Introduction The immediate relative visas are designed for US citizens seeking to reunite with family members living abroad, specifically for spouses, children, and parents. These visas grant the family member a Green Card, allowing them to permanently move to the US, work, and enroll in school without requiring an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Notably, immediate relative visas have the advantage of not being subject to an annual quota. There are various types within this category, catering to different family relationships. The types of immediate relative visas are: IR1 visa for the spouse of a US citizen; CR2/IR2 visa for the unmarried children under 21 years old of a US citizen; IH3/IR3 visa for children adopted abroad by a US citizen; IH4/IR4 visa for children adopted within the US by a US citizen; IR5 visa for parents of a US citizen who is at least 21 years old. CR2/IR2 visa The CR2/IR2 visa is for Unmarried Children under 21 Years of Age of a U.S. Citizen who wish to enter and remain in the U.S. permanently with their U.S. citizen parent. This visa is valid for qualifying biological children, step-children, and adopted children. The CR-2 category applies specifically to someone whose parents have recently married, and allows the foreign child to obtain a Conditional Resident card. The IR-2 category applies after the parents’ two years of marriage when the foreign child will then be considered an immediate relative and will be granted a Permanent Resident Card. CR2/IR2 visa requirements The requirements are: The US citizen must have a valid birth or adoption certificate for their child; The US citizen must have a valid US address; The US citizen must be able to financially support the child; The child must be under 21 years old and unmarried. If the US citizens have already adopted the child, they must have been living with the child in a foreign country for at least 2 years to qualify for this visa. IR-3/IH-3 Visas The IR-3 Visa is available to adopted children of U.S. citizens who were adopted in the child’s home country. This Immediate Relative visa enables the adopted child to live in the United States as a Green Card holder.As an IR-3 visa holder, the child will be able to live in the U.S. and attend school. They will also be able to enter into higher education and obtain employment. The requirements are: The child must be eligible for adoption under the US Immigration and Nationality Act (INA); The child must be under 21 years old and unmarried; The child must be from a Hague or Non-Hague Convention Country; The US citizen parent must pass an eligibility test by USCIS; The US citizen must plan to bring the child to live in the US; The US citizen must have a valid US address. IR-3 Visas: The U.S. embassy or consulate will generally issue an IR-3 immigrant visa after Form I-600 approval if: At least one of the adoptive parents personally saw and observed the

Asylum in the United States is a form of protection granted to individuals who have fled their home countries and meet the definition of a refugee but are already present in the United States. To apply for asylum, an individual must demonstrate a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. As of the recent immigration laws in the United States, here are key components of a strong asylum case in the United States based on insights from an attorney:  Well-Founded Fear of Persecution: Establishing a well-founded fear of persecution is fundamental. This fear must be based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.  Personal Testimony: The applicant’s personal testimony is critical. It should be detailed, consistent, and compelling. Attorneys often work closely with clients to help them articulate their experiences effectively. Corroborating Evidence: Supporting the applicant’s testimony with objective evidence strengthens the case.  This can include affidavits from witnesses, medical records, news articles, or other relevant documents.  Country Conditions Documentation: Providing country conditions documentation to demonstrate the general conditions and specific risks in the applicant’s home country is crucial. This may involve human rights reports, news articles, or expert opinions on the conditions in the country of origin.  Legal Representation:  Having an experienced immigration attorney like Attorney Raju Mahajan and  Associates is highly recommended. The attorney can guide the applicant through the complex asylum process, help gather necessary evidence, and ensure that all forms are completed accurately and submitted on time. Affidavits and Expert Testimony: Affidavits from experts or individuals with relevant knowledge can add credibility to the case. Expert witnesses, such as country conditions experts or psychologists,  may provide testimony to support the applicant’s claims. Consistency in Statements: Consistency in the applicant’s statements is crucial. Any inconsistencies in the narrative can be used to challenge the credibility of the asylum claim. Affirmative Asylum Application Filing Deadline:  It’s important to file the affirmative asylum application within one year of arriving in the United States, unless there are changed circumstances or extraordinary circumstances that justify a delay. Work Authorization: Asylum applicants can apply for work authorization 150 days after filing their asylum application. Having the ability to work legally in the U.S. can be important for sustaining oneself during the asylum process. Appeal Process Awareness:  Understanding the appeals process is crucial in case the initial application is denied.  This includes being aware of the deadlines and requirements for filing an appeal. Continued Legal Support: Asylum cases can be lengthy and complex. Having ongoing legal support through all stages of the process, including any appeals, is important for a comprehensive and well-prepared case. Remember, immigration laws and policies can change, so it’s essential to consult with a qualified immigration attorney like Attorney Raju Mahajan and Associates for the most up-to-date and relevant advice based on the current legal landscape. Winning an asylum case in the United States is a complex process that involves thorough preparation,

