U.S. employers are competing for talent in a market that increasingly crosses borders. By 2030, 58% of the projected available jobs in America are predicted to be unfilled, and the companies that know how to navigate business immigration law will have a measurable edge over those that do not. A business immigration attorney does more […]
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The H-1B lottery has undergone its most significant transformation since the implementation of the electronic registration process in 2020. Starting with the fiscal year 2027 registration season (in March 2026), the Department of Homeland Security replaced the existing random selection process with a weighted selection system that fundamentally changes how 85,000 cap-subject visas are allocated […]
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If you feel you’re trapped in an abusive relationship with a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, your immigration status doesn’t have to keep you there. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides a critical pathway to legal, permanent residence without your abuser’s knowledge or consent. It takes courage to seek help, and we want […]
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When you’re ready to build a permanent life in the United States with your spouse, understanding your path to a green card is essential. Adjustment of status after marriage offers a way to obtain lawful permanent residence without leaving the country, keeping you and your family together throughout the process. Adjustment of status is the […]
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Read this blog and reach out to our legal team to learn about some of the most common mistakes on immigration forms and how to avoid them.
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Wondering what can happen if you overstay your visa? Read this blog and reach out to the Lightman Law Firm to learn more.
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Recently, USCIS has issued a policy update regarding EB-1 Immigrant Visa classifications. Read on to learn how it may affect you.
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USCIS has recently announced it would be extending green card validity for certain individuals. Read on to learn more.
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Read this blog to learn more about how to obtain a fiance visa and how our team can help you through the process.
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Are you facing deportation? Read this blog to learn more about the best defenses against deportation for green card holders.
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Read on and reach out to our legal team to learn more about some of the most common H-1B visa mistakes to avoid.
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Read on and reach out to the Lightman Law Firm to learn more about the U.S. Visa Bulletin and how it works.
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Read on to learn how the recent green card processing change is affecting foreign-born religious workers in the United States.
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Looking to get two E-3 visas? Read on and contact the Lightman Law Firm to learn more about how you can get them.
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Read on to learn more about whether you may have an opportunity to get a TN visa as a management consultant in the U.S.
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Wondering how you can get an E-3 visa as a qualifying Australian national? If so, read on & contact our firm to learn more.
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Are you an Australian national looking to get an E-3 visa? If so, read on and reach out to our firm to learn about where you need to go.
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Read on to learn more about what can happen if you lose your job while on a TN visa & how we may be able to help you stay in the U.S.
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Read on to learn more about whether a dentist can get a job in the U.S. with a TN visa and how our legal team can help.
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Are you a social worker looking to obtain a TN visa? If so, read on & contact our NYC immigration law firm for more information.
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Are you an industrial designer looking to get a TN visa in the United States? If so, contact the Lightman Law Firm today.
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Read on & contact the Lightman Law Firm to learn more about PERM labor certification here in the United States.
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As of yesterday, USCIS now automatically extends Green Cards for new naturalization applicants. Read on to learn more about the change.
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Read on and reach out to our dedicated NYC immigration firm to learn whether a librarian may qualify for a TN visa.
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Recently, USCIS made the decision to extend green card validity for renewals. Read on and contact us to learn more.
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Read this blog and contact the Lightman Law Firm to learn whether graphic designers are eligible for TN visas & how our firm can help.
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Mexican and Canadian mathematicians and statisticians may bring their skills to the United States by obtaining TN Visas. Read how here.
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Some of the best lawyers can be found in the U.S. If you have a TN Visa: Lawyer, you may join their ranks. Read more here.
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With a TN Visa in hand, a Mexican or Canadian architect can ply their trade in the United States. Read on for more information.
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If you're a Mexican or Canadian engineer, the U.S. has a use for your skills, which is why it offers the TN visa. Here's how you qualify.
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If you're a green card holder planning a trip outside of the United States, you should be aware that doing so may affect your permanent resident status. This blog discusses what you'll need in order to retain your permanent resident status and potential strategies for fighting accusations of abandoning your green card.
