birth certificate
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Will the U.S. Government Accept my Foreign Birth Certificate?

Applications for permanent residency must include a lot of documentation. USCIS and Department of State require documentation of your birth. Ideally, this is achieved by submitting your birth certificate with your application. A birth certificate establishes the applicant’s country of citizenship and familial relationships, which helps to show eligibility for permanent residency. This also helps…

Hand holding a toy plane over drawing of the world.
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COVID-19 and Visa Processing Times – Read Now for an Important Update

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly slowed down the United States immigration process. Not only are consulates and embassies short-staffed, but vaccinations have not yet reached certain populations, making travel difficult. Visa processing times are still compromised. Because of continued COVID-19 precautions and limited resources, U.S. embassies and other consular posts are operating on reduced staffing….

Phone with YouTube logo.

News Flash: June Visa Bulletin Updates

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin provides vital information to those seeking to file an immigrant visa petition. Each month, a bulletin is made available to the public via the Travel.State.Gov website. It summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during that month for “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications.” This serves as an indicator of…

Image of chessboard, interfiling adjustment of status
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Interfiling – I-485 Application

Join our Webinar May 26 at 6:00 PM EDTTopics: Interfiling, is it the right choice for you? EB-2/EB-3 downgrade/upgrade discussion. How interfiling impacts your child’s adjustability? Visit Page https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdO4niyQnN8 Obtaining a green card in the United States is no easy task. The paperwork alone is voluminous and can be complicated without the help of a…

Woman holding her head sitting on the floor with a lap top looking sad.
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Termination of Employment and Green Card Application

Below is a summary of the various scenarios that may impact the status of an H-1B holder if they experience employment termination as they move through the process of PERM labor certification, I-140 petition, and I-485 application. The 180-day rule comes into play only once the I-140 petition has been approved. It is important to…

Phone with YouTube logo.

News Flash: Visa Bulletin Updates on YouTube

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin provides vital information to those seeking to file an immigrant visa petition. Each month, a bulletin is made available to the public via the Travel.State.Gov website. It summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during that month for “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications.” This serves as an…

Hour glass

Infographic: The Wait for Visas to Come to America

Applying for permanent residence in the United States can be quite a complicated process and each year the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) limits the number of visas available. These limits currently stand at 226,000 for family-sponsored visas and 140,000 for employment-related authorizations. Also, each month, the government announces wait times for visa applications, which…

We are hiring written in chalk.

PERM Degree Equivalency Issues: An Introduction

This is one of a multi-blog series about degree requirements and equivalency in PERM Labor Certification. Additional PERM information is available on our website. PERM Overview A U.S. employer that wishes to sponsor a foreign national employee for a permanent position must usually establish that there are no qualified U.S. workers to fill the position….

Were hiring sign

Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP) for PERM Labor Certification

The Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP) system plays a critical part in PERM Labor Certification and is the basis by which DOL may challenge an excessive job requirement by the employer in PERM Labor Certification filings. It is critical to gain a full understanding of the PERM certification in order to understand PERM Labor Certification filing.  What…