News & Resources

Clarification on STEM OPT Extension Reporting Responsibilities and Training Obligations

August 20, 2018

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced clarification for F-1 visa students completing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) participating in an Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT). In a document dated August 17, 2018 posted on the USCIS website, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) clarified

Final Guidelines on Unlawful Presence for Students and Exchange Visitors

August 13, 2018

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

USCIS Adjudicator’s Discretion Restored in Denying Applications, Petitions and Requests without Issuing RFE’s or NOIDS.

July 22, 2018

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

U.S. Department of State Vietnam Visa Approvals for May and June 2018

July 10, 2018

The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) has published a list of visa issuances for both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas for the months of May and June 2018. There were 1,643 immigrant visas issued for Vietnamese nationals in May. Eighty-four were IR-1 visas and 187 were CR-1 visas. The IR-1 visa

How to Apply for Naturalization if your American Spouse is Stationed Abroad

June 27, 2018

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,

USCIS Updates its Policy to Automatically Extend Green Cards for Naturalization Applicants

December 15, 2022

Effective December 12, 2022, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) updated the USCIS Policy Manual to allow it to automatically extend the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (commonly called “Green Cards”) for lawful permanent residents who have applied for naturalization to become U.S. citizens. This update is expected to

David Enterline Speaks at EB-5 Seminar in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in November 2022

December 12, 2022

David Enterline was again invited by American Venture Solutions Regional Center (AVS) to speak at its latest seminar in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on November 20, 2022. Mr. Enterline discussed the provisions of EB-5 law as a result of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 that was

Changing Immigrant and K-1 Visa Processing Venues for LGBT Applicants

December 5, 2022

The United States Department of State (“DOS”) in coordination with the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Department of State Liaison Committee (“AILA DOS Liaison”) recently published an advisory on changing venues for immigrant and K-1 visa processing for LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bi Transgender) applicants. Since the United States Supreme Court issued

Petition and Application Filing Tips from USCIS

November 22, 2022

Are you considering filing a petition or application for a U.S. visa or immigration benefit? These tips may help. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) updated its website with Recommendations for Paper Filings to Avoid Scanning Delays. Published on November 16, 2022, these filing tips are very useful

Partial Investments in the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

October 31, 2022

The EB-5 immigrant investor regulations allow an investor to make a partial investment at the time of filing the Form I-526 and Form I-526E, Immigrant Petition by an Investor and to make the remaining investment at a later date. This is confirmed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests Through January 2023

October 26, 2022

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) is extending certain COVID-19-related flexibilities through January 24, 2023. The flexibilities, which have been extended multiple times, the latest in March 2022 and again in October 2022 are to assist applicants, petitioners, and requestors have more time to reply to various USCIS requests.

CATEGORY

National Visa Center/American Institute In Taiwan No Longer Accepting Taiwan Birth Certificates

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