Author: Jeff MacArthur

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) School Certification Branch (SCB) is responsible for evaluating petitions submitted by insititutions wishing to be approved by the Department of Homeland Security for attendance by nonimmigrant students. Nonimmigrant students who come to the United States to pursue full-time academic or vocational/technical training are usually admitted in one of two nonimmigrant […]

Click on the links below to access a powerpoint presentation on Immigration Options for Students.  The presentatiion is broken down into two parts. Case Study Part 1 of 2 Case Study Part 2 of 2

Sample ASC I485 – Click the link to the left to view the document.

An application for Adjustment of Status (Form I-485), which has been filed with CIS, requires that the individual applicant (and in some instances, the spouse) be interviewed prior to adjudication. For many people, the prospect of being interviewed by an immigration officer can be stressful.  However, for those who are prepared, an immigration interview should be […]

Many applications which have been filed with CIS require that a comprehensive record check be conducted on the individual applicant prior to adjudication and/or interview.  CIS captures an applicant’s biometrics via electronic fingerprinting and a criminal and immigration records search is then conducted.  For many people, the prospect of being fingerprinted can be stressful.  However, […]

An applicant for an immigrant visa must be interviewed at a U.S. consulate abroad prior to permanent residency (immigrant visa) being issued.  Typically these applications are based on a previously approved family or employment-based petition. For many people, the prospect of being interviewed by a consular officer can be stressful.  However, for those who are […]

Sample ASC Biometrics Appointment Notice – Click on the link to the left ot view the document.

There are two types of visas available to foreign nationals wishing to come to the United States for tourism purposes.  The B-1/B-2 visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure, tourism or medical treatment (B-2). International travelers with visitor visas comprise […]

Adjustment of Status is the process in which a foreign national residing in the U.S. changes his or her legal status to “permanent resident” or “green card holder.” Adjustment of Status is a comprehensive application process that consists of forms and application fees.  Not everyone qualifies for Adjustment of Status and an applicant must be […]

An immigrant visa is a permanent visa, otherwise known as the “green card”. This process allows the foreign spouse and/or unmarried, dependent children of a U.S. citizen to live and work permanently upon entry into the United States. An immigrant visa is issued to the spouse of a U.S. citizen provided that: a) the beneficiary […]