USCIS Updated Policy Alert Concerning Direct Consular Filing at U.S. Embassies and Consulates

February 17, 2020

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) released an updated policy memorandum advising the Department of States (“DOS”) on adjudicating Form I-130 Petitions for Alien Relatives at U.S. Embassies and Consulates through Direct Consular Filing (“DCF.”) The policy memorandum clarifies that USCIS will no longer accept and adjudicate routine I-130 Petitions

U.S. State Department 2019 Novel Coronavirus Has Not Changed Visa Adjudication

February 13, 2020

The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) which oversees the visa adjudication process at U.S. Embassies and Consulates has not released any formal statement indicating that the 2019 Novel Coronavirus has resulted in the suspension of consular operations. A recent social media posting purported to be an official statement from the

What is Lawful Source of Funds and Path of Funds for an EB-5 Immigrant Investor?

February 5, 2020

The investment capital that an EB-5 Investor may use for his or her investment, called the “lawful source of funds” (“SOF”), can come from any source as long as the investor can prove that the capital or funds were obtained lawfully. Some common SOF are salary and bonus income, dividends

USCIS to Change its Processing Policy for I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor EB-5 Petitions

January 31, 2020

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced it is changing the way it will process Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor, moving from a first-in, first-out basis to a visa availability approach. The Form I-526 Petition is filed by someone wanting to immigrate to the U.S. via the EB-5

The United States Supreme Court To Allow Public Charge Rule To Take Effect

January 30, 2020

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a Trump Administration policy expanding the government’s ability to refuse immigrant visas and issue green cards to immigrants who are likely to become a Public Charge. The 5-4 ruling, which was divided on ideologically lines, will allow the new rule to

Establishment Of An EB-5 Regional Center

April 16, 2026

The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (“RIA”) introduced significant changes to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, including changes to the establishment and oversight of Regional Centers. A Regional Center’s establishment represents a strategic effort to stimulate economic growth by drawing in foreign investment and generating employment opportunities within

Step-by-Step Guide to the K-1 Fiance(é) Visa Process

April 9, 2026

Applying for a K-1 fiancé(e) visa involves multiple government agencies, including United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”), the National Visa Center (“NVC”), and the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate. As a result, the process requires careful coordination at each stage. If you are researching how to apply for a

F4 Visa Bulletin Update: Waiting Time for Family-Based Sibling Immigration

April 3, 2026

The F4 visa allows U.S. citizens 21 or older to sponsor their brothers and sisters for a U.S. green card. Because annual visa numbers are capped and demand is high, F4 has the longest waiting times in the family-based immigration system. As of October 2026, most countries face approximately 15

The U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program: History, Temporary Status, and Expiration Timeline

March 27, 2026

The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (“RIA”) reauthorized and reformed the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, a U.S. immigration program that offers foreign nationals a pathway to U.S. permanent residency through investment in American businesses that create jobs. A significant component of this program is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor

Vietnamese Names Listed in a Different Order on U.S. Visas and Green Cards

March 25, 2026

United States government posts have frequently listed Vietnamese citizens’ names on government documents in a different order such as on visas and Form I-551 (“Green Cards”.) This often happens because Vietnamese passports list names in the order of last name (or “family name” or “surname”) followed by the middle name

News & Resources

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