Read part one here Application Process  The L1 visa process is quite different from the H-1B visa application process. Whereas H-1B visa applicants need to go through the US Labor Department, have prevailing wage certifications, and prove that no available US workers can fulfill the job position, L1 visa applicants do not need these. Read more on the differences between L1 and H1b visas. So to apply for the L1 visa, you will need to go through the following steps: Getting a transfer offer: The applicant must receive an intracompany transfer offer from their employer for a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge position in the US. Filing Form I-129: Employers are responsible for filing either an individual or blanket petition (based on eligibility) with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For individual petitions, the employer must submit Form I-129 along with the L Supplement. In the case of L1 Blanket Petitions, the employer files Form I-129S. Completing Form DS-160: The applicant needs to complete Form DS-160 online to provide information regarding their intent to travel to the US. Paying the L1 visa application fee: The applicant must pay the $205 L1 visa application fee and any additional fees based on their home country or reciprocity measures. Scheduling the L1 visa interview: Applicants between the ages of 13 and 79 need to schedule an interview at the US Embassy. Submitting L1 visa documents: The applicant is required to gather the necessary documents for their application, including a valid passport, photograph, DS-160 confirmation page, fee receipts, visa interview appointment letter, and other specific documents depending on whether they have individual or blanket petitions. Attending the interview: The applicant should attend an interview at the US Embassy, during which officials will ask questions to assess their eligibility and intentions. L-1A Visa Interview Questions: Interview questions focus on the applicant’s job position, managerial or executive role, and eligibility for the L-1A visa. L-1B Visa Interview Questions: Questions during the interview pertain to the applicant’s specialized knowledge, the importance of their knowledge to the company, and their place of work. Following a successful interview, the applicant will wait for visa processing and, if approved, send their passport for stamping. Visa Processing Time The L1 visa does not take too long to process. Individual petitions however, take a bit longer than blanket petitions, but the reduction in time is very small. In general, an L1 visa is processed for around 3 to 4 months from the time the application was submitted. Since there is an option for premium processing, employers who pay it can get the answer to whether their petition is approved or denied in 1 to 3 weeks. Visa Validity When an employer files Form I-129, they also determine the length of the contract, which subsequently dictates the duration an individual can work in the US upon L1 visa approval. The specified time frame is also indicated on the Form I-94 issued upon entry to the US. There exists a maximum allowable duration

Introduction The L-1 Visa, also known as the Intra Company Transferee visa, serves as a non-immigrant option designed to facilitate the temporary relocation of foreign specialized employees to work at their company’s United States branch. This visa permits the holder to obtain legal recognition as an intra-company transferee, enabling foreign workers to lawfully transfer and work in one of the affiliated U.S.-based offices of their parent company. Once within the United States, these professional employees can seamlessly continue their employment within a U.S.-based branch or subsidiary of their parent organization.  It is important to note that the L-1 visa is not exclusive to specific types of companies or particular countries. It is open to all companies, encompassing large corporations, medium-sized enterprises, and small start-ups, as long as they maintain a related entity in the United States that warrants the transfer of their employees.   Eligible Person  The Intra-company Transfer Visa is only available to employees who hold an executive or managerial position within their company or who have specialized knowledge essential to the business’s operations.   Successful candidates must have worked outside the United States for the same employer for at least one year within the three-year timeframe before their application. In addition, they must have specialized knowledge about the company’s products, procedures, and methods.   There are two different L-1 Visa tiers: ·       L-1A for executive managers ·       L-1B for workers with specialized knowledge   This permit is not suitable for international workers who wish to enter the U.S. to attend conferences or participate in training. If this is your case, you must apply for a Business Visitor Visa.   Eligible candidates must be transferred to work for the same employer in the United States or to a parent, subsidiary, or affiliate company.   Requirements for Employers  In order for foreign companies to be eligible to apply for L-1 Visas on behalf of their employees, they must first qualify for L-1 classification by meeting the following requirements:   ü  The employer has a qualifying relationship with a foreign company (qualifying organizations are a parent company, branch, subsidiary, or affiliate) ü  The employer is currently or will be doing business in the United States and at least one other country as an employer. In addition, this business must be done either directly or through a qualifying organization for the duration of the L-1 visa recipient’s stay in the United States.   It should be noted that doing business, in this case, is defined as the regular, systematic, and continuous provision of goods and/or services by a qualifying organization.   Requirements for Employees  To qualify for the L-1 visa, employees must meet the following requirements: ü  Your company must guarantee as a sponsor for your application ü  Both your local company and your organization in the U.S. must be linked by a qualifying organization ü  The employee must have worked for their overseas company for a constant period of 12 months in the previous three years ü  You must be actively