Substantiality of Investment for E-2 Visa Purposes – How Much is Enough?
Fitting a business plan into a regulatory framework is something every foreign investor hopes he never has to do. But fit it one must if the investment goal includes obtaining an E-2 visa. One of the key requirements imposed on the →
Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) decision – 10 year bar to reentry may not be triggered if departed with Advance Parole
In an April, 2012 decision, the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) clarified long-standing issue of admissibility of aliens who departed the US under Advance Parole document issued by USCIS in order to facilitate return to resume Adjustment of Status application, →
CHANGES TO E VISA PROCESSING LOCATION FOR ITALY
Effective December 1, 2011, all E visas applications will be processed in Rome. Therefore, all new E visa applications submitted after December 1, 2011 should be sent to the E Visa Section in Rome following the directions on the web. →
US Department of State Announces Expedited Student Visa Issuance Worldwide
On November 14, 2011, the US Department of State announced that all U.S. embassies and consulates will expedite visa processing for foreign students to ensure qualified students are able to begin their academic program on time. Worldwide, the maximum wait →
DOS Restricts Caps J-1 Visa (Summer Work Travel Program) Participant Level and Implements Moratorium on New Sponsors
Effective January 1, 2012, the Department of State is restricting the size of the Exchange Visitor Program (J-1visa) category of Summer Work Travel to 2011 actual participant levels. The Department is also announcing, effective immediately, a moratorium on designation of →
Temporary Protected Status Extended for Hondurans and Nicaraguans
Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eligible nationals of Honduras and Nicaragua for an additional 18 months, beginning Jan. 6, 2012, and ending July 5, 2013. Current Honduran and Nicaraguan beneficiaries seeking to extend →
New Version of I-693 Report of Medical Examination Form Must be Used After 01/01/2012
On Nov. 1, 2011, USCIS has introduced a new version of the form used to report results of medical examinations for those seeking certain immigration benefits, Report of a Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, Form I-693. Civil surgeons completing medical →
US Consulate General in Chennai Will Become Sole Acceptance Center in India for all “Blanket L” Visa Applications
Blanket L Visa processing to move to the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai on December 1, 2011. The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai will become the sole acceptance center in India for all applications for intracompany transfers under the blanket →
Relief for Nationals from Central America Stranded in the U.S. Due to Extreme Flooding
Certain immigration benefits may be available due to the Extreme flooding occurring in Central America to eligible nationals from countries in that region. These relief measures may include: Approval for a change or extension of nonimmigrant status, even in →
DOS to Open DV-2013 (Green Card Lottery) Registration on October 4, 2011
The 2013 Diversity Visa Program (DV-2013) will open at noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), Tuesday, October 4, 2011, and will close at noon, EDT, Saturday, November 5, 2011. Applicants must submit entries electronically during this registration period using the →