On December 27, 2023, USCIS announced the filing fee for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing. The increase is attributed to the need to adjust for inflation from June 2021 through June 2023. The revenue generated by the fee increase will help the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continue to provide premium processing services, improve...
Immigration Blog
Employment-based green cards are subject to numerical limitations, leading to competition for available visas. Professionals in high-demand fields may face challenges due to visa quotas, impacting their ability to contribute to the U.S. workforce. Countries like India face extensive backlogs and the number of available visas has a profound impact on the advancement and/or retrogression...
On November 28, 2023, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) provided updates regarding the long-anticipated pilot program for renewing visas domestically. Starting as soon as December 2023, this program will allow certain foreign nationals to renew or apply for their next visa while within the United States. Individuals residing and working in the United States...
Navigating the intricate web of immigration options can be exciting yet complex. The decision between the E-2 visa and EB-5 visa may appear straightforward for foreign investors and entrepreneurs. However, these visas diverge significantly in their requirements, benefits, and long-term pathways to permanent residency. Discerning which visa is most suitable for you will depend on...
Background: Pre-2009 Policy Before 2009, the death of a petitioner or principal applicant during the application process could lead to the denial of the petition, resulting in an individual not being able to complete the processing of their green card application. However, in 2009, Congress introduced a rule allowing individuals to obtain immigration benefits even...
Students In the dynamic landscape of immigration and employment, international students on F-1 visas in the United States often face uncertainties, particularly when transitioning to H-1B nonimmigrant status. What happens if a student, approved for a change to H-1B status, is laid off or terminated by their H-1B employer before officially obtaining the new status?...
Legal Precedent: Zhang v. USCIS (2020) Traditionally, USCIS has treated unsecured loans as unviable sources of EB-5 funds. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, however, changed the landscape of the EB-5 program in 2020 when it concluded in Zhang v. USCIS, 978 F. 3d 1314, 1319-22 (D.C. Cir. 2020) that loan proceeds...
In 1990, Congress created the EB-5 visa program. It aims to encourage foreign investors to create jobs and invest in the U.S. economy. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) administers the EB-5 program. It lets foreign investors get U.S. permanent residency as green card holders. Their spouses and unmarried children under 21 can also...