National Interest Waiver NIW
What is a National Interest Waiver (NIW)? A National Interest Waiver is a method of obtaining lawful permanent resident status in the U.S. without having an employer as a sponsor and without having to file a labor certification with the Department of Labor. Thus, those seeking a NIW may self-petition. The Biden Administration recently updated […]
R-1 Visa Temporary Nonimmigrant Religious Workers
What is an R-1 visa? The R-1 visa classification permits a nonimmigrant to temporarily be employed as a minister or in a religious vocation or occupation. REQUIREMENTS In order to be qualify for a R-1 visa, the Foreign National must be a member of a religious denomination having a bona fide non-profit religious organization in […]
Expedited Employment Authorization Documents
How can you receive expedited employment authorization documents (EAD)? Five years ago, USCIS routinely took three months to issue employment authorization documents (EADs) and advance parole (AP) travel documents. Now, 9 months or longer is not unusual. Begin planning 180 days prior to the expiration of your EAD and AP. Requesting Expedited Processing It is […]
H-1B registration not selected?
My H-1B registration wasn’t selected this year – Now What? Read on to find out what happens if your H-1B registration is not selected. The H-1B nonimmigrant visa category allows employers to sponsor foreign nationals performing work in a “specialty occupation.” This typically requires an offer of employment in a job requiring at least a […]
Consular Services Fees Increasing
Schedule of Fees for Consular Services – Nonimmigrant and Special Visa Fees The Department of State (Department) proposes adjustments to the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services (Schedule of Fees) of the Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA) for several nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application processing fees, the Border Crossing Card (BCC) for Mexican citizens age 15 […]
Same Sex Marriage
What is immigration status of same sex marriage? In 2015, same-sex marriage became legal in the United States. Since then, we have assisted several same-sex couples obtain permanent residency and U.S. citizenship for the foreign national spouse based on marriage to a U.S. Citizen. For further information, please see the Adjustment of Status tab. Schedule […]
Multinational Executive or Manager EB-1
What is a Multinational Executive or Manager,(EB-1)? Considered a first-preference employment-based immigration category, a foreign national who will be in a multinational executive or manager capacity in the U.S. may be eligible. REQUIREMENTS To be eligible, a Foreign national must have been employed outside the U.S. for at least one year within the last three […]
E-3 Visa – Australian Professionals
What is an E-3 visa for Australian Professionals? The E-3 classification applies only to Australian Nationals working in the U.S. in a specialty occupation. This visa category has an annual cap of 10,500 visas available each fiscal year. All applications for an E-3 must contain a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the Department of […]