POLICY & ANALYSIS
Application guides, policy context and the details behind immigration decisions.
This article explains why F-2 dependents may seek a work visa and outlines main pathways, including H-1B, O-1, L-1, F-2 to F-1 with OPT/CPT, and EB green cards, covering steps, requirements, timelines, difficulty, and FAQs.
Based on an H-1B-holding IT engineer's shared experience, this account describes how he confirmed whether a new employer would need to go through the lottery, explained the H-1B transfer process, documents and fees to the new employer, and covers the LCA and I-129 filing sequence, the 60-day grace period, premium processing and the risk of denial. It is for reference only and is not legal advice.
The article explains that B1/B2 visa holders may not work while in the United States, including remote work for a foreign employer or self-employment generating income, and notes the same restriction applies to other visa types such as J, F and M without work authorization. It also clarifies that a USCIS statement about searching for and interviewing for jobs in B1/B2 status does not mean work is permitted.
Using the case of a Harvard MD resident responding to a Notice of Intent to Deny, the article explains that EB-1A focuses on achievements already attained while NIW focuses on proposed future work and its national importance, and addresses how to handle unpublished work and a change of research direction in each type of petition.
This guide explains how to file Form I-751 to convert a marriage-based conditional green card to a 10-year permanent green card, covering who may file, required documents and fees, extra evidence for special circumstances, part-by-part form instructions, mailing addresses, and notices received after filing.
Using the 2023 version as an example, this article explains the information on a U.S. green card, focusing on why the date of birth appears five times and why date formats mix day/month/year and month/day/year. It also covers name, place of birth, A-number, class code, gender options, resident since date, and back-side codes.
Based on U.S. Department of State explanations and provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, this article explains the legal definition of U.S. 'non-citizen nationals,' the main applicable groups (such as those born in American Samoa and Swains Island), how their passports are annotated, and compares the differences between nationals and citizens regarding voting rights, family-based immigration petitions, and federal employment opportunities.
This article explains the parole-in-place program announced by President Biden on June 18, 2024, which would allow certain undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens to apply for green cards without leaving the country, potentially benefiting about 550,000 people. It covers the background, legal basis, eligibility criteria, and scope of beneficiaries, noting that applications are not yet open and forms and fees are not yet announced.
This article explains the U.S. O-1 extraordinary ability visa, covering O-1A and O-1B subcategories, evidence requirements by field, processing times, validity, fees, and application steps, along with self-petitioning for entrepreneurs, premium processing, and common questions.
This guide explains how to self-petition for an EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW): I-140 and green card fees, adjustment of status versus consular processing and their processing times, the three NIW eligibility criteria and the factors USCIS considers, evidence checklists for the advanced degree and exceptional ability categories, and answers to common questions.
Two immigration attorneys discuss common questions about marriage green cards, covering differences between U.S. citizens and green card holders petitioning for spouses, the two-step I-130 and adjustment/consular processing, processing times and interview waivers, keys to success and biggest challenges, ways overseas couples prove a bona fide marriage, possible denial reasons, interview questions, and financial sponsor requirements.
This article outlines possible pathways for undocumented immigrants to obtain legal status or green cards, including marriage-based green cards, asylum, U visas, LIFE Act 245(i) protection, registry, and cancellation of removal, explaining the conditions and limits of each.
