The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of participating countries* to travel to the United States for tourism or business without a visa for stays of 90 days or less, provided they meet certain requirements. Travelers must be eligible to use the VWP and must...
Topic: Immigration Articles
What to Do if Your Green Card Hasn’t Arrived
Whether you filed for adjustment of status in the United States or applied for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate abroad, you should receive a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”)-produced green card delivered by the U.S. postal service. The...
The Green Card Quota System Explained
With the exception of the immediate family of U.S. citizens and refugees/asylees, United States green card allocations are subject to two types of quotas and a preference system that prioritizes certain green card categories over others. First, quotas are based on...
Travel while Adjustment of Status is Pending
Nonimmigrants in the United States in most statuses (including B, E, F, J, O, P, R, T, U and TN) who have filed Adjustment of Status ("AOS") applications (I-485) are advised not to travel outside the United States until their Advance Parole applications (I-131) are...
Switching from B Visitor to F-1 Student Status
It is not uncommon for foreign nationals visiting the United States to decide to remain to pursue studies. However, a visitor (B-1 or B-2 visa holder) generally cannot attend school before changing to student status. The recommended process for changing from B to F or...
Sponsoring a Spouse or Fiancé(e) for a Green Card or K Visa
Foreign spouses of U.S. citizens are eligible for permanent residence (green card) based on a valid marriage without being subject to a quota category. The only delay they face in obtaining permanent resident status is due to processing times. By contrast,...
Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility
Under INA Section 212(a)(4), an individual seeking admission to the United States or seeking to adjust status to that of an individual lawfully admitted for permanent residence (green card) is inadmissible if the individual, “at the time of application for admission...
How to Avoid Abandoning Your Green Card
You have many rights and obligations as a permanent resident (green card holder) that are important to remember and to understand. Not following the guidance below can result in the loss of your green card through abandonment. You have the right to: Live permanently...
Information for New Permanent Residents
Congratulations! Now that you are a legal permanent resident (“LPR”) or conditional permanent resident (“CPR”), or green card holder, you may have questions regarding your new immigration status. This article aims to provide you with answers to some common questions....
Green Card Strategies for Physicians
The permanent resident (green card) process for physicians consists of two basic steps: an immigrant visa petition, either Form I-140 for employment-based petitions or Form I-130 for family-based petitions; and an adjustment of status application, Form I-485. For a...
