Having the work-related experience that complements or supplements your area of academic studies adds invaluable weight to a resume and often helps with fine-tuning one’s career choice. The United States (US) facilitates this type of experience gathering for international students attending its colleges and universities through Optional Practical Training (OPT). If you are studying or […]
Major changes in the framework for issuing work permits for spouses L2 and H4 are on the way! A landmark settlement was reached in Shergill, et al v. Mayorkas, which provides significant changes for nonimmigrant L2 and H4 spouses waiting for work permits. Highlights Work Permits for Spouses L2: automatic work authorization incident to status, […]
Marker Research Analysts – H-1B Visa USCIS reached a settlement agreement in the case of MadKudu Inc., et al. v. U.S., Citizenship Services, et al., No. 20-cv-2653 (N.D. Cal.). The settlement agreement provides new guidance for deciding H-1B petitions for market research analysts. In this case, USCIS had denied plaintiffs H-1B petitions for market research […]
As of November 8, 2021, new rules will allow non-citizens who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to enter the United States as tourists. The details for flying and driving into the USA are below. Flying into USA The geographic COVID-19 travel bans will be rescinded and replaced with COVID-19 vaccination requirements for all international air […]
Do you have a criminal record and are trying to enter the United States? You may be denied entry unless you’ve received a US entry waiver. This waiver provides you with special permission to enter the US legally despite a criminal record that would otherwise make you inadmissible. Obtaining a US entry waiver can be […]
A new precedent decision makes clear what will be deemed an aggravated felony for immigration purposes. Matter of Onesta Reyes was decided by the Attorney General on July 30, 2020. In this case, the issue was whether an alien who had been convicted of a criminal offense necessarily was convicted of an “aggravated felony” for […]
Green Cards, or permanent resident cards, are government identification documents issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A Green Card allows the holder to work and live in the United States (U.S.). If you are interested in applying for a U.S. Green Card for your parent(s), you must be a U.S. citizen […]
Due to COVID-19, four presidential proclamations suspend the entry into the United States of all noncitizens who were physically present in one of a number of designated countries (Brazil, China, Iran, Ireland, Schengen Area countries, United Kingdom, South Africa, India) during the 14-days preceding their attempted admission into the United States. These are Presidential Proclamation […]
Several related diversity visa lawsuits (Filazapovich et al. v Department of State et al.; Goh et al. v U.S. Department of State et al.; Goodluck et al. v Biden et al., among these) were recently filed on behalf of more than 24,000 diversity visa lottery winners from over 100 countries to challenge the U.S. State […]
An EB-5 Regional Center can offer several benefits for EB-5 investors. The EB-5 Visa is a green card for qualified investors. To be eligible, the individual must make a minimum investment in a new commercial enterprise that will create at least 10 jobs. The minimum investment required is $1 million, or $500,000 if investing in […]
There are new green card vaccination requirements. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of October 1, 2021, individuals applying for permanent residency in the United States will be required to establish that they have received a complete COVID-19 vaccine series as part of the routine medical examination they are required […]
If you are a US green card holder or are currently in the process of filling out your green card application, perhaps you’re wondering what advantages come with being a permanent US resident. While there are many advantages to be aware of, we are going to focus on a few of the public benefits that […]
Recently, as the U.S. has been emerging from the COVID-19 era, many U.S. permanent residents attempting to return to the U.S. after absences of over a year have been navigating a host of legal challenges. Driven abroad by fears of the virus or other related, emergent obligations such as caregiving brought on by the pandemic […]
A U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR) normally starts the marriage-based or family-based or green card process by filing a petition on behalf of a relative with United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) using the Petition for Alien Relative Form (Form I-130). This petition often takes several months to be processed. However, there […]
Diversity Visa Program The Diversity Visa Program (DV Program) makes approximately 50,000 immigrant visas available per year. Visas are drawn randomly amongst applicants from countries with low immigration rates to the United States. As most diversity visa lottery winners are located outside the U.S. at the time they win the lottery, they must obtain their […]