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 This is not true. We have seen a huge number of these RFEs questioning level 1 wages. However, these can be responded to, and we have already received some approvals. (25.Sep.2017)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that...
Answer If the H1B principal files for a change of employer, the H-4 dependents typically are not required to file anything. But, many people do to ensure that the H1B worker and H-4 family members all have the same expiration dates. (25.Sep.2017)In frequent sessions of our...
Answer One in this situation can apply for a B-2 visa "stamp," but it may well be denied because of the pending H1B and the resulting "immigrant intent." But, even if it is denied, this typically would not impact the H1B petition. (25.Sep.2017)In frequent sessions of...
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...
On September 1, 2017, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) revised its Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) policy guidance to consular officers regarding "misrepresentation" under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) § 212(a)(6)(C)(i). In particular, the DOS changed its policy on when a consular officer can...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has approved 10,000 U visa petitions for fiscal year (FY) 2017, the maximum allowed per year by law under this category. The U visa is reserved for victims of certain types of crime who cooperate with law enforcement...
Answer The USCIS announcement about the resumption of interviews for Employment-Based Adjustment Applications, starting in October 2017, is not actually a new policy but resumption of an old policy. It used to be that it was standard for all I-485 applications to be scheduled for interview...
As expected, President Trump signed a bill into law on Friday, September 8, 2017, to fund the federal government through December 8, 2017. The bill includes numerous other provisions, including emergency disaster relief funding, as well as the extension of the employment-based, fifth preference (EB5)...
Multiple reports from attorneys across the country have indicated that the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has a new policy prohibiting attorneys from entering secondary inspection areas at U.S. ports of entry (POEs) to meet or accompany clients. Although there has been no official...
