Berardi Blog

Nearly every alien holding status in the U.S is required to inform USCIS of a change of address to a new non-temporary residence. Specifically, aliens residing in the U.S. are required to report this change within 10 days of relocating within the U.S. The only individuals who are exempt from this rule include diplomats, official […]

Yesterday, the Department of State (DOS) announced that the technological visa system issues experienced by U.S. embassies and consulates around the globe have been corrected. All visa-issuing embassies and consulates are now back online. Visa interviews are again being scheduled and nonimmigrant and immigrant visas are once again being issued. More than 300,000 nonimmigrant visas […]

On Friday, June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a historic 5 to 4 decision that same-sex couples have the right to marry in all U.S. states and in unincorporated U.S. territories, like Puerto Rico. Same-sex couples could already marry in 36 states and the District of Columbia, but with this ruling the […]

L-1 work authorization is available to individuals who have worked on a full-time, continuous basis for at least one year of the last three years preceding the filing of the petition.  The beneficiary must have been employed with a foreign corporation with a parent, subsidiary, branch or affiliate in the U.S.  The individual must hold […]

Meet Founder and Managing Partner Rosanna Berardi as she describes the services our firm offers and how our attorneys can help make your American dreams a reality!

It is unlawful to knowingly hire or continue to employ unauthorized workers in the U.S.  Employers must verify the identity and employment authorization of every employee hired after Nov. 6, 1986, by use of Form I-9. When Must Form I-9 Be Completed? • Section 1 must be completed by the employee at the time employment […]

As we reported last week, the Bureau of Consular Affairs continues to face technological issues with its visa systems. The Department of State (DOS) posted a statement yesterday that it endeavors to have the system fully reconnected this week. As of noon yesterday, 22 posts around the world have been reconnected. This represents approximately half […]

What is a TN Nonimmigrant Visa? The TN visa category was created under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) for qualifying Canadian and Mexican professionals. Nonimmigrants qualified to enter the U.S. under this category may work for a company located in the U.S. for a temporary period. What are the requirements for TN status? […]

Toronto-native Erran Fichman came to Berardi Immigration Law just three years ago wondering how he could expand his furniture business to the United States. Fichman owns Fichman Furniture (www.fichman.com), a company that designs and manufactures custom radiator covers. After successfully running his business for seven years in Canada, the demand for his product grew exponentially. […]

A systemic technological issue within the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has globally halted U.S. passport and visa issuance. The issue originates within the Consular Consolidated Database (CCD), a data platform operated by the Bureau to store information on applicants for immigrant visas, non-immigrant visas, and U.S. passports at consular posts abroad. […]

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) developed the TN visa category to facilitate the entry of professionals across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico for temporary employment purposes. NAFTA created a list of more than sixty professional designations through which applicants may be eligible for TN status. Each professional designation on this list requires applicants […]

If you are in the process of coming to the United States on a temporary nonimmigrant visa or if you are already in the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa, you may be able to bring not only your family members, but also your nanny, maid, cook, and other domestic or personal employees. They may qualify […]

Typically, a green card (permanent resident card) must bear a beneficiary’s signature. This signature is captured at the beneficiary’s biometrics appointment and electronically transferred onto the card. However, USCIS released a statement last week explaining that not all green cards must bear the holder’s signature. When a green card holder is physically unable to provide […]

Foreign nationals applying for status in the United States with USCIS have likely seen the term, “A-Number.” Many people wonder what this term refers to as it appears on virtually every USCIS form. The “A-Number” stands for Alien Registration Number. It may also be referred to as an “Alien Number” or “USCIS Number.” This number […]

USCIS put into effect a new rule on May 26, 2015, allowing certain H-4 spouses to apply for work authorization. Previously, USCIS did not provide work authorization to any H-4 spouses. Since last Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began accepting applications for employment authorization from H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants who are seeking employment-based […]

USCIS has recently released guidance regarding the precedent decision made by the Administrative Appeal Office in Matter of Simeio Solutions LLC. Under the decision, employers must file a new or amended H-1B petition, along with an updated Labor Condition Application (LCA), if an H-1B worker is transferred to a different geographical area than the one […]

With the school year quickly coming to a close, thousands of Americans and foreign nationals alike will begin booking their summer getaways. Whether you will be flying to a popular international destination like Britain or France, or perhaps visiting the U.S. from Canada or Mexico, CBP offers the Global Entry Program to help shorten U.S. […]

USCIS recently announced that beginning May 26, 2015, it will temporarily suspend premium processing for all H-1B Extension of Stay petitions until July 27, 2015. This temporary change has been implemented so that USCIS will have the time and workforce to put into effect the new rule allowing certain H-4 spouses to apply for work […]

The House of Representatives last week voted to remove a measure from the National Defense Authorization Act that asked the Secretary of Defense to review policies on whether certain undocumented young people, often called “Dreamers,” can join the military if they have work authorization. During the last five months, the Pentagon has enlisted 81 of […]

In June of 2013, the Supreme Court decided in United States v. Windsor that restricting U.S. federal interpretation of “marriage” and “spouse” to apply only to heterosexual couples under the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional. Since the repeal of DOMA, U.S. citizens and green card holders are able to petition for their same-sex […]