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Immigration Updates and News

Immigration rules change often, and it can be hard to keep up or know what actually applies to real-life situations. This blog shares clear updates, everyday explanations, and practical insights based on what people commonly ask and face. If you want to understand the process better and feel a little more confident moving forward, stay tuned to our latest posts!

March 04, 2024

USCIS Increases Fees in 2024 — What You Need to…

The new USCIS fee schedule became effective on April 1, 2024. It increases filing costs for many immigration benefits, including H-1B petitions, green card (I-485) applications, and family petitions like I-130, meaning applicants must pay higher fees when submitting these forms after that date.

USCIS offered a grace period from April 1 to June 3, 2024, for some forms, allowing older form editions to be accepted with the correct fee. However, certain forms that changed with the new fee rule do not have a grace period, so you must use the correct edition and fee when filing.

February 16, 2024

What Happens if You Fail the Civics Test

If you fail the civics portion at your first interview, USCIS will schedule you to retake just that part of the test within about 60 to 90 days. You only need to retake the section you didn’t pass, and you should use the extra time to study and prepare.

If you fail again, you can file Form N-336 to request a hearing on the naturalization denial. At that hearing, you get one more chance to pass the civics test with a different USCIS officer. If you fail the third time, your citizenship application is denied, and you will need to reapply.

December 12, 2023

How to Choose Your Visitor Status

A B1 visa is for temporary business-related visits, such as meetings, consultations, or attending conferences, while a B2 visa is for tourism, visiting family or friends, medical treatment, and similar short-term leisure activities. Choosing the correct type depends on the primary purpose of your trip.

Yes, you may be able to change your non-immigrant status after entering the U.S., but you must apply before your current stay expires. You should file the appropriate form with USCIS and meet eligibility requirements, and it is wise to consult an immigration attorney to guide you through this process.

November 14, 2023

What to Do When Your Green Card Expires

If you hold a 10-year green card that has expired or will expire within six months, you should file Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card) with USCIS to renew it. Filing too early or too late can cause problems, so timing and accuracy matter.

With an expired 10-year green card, your permanent resident status does not end, but it can make things like travel, employment, housing, and ID issuance difficult without a valid card. It is important to renew or replace your card so you can show proof of status.

October 17, 2023

Everything You Need to Know about the Oath of Allegiance

The Oath of Allegiance is the formal promise you recite at your naturalization ceremony that shows your loyalty to the United States. It includes renouncing previous allegiances, supporting and defending the U.S. Constitution and laws, and fulfilling duties as a citizen. You must take the oath to officially become a U.S. citizen.

No, you do not have to memorise the words. USCIS provides the oath at the ceremony itself, so you can read it as you recite it. The focus is on understanding and agreeing to the obligations it represents, not on memorization.

September 18, 2023

Can My Church Get Me a Green Card?

Yes, a church or religious organization can help a foreign national pursue permanent residence. Often this starts with an R-1 religious worker visa, which lets you work in a qualifying religious role in the U.S., and then the church can file the necessary petition (Form I-360) needed to eventually apply for a green card.

To qualify, you must be coming to the U.S. to work in a genuine religious vocation or occupation for a recognized denomination. This includes ministers, clergy, missionaries, or religious instructors, not non-religious staff. You must belong to the denomination for at least two years and have a job offer from the church.

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The Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) is a crucial, legally binding contract required by U.S. immigration law to ensure that an immigrant applicant has adequate financial support and will not become a “public charge” (dependent on the U.S. government for financial subsistence).

The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program, commonly known as the Green Card Lottery, is a unique program established by the U.S. government to diversify the immigrant population in the United States. It makes up to 55,000 immigrant visas available annually to people from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S.