September 2017 Visa Bulletin Released
The Department of State has released the visa bulletin for September 2017. This bulletin includes notes regarding the retrogression of family preference final action dates, the determination of the numerical limits on immigrants, and reporting address changes for cases being processed overseas.
USCIS has advised that in September 2017 it will accept adjustment of status applications for both family and employment-based petitions based on final action dates only.
To see the full bulletin, please visit:
https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/law-and-policy/bulletin/2017/visa-bulletin-for-september-2017.html
To discuss your immigration goals, please contact us at theteam@huwelaw.com or 415-496-9040.
Partner Isabelle Hurtubise Attends "How to Accelerate Your Start-Up" Presentation
On May 3, 2017, Partner Isabelle Hurtubise attended the "How to Accelerate Your Start-Up" presentation hosted by PLUG TechLink in San Francisco. At the presentation successful Polish tech entrepreneurs and top accelerator program graduates discussed different U.S. programs, from application through post-graduation mentorship and funding.
HuWeLaw is committed to serving foreign entrepreneurs, and part of that is understanding the current challenges and opportunities for our clients even outside of immigration law. If you are seeking advice and representation regarding your new business venture, please contact us at theteam@huwelaw.com.
May 2017 Visa Bulletin Released
The Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for May 2017.
This Bulletin contains notes on availability in employment-based preference categories, the scheduled expiration of the employment-based, fourth preference certain religious workers category and the employment-based, fifth preference categories, and the expectation that the Special Immigrant Visas allocated for Afghan nationals employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Afghanistan will be exhausted by June 1, 2017. USCIS has not yet advised whether it will accept adjustment of status applications for family or employment-based petitions based on filing dates rather than final action dates.
To view the full Bulletin, go to:
https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/law-and-policy/bulletin/2017/visa-bulletin-for-may-2017.html
For information regarding your specific immigration options, please contact us at theteam@huwelaw.com.
December 2016 Visa Bulletin Released
The Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for December 2016.
This month's Bulletin includes information about the scheduled expiration of two employment visa categories, as well as projections on future employment-based visa availability.
To see the full Bulletin, please visit:
USCIS has also just announced that applicants in the family-sponsored and employment-based, first through fourth preference categories may use the Dates for Filing Visa Applications chart, which is great news for many applicants!
To discuss your immigration goals, please contact us at TheTeam@huwelaw.com.
USCIS to Increase Immigration Fees in December 2016
USCIS has announced that immigration application fees will increase on December 23rd, 2016.
The average increase in fee is 21%. However, some fees will remain the same, while others will increase significantly. For example:
The fee for a Petition for Alien Relative will increase from $420 to $535
The fee for a Petition for Alien Fiance will increase from $340 to $535
The fee for a Petition for an Application to Adjust Status (a "green card") will increase from $985 to $1140
The fee for an Application for Naturalization will increase from $595 to $640
The fee for an Application for Employment Authorization will increase from $380 to $410
For more information, please visit:
To discuss your immigration options, please contact us at TheTeam@huwelaw.com.
November 2016 Visa Bulletin Released
The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for November 2016 and has announced that almost all applicants can use the Dates for FiIing chart rather than the Final Action Date chart, which is great news for those with a current priority date for filing!
This Bulletin
includes a reminder to Diversity
Visa
2017 lottery entrants to check their status using their unique confirmation number on the
Entrant Status Check (ESC) website
.
To see the entire Bulletin, please visit:
To explore your immigration options, please contact us at TheTeam@huwelaw.com.
October 2016 Visa Bulletin Released
The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for October 2016.
There was some forward movement in the Final Action Dates for most family-based categories. USCIS has indicated that they may allow family-based applicants to use the Dates for Filing this month, although they have yet to officially confirm that.
There was also forward movement in the Final Action Dates for certain employment-based categories. This includes EB-1 India, which advanced to current, EB-2 India, which advanced to January 15, 2007, EB-2 China, which advanced to February 15, 2012, and EB-3 China, which advanced to January 22, 2013.
To see the entire Bulletin, please visit:
To explore your immigration options, please contact us at TheTeam@huwelaw.com.
September 2016 Visa Bulletin Released
The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for September 2016. There was forward movement in the final action dates for the employment-based second and third preference categories for India, which advanced to February 22, 2005, and February 15, 2005, respectively.
To see the entire Bulletin, please visit:
To speak with us about your specific situation, please contact us at theteam@huwelaw.com.
August 2016 Visa Bulletin Released
The Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for August 2016.
