19 Oct 2023
19 Oct 2023

My mother is visiting on her B-2 visa and recently applied for an extension. If the receipt notice does not arrive before her I-94 expires, does she need to leave the U.S.?

Answer In order to remain in the United States in a period of authorized stay, the B-2 visitor must file the application to extend or change status prior to the expiration date of her current I-94. There is no requirement that the receipt notice be issued...

19 Oct 2023

The last time I entered the U.S. in H1B status, I was admitted for an extra 10 days. Am I allowed to work during that 10-day period?

Answer The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the ports of entry have the discretion to grant a 10-day grace period beyond the validity period of a person's petition (as do USCIS officers). However, this grace period does not provide any type of work...

19 Oct 2023

USCIS Launches New Online Change-of-Address Tool

On October 12, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) launched the new Enterprise Change of Address (E-COA) self-service tool for an individual to notify the USCIS of a change in address. The tool is intended to improve the speed and efficiency of updating...

16 Oct 2023

USCIS Extends Maximum Validity Period for Certain EADs

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that, effective immediately, the maximum validity period of certain categories of employment authorization documents (EADs) will increase from one or two years to five years. This procedural change should help to reduce burdens on applicants and...

12 Oct 2023

My L1A petition was recently approved. My employer is not filing my EB1(c) petition, based on the same foreign managerial position and the same U.S. managerial position. Does the L1A approval mean it is very likely the EB1(c) will be approved?

Answer On paper, the requirements for the L1A category and the EB1(c) category are extremely similar. In practice, the USCIS tends to adjudicate the EB1(c) category using a higher standard, as it is requesting a permanent benefit. So, while having an L1A petition approved certainly is...

12 Oct 2023

My friend and I are both in H1B status and are thinking of investing in a hotel together. We then want to use that investment to apply for green cards through the EB5 category. Is that possible?

Answer If two or more EB5 investors wish to invest in the same project, the investment must be made through a regional center. (12.Oct.2023)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more...