The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released its visa issuance statistics for July, August and September 2018. Immigrant Visas For Vietnamese nationals, a total 2,637 immigrant visas were issued in July; 3,836 were issued in August; and 2,393 were issued in September. July: Only 83 of the immigrant
Is a Final Rule Coming on Changes to EB-5, Especially an Increase to the Minimum Investment Amount? The answer: Maybe. Currently, any change to the US$500,000 minimum investment amount in a Targeted Employment Area (proposed increase to US$1,350,000) would require the publication of the Final Rule for the related “EB-5
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced that it will define the term “public charge” for immigration purposes. Currently, interviewing consular officers at U.S. Embassies and Consulates are authorized to refuse a visa if it is in their opinion that they are likely to become a public charge.
Last week, U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs published the October Visa Bulletin. The EB-5 Regional Center category has been listed as “U” meaning unauthorized for issuance. This is because the Immigrant Investor Program (aka Regional Center Program) is set to expire on September 30, 2018. The
USCIS announced an increase in the premium processing fee for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker and Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, beginning on October 1, 2018. The premium processing fee will increase to $1,410. This increase will affect any L-1 and EB-1C petitions that our clients
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) August 9, 2018 policy memorandum revises the calculation of unlawful presence of those under F, J, or M nonimmigrant visa status and their dependents during their stay in the United States. Under the new memorandum, those holding F, J, or M visas who
In a new policy memorandum issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) last July 13, 2018, USCIS adjudicators are given discretion to deny applications, petitions, or requests without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) if the initial evidence is
Vietnamese spouses of U.S. citizens are generally eligible for green cards and eventually U.S. citizenship based on their marriage. In general, a person may only be naturalized after showing that they have resided in the United States as a green card holder for a certain prescribed period of time. However,
A series of small moves concerning the Trump Administration’s immigration policy have recently been undertaken. CNN reports the following actions made by the administration: Attorney General Jeff Sessions has issued a Decision directing the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) to refer cases for his review when such cases have issues
Every year, hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese apply for a U.S. visa, whether it be for tourist purposes or to become an immigrant in order to live out the American dream. However, some have found the process to be too long or the risk of denial to be too great.
What is ESTA? Short for “The Electronic System for Travel Authorization” (“ESTA”) Visa Waiver Program is a program of the United States government to facilitate visa-free travel for eligible citizens from participating countries. Launched in 2009, ESTA streamlines the process for visitors entering the U.S. for purposes of pleasure, tourism,
On June 18, 2024, President Joe Biden announced a series of immigration actions by using an Executive Order (“EO”). The EO, formally known as Parole-in-Place, are designed to help certain undocumented aliens obtain lawful presence within the United States. It consists of the following: Spouses and children of U.S. citizens
Enterline and Partners Managing Partner David Enterline attended the IIUSA 14th Annual EB-5 Industry Forum in Atlanta, Georgia in May and spoke on the panel “Investor Markets Overview: New Opportunities“. IIUSA is the national membership-based EB-5 industry association for EB-5 Regional Centers and other EB-5 stakeholders and professionals. Its members
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has issued an updated policy guidance on Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (“Petition”) explaining how the agency handles family-based immigrant visa petition approvals regarding correcting approval notice errors, requests for consular processing or adjustment of status, and routing procedures for approved
In U.S. immigration matters, a visa is a document that allows a foreign national to enter the United States for a specific purpose, such as tourism, work, study, family visits (a nonimmigrant visa) or to immigrate (an immigrant visa). It is typically a stamp or sticker placed in the foreign
The U.S. Department of State has announced a signing a Memorandum of Cooperation on Culture and People-to-People Ties between the United States and Vietnam. See the post on the USDOS website here. “Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Liz Allen and Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield met
The Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has announced a Temporary Final Rule (“TFR”) providing that the automatic extension period applicable to expiring Employment Authorization Documents (“EADs”) for renewal applicants who have filed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, will be increased from
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) new filing fees have taken effect for all files received on or after April 1, 2024. In addition to new filing fees, USCIS has also released new forms for certain petitions. While the new form edition dates begin on April 1, 2024,
Enterline and Partners U.S. immigration attorneys, Ryan Barshop and David Enterline recently spoke at the regional American Immigration Lawyers Association, Asia Pacific Chapter (“AILA APAC”) Annual Conference. The conference, which was held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, was attended by a number of U.S. immigration lawyers from around the
Following member’s reports to the American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”) that applicants have been receiving biometrics appointment notices either too late or with appointment dates that have already passed, AILA reached out to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) to request clarification and resolution. The USCIS acknowledged the
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