The ongoing pandemic has made movement in the monthly visa bulletin even harder to predict than normal. Moreover, while the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can be painfully slow in adjudicating I-485 applications, some of these applications are unexpectedly approved rather quickly. This unpredictability...
Answer Ordinarily, it is possible to remain in the U.S. in a period of authorized stay based on a pending I-485 application. (08.Jun.2022)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more FAQs...
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...
Answer Generally speaking, if an H1B extension is timely filed, the H1B worker may remain in the U.S. for as long as the petition remains pending. If the petition is denied, the individual normally is eligible a grace period of up to 60 days or the...
The Murthy Law Firm routinely receives inquiries from people who are in the United States and who wish to "sponsor" a friend or family member for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa. The reality is that, ordinarily, one cannot actually be sponsored for a standard B-1/B-2 visa;...
Answer Although a person may apply for a B-1/B-2 visa for a particular purpose (e.g., to visit family) or a particular event (e.g., attending a specific conference), the B-1/B-2 visa normally is not tied to any specific activity or event. Rather, as long the visa remains...
Answer U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has indicated that, if a foreign national is engaged in a marijuana business in Canada, where there is no commerce with the United States, that alone likely would not make the individual inadmissible to the U.S. (12.May.2022)Sheela Murthy and...
Answer Having an approved L-1 petition would not prevent a person from requesting admission on B-1/B-2. The immigration officer at the U.S. port of entry virtually always has discretion to deny a person admission on a B-1/B-2, but having an approved L-1 petition would not prevent...
Regular readers of MurthyDotCom have likely come across the terms: lawful status, period of authorized stay, and unlawful presence. These related, yet distinct concepts can play a very important role in one's immigration matters. However, the differences can be subtle and complex. In many situations,...
Answer No, that is not correct. On its website, the USCIS "recommends" filing at least 45 days prior to one's I-94 expiration date. However, there is no rule requiring this. As long as the application is filed prior to the I-94 expiration date, one normally may...