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You’ve been working on an E-3 visa for a few years now and you want to make the US your home, at least for the foreseeable future. You might want to engage in activity beyond the E-3, not have to worry about renewing a visa every 2 years and/or make the US your permanent residence […]
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What’s an I-751? An I-751 is a petition that is filed to remove the conditions on US residency.  If a couple is married for less than two years when their initial marriage-based green card case is adjudicated, the non-US citizen spouse is given conditional residency.  This residency lasts two years.  90 days prior to the […]
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THE STORY: The Trump administration is planning to prohibit granting asylum to immigrants who come to the U.S. illegally. The new rules will require asylum seekers to enter through official ports of entry like border crossings. THE CONTEXT: The Trump administration’s move to change asylum rules is being widely perceived as a way to crack […]
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This post is for anyone seeking asylum from Russia, Ukraine & Other Former Soviet Union Countries. Can people from the former Soviet Union apply for asylum? The short answer is yes – people from the former Soviet Union can apply for asylum. When we say former Soviet Union, we are referring to the countries that […]
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If you are an Australian citizen moving to USA from Australia and looking to work or live in the U.S., we can help with the ins and outs of securing a work visa or green card. Here’s a quick breakdown of the most common work visa and green card options for Australian citizens seeking to […]
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What is asylum in the USA? Non-citizens who are physically present in the United States and are afraid to return to their country of origin can apply for asylum in the United States, if they have suffered past persecution or fear future persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a […]
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Can LGBT people apply for asylum? The short answer is yes. Those who are LGBT or perceived as LGBT can be defined as a “social group” for asylum purposes. Applicants must still meet the general requirements. Asylum is for people who have suffered past persecution or who fear future persecution based upon a protected category. LGBT is a social […]
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L-1A vs. L-1B Visa This post will serve to highlight a few key differences between the two types of L-1 visas from a functional and strategic planning point of view. Since the specific definition and requirements of the L-1A visa and L-1B visa have been discussed in previous posts, we will start with a brief […]
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I’ve just received a Notice to Appear (NTA) telling me I am in removal proceedings. What can I expect at the Immigration Court? The Notice to Appear (NTA) is the charging document which places a non-US citizen into removal proceedings (formerly called “deportation” proceedings). The document contains a list of “charges,” in other words, the […]
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Denial of Pending Advance Parole Applications Reversing a long standing policy, the USCIS now denies advance parole applications when a green card applicant travels outside of the US while their advance parole application is pending. Prior to the reversal, the USCIS did not deny pending advance parole applications when an applicant traveled during its pendency. […]
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An overview of the timeline and various stages associated with the immigrant visa process when pursuing a green card based on marriage.
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In many countries in the world, Christians face brutal persecution by their governments, because of their religion. We at Lightman Law Firm are committed to helping those who are fleeing religious persecution, who want to live safely in the United States, and practice their faith. Did you know that there anti-Christian laws on every continent […]
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I am here in the United States, but I am afraid to return to my country of origin. What can I do? Non-citizens who are physically present in the United States and are afraid to return to their country of origin can apply for asylum in the United States. Asylum is a form of protection […]
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Have you seen the movie “Green Card” with Gerard Depardieu and Andie MacDowell? Well…you basically know what a “Stokes” interview is. But Hollywood is rarely an exact reflection of real life. If USCIS suspects that the marriage is not valid, they can subject the couple to a higher level of scrutiny. Also, if a non-citizen is […]
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You, the intending immigrant, have filed your green card through marriage application in the United States via the adjustment of status process. Congrats! Now what? Now, unfortunately, it’s a waiting game with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Below is the general and most common green card through marriage timeline for what to expect […]
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The E-3 visa, exclusive to Australian nationals seeking to work in a specialty occupation, is a nonimmigrant visa that does not tolerate immigrant intent. E-3 visa and non-immigrant intent Immigrant intent is the present or current intent to immediately apply for or pursue a green card in the United States or to carry on activity […]
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As a permanent resident, you can petition your spouse for a green card. Learn more about this process and contact us for help.
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I just entered the US on an E-3, now what? The E-3 visa is a popular option for Australian nationals, seeking to enter the US to work for a sponsoring employer in a “specialty occupation.” You can read more about the requirements for the E-3 visa here. But what should you be aware of after […]
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If you were previously granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA), you can request a renewal when your current period of deferred action is close to expiring. Renewing DACA is a bit less daunting than requesting DACA for the first time. To renew DACA, you must meet certain requirements before you can apply for a […]
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Learn what's required from a joint sponsor in connection with an affidavit of support when navigating a family green card application.
