USCIS Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests Through March 2023

February 3, 2023

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) is extending certain COVID-19-related flexibilities through March 23, 2023. The flexibilities, which were initially scheduled to expire on January 24, 2023 were previously extended in March and October 2022 are to assist applicants, petitioners and requestors in being allocated additional time to

USCIS Extends Green Card Validity To 48 Months For EB-5 Investors And Married Conditional Permanent Residents

February 1, 2023

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) is extending the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as “Green Cards”) for petitioners who properly file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, or Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status for 48 months

The Public Charge Rule – A Summary from the American Immigration Lawyers Association

January 30, 2023

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Fees to Increase for Investors and Regional Centers

January 12, 2023

The Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) published a Notice of Proposed Rule-Making (“NPRM”) to adjust fees for various immigration benefits provided by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”). Included in the NPRM are proposed fees for many forms used under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program (“EB-5 Program.”). Fees

EB-5 “Promoters” and “Migration Agents” Now Required to Register with USCIS

January 10, 2023

On January 4, 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) published Form I-956K, Registration for Direct and Third-Party Promoters which is now required to be completed and filed by any person or company that is acting as a direct or third-party promoter or migration agent (a “Promoter”) of: A

EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022

March 28, 2022

The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (“Act”) was passed by Congress and signed by President Biden on March 15, 2022. Most of the provisions of the Act will become effective 60 days from enactment, which will be the middle of May 2022. The Act includes many changes to

How Often Can Someone Visit and Stay in the United States on a B-1 B-2 Visitor Visa?

March 22, 2022

It is often misunderstood that those who enter the United States on a B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa and granted a 6 month stay are allowed to leave the United States, re-enter and be granted another 6 months upon re-arrival. While there may be reasons why this is acceptable, and many visitors

What is the Doctrine of Consular Nonreviewability?

March 11, 2022

The doctrine of consular nonreviewability refers to visa decisions decided by consular officers at U.S. Embassies and Consulates cannot be appealed to courts within the United States. The doctrine applies very broadly to decisions made by consular officers whether they apply to foreign nationals who have been refused an immigrant

No Changes to EB-5 Category in the March 2022 Visa Bulletin

March 7, 2022

The Department of State (“DOS”) March 2022 visa bulletin continues to show EB-5 regional center visa categories (I5 and R5) unavailable (U) because the EB-5 regional center program remains expired. Read more: the regional center program (“Program”) having lapsed on June 30, 2021. Visas in non-regional center visa categories (C5

What is a K-3 Visa and How is it Different from a CR-1/ IR-1 Visa?

March 2, 2022

Quick Comparison: K-3 vs CR-1/IR-1 K-3 Visa CR-1/IR-1 Visa Visa type Nonimmigrant Immigrant Who qualifies Spouse of a U.S. citizen Spouse of a U.S. citizen (IR-1) or LPR (CR-1) Primary forms I-130 + I-129F I-130 Status upon entry Nonimmigrant; must file AOS after arriving Immigrant immediately; becomes LPR at port

Expediting Employment Authorization and Advance Parole Travel Documents

January 28, 2022

Five years ago, USCIS routinely took three months to issue employment authorization documents (EADs) and advance parole (AP) travel documents. Prior to the pandemic, USCIS was taking approximately six months to issue them. Now, USCIS can take nine months or longer to issue these documents. These delays create huge hardships to organizations

News & Resources

CATEGORY

EB-5 Investors Face Significant USCIS Filing Fee Increases

What Are the Financial Requirements to Sponsor a Spouse from Vietnam or the Philippines?

EB-5 Capital Redeployment Under The RIA

Can My Child Come With Me on a U.S. Immigrant Visa?

How to Prove a Bona Fide Marriage for a U.S. Spousal Visa