Will Those on Work Visas Get a COVID-19 Stimulus Check?
Giselle Carson Apr 29, 2020 in E-1/E-2
Through the COVID-19 economic relief package, many Americans will receive financial assistance from the government, subject to income restrictions. It’s a little more complicated for tax-paying foreign nationals, such as those here on a H-1B or F-1 visa. The distribution of the stimulus money is not directly dependent on immigration status but on whether the applicant: is a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or qualifying U.S. resident alien; is not claimed as a dependent on someone […]
Continue ReadingPremium Processing Suspension for I-129 and I-140 Petitions
Giselle Carson Mar 21, 2020 in Agencies (CBP, DHS, DOL, DOS, USCIS, ICE)
On March 20, 2020, USCIS temporarily suspended premium processing service for all Form I-129 and I-140 petitions until further notice due to the pandemic. What If USCIS Already Accepted Your Request for Premium Processing? As of this writing, USCIS plans to continue with premium processing for those petitions that already have an accepted Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service. What About Other Premium Processing Requests in Progress? For petitions mailed before March 20 that […]
Continue ReadingUnfortunately, some new H-1B petitions will not be accepted this year or might not get approved. I explore the options beyond the H-1B with my clients. But I’m so passionate about helping our clients achieve their immigration goals that I took the time to write a book about it. My book, Beyond the H-1B: A Guide to Work Visa Options for Employers, Foreign Nationals, and Graduating Students, is designed to help readers understand the most […]
Continue ReadingArbitrary and Unpredictable Consular Visa Processing Requests and Delays
Giselle Carson Sep 6, 2017 in Agencies (CBP, DHS, DOL, DOS, USCIS, ICE)
As part of the executive order “Buy American and Hire American”, we are now seeing and hearing about arbitrary and unpredictable consular visa processing requests and delays. These include processing for L-1 multinational managers or specialized knowledge employees; E-2 investors; O-1 extraordinary alien; and H-1B professional workers after USCIS has already approved the petition. This trend is unfortunately likely to continue because the Department of State updated the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), which it uses as guidance […]
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