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that all applicants are required to use the final action dates posted:
https://www.uscis.gov/visabulletin-aug-16
The Bulletin includes final action dates for the employment-based, fourth preference and certain religious workers preference categories for India, which
has reached its congressionally mandated EB-4 visa limit for Fiscal Year 2016. As of August 1, 2016,
applicants from India who filed the Form I-360 on or after January 1, 2010 will not be eligible for an immigrant visa or to adjust status until new visas become available in October.
To see the full Bulletin, please visit:
To learn more about your immigration options, please contact us at theteam@huwelaw.com.
TPS Extended for El Salvador
On July 8th, the Department of Homeland Security announced that it will be extending the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for El Salvador for an additional 18 months, from September 10, 2016, through March 9, 2018.
Current TPS beneficiaries from El Salvador who would like to take advantage of the extension must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period that runs from July 8, 2016 through September 6, 2016.
TPS was authorized by the Immigration Act ("Act") of 1990. The Act allows t
he Secretary of Homeland Security to designate a foreign country for TPS due to conditions in the country that temporarily prevent the country's nationals from returning safely, or in certain circumstances, where the country is unable to handle the return of its nationals adequately.
El Salvador was first designated for Temporary Protected Status on March 9, 2001, and the designation has been extended since that time:
To learn more about your immigration options, please contact us at theteam@huwelaw.com.
Visa Bulletin for July 2016 Released
The U.S. Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for July 2016, and has announced that all family-based and employment-based adjustment of status applicants must use the "Application Final Action Dates" listed.
The Bulletin includes final action dates for the employment-based, fourth preference, and certain religious workers preference categories, for Mexico, in accordance with the government's announcement
that Mexico has reached its congressionally mandated EB-4 visa limit for Fiscal Year 2016. Starting on July 1, 2016,
applicants from Mexico who filed the Form I-360 on or after January 1, 2010 will not be eligible to obtain an immigrant visa or adjust status until new visas become available.
To read the full bulletin, please visit The U.S. Department of States Visa Bulletin for July 2016
To learn about your immigration options, please contact us at TheTeam@huwelaw.com.
Attorney Nicole Abramowitz Weber Sworn in as Chair of AILA Santa Clara Valley Chapter
From Left to Right: Sophie Alcorn, Amanda Alvarado Ford, Yemi Getachew, and Nicole Abramowitz Weber, being sworn-in as the new AILA Santa Clara Valley Executive Committee
On Wednesday, May 25th, 2016, Hurtubise Weber Law attorney Nicole Abramowitz Weber was sworn in as Chair of the Executive Committee for the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Santa Clara Valley ("Silicon Valley") California Chapter.
What this means is that Nicole will lead the Silicon Valley Chapter of AILA from June 2016 through May 2017. AILA is a national association of immigration lawyers that was established in 1946 to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members. As chapter leader, Nicole will work diligently with her team to further these goals in the Silicon Valley.
Congratulations Nicole!
If you have questions about your unique situation as a current or aspiring immigrant, please contact us at theteam@huwelaw.com.
E-Passport Now Required for Travel Under the Visa Waiver Program
The Department of Homeland Security has announced that an e-passport will now be required for all travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP, or sometimes known as ESTA).
The Department's official press release states that an
e-passport helps to protect privacy and prevent identity theft, as well as to safely identify a passenger, as it contains an electronic chip that holds a passenger's biographical information.
Who is affected by this change?
Anyone who is otherwise eligible to travel under the VWP. This includes citizens or nationals of the 38 countries that participate in the program. To read more about the VWP, go to:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html
If you have questions about your immigration options, please contact us at TheTeam@huwelaw.com.
December 2015 Visa Bulletin Released
The Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for December 2015. There was no forward movement
in the dates for filing for the family-based or employment-based categories.
There was forward movement in the "final action dates" for the employment-based, second preference category for India, which advanced to June 1, 2007. In addition, the employment-based, third preference category for China advanced to April 15, 2012.
To see the full Bulletin, please visit:
To talk with us about your specific case, please contact us at TheTeam@huwelaw.com.
November 2015 Visa Bulletin Released
The Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for November 2015. There was no forward movement
in the dates for filing for the family-based, first and third preference categories for Mexico; the employment-based, second preference categories for mainland China and India; or the employment-based, third preference category for the Philippines.
To see the full Bulletin, please visit:
To talk with us about your specific case, please contact us at TheTeam@huwelaw.com.