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Depending on how you apply for a TN visa, there may be no government forms required if you are a Canadian citizen! If you are a Mexican citizen, there will always be forms required regardless of how you apply. What forms are needed for your TN visa application? Canadian Nationals Let’s start with discussing the […]
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The Intersection of the LCA and the FEIN One of the first compliance hurdles an employer needs to clear when seeking to sponsor a potential employee for an H-1B visa, E-3 visa, or H-1B1 visa is to have a Labor Condition Application (“LCA”) certified by the US Department of Labor (“DOL”). An LCA is an […]
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As a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) you must reside in the U.S. on a permanent basis. Your home should be in the U.S. Taking residence abroad could lead to the conclusion that you have abandoned your permanent residence in the U.S. This can lead to losing your green card status. You are allowed […]
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EB-1C Green Card Option for Multinational Managers & Executives If you’re a managerial or executive level professional seeking permanent residence in the US, an option exists in the employment-based green card first preference for those with willing sponsoring employers. One of the three EB-1 categories is the EB-1C category reserved for “multinational executives and managers”, similar […]
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An Overview of the L-1B Visa The L-1A visa as previously discussed is a good option for multinational managers and executives seeking temporary employment in the US. If you are an intercompany transferee but not somebody in a managerial or executive employment capacity, you might be eligible for the L-1B visa for “specialized knowledge” employees. […]
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H-1B Visa Cap-Gap Explained As the “H-1B Cap season” has just finished, it is important to revisit some of the very common scenarios experienced by those in the F-1 visa status seeking to apply for the H-1B visa through the lottery next April. The “H1B cap gap” refers to a situation where a gap exists […]
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Renewing Your Green Card When you are approved for lawful permanent residency in the U.S., it is something you can hold onto indefinitely provided that you comply with all related rules and regulations. The “green card” is the document or card that a lawful permanent resident uses to evidence to an employer and various government […]
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US Visas for Real Estate Professionals The real estate industry in the United States has been experiencing rapid growth in the last several years. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the New York City metropolitan area. This seemingly limitless growth and influx of capital is attracting the attention of international real estate management and development […]
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Understanding the L-1A Visa The L-1A visa is an intracompany nonimmigrant classification that allows a foreign company to transfer qualified executives and managers to their U.S. affiliate, parent, subsidiary or branch. The L-1A visa application process initially requires the U.S. entity to submit a comprehensive petition detailing the transfer to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration […]
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Understanding the EB-1A Visa The EB-1A classification, or Alien of Extraordinary Ability, is essentially an achievement-based category for green card applicants. Individuals who qualify for this opportunity have shown extraordinary ability in their particular field of endeavor, which has in turn allowed them to rise to the top of their profession. Unlike with labor-based certifications, […]
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As a result of the Supreme Court’s holding on June 26, 2013 that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional, Janet Napolitano, the Secretary of Homeland Security, directed US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to adjudicate green card applications filed in connection with same-sex marriages in the same manner as those […]
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How can I go from the TN visa to green card? Under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a specific TN visa is available to Canadian and Mexican citizens. It allows certain Canadian and Mexican professionals to enter the United States for a temporary period to work for a U.S. employer. This post is about the […]
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Making An InfoPass Appiointment There may come a time where you, as a nonimmigrant awaiting green card approval in the United States, will need to temporarily leave the United States to tend to an emergency situation abroad prior to the approval of your advance parole travel authorization. In such cases, you will want to apply […]
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Understanding The Risks Of Applying For A Green Card Through Marriage You have just married your U.S. citizen sweetheart and now it is time to apply for a green card through marriage. After researching the matter online and talking with friends, family members, and colleagues, you acquire a basic understanding of the process…a few forms, […]
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Your Cheat-Sheet to All Green Card Application Fees (A Complete & Thorough Explanation) Wrapping your mind around the green card application fee structure can feel like a daunting task, especially when costs continue to rise and payment methods change. Understanding exactly what you’ll pay (and when) is crucial for budgeting your immigration journey and avoiding […]
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  An E-3 visa is a United States work visa exclusively for citizens of Australia. The E-3 visa came into being as an indirect, legislative offshoot of the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) of 2005. As far as U.S. work visas go, the E-3 visa shares many structural similarities with the more well-known H-1B […]
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Changing jobs while on an H-1B visa doesn’t mean starting from scratch. If you’ve received a better job offer from a new employer, you can transition to that position while maintaining your lawful immigration status through what’s commonly called an H-1B transfer. This process allows you to continue working in the United States without going […]
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Today’s post concludes our series regarding Employment-Based Green Card Applications. The third and final installment is titled, “Application for Permanent Residence.” Part 3: Application for Permanent Residence After both the Labor Certification Application and the Priority Date and Visa Petition portions have been completed, the applicant moves on to the Application for Permanent Residence phase. […]
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Today’s post is Part 2 in the Employment-Based Green Card Application titled, “The Priority Date and Visa Petition.” Part 2: Priority Date and Visa Petition After the successful completion of the Labor Certification Application, the next step is to receive a Priority Date, which is considered your “place in line” in regards to your eligibility […]
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This is the beginning blog post in a three-part series titled, “Employment-Based Green Card Application.” Today’s post is a summary of the initial step in the employment based green card application process, the Labor Certification Application (AKA PERM). Part 1: Labor Certification Application (AKA PERM) The first step in obtaining an employment-based green card is […]
