A fee that used to apply only to new H-1B and L-1 petitions is about to reach a much larger group of filings. Homeland Security has finalized changes to the 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee, closing an exemption that let companies avoid the charge simply by keeping an employee on staff...
An employee who enters the United States in L-1B status and later gets promoted into a managerial or executive role can often go through an L-1B to L-1A conversion. That conversion matters because of how differently the two categories are capped. L-1B status tops out at five years total, while L-1A status...
Reports have been building over the past several weeks of noncitizens being stopped and detained at U.S. airports while attempting to board domestic flights, including people who have a pending immigration case or benefit application on file. Incidents have been reported in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, New Jersey, Texas, and...
Recent guidance issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has generated significant discussion among employers, foreign national professionals, and immigration practitioners. The memorandum reiterates that Adjustment of Status (AOS) under Section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is a discretionary benefit rather than an automatic entitlement, even when an...
For many highly skilled professionals, long-term immigration success in the United States requires more than simply filing an application when the time comes. Strong O-1, L-1, EB-1, and National Interest Waiver (NIW) cases are often built gradually over time through professional achievements, leadership experience, industry recognition, and careful documentation.
International travel has become increasingly complicated for many foreign nationals living and working in the United States. While many travelers continue to travel abroad without difficulty, others are experiencing increased questioning at ports of entry, secondary inspection delays, electronic device searches, and additional scrutiny connected to immigration status and travel history.
Many multinational companies structure executive compensation differently depending on the country where the employee works. In some cases, executives or specialized employees may receive compensation through a personal company, equity ownership, partnership structure, or other non-traditional arrangement rather than through standard payroll.
This often raises an important immigration question:
The L-1A visa is a valuable option for multinational companies transferring executives or managers to the United States. For startup founders and entrepreneurs opening a new U.S. office, however, one of the most difficult stages often comes after the initial approval.
Many founders are surprised to learn that obtaining...
The L-1 New Office petition has always required a credible business plan.
But in 2026, USCIS officers are scrutinizing these cases more closely than ever — especially when projected growth does not align with real U.S. market conditions.
If your foreign company is opening a new...
As employment-based immigration pathways become increasingly complex, many foreign nationals are reassessing how to secure long-term status in the United States. One option that continues to draw interest is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which provides a path to permanent residence through investment and job creation.
For certain entrepreneurs,...
