorization Document (“EAD”) [...]
I-140 approval for a Retail Buyer at a Casino Resort
We just had an I-140 approval with USCIS. The company is a casino resort and the beneficiary is a retail buyer. To find out more about [...]
April 2019 Visa Bulletin
In the newly released January visa bulletin, EB-2 and EB-3 visas remain current for most countries. EB-2 in China have advanced 3 months to [...]
Department of Labor issues new LCA Electronic Posting Requirements
New guidelines issued by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor on March 15, 2019 imposes enhanced obligations on electronic posting [...]
TPS Status Temporarily Extended for Nepal and Honduras
The Department of Homeland Security announced on March 13, 2019 that is will temporarily halt its plans to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for [...]
New Form I-539 for Change of Status Now in Effect. Biometrics Appointments Required for Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants
New Form I-539 for Change of Status Now in Effect. Biometrics Appointments Mandatory for Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants As previously reported, the new Form I-539, [...]
Temporary Protected Status Extended for South Sudan Nationals
On March 8, 2019, the Department of Homeland Security announced that temporary protected status (TPS) for South Sudan nationals will be extended to November [...]
Temporary Protected Status Extended for El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua and Sudan Nationals
On March 1, 2019, the Department of Homeland Security published a Federal Register Notice that Temporary Protected Status for nationals of El Salvador, Haiti, [...]
Proposed H-4 Work Authorization Rescission Regulation Under Federal Review
The Department of Homeland Security has submitted a proposal to rescind the H-4 spousal work authorization regulation to the Office of Management and Budget [...]
