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. labor certification process, also known as the PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) process, is a crucial step in obtaining certain employment-based immigrant visas and lawful permanent residence in the United States. Here’s an overview of the process. Obtaining a Job Offer: Prospective applicants for a job in the
The U.S. Alien Registration Number, commonly abbreviated as an A-Number, is a unique identifier assigned to non-citizens by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”). This A-Number begins with the letter “A” followed by 8 or 9 numbers (such as A012345678). It is used to track individuals throughout their interactions with
Under U.S. immigration law there are several types of immigrant visas. We can generally break these into family based immigrant visas and employment and investment based immigrant visas. Under the family based immigrant visas, there are two subcategories. Immigrant visas for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens (spouses, parents and unmarried
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
In early 2024, USCIS changed the filing fees for certain immigration and naturalization forms and also released new versions of several forms. According to USCIS, the new fees will help to cover more of its operating costs and support faster processing of new applications. These updated fees and forms will
The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) has reiterated its earlier announcement that despite the worldwide suspension of routine visa appointments, U.S. embassies and consulates will continue to provide emergency and critical visa services. Healthcare professionals with an approved non-immigrant or immigrant petition such as an I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Workers
Are you a lawful permanent resident (“LPR”) of the United States and want to become a U.S. citizen? If you have been a resident for at least 5 years, or 3 years if you obtained your LPR status through marriage to a U.S. citizen, then you may be eligible for
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will extend in-person services suspension at Field Offices, Asylum Offices and Application Support Centers (“ACS”) through May 3 unless otherwise announced. While the extended closure covers interviews, naturalization ceremonies, and biometric collections, USCIS will continue to provide emergency and essential services that do not
The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) is encouraging medical professionals with an approved immigrant or non-immigrant petition (Form I-129, Form I-140) or a certificate of eligibility in an approved exchange program to request for an expedited appointment at their nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Although DOS has instructed consular services
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has announced that it is extending the deadline to reply to requests for evidence (“RFE”) and notices of intent to deny (“NOID”) in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. For applicants and petitioners who receive an RFE or NOID dated between March 1st and
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will extend the suspension of in-person services at field offices, asylum offices and application support centers through April 7, 2020. The USCIS had originally cancelled in-person operations on March 18th and was expected to recommence on April 1st in an effort to help contain
On March 19, 2020, the Department of State suspended all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa interview appointments as a response to the growing Coronavirus pandemic. International travel restrictions have been put in place around the world in an attempt to control the spread of the virus. With no predetermined expiration
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced that it will accept benefit forms and documents with reproduced original signatures for submissions dated March 21, 2020 and thereafter. The policy change was made in response to the Coronavirus National Emergency declared by President Donald Trump on March 13, 2020. While USCIS
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has temporarily suspended its premium processing option for all Form I-129 and I-140 petitions until further notice due to the ongoing efforts to contain the spread of the Coronavirus. Petitions using a Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing accepted prior to March 20, 2020
As of March 18th, all United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) in-person services at all field offices, asylum offices and Application Support Centers (“ASC”) are suspended in an effort to contain the spread of the Coronavirus. In-person services are scheduled to resume on April 1st. USCIS field offices will
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