E-2 Visa Five Year Extension Approved for Canadian Citizen at the U.S. Consulate in Toronto Our client, a Canadian citizen, came to the U.S. with his family five years ago to start a niche automotive business under an E-2 treaty investor visa. The E-2 visa is an...
Immigration Tips
Is Your Degree on the STEM Designated Program List?
For many of our readers, and especially foreign students on F-1 status knowing and understanding if their degree is a STEM Designated Degree Program is critical to plan for their immigration future. This designation can determine whether or not an F-1 student can...
Are You Trying to Understand the New STEM OPT Rules?
I have tips for you! Employers, foreign students, and schools are looking for best practices to complete the new Form I-983, Training Plan. With this in mind, I have published a White Paper to assist. The paper provides examples to complete the training program goals...
Notifying USCIS of a Change of Address Is Important!
Our team receives numerous questions regarding this topic and this post provides guidance and answers to your FAQ's about changing your address with the USCIS. It is the responsibility of foreigners undergoing an immigration process in the U.S. to notify USCIS of...
Students not selected under the FY17 H-1B lottery who are currently working under F-1/OPT STEM should strategically consider taking advantage of the new 24-month STEM OPT extension
Students not selected under the FY17 H-1B lottery who are currently working under F-1/OPT STEM should strategically consider taking advantage of the new 24-month STEM OPT extension Below, I review some of the key points of this rule and offer action items. The...
Can I apply for naturalization with an expired “green card”?
You should keep your “green card” valid at all times and plan to apply for naturalization while it is valid. As a U.S. permanent resident, you are expected to carry a valid green card with you. The naturalization process is taking several months and sometimes up to a...
Can I Change my Name When I Naturalize?
USCIS does not have the authority to change a person’s name when they naturalize. However, you can request that USCIS issues a Certificate of Naturalization under a new name if: You present proof that you have already legally changed your name. Such proof could be...
Traveling abroad while a Change of Status is Pending is Fatal
Often foreign nationals are admitted in one category and apply for a change of status (COS) to another category while in the U.S. Recently, USCIS issued a memorandum reminding applicants applying for COS that if they traveled abroad while the application was pending,...