Does your USCIS I-485 online case status show “Reject After Ingest?” The word “ingest” (or “ingestion”) may be used here to mean “receipt.” This uncommon case status means that your I-485 was filed (and received or “ingested”) when your priority date was not current. Make...
Last month, the U.S. Department of State quietly changed the eligibility requirements for nonimmigrant visa applicants in India seeking an interview waiver (commonly referred to as “dropbox” appointments). These changes, which appear to have been made without a formal announcement, are outlined on the U.S....
U.S. employers of foreign workers want to know what to expect from a USCIS FDNS site visit and practical tips if an officer shows up on site, including document compliance to maintain. These are discussed in this Feb 2025 podcast produced specifically for employers. The MP3...
The eligibility criteria for a “dropbox” visa interview waiver has been updated for India. Now, the applicant’s prior visa cannot have expired more than 12 months prior to the new visa application, where it was previously 48 months....
Possessing counterfeit documents, including fake government IDs, can have grave immigration consequences! Immigration authorities, like CBP offices at international airports, are on high alert and have thorough search procedures to find and confiscate counterfeit documents....
Answer An H-4 spouse who does not have an EAD generally can be a passive investor in a business. However, one is not permitted to perform any work for the company, even if it is unpaid. And determining whether a particular activity is considered "work" under...
Answer AC21 portability is no longer an option after your green card has been approved. You typically are required to report to your sponsoring employer for work in this situation. (12.Feb.2025)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our...
Answer There is no set amount required to qualify for an E-2. Rather, what is required is that the investment be (1) substantial in a proportional sense; (2) sufficient to ensure the investor’s financial commitment to the successful operation of the E-2 business; and (3) of...
This evening, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released the March 2025 Visa Bulletin. Similar to the February 2025 Visa Bulletin, there is some progress in some of the oversubscribed categories, while others (e.g., EB1) remain stubbornly stuck in place. All cutoff dates listed refer...
The H1B registration period for fiscal year 2026 (FY26) is nearly upon us. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will kick off the two-week H1B registration period on 07.Mar.2025. And, while there are some registration system enhancements this year, the core process of submitting...