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Under the terms of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), foreign professionals from Canada and Mexico may apply for a special TN visa that allows them to gain entry into the United States to work for a U.S. employer. As the USMCA (formerly NAFTA) has resulted in many business and trade arrangements between the U.S. and […]
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The TN visa under the USMCA, formerly NAFTA, is a work visa category for citizens of Mexico and Canada seeking to work in a professional capacity for an employer in the United States. NAFTA created economic and business relationships advantageous for the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, including the creation of the TN work visa. TN […]
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There are a variety of options for obtaining a US work visa for architects. Even if you are not a licensed architect, you could still qualify for a work visa in the United States in the field of architecture. In order to qualify for a work visa, you must have sponsorship from an employer in […]
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The R-1 visa is a great option for a Rabbi coming to the US to work in a Rabbinical role. For US immigration purposes, a Rabbi is considered a “minister of religion,” (one of several occupational categories of R-1 religious workers). This means that they are employed in a professional capacity in an religious vocation or […]
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Preparing for An I-751 Petition Now that you have a two year green card, start preparing for your Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence with these easy steps. If you have been married for less than 2 years at the time you are approved for a green card that was obtained through marriage to a […]
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There is a lot of information to process when sorting through the requirements for getting a visa to the United States. One of the most common misunderstandings is the difference between a Visa and a status. Many people use the two terms interchangeably, but they are two different concepts. This quick guide will lay out […]
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Things You Should Know When Applying For a H-1B Visa One of the most common and highly sought after U.S. work visas is the H1B visa. Every year on April 1 the U.S. government makes available 85,000 new H-1B visas. Of the 85,000 spots made available every year, 20,000 are allocated to the “advanced degree […]
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The E-3 visa is a 2-year nonimmigrant US work visa that is exclusively for citizens of Australia.  The visa allows Australian nationals to work for a sponsoring US company in a “specialty occupation” role. Although the visa is capped at 10,500 a year, it has never filled up. Intro Unlike some other types of work […]
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The purpose of this blog post is to discuss the type of evidence that is usually provided to meet the O-1 visa extraordinary ability requirements for an Art Director or Creative Director. Introduction to the O-1 Visa for an Art Director or Creative Director In order to qualify for an O-1 visa as an Art […]
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One of the most challenging types of H-1B visa filings is one where the H-1B worker will be placed at a third party work-site. The reason this type of H-1B visa filing is so challenging is because the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (“USCIS”) is highly concerned about a wide variety of issues pertaining to […]
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To conclude the ongoing discussion about the H-1B Visa application process from beginning to end, today’s post addresses the specific information required from the foreign national employee. If you haven’t yet viewed the previous H-1B Visa posts in this series, make sure to catch up on them first including the required information and documentation pertaining to […]
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A Canadian citizen has the following options in regard to applying for a TN visa: pre-flight clearance at an airport in Canada; airport in the US after entry from abroad; land border port-of-entry; or through the US Citizenship and Immigration Service. Below is an overview of these options. Applying for a TN Visa at Pre-Flight […]
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Continuing our ongoing discussion about the H-1B Visa application process from filing to completion, today’s post covers the information required about the specific job/position of the sponsored foreign national. If you haven’t read last week’s H-1B Visa post covering the general information and documents needed from the nonimmigrant worker’s employer, catch up on that post […]
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Things You Should Know About the H-1B1 Visa The H-1B1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa available to citizens of Chile and Singapore. Under the US-Chile and US-Singapore Free Trade Agreements, US employers may employ individuals in specialty occupations, for a specified period of time. The number of H-1B1 visas cannot exceed 1,400 for Chile, or […]
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I-94 form for immigrant visa If you are at any point in the application process for a visa to the United States, you’ve no doubt heard of the I-94. The I-94 is a document that tracks entrances and departures in and out of the U.S. It can also be used as proof of status for […]
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To continue our ongoing discussion of the H-1B Visa and the entire application process from filing to completion, today’s post addresses the specific information and documentation needed from the petitioner – the U.S. company. Required Documentation for the H-1B Visa Application H-1B Visa requirements stipulate that the U.S. employer, and not the foreign employee, is […]
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Under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), a Canadian or Mexican citizen who seeks temporary entry into the United States to work for a US company may do so with a TN Visa. The applicant seeking classification as a TN must demonstrate business activity at a professional level in one of the enumerated professions or occupations […]
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Advice On Applying for an E-3 Visa The E-3 visa is a specialty occupation work visa available to Australian citizens, allowing an Australian citizen to work in the United States for renewable two year periods. In order to qualify for an E-3 visa, you must have a sponsoring employer and a degree relevant to your […]
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The H-1B Visa is a great work visa for employment in the United States. The visa allows foreign workers to work in professional positions for an employer in the U.S. The intent of the visa is to permit employers to recruit and employ foreign workers for specialty jobs within the U.S. Spouses and children can […]
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One of the most important aspects of qualifying for an H-1B visa is making sure that the position and foreign national have met the required educational requirements. What does this mean exactly? In very simple terms, it means two things: The position requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in a specific field […]
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