The entry period for the fiscal year 2019 (FY19) diversity visa (DV) lottery has been restarted, effective October 18, 2017, due to technical difficulties that arose with the registration system. Anyone who registered for the DV lottery October 3, 2017 through October 10, 2017 must...
A key requirement of the employment-based, fifth preference (EB5) immigrant visa category is that the foreign national investor be able to clearly and thoroughly document the lawful source of the investment funds. The sourcing of the investment funds can be quite tedious, and is oftentimes...
Answer Unfortunately, the priority date from an employment-based case cannot be ported to a family-based case. Any family-based petition would be issued a brand new priority date. (23.Oct.2017)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law in...
In August 2017, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it would expand the use of in-person interviews for adjustment-of-status (form I-485) applicants in employment-based cases. Following the announcement, however, there remained a few lingering questions as to precisely whom this rule change would...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the November 2017 Visa Bulletin, which provides little-to-no forward movement in the heavily oversubscribed employment-based categories. There was no change at all in the dates for filing (DF) chart from last month, so only the final action...
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is considering regulatory changes to form ETA-9035, which is the labor condition application (LCA) used in the H1B petition process. Included in the proposal are significant changes that address offsite placement and H1B dependency. The proposed changes were issued...
Answer The "green card" process can typically be started at any time, regardless of one's current nonimmigrant status. (02.Oct.2017)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law in real time. For details on chat participation, click here.Access...
Answer Typically, there is no requirement that the foreign national be employed by the company sponsoring the PERM case until the green card is actually issued. In many circumstances, it can be helpful for the case to have the person employed by the sponsoring company from...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has issued instructions for entry in the fiscal year 2019 (FY19) diversity visa (DV) lottery. The DV lottery, often called the "green card" lottery, grants 50,000 immigrant visas each year to qualified applicants. Registration for FY19 begins at noon...
Answer One is normally permitted to remain in the U.S. in a "period of authorized stay" based on a pending I-485. (25.Sep.2017)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law in real time. For details on chat...
