Can My Child Come With Me on a U.S. Immigrant Visa?
When you are a parent with plans to immigrate to the United States, one of the most important questions may be whether your child can come with you. The answer depends on many factors such as the visa category, your child’s age, his/her marital status, and your relationship to the person who is petitioning you […]
What is the NVC and What Happens After USCIS Approval? (2026 Guide)
Having an immigrant petition approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) is an important milestone, but for many applicants living outside the United States, it is not the end of the immigration process. Following USCIS approval, the case moves to the National Visa Center (“NVC”) which is under the Department of State […]
How to Petition Your Vietnamese Spouse for a U.S. Green Card?
Marriage to a U.S. Citizen does not automatically grant a Vietnamese spouse the right to live permanently in the United States. Before a Vietnamese spouse can immigrate to the United States, the U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (“Petitioner”) must first establish the marital relationship, complete the required documentation and have the process go through […]
Green Card Through Investment: Is the EB-5 Visa Worth It for Vietnamese Investors?
For many Vietnamese families, the EB-5 “Immigrant Investor” visa is one of the most direct ways to pursue U.S. lawful permanent residence (“Green Card”). However, EB-5 is not simply a matter of investing money and receiving a Green Card. Instead, it is a highly regulated U.S. immigration visa category with detailed requirements. Vietnamese investors should […]
Know Your Rights: What to Do if You Are Detained at a U.S. Port of Entry (for Lawful Permanent Residents)
Updated for 2025: Heightened Enforcement at Ports of Entry Like all international travelers, lawful permanent residents (LPRs)—also known as Green Card holders—are subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) when arriving at an airport or land port of entry. While LPRs enjoy greater rights than nonimmigrants when returning to the United States […]
F4 Visa Bulletin Update: Waiting Time for Family-Based Sibling Immigration
The U.S. immigration system provides a specific pathway for U.S. citizens to sponsor their siblings for lawful permanent residency (“Green Card.”) The Family-Based Fourth Preference (F4) category is dedicated to the brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens ages twenty-one (21) and above. While this is a popular route for family reunification, the F4 category […]
Visa Retrogression Explained: Differences Between Retrogression and Backlogs
Visa retrogression is a situation where the Department of State (“DOS”) adjusts the Final Action Date and Dates For Filing backwards on the DOS monthly Visa Bulletin. This occurs when the demand for immigrant visas in a specific visa category exceeds the estimated supply, causing applicants who were previously eligible to wait a longer period […]
How to Check Your U.S. Visa Interview Schedule (2026 Guide)
Quick Summary: Checking Your U.S. Visa Interview Schedule Question Answer Where to schedule a nonimmigrant visa interview? USTravelDocs.com after paying the MRV fee and completing Form DS-160 Where to check immigrant visa case status? ceac.state.gov using NVC case number and invoice ID NVC case number format for HCMC? HCMxxxxxxxxxx NVC case number format for Manila? […]
What Is a Proxy Marriage?
Understanding what is a proxy marriage has become increasingly important for couples separated by international borders seeking options to formalize their relationship and pursue U.S. immigration benefits. A proxy marriage refers to a legally recognized marriage ceremony in which one or both parties are not physically present at the time the marriage is solemnized. While […]
What is a Form I-130A? Complete Guide for Spouse Beneficiaries 2026
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 foreign spouse. Additionally, it helps […]