Today, December 9, 2024, the U.S. Department of State published a new Exchange Visitor Skills List (“Skills List”), removing a number of countries that would previously have triggered the application of a two-year home residency requirement, including Brazil, China, India, and South Korea. The revised list supersedes the most recent Skills List published in 2009. Unlike previous iterations, the revised Skills List is retroactive. Individuals that entered on a J-1 or previous

Published October 7, 2013 Due to the increasing number of corporate and personal transactions between the U.S. and China, many green card holders are forced to reside overseas for extended periods of time for work and living purposes. Does this free movement of green card holders affect their ability to maintain permanent resident status? In fact, the USCIS is very mindful of aliens who hold permanent U.S. green cards and do not reside in the U.S. or reside there for a very s

Published October 8, 2013 What is OPT OPT is an internship after graduation. For international students, the two most common types of internships are CPT and OPT. CPT is a work internship that you apply for while you are still in school. During the application process, CPT is easier than OPT, as long as the internship is related to your major, and you need to report to the school for approval. The OPT application is more stringent and has to be approved by the Immigration Bur

Published October 10, 2013 This article is a continuation of last week's article discussing the issues you should be aware of when applying for and utilizing OPT. Finding a suitable job opportunity in the U.S. has become an option for many international students. If you want to stay in the U.S., you have to switch to another legal status before or after the end of your OPT. For those who have an employer who is willing to apply for H-1B for you, they are faced with the questi

Published December 19, 2013 Job Title: Immigration Legal Assistant Working Hours: Full-time Location: Downtown Bellevue, WA Starting Date: 2018 Salary: Depends on Qualification and Experience Skills/Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree or above; Excellent English writing skills; Detail oriented, and highly organized; Fast learner with positive attitude to work and ready to take challenges; Strong sense of duty to maintain client information confidential; Eligible to work in the

Published November 4, 2015 Advance Parole An individual who files for permanent legal residence in the U.S. through adjustment of status (Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) may also file for permission to travel abroad while the adjustment of status application is pending. The applicant should file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, for an Advance Parole document that allows the individual to be “paroled” into the U.S. after tr