VISA2US Blog

Immigration is historically a sensitive topic, and today’s attempts at reform are no different. The latest round of policy reformations include HR2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023. This controversial act has prompted groups like FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform) and many other public policy groups to write letters demanding HR2’s attachment to the federal government’s spending agreements after the end of this fiscal year. Will this act finally be passed? Read on to find out more.

Foreign nationals who enter the US via the temporary visa route, like a work or student visa, often decide to stay permanently. They must apply for lawful permanent residency and obtain a green card to do this. Not all visas permit this path, but the H-1B category, also called a dual-intent visa, does, all without needing to leave the country. You just need to file an Adjustment of Status (AOS) and go through the green card process, and we’ll explain how to do that here.

Getting a green card is a dream for millions of foreign nationals worldwide, but the application process is challenging and time-consuming. It helps when you have multiple avenues open to you because then you can choose the category with the least wait time, but that’s not always possible. The National Interest Waiver is one of the shortest routes to permanent residency. However, proving to the US government that your skills and work are of the utmost national importance isn’t easy, regardless of your occupation. In this article, we’ll discuss how F-1 and J-1 scholars, postdocs, and researchers can optimize their chances of approval for this coveted NIW document.

Occasionally in the immigration visa world, there is more demand from a particular country than the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services expected. When that happens, a retrogression may occur. In those circumstances, the State Department pushes back the final action dates for the EB-2, moving them backward instead of the typical forward momentum. This retrogression was recently announced in the USCIS May 2023 Visa bulletin as necessary to keep the number of immigrant visas under the FY 2023 limit.

Obtaining your green card is crucial when you want to stay in the US permanently. In addition to complex paperwork, you’ll also need to pass an interview at a USCIS field office, US consulate, or embassy nearby. Preparing for this interview will help you feel more comfortable when you’re talking to the officer. This guide walks through what you need to know before you head to your interview.

You can file your I-765 application on the USCIS website at the same time or shortly after you file an application for TPS.

Keep these in mind when you are applying for a work permit or when you are living in the U.S. with working authorization.

There is still no concrete path to permanent residency for TPS holders because of the admissibility criteria for I-485 applicants. However, leaving the U.S. and returning lawfully could create some viable options.

If you are planning an international trip as a U.S. visa holder, you might be wondering if you need to apply for advanced parole. See below for the rules and instructions for who needs this type of document.

The continuation of the IE program for non-citizens does not present a direct path to a green card, but does give IEs a chance to reside in the U.S. under parolee status and decide what to do next.