Recent Blog Posts
Treaty Trader and Investor Visas
E-1/E-2 visa eligibility generally requires: A treaty between the U.S. and a foreign country or Congressional act; That majority ownership or control of the trading/investing company is held by treaty country nationals; and That each employee or principal of the company seeking E status is a treaty country national. Dependents (spouses and unmarried children… Read More »
The Challenges of Visa Waiver Overstays
This program allows citizens and nationals of various countries who meet certain conditions to travel to the U.S. for business or pleasure reasons, without first obtaining a visa. However, individuals who wish to enter the Visa Waiver Program must sign an agreement that they will not challenge a decision that prevents them to enter… Read More »
What to Do If ICE Comes
The most common question that I get is whether raids are going on now. The answer is that they are occurring, but they are not what many people think they are. The raids going on are relatively small-scale. Most of them appear to occur at immigrants homes and they typically involve a person who… Read More »
Green Card Sponsors with Criminal Records
I’m a U.S. citizen and I have a criminal record. Am I allowed to sponsor my spouse for a green card? Disqualifying factors What would disqualify a green card sponsor? As part of the process of reviewing a marriage green card application, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) conducts background and security checks on… Read More »
Can I File for U.S. Citizenship if I Have a Criminal Record
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) generally allows individuals with criminal convictions to apply for citizenship. However, the decision of whether or not you’ll actually receive citizenship will depend on the nature of your crime. After receiving your application, a USCIS officer will weigh the severity of your crimes against your displays of… Read More »
Can You Marry a U.S. Citizen While on a J-1 Visa and Get a Green Card?
In theory, nothing stops a J-1 visa holder from getting married to a United States citizen. However, the J-1 holder may not be immediately eligible for U.S. lawful permanent residence (a “green card”) based on that marriage, depending on the exact terms of the visa—in particular, whether he or she is subject to the… Read More »
What Israeli Entrepreneurs Need to Know about the New E-2 Visa
What Israeli Entrepreneurs Need to Know about the New E-2 Visa The E-2 visa will pave the way for business opportunities to Israeli-owned newly established companies in the U.S., as well as companies that are already operating and expanding in the U.S. In essence, the E-2 visa is designed for Israeli entrepreneurs who invest… Read More »
What to Expect at Your Naturalization Interview
What the USCIS officer will say and do during your interview for U.S. citizenship. Your naturalization appointment notice—which you will likely receive some months after submitting Form N-400—will tell you where and when to present yourself for your citizenship interview. After you receive this notice, you have only one major hurdle left to citizenship:… Read More »
Collection of Social Media Identifiers from U.S. Visa Applicants
On May 31, 2019, the Department of State updated its immigrant and nonimmigrant visa application forms to request additional information, including social media identifiers, from most U.S. visa applicants worldwide. This update – which we initially announced last year in the Federal Register – is a result of the President’s March 6, 2017, Memorandum… Read More »
U.S. Citizenship Requirements for 3-Year Married Permanent Resident
As a permanent resident who is married to a U.S. citizen, you are eligible for naturalization after just three years. This is a significant benefit (as it normally requires five years as a permanent resident before applying for citizenship). To qualify, you must have lived in the U.S. continuously for the three years immediately… Read More »