An L-1 visa allows a U.S. employer/company to transfer an executive, manager, or employee with specialized knowledge from one of its affiliated foreign offices to one of its offices in the U.S. The L-1 visa is divided into two subcategories: L-1A and L-1B. The former...
Topic: Immigration Articles
Waiving the J-1 Two-year Home Residency Requirement
Many people who enter the United States on J-1 (Exchange Visitor) visas are subject to the two-year home residency requirement under Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This policy prevents “brain drain” and furthers the mission of U.S....
J-1 Visa Program for Trainees and Interns
The J-1 nonimmigrant visa is specifically designed for exchange visitors. It is for individuals invited to the United States to participate in a variety of educational or cultural exchange programs. The U.S. Department of State (USDOS) administers J-visa programs....
What is an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number?
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) is for individuals who need to report U.S. income but are not eligible for a Social Security Number. If you need to file a federal income tax return, and do not have or cannot get a Social Security Number, you must...
A Beginner’s Guide to InfoPass
InfoPass is a free service that lets you schedule an in-person appointment with a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Immigration Officer via the Internet. If you have an immigration issue that is not a routine inquiry and would be best handled by a...
What is an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record?
An I-94 is an electronic document displaying a non-immigrant class of admission (visa type), date of admission to the United States (entry) and date of expiration of legal stay. It is an important document for legal status and work authorization, and enables holders...
I-864: Proving the Ability to Support Sponsored Immigrants
U.S. immigration law requires certain immigrants (applicants for permanent resident or “green card” status) to provide proof that their green card sponsor earns sufficient taxable income to prevent the intending immigrant from using public benefits. The green card...
Re-entry Permits for Returning Permanent Residents
“Abandonment of residency” rules are an important consequence to which Permanent Residents (PRs) are subject. Abandonment can result in loss of PR status for a legal or conditional PR who is outside of the United States for more than six months without advance...
Green Card Interview for Relatives of U.S. Citizens
In most USCIS Field Offices, the “green card” interview for an immediate relative (spouse, child, or parent) of a U.S. citizen is fairly straightforward. If there are no obvious issues, the examiner generally ensures that the individuals appearing are the same...
H-1B Visa for Workers in Specialty Occupations
The H-1B temporary worker visa lets professional foreign nationals work in the United States in specialty occupations for a period of up to six years. The application must be filed by the employer; an individual cannot obtain an H-1B visa on his or her own. The...
