Introduction The Visa Bulletin, released every month, contains important information for prospective immigrants, particularly those seeking employment-based visas. The Department of State (DOS) has now released the eagerly awaited October 2023 visa bulletin. Background Prior to October 2023, USCIS directed employment-based visa applicants to use the “Final Action Date Chart” to determine their eligibility for…
News & Insights
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SEC Adopts New Private Fund Advisor Rules
SEC ADOPTS NEW PRIVATE FUND ADVISER RULES By: Kamden Crawford, Esq. On August 23, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) finalized new rules under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (“Advisers Act”) for advisers of private funds (“New Rules”) with the purpose of enhancing protections to investors in private funds. The New Rules can…
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Unlocking the Pathways: Exploring Family-Based Immigration
Bringing families together across international borders is a fundamental part of immigration policies. Family-based immigration not only unifies families but also contributes to cultural diversity and economic growth. Currently, there are various visa options that make this reunification possible. In this article, we explore the visa options and other key factors within family-based immigration, shedding…
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Understanding the different roles of USCIS, DOL and DOS in your immigration journey
Going through the Immigration process can at times be confusing and complicated. Certainly, the immigration process in the United States involves multiple government agencies, each with distinct roles and responsibilities. The three key agencies that you should be aware of include: USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) USCIS is a part of the Department of…
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Travel tips for F-1 students
Travelling should be a fun experience. However, returning to the U.S. and navigating the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) process usually isn’t. This article is intended for F-1 students wanting to travel on OPT, STEM OPT or Day 1 CPT. OPT Travelling on post completion OPT (initial 12 months) should not be problematic if…
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Case Study Discussion: L-1 and EB-1C Approval for Multinational Manager without issuance of any Requests for Evidence
The Patel Law Group immigration practice was retained to obtain an L-1A petition approval for a multinational manager. The petitioning U.S. entity, a fine-jewelry and diamonds wholesaler and marketer company, established in the state of New York, required the executive/managerial expertise of the beneficiary in the United States to serve in the role of President,…
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Case Study Discussion: E-2 Approval for Purchase of Existing Accounting Business
The Patel Law Group immigration practice was retained to obtain first-time E-2 status for a treaty investor and family. The investor formed a new entity in the state of Texas, to purchase part of the assets of an already established business in the United States. The purchased assets, namely a client list of the accounting…
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Streamlined Immigration Processes: USCIS Introduces Personalized Timelines for Form I-765 and Form I-131
USCIS has recently announced that they are expanding “myProgress,” previously known as personalized processing times, to Forms I-765 and I-131. Applicants will now have the ability to track the progress of their applications through USCIS’s online platform. According to USCIS, myProgress provides applicants with access, in their online account, to personalized estimates of their wait…
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Understanding the Impact of F2A, EB-1 and EB-3 Retrogression on Employment and Family-Based Immigration
For anyone who follows and reads the visa bulletin you are probably used to receiving bad news. Visa retrogression is part and parcel of the visa bulletin and the later it gets in the year the worse the new usually becomes. The August, 2023 visa bulletin is no exception. The visa bulletin is a monthly…