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Buffalo: (716) 970-4007 | Toronto: (866) 697-1832
Canadian citizens are visa-exempt and generally do not require a visa stamp before entering the United States. When entering the United States via a land port, Canadians are often admitted without CBP Form I-94, a passport stamp, or any other admission record. We discuss admission to the United States as a “non-controlled Canadian” with no I-94 here.
Visitors to the United States (B Visa) can enter for many reasons. Citizens of most foreign countries require a visitor visa prior to entry while some foreign nationals are visa-exempt or can participate in the visa waiver program. In any case, prior to entry to the United States as a visitor, you need to be certain that your intended activities fall within the limits of the B visa. We discuss entering the United States as a volunteer for a non-profit or religious organization below.
If you have a friend or family member coming from another country to visit you in the United States, you might be asked to write an invitation letter. Although not a requirement, an invitation letter from a US citizen or legal permanent resident (LPR), can strengthen your B visa application. Invitation letters are helpful because they detail that you will have a place to stay, sufficient financial support, and a definitive departure date. We discuss invitation letters for US visitor visas here.
Visitors to the United States (B Visa) can enter for many reasons. Citizens of most foreign countries require a visitor visa prior to entry while some foreign nationals are visa-exempt or can participate in the visa waiver program. In any case, prior to entry to the United States as a visitor, you need to be certain that your intended activities fall within the limits of the B visa. We discuss entering the United States for clerkships and internships below.
Once your USCIS I-130 Petition for a foreign relative has been approved by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the case is then forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC). The NVC acts between USCIS and the US Consulate or Embassy where your relative is located to collect additional information and evidence before the immigrant visa interview can be scheduled. The immigrant visa interview will not be scheduled until NVC clears the case for the interview. Sometimes this process can take several months. We discuss how to request NVC to expedite your case here.
A visa application refusal under 221(g) is somewhat common and can happen for a number of reasons. In general, 221(g) means that the reviewing officer would like further information before making a final decision on your case. We discuss the meaning of a refusal under 221(g) and what you need to do here.
If you have a US immigration matter that has been pending well beyond standard processing times, you have exhausted all available administrative remedies, and the US government still fails to act on your case, you may be able to find relief with a mandamus action. We discuss mandamus actions to address processing delays for US immigration matters here.
When applying for a visa the reviewing officer relies on all available evidence to make a determination of your qualifications for the visa. This includes any publicly available information on the internet, such as your LinkedIn profile or company website. Officers can and do rely on such information when making a final decision on a case. We discuss the implications of LinkedIn profiles and other publicly available information and their impact on a visa application here.
If when seeking entry to the United States you make false statements or willfully misrepresented material facts to seek admission or obtain a visa, you can be found inadmissible. If you have been found inadmissible to the United States under 212(a)(6)(C)(i) for fraud or misrepresentation, you cannot enter without a waiver of inadmissibility. We discuss how to obtain a waiver for fraud or misrepresentation under 212(a)(6)(C)(i) here.
Certain foreign nationals inside the United States on non-immigrant visas are authorized to work because of their status, while others are only authorized to work for an identified employer. We discuss how to obtain a social security number (SSN) if you have valid work authorization either through employment or because of your status.