Berardi Blog

Step 1- A sponsor in the U.S. files a petition with the U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS).  Generally speaking, to be eligible to apply for an immigrant visa, a foreign citizen must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen relative, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or by a prospective employer, and be the beneficiary of an […]

Below is an overview of the steps needed to apply for a non-immigrant visa.  To ensure the approval of your application, all aspects of the process must be followed exactly.  Universal Visa Services can take the worry out of these tasks as well as completing them as expeditiously as possible.  Additionally, we can provide you […]

United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently updated their list of Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved schools. The schools listed have all been certified to participate in the program.  The program allows foreign students interested in obtaining an education in the United States to complete a visa petition, pay the required fee, […]

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 […]

  The K-3 visa permits the spouse and unmarried, dependent children of a U.S. citizen to enter the U.S. as nonimmigrants and adjust to permanent resident status later provided they are the beneficiaries of a pending or approved alien relative petition. The application process is very similar to the K-1. Once the petition for alien […]

The first hearing in Immigration Court is called the Master Calendar hearing.  At this hearing the person summoned to court (the respondent) pleads to the government’s allegations.  The respondent, with or without an attorney, also states the forms of relief he or she plans to seek in regards to the allegations.  Examples of relief include: […]

Apprehension: The arrest of a removable alien by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Each apprehension of the same alien in a fiscal year is counted separately. Cancellation of Removal: A discretionary benefit adjusting an alien’s status from that of deportable alien to one lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Application for cancellation of removal is […]

What is Labor Certification and PERM? The Immigration and Nationality Act §212(a)(5)(A) requires individual labor certification by the U.S. Department of Labor before a foreign national enters the U.S. to perform skilled or unskilled labor.  The labor certification reports to the Attorney General that there are not sufficient U.S. workers available for the proposed employment, […]

Green Card Lottery Each year, the Diversity Lottery (DV) Program makes 50,000 immigrant visas available through a lottery to people who come from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.  Please note that Canadians are NOT eligible to enter this lottery. The law and regulations require that every diversity visa entrant must […]

Obtaining permanent residency through employment is a multi-step process.  First, foreign nationals and employers must determine if the foreign national is eligible for lawful permanent residency under one of USCIS’ paths to lawful permanent residency. Second, most employment categories require that the U.S. employer complete a labor certification request (Form ETA 9089) for the applicant, […]

Obtaining permanent residency through a family member is a multi-step process.  First, an immigrant visa petition must be filed.  Form I-130 is a Petition for Alien Relative.  It is filed by the sponsoring relative for the immigrating beneficiary. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will either approve or deny the petition. If the I-130 petition is […]