Starting the journey toward living in the United States often begins with a consultation session with a U.S. immigration lawyer. Some people immigrate through marriage, others through family, investment, or employment visa categories. In many cases, however, the rules and paperwork may feel overwhelming. With frequent updates to forms, fees,
In the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (“RIA”), the term “rural area” is used to identify locations that are eligible for the lower investment threshold of US$800,000 rather than the base investment amount of US$1,050,000. It is designed to promote investment in infrastructure, development, and economic growth in
A Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary, is required in every marriage-based Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative (“Form I-130”). The supplemental form is submitted with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) at the time of filing the Form I-130 which contains important background details about the
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) has announced an interim final rule that will significantly change how Employment Authorization Documents (“EADs”) are renewed. Effective October 30, 2025, foreign nationals filing for EAD renewal will no longer receive automatic extensions while their applications are pending—except in limited cases provided by
If you are applying for lawful permanent residency (“Green Card”) from within the United States, you have to submit Form I-693, which is a medical exam and vaccination record completed by a specific doctor. Submitting this form shows that you are eligible for a Green Card based on health reasons.
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
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
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
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
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,
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