Can I Expedite My Travel Permit to Attend a Wedding? Potentially! On March 21, 2024, the USCIS issued updated guidance (here) to clarify how it will consider expedite requests related to a pressing or critical need to travel outside of the United States for a planned event, such as a wedding (among other things). In […]
Can I Hire Employee with Irish Passport? Question: I am trying to hire someone with an Irish passport. Hiring an employee with Irish passport. Answer: This depends on whether the Irish passport holder has valid employment authorization. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Preliminary Discussion: What is the potential employee’s current immigration status? ESTA, B2 tourist, F1 student, J1 exchange […]
Today, the USCIS’ new inflation-adjusted premium processing fees take effect. Any Form I-907 postmarked on or after Feb. 26, 2024 with the incorrect filing fee will be rejected and returned. The full table of adjusted fees is: Form Previous Fee New Fee Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker $1,500 (H-2B or R-1 […]
Courtesy Notice from USCIS Lawrence Field Office This afternoon, I received a Courtesy Notice from the USCIS Lawrence Field Office advising me that an interview is required to complete the adjudication of a marriage-based green card application that I prepared. Although the interview requirement is less common these days, the courtesy notice is something […]
Marriage Green Card Lawyer Cost I recently wrote an article on the USCIS Fee Increase, effective April 1, 2024. This article is intended for those who are hoping to file a marriage-based green card application package before the fee increase takes effect! Flat Fee I charge a flat fee of $3,500 to prepare a […]
USCIS Fee Increase for Marriage-Based Green Card Applications, Effective April 1, 2024 Yesterday, the USCIS published a final rule (here) to adjust the filing fees for various immigration benefits for the first time since 2016. This includes the cost of filing a marriage-based green card application package. A marriage-based green card application package (with […]
USCIS Updated Guidance on Untimely Filed Extension of Stay and Change of Status Requests The USCIS just announced (here) an update to its Policy Manual, effective immediately, that “extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the applicant or petitioner” in timely filing a request for extension of stay or change of status, may now include […]
Can I Petition for My Stepchildren Over 21? Yes! A U.S. citizen or LPR stepparent may be able to petition for their stepchild to immigrate to the United States if the stepparent married the child’s birth parent before the child’s 18th birthday. Adoption is not required. Family-based green card options are divided primarily […]
What Happens If Spouse Dies During Immigration Process? I was recently informed by a client that her U.S. citizen spouse passed away last week. She wondered what impact her spouse’s death will have on her pending immigration processes: Form I-751, Removal of Conditions; and N-400, Application for Naturalization. Petitioner’s Death and Impact on […]
R1 Visa Premium Processing Fee The R1 visa premium processing fee is currently $1,500. See (here). Filing a R1 visa petition with premium processing ensures that the USCIS takes one of the following actions on the case within 15 calendar days: Issue an approval notice; Issue a denial notice; Issue a notice of intent […]
