Recent media coverage has sparked concerns about international travelers entering the US, including the possibility of delays or denials at the US border, especially for travelers with ties to certain countries or political issues. While headlines may amplify isolated incidents, it is important to understand what the actual risks are, and are not, for different categories of travelers. The looming threat of a travel ban being instituted for nationals of certain countries by the Trump administration may also impact some foreign nationals, even if they have valid visas, potentially preventing them from re-entering the country should the ban be imposed while they are outside of the US. In an effort to provide clarity and help travelers make informed decisions before planning a trip abroad, we are providing a brief guide in an effort to minimize concerns and flag any potential areas of concern.
Read moreFY2026 H-1B Lottery Kick Off
Here we are, ready to kick off the fiscal year 2026 (“FY26”) H-1B cap. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced the initial registration period for the FY26 H-1B cap will begin at 12pm Eastern on March 7, 2025, and run through 12pm Eastern on March 24, 2025. During this registration period, prospective petitioners and representatives will be able to submit their H-1B registrations using online accounts and pay the required fee for each registration submitted on behalf of individual beneficiaries. The Service is maintaining its beneficiary-centric selection process launched last year for FY2025.
Read moreThe O-1 Visa for AI Innovators and Entrepreneurs
The first time I tried ChatGPT in action, I was impressed. While I would never use it to write a legal brief we have found lots of uses in our practice that save time and increase efficiencies. Of course, we all use AI technologies on a daily basis from opening our phones with our faces to getting directions and traffic updates to asking digital voice assistants what song is playing. The potential impact of AI technologies is huge, and not just for procrastinating students trying to get that essay written for school.
As with all technological advancements, innovators and entrepreneurs are leading the way, whether as highly skilled researchers involved in the creation or refinement of the AI technology, or as entrepreneurs adapting the technology in a new way to an old industry. In this post, we discuss one of the best visa options—the O-1 visa—for those AI innovators and entrepreneurs who want to live and work in the US.
Read moreA Message of Gratitude, Support, and Hope for the Year Ahead
As we approach Thanksgiving and the holiday season, I wanted to take a moment to reach out to you—our valued clients and friends—and express our sincere gratitude for your continued trust and support.
In light of the recent presidential election, we understand that the future may feel uncertain. However, we want to reassure you that we have faced moments of change before, and we are fully prepared to do so again. Our team remains committed to staying agile in the face of new developments, keeping you updated on changes to rules and regulations, challenging problematic USCIS decisions and processes, and continuing to deliver positive results for your cases. As always, we will advocate passionately for your rights, ambitions, and peace of mind, no matter what lies ahead.
This holiday season is a time to reflect on hope, connection, and the resilience we have shown together. In the year ahead, you can count on us to remain your dedicated partners, guiding and supporting you with the experience and resources you have come to rely on.
Wishing you peace, joy, and hope this holiday season, and a new year filled with opportunities and success. It is an honor to be part of your journey, and we look forward to continuing to stand by your side in the months and years to come.
New Policy Guidance for Extraordinary Ability Immigrant Applications
Is it easier to get a green card as a person of extraordinary ability given changes in United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) policy announced on October 2, 2024? The short but lawyerly answer is maybe. What is certain is that the new updates to the USCIS Policy Manual provided clarifications on the types of evidence that may be used to demonstrate eligibility for the extraordinary ability (E11) classification under the EB-1 immigrant visa. The EB-1 visa, specifically the E11 category, is an immigration pathway for individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate that they have reached the top of their field, with sustained national or international acclaim.
Read moreVisa Options for Social Media Influencers and Content Creators
I remember when I first downloaded Instagram on my iPhone. Like many others, I instantly fell in love with the app. Even if I was in my office in Manhattan on a freezing cold gray winter day, with Instagram I could be transported to a new restaurant in Mexico City, an art exhibit in Buenos Aires, or an oceanside bungalow in the Maldives (preferably sipping a delicious beverage). Sure, not all the photos in my feed were so glamorous or exciting—I still got plenty of food photos from my friends and family (looks delicious, mom!)—but, as trite as it sounds, Instagram opened a whole world of sights, people, and experiences (not to mention memes).
And thanks to Instagram and other social media platforms, we have influencers and content creators, two professions that have always existed in some form but not quite in the same powerful way as they do now. In this post, we’ll discuss US visa options for social media influencers and content creators looking to expand their horizons to the US. As always, this is a general post for informational purposes only. Any influencer or content creator should DM aka consult a qualified immigration attorney to discuss their specific situation.
Read moreWhy Have One When You Can Have Four: The State Department’s Four Visa Appointment Scheduling Portals
Over the years I’ve seen firsthand as an immigrant and immigration attorney how the consular process has changed and evolved at US Embassies/Consulates around the world. There was a time when, for example, the only way visa applicants could schedule a consular appointment at the US Embassy in London was to call a number. You know, use a landline. Talk to a human. Online scheduling was not possible. Those days are long gone.
Read moreThe Aftermath of the H-1B Fiscal Year 2025 Visa Lottery: Next Steps and Alternatives
In April this year, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced they had received sufficient electronic registrations for unique individuals for the fiscal year 2025 (“FY2025”) cap, including the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap). USCIS randomly selected properly submitted registrations and notified all employers.
Those with selected registrations were able to begin filing H-1B cap subject petitions for FY2025 as of April 1, 2024. The deadline for filing H-1B cap subject petitions online, based on a valid registration selection notice, was June 30, 2024, and paper-based H-1B cap subject petitions had to be received at a USCIS Lockbox Facility by July 1, 2024 (since June 30 was a Sunday).
Read moreFY2025 H-1B Lottery Kick Off
It’s time for the newly updated H-1B Visa Lottery! Upon introducing the final rule which initiated many changes to the fiscal year 2025 (“FY25”) H-1B Lottery, US Citizenship & Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced the initial registration period for the FY25 H-1B cap will begin at 12pm ET on March 6, 2024, and run through 12pm ET on March 22, 2024. During this registration period, prospective petitioners and representatives will be able to submit their H-1B registrations using online accounts and pay the required $10 fee for each registration submitted on behalf of each beneficiary.
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