The U.S. Department of State has announced a new rule that will change how individuals apply for the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Program.
Under the new regulation, individuals entering the DV Lottery will be required to provide information from a valid, unexpired passport and upload a scan of the...
The E-2 investor visa remains a valuable option for entrepreneurs from treaty countries who want to build or buy a business in the United States. At the same time, E-2 adjudications have become more demanding. Recent practitioner discussions suggest that immigration officers are now looking much more closely at whether a business...
Canada continues to adjust its immigration programs to address workforce shortages in key sectors. One important development in recently has been the introduction of category-based selection within the Express Entry system, which allows immigration authorities to invite candidates with experience in specific occupations that are in demand across the country.
Foreign nationals who plan to visit, study, or work in the United States are generally expected to demonstrate that they can financially support themselves during their stay. One concept that often raises questions in the immigration process is the “public charge” rule.
Recently, discussions about public benefits and immigration...
Many F-1 visa holders, particularly those who are engaged in OPT change their immigration status to become professional and specialty workers (H-1B workers). The H-1B cap is the Congressionally mandated limit on the number of individuals who may be granted H-1B status during each fiscal year. Most foreign nationals seeking H-1B nonimmigrant...
On January 20, 2025, an Executive Order was issued addressing birthright citizenship in the United States. The order proposes changes that could prevent certain children born in the U.S. from automatically receiving U.S. citizenship if their parents are undocumented or hold temporary immigration status. Although birthright citizenship has been protected by the...
Adjustment of status interviews are a routine part of the green card process. For many applicants, the interview is simply a final step before permanent residence is approved.
However, in certain cases, problems discovered during the interview may result in serious consequences, including case denial or referral to immigration enforcement authorities.
Because of this, it is extremely...
Recent geopolitical developments have prompted the U.S. Department of State to issue a Worldwide Caution alert affecting travel and visa processing in several regions.
The alert was issued after the launch of U.S. military operations involving Iran. As security conditions evolve across parts of the Middle East, several U.S....
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced new policies that could significantly affect asylum seekers, refugees, and individuals from certain countries identified as “high-risk.” These changes include pauses in processing for various immigration benefits and the re-review of previously approved cases. Applicants may face delays, additional interviews, and heightened scrutiny...
Immigration compliance has become a major responsibility for HR departments across the United States. With government enforcement increasing and penalties rising, companies must treat immigration compliance as an integral part of their workforce management strategy rather than a routine administrative task.
Organizations that develop structured compliance programs are better...
