In this blog post, we discuss an important topic: can you apply for U.S. Citizenship if you are still waiting to receive a decision for a pending Form I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). We will discuss a client’s hypothetical case for you to consider under what circumstances it may be possible to apply for U.S. Citizenship with a pending I-751 petition. Overview As our readers may be aware, the Form I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence is subject to lengthy processing times, with 80 percent of cases r ..read more

In this blog post, we will discuss the top five ways that foreign investors can get a green card in the United States. This post will benefit potential investors or foreign nationals who want to maximize their chances of gaining permanent residence in the United States. Overview If you are a foreign investor or an entrepreneur there are essentially five ways to self-petition for permanent residence without the requirement of a job offer or employment sponsorship. Option One: Green Card through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program The first option is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. This pr ..read more

One of the most common questions that we receive from applicants who are applying for a green card is what happens when your priority date becomes current? In this video we will discuss what it means for a priority date to become current, and the general steps that you need to take once this happens. What is a priority date? First let’s clarify what a “priority date” is. A priority date is a legal term used in immigration law which generally refers to the date when your immigrant petition was filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A “priority date” is important beca ..read more

  In this video, attorney Jacob Sapochnick discusses the grim outlook of the December Visa Bulletin. While we had hoped to see more forward movement for the month of December, very little changes can be seen when compared to the previous month. However, we hope that this video will be useful in providing some of our predictions for the Visa Bulletin in the coming months. Adjustment of Status Filing Chart December 2023 As in the previous few months, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will continue to use the Dates for Filing chart in the month of December to determ ..read more

If you are applying for an immigrant visa through Consular processing, you will encounter the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC is an agency located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, that is responsible for pre-processing your application after your immigrant petition has been approved by USCIS. The agency functions as an intermediary to collect further documentation from you before your interview can be scheduled at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas. In this video, Jacob Sapochnick discusses what can happen when the National Visa Center closes your case when no action has been taken. Overvi ..read more

Have you ever wondered how you can apply for a green card renewal while outside of the United States? In this video, attorney Jacob Sapochnick tells you everything you need to know about this process. We also discuss how you can travel internationally if your green card has already expired. If you want to know more about this topic, please keep on watching! Overview This topic will be of interest to permanent residents who are overseas and now have an expired green card, as well as those who want to travel abroad but have an expired green card. When you are issued a green card (Permanent Resi ..read more

Are you applying for an immigrant visa (green card) or fiancé(e) visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad? Then you won’t want to miss the important tips we share in this video. One of the most important pieces of evidence you will need to take to your visa interview is a police clearance certificate from your country of nationality to prove that you do not have a criminal record. While the process of obtaining a police clearance certificate may seem simple enough, it is very important to know how to properly request one to avoid delays following your interview. To know more about this topi ..read more

In this post, we share exciting news for Israeli nationals. The U.S. government recently designated Israel as the 41st country to join the Visa Waiver Program (also known as ESTA) effective November 30, 2023. In this video attorney Jacob Sapochnick discusses what this means and how it can benefit you. If you want to know more about this exciting news, please keep on watching! Highlights To travel under the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) you must: Be a citizen or eligible national of a Visa Waiver Program country. Not be in possession of a visitor’s visa. Your travel to the USA must be ..read more

In this video, attorney Jacob Sapochnick discusses different avenues that an employer may wish to take if their employee’s PERM labor certification has been denied by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). For those who are unaware, the PERM labor certification process allows a U.S. employer to sponsor a foreign worker’s green card so that they can live and work permanently in the United States. PERM is the first step the U.S. employer must take before they can file the foreign worker’s immigration petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) also known as Form I-140 Immig ..read more

  Are you interested in learning about the green card wait times for family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories subject to the annual limits? If so, then we invite you to watch this video about the newly released October 2023 Visa Bulletin. This is a Visa Bulletin you won’t want to miss because October is the start of a brand new fiscal year. The Department of State has confirmed that there will be an estimated 165,000 employment-based visa numbers allocated in fiscal year 2024, which ends on September 30, 2024. USCIS has confirmed that it will accept adjustment of ..read more