Buffalo: (716) 970-4007 | Toronto: (866) 697-1832
Buffalo: (716) 970-4007 | Toronto: (866) 697-1832
As a US lawful permanent residence (LPR) there are situations where you may need to obtain proof from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), that you remain in lawful immigration status. This can be done by obtaining an ADIT stamp from USCIS. We discuss the meaning of an “ADIT” stamp and when it is necessary here.
Over the years we have represented hundreds of companies as they expand their operations into the United States. One method is through the L1A start-up visa. Once the US operations grow sufficiently to support a permanent US manager position, the US company can then sponsor qualifying Executives and Managers for US permanent residence (green card). We recently helped a client complete the journey of entering the United States on an L1A visa to start their US operations and eventually a green card. Read their US Immigration story here.
On January 30, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced new designs for both green card and employment authorization documents (EAD cards) to improve security. The current card design was introduced in May 2017, and USCIS plans to issue redesigned cards every three to five years as part of its fraud prevention program. Read the details of this announcement here.
Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of undocumented immigrants inside the United States entered legal immigration status and then overstayed their status. Many enter as tourists, students, or non-immigrant workers. When their visa status expires, they simply remain in the United States and overstay their legal admission by months, years, or even decades. Thus making them undocumented or illegal. In some cases, the foreign national develops a relationship with a US citizen that leads to marriage. We discuss the process of going from a visa overstay to a green card through marriage here.
On January 23, 2023, USCIS announced the extension of green cards (LPR) for petitioners who properly file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence or Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status for 48 months beyond the card’s expiration date. We discuss the announcement of the extension of green cards for Form I-751 and Form I-829 here.
On December 9, 2022, USCIS announced a policy change that will automatically extend green cards for naturalization applicants. The new policy will go into effect on December 12, 2022. We discuss the new USCIS Policy to Automatically Extend Green Cards for Naturalization Applicants here.
One of the conditions to maintain lawful US permanent resident status (LPR or Green Card holders) is to maintain and have permanent residence in the United States. In general, a green card holder who moves outside the United States making another country their permanent residence abandons their green card. However, there are exceptions for US permanent residents who commute to the United States for employment from Canada or Mexico. We discuss, “commuter status” for US permanent residents who commute from Canada or Mexico here.
L1 Visa status is available for qualifying executives, managers, and specialized knowledge employees. Under the L1 Visa qualifying employees may be transferred from a foreign office to an office in the United States. In some cases, the L1 visa can be transitioned to US permanent residence or a green card. We discuss the process of applying for a green card while on an L1 visa here.
We were recently contacted by an experienced professional in the field of multimedia art looking to obtain a green card on their own merits by self-petitioning under the EB-1A Extraordinary Ability category. They were able to provide extensive proof of their accomplishments in the industry and we were able to successfully argue their merit as a multimedia artist. We discuss the details of this case and the I-140 EB-1A approval here.
Current green cards have a validity of either two (2) years, or ten (10) years, and must be renewed. Previous green card versions did not have an expiration date. These green cards are no longer valid and should be replaced with a new green card. Here is how to renew or replace your green card.