"Can I file a green card for myself?" The Murthy Law Firm regularly receives inquiries like this from foreign nationals wondering whether it is possible to self-sponsor to become a lawful permanent resident (“green card” holder). While most of the employment-based categories require a U.S....
For most types of immigrant petitions, such as a family-based petition for an alien relative (form I-130) or an employment-based petition for an alien worker (form I-140), the petitioner must indicate whether the foreign national beneficiary will be applying for adjustment of status (form I-485)...
The use of domestic workers, such as live-in maids or nannies, tends to be less common in the United States than it is in many other parts of the world. Foreign nationals planning to come to the United States, in addition to U.S. citizens living...
Most foreign nationals in the United States must report address changes to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The legal timeframe for this notification is just ten days. The process is simple and free, and helps to facilitate proper delivery of official notices and...
The employment-based, fifth preference (EB5) immigrant investor program was established to help stimulate the U.S. economy though job creation and capital investment by foreign investors. Under this program, a foreign national investor is eligible to apply for permanent residency if the person invests the requisite...
Given the complex nature of U.S. immigration procedures and requirements, many individuals face lapses and potential violations of their immigration statuses at some point during their periods of stay in the United States. We frequently address questions about resolving status and related problems, including the...
It is not unusual for a foreign national to be sponsored for an employment-based, third preference (EB3) position, and to later "upgrade" to an employment-based, second preference (EB2) position in a subsequent case, based on a higher level degree and/or additional work experience. For many,...
In most situations, to obtain U.S. lawful permanent resident status (i.e., a "green card") through an employment-based (EB) category, one must be sponsored by a U.S. employer for a position that is full time and permanent. The foreign national must intend to work in that...
Cutoff dates in the visa bulletin have moved significantly during the current fiscal year, resulting in thousands of individuals being able to file their respective I-485 applications for adjustment of status. As a result, the Murthy Law Firm is receiving questions pertaining to use of...
In Part 1 of this article, MurthyDotCom readers were provided with a step-by-step explanation of the months-long timeframe required for preparing PERM labor certification (LC) cases prior to filing. This continuation of that article explains the steps the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) takes and...