Immigration Options for Entrepreneurs: Video Presentation
Last week, Hurtubise Weber Law presented options for foreign entrepreneurs at an event hosted by the San Francisco Bay Area group Idea to IPO.
Immigration lawyer Isabelle Hurtubise spoke with an audience of entrepreneurs in various stages of company development, including the idea, formation, version 1 product, mature product, and existing foreign entity phases. Her talk focused on making sense of the immigration laws with
practical
explanations of available visa paths, requirements for the E, L, and O visas, and the pros and cons of the current options for foreign entrepreneurs here in the United States.
At least 12 countries were represented in the Q & A segment of the presentation.
To view the full presentation, please visit:
Immigration Options for Entrepreneurs and Employees / 10.01.15 / Hurtubise Weber Law / S.F. CA.
To schedule an evaluation with Isabelle by video conference or in person at our San Francisco or San Jose office, please contact us at TheTeam@huwelaw.com or 415-413-8760.
E-2 Investor Visas - Buying a Franchise is a Great Way to Go!
E-2 investor visas allow foreign nationals from certain countries to come to the United States to invest in and run a company. The major benefit of the E-2 is that the investment can be quite low, as long as it is enough to credibly start and run a business. The unofficial rule of thumb is a $100,000 investment, but investments as low as $40,000 may be appropriate for businesses that require little capital.
An E-2 visa is based on a treaty between the U.S. and the foreign national's country of nationality - so it is only available to investors from certain countries. It is a nonimmigrant visa and does not offer a direct path to a green card. However, it can be renewed indefinitely, and the spouse of an E-2 visa holder can obtain work authorization.
To find out which countries are eligible, go to:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/employment/treaty-trader-investor-visa-e.html
Franchises are excellent investment candidates. The business model is already proven, and the required investment is laid out clearly in the franchise contract. In addition, frachises often have training programs, so the investor can show that they will have the skills to run the business.
E-2 visa applications are technical and complex and therefore require an attorney. If you are interested in finding out more about an E-2 visa, please contact us at TheTeam@huwelaw.com.
Visa Bulletin for October 2015 Released, New System Launched
The Department of State (DOS) has released the Visa Bulletin for October 2015.
This month's bulletin marks the beginning of a new system for notifying applicants of when they may apply for lawful permanent residency (a "green card").
DOS states that moving forward the bulletin will summarize not only "the availability of immigrant numbers for
'Application Final Action Dates' (consistent with prior Visa Bulletins)," but also "'Dates for Filing Applications,' indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center."
DOS notes that unless otherwise indicated in a specific bulletin, "individuals seeking to file applications for adjustment of status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the Department of Homeland Security must use the 'Application Final Action Dates' charts [] for determining when they can file such applications."
What does this new policy mean? It means that in the future an applicant
may
be able to apply for a green card earlier than expected. The new category of "Dates for Filing Applications" is therefore something to look out for in each monthly bulletin.
To see the full bulletin for October 2015, please visit:
Hurtubise Weber Law Trains Staff at the Valley Crisis Center in Merced California
Recently Hurtubise Weber Law paralegal Teri Picart was
asked to return to the Valley Crisis Center of Merced County (VCC) to provide training to new counselors at the Center. One year ago Teri gave a presentation to new staff regarding the U visa for victims of crime and
relief available for undocumented victims of domestic violence under the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
:
Due to popular demand, she was asked back this year to present to a new group of staff members!
The VCC "
seeks to prevent domestic and sexual violence by advocating for positive changes in the societal systems that my lead to oppression, fostering a better understanding of domestic and sexual violence through community education, and providing culturally relevant direct services that empower victims of abuse and their children." You can read more about the Center's mission here:
http://www.valleycrisiscenter.org/
The U visa allows victims of qualifying criminal activity, including domestic violence, felonious assault, sexual assault, and stalking, who have suffered substantial physical and mental abuse and cooperated with authorities in the investigation of the crime, to apply for work authorization and permission to remain in the United States in the short term. The U visa is a path to permanent residency (a "green card") and citizenship.
For more information about the U visa and how it could help you or someone that you care about, please contact us at TheTeam@Huwelaw.com.
September 2015 Visa Bulletin Released
The Department of State has released the Visa Bulletin for September 2015.
There was forward movement in most employment-based and family-based visa categories. However, the employment-based second preference categories for mainland China and India retrogressed to January 1, 2006, from December 15, 2013, and October 1, 2008, respectively.
To view the complete Bulletin, visit:
For assistance with your immigration case, please contact us at TheTeam@Huwelaw.com.
