The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the November 2025 Visa Bulletin. There is a bit of forward movement since the previous month's bulletin. All cutoff dates listed below refer to the final action chart (i.e., Chart A), unless otherwise specified. Visa Bulletin Summary Employment-Based, First...
On November 5, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) announced filing accommodations for employers affected by the suspension of OFLC operations during the government shutdown of 2025. The OFLC ceased operations on 01.Oct.2025, and OFLC staff who officially were...
Answer If you solely wish to verify whether a PERM has been filed, it may be possible to obtain this information by filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the U.S. Department of Labor. (11.Nov.2025)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies...
Answer It is possible to make an EB5 investment in a consulting firm, but it can present a number of challenges.One potential issue, in particular, is if you wish to have the business located in a high unemployment or rural targeted employment area (TEA). To meet...
The Trump Administration has directed the U.S. Department of State to issue new guidance directing consular officers to consider a significantly expanded range of health conditions when evaluating visa applications, including common chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and mental health conditions. Although...
The Validation Instrument for Business Enterprises (VIBE) program is a tool used by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to validate basic information about a company or organization wishing to employ a foreign national in the United...
Answer There is no need to add one’s wife to the I-140 in this situation. When the priority date is current, both spouses generally are eligible to file their I-485 applications, regardless of whether the spouse is listed in the I-140. (04.Nov.2025)Sheela Murthy and other senior...
Answer Once the primary L-1 visa holder becomes a permanent resident, they are no longer in L-1 status, and their family members are no longer eligible for L-2 status. The family would need to enter the U.S. prior to the principal L-1 visa holder becoming a...
Answer Generally, all documents submitted to the USCIS must be in English or accompanied by an English translation. Translated documents must be certified by the translator as complete and accurate, and the translator must certify competency to translate from the foreign language into English. (28.Oct.2025)Sheela Murthy...
An applicant for adjustment of status (form I-485) or naturalization (form N-400) may face denial on two broad legal grounds: mandatory and discretionary. Understanding when a denial is compelled by statute, as opposed to when it reflects a negative exercise of discretion, is essential for...
