18 Mar 2026

I am from a country subject to the travel ban / visa pause, and my U.S. citizen spouse would like to sponsor me for a green card. Is there an exception to the travel ban for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens?

Answer The initial travel ban established by Presidential Proclamation 10949 for certain high-risk countries included a categorical exception for immediate family members of U.S. citizens. However, the subsequently issued Presidential Proclamation 10998 that halted visa processing for an expanded list of countries removed that categorical exception...

03 Mar 2026

My minor child may age out of their eligibility to immigrate as my dependent. Can my child file an EB5 petition as the main applicant?

Answer This is legally possible. However, if the child is under 18, advance planning is required to ensure that any investment agreements or related contracts signed by the child are legally valid and enforceable in the jurisdiction where they are signed. (03.Mar.2026)Sheela Murthy and other senior...

24 Feb 2026

My EB2 I-140 is approved. Is it okay if my brother also sponsors me for a green card?

Answer Yes, filing a family-based green card case typically would not impact an existing employment-based case. (24.Feb.2026)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more FAQs here.  Copyright © 2026, MURTHY LAW FIRM....

24 Feb 2026

My wife and I wish to move back to India. My son is currently enrolled in university and wishes to remain in the U.S. Can I gift funds to my child so that he can apply for a green card through the EB5 program?

Answer Yes, this generally is possible. As the gift giver, you would need to provide various financial documents, including seven years of tax returns along with evidence of the lawful source of the funds. (24.Feb.2026)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law....

11 Feb 2026

I am a green card holder and wish to file for naturalization. However, I took a trip of more than six months to India within the last 5 years. Will this be an issue? 

Answer While an absence of between 6-12 months is not necessarily a breach in residency for naturalization purposes, USCIS is increasingly scrutinizing absences of this length.  (11.Feb.2026)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click...

04 Feb 2026

I am a manager at a large multinational company in the U.S. I used to work as a manager abroad, but it was for an unrelated company. Can I file for EB1(c) as a multinational manager?

Answer Unfortunately, to qualify for the EB1(c) category, one must have worked as a manager or executive for a company related to the U.S. petitioner. (03.Feb.2026)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here....

04 Feb 2026

I need to get an English translation of a document that I am submitting to the USCIS. Do I have to use an official translation service for this?

Answer The USCIS policy manual states, “any document containing a foreign language submitted in support of a benefit request must be accompanied by a full English language translation.[32] The translator must certify that the translation is complete and accurate, and that the translator is competent to...

27 Jan 2026

My H1B visa stamping appointment was rescheduled, so I am stuck in India for a number of months. Also, my PERM was just approved. Does my employer need to wait for me to be back in the U.S. before filing the I-140?

Answer No, there generally is no requirement that the beneficiary be in the U.S. at the time the I-140 is filed. (27.Jan.2026)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more FAQs here.  Copyright...

21 Jan 2026

I had a religious marriage in India but did not register it. Instead, my spouse and I plan to register our marriage in the U.S. once we arrive. Is this permitted?

Answer Religious marriages in India are often considered legally valid under U.S. law. Therefore, you should register the marriage in India. Failure to do so may leave you without key evidence of the marriage for future immigration benefits. (21.Jan.2026)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance...

14 Jan 2026

I need to get an English translation of a document that I am submitting to the USCIS. Do I need to pay for an official translation for this to be usable with the USCIS?

Answer Per regulation, “Any document containing foreign language submitted to USCIS shall be accompanied by a full English language translation which the translator has certified as complete and accurate, and by the translator’s certification that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language...