Immigration Articles

The recently announced U.S. “Gold Card” program represents one of the most consequential—and controversial—shifts in employment-based immigration policy in decades. Marketed as a streamlined path to permanent residence for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, the program reframes lawful permanent residence not as a reward for merit or investment, but as the result of a substantial, non-refundable financial gift.  While official guidance remains limited, the structure revealed so

对许多家庭而言，寻找可靠的儿童照护是首要任务。有些家庭因此会考虑从海外聘请保姆。虽然美国并不存在一种专门的“保姆签证”，但根据家庭的具体情况、保姆的资历以及雇佣性质，可以通过多种移民途径实现合法雇佣。以下是几种最常见的选择概述： J-1 签证：互惠生（Au Pair）项目 J-1 互惠生项目允许年轻人（通常为 18 至 26 岁）与寄宿家庭同住，以提供儿童照护服务，作为交换获得食宿和一定的生活津贴。该项目由指定的文化交流机构管理，并包含教育要求及工作时间限制。 主要特点： 必须通过经批准的项目赞助机构办理 每周最多工作 45 小时 文化交流是项目的核心组成部分 初始停留期限为 1 年，可延长最多 12 个月 优点： 结构化、成本相对较低，适合寄宿家庭。 缺点： 工作内容灵活性有限，有年龄限制，且必须通过中介机构。 B-1 签证：非移民雇主的家庭雇员 B-1 签证可用于家庭雇员随同或随后加入其雇主赴美。雇主可以是美国公民，或持有特定非移民身份（如 B、E、F、H、I、J、L、O、P 等）并临时在美国停留的人士。 主要特点： 需证明雇主与雇员在国外已

For entrepreneurs and investors from treaty countries, the E-2 Treaty Investor visa offers one of the most practical and flexible options to live and work in the United States. It allows individuals to develop and direct the operations of a business in which they have invested—or are actively investing—a substantial amount of capital. This guide explains who qualifies, how much you need to invest, and what to expect from the application process. Understanding the E-2 Visa The

The Entrepreneur Parole Visa , sometimes informally referred to as the "EB-6 Visa," is a unique immigration pathway offered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for foreign entrepreneurs. Although it is called a "visa," it is not a traditional visa or green card. Instead, it is a temporary entry permit (Parole) that allows eligible foreign entrepreneurs to reside in the United States and develop their businesses. This program fills a gap left by traditional visa

The Entrepreneur Parole program, sometimes informally referred to as the “EB-6 visa,” offers a unique opportunity for foreign startup founders to live and work in the United States while building and growing their businesses. Despite the nickname, Entrepreneur Parole is not a visa and does not grant permanent residency (a green card). Instead, it provides a temporary stay through parole — special permission granted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to individu

The Trump administration’s “Gold Card” program was announced on September 19,2025 alongside the much-debated $100,000 H-1B fee. While most headlines focused on the H-1B change and its implications for tech employers, the Gold Card proclamation quietly introduced a brand-new pathway for wealthy individuals and corporations. The idea is straightforward: instead of building a thick petition of awards, publications, media citations, and national interest arguments, an applicant c

The B-1 visa is one of the most common U.S. visas for short business trips. It’s meant for people who need to come to the United States to handle international business matters — but not to take on a job here. Knowing the difference is important, because crossing the line into “work” can cause serious visa problems. What You Can Do on a B-1 Visa: Think of the B-1 visa as a “business visitor pass.” It allows you to: Attend business meetings with clients, partners, or colleague

What is the National Interest Waiver (NIW)? The National Interest Waiver (NIW) is a pathway within the EB-2 employment-based green card category. Normally, EB-2 applicants must have a permanent job offer and an approved labor certification (PERM) from the Department of Labor, proving no qualified U.S. workers are available. The NIW allows applicants to “waive” the job offer and labor certification if they can show their work benefits the United States broadly enough to be con

As a U.S. employer sponsoring H-2B (Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers) or H-2A (Temporary Agricultural Workers) workers, you may eventually find yourself interested in securing a more permanent status for these employees through the PERM Labor Certification process, which is a crucial step in the green card process for foreign workers. This article will guide you through the steps and important considerations for sponsoring H-2B and H-2A workers for a PERM Labor Certificatio

无论您是小企业主，还是一家成长中公司的 HR 经理，确保您的公司遵守 I-9 要求并非可选事项——这是法律义务。随着联邦政府对工作场所的审查和审计日益严格，雇主必须了解自己在美国移民法下的责任。 您的 I-9 准备好了吗？ ✅ 什么是 I-9 表格？谁需要填写？ I-9 表格，全称为**《就业资格验证表》（Employment Eligibility Verification Form）**，是美国所有雇主用来核实每位员工身份和工作许可的工具——适用于 1986 年 11 月 6 日之后雇佣的所有员工，包括美国公民和非公民。 雇主必须在员工入职后的 三个工作日内完成 I-9 表格 ，并在规定时间内保存表格（自雇佣之日起至少三年，或自员工离职起至少一年，以时间较晚者为准）。 ⚠️ 常见错误可能引发罚款 许多雇主并未意识到，即使员工具备合法工作资格，I-9 表格错误也可能导致高额罚款。常见错误包括： 未按时完成 I-9 表格 接受无效或过期的身份证明文件 表格填写不完整或不准确 将 I-9 表格保存在人事档案中，而非单独存档 文件保存政策不一致（例如

Whether you're a small business owner or the HR manager of a growing company, ensuring that your organization is I-9 compliant  is not optional — it’s a legal requirement. With increasing federal scrutiny and workplace audits, employers must understand their obligations under U.S. immigration law. The question is: Are you I-9 ready? ✅ What Is Form I-9 and Who Needs It? Form I-9, officially called the Employment Eligibility Verification Form , is used by all U.S. employers to

适用于非移民签证持有者 Becky Fu von Trapp 傅仪方律师 基本权利说明 所有抵达美国边境或入境口岸（如机场或陆路口岸）的人都有基本权利。但非移民签证持有者的法律救济途径非常有限。入境时，美国海关与边境保护局（CBP）将对您进行检查，以判断您是否“可被接受入境”。他们会核实您先前提供的信息，并与您现场回答的问题进行比对。 什么是“二次检查” 如有疑问，CBP 可能将您带至另一区域进行所谓的“二次检查”。这并不意味着您有问题，但您可能会被拘留几分钟、几小时，甚至更久。在此过程中，CBP 可能会：- 询问问题- 采集生物信息和指纹- 调查记录- 检查您的行李和电子设备其目的在于决定是否允许您以非移民身份入境美国。 在二次检查中，您拥有以下权利： ·        要求联系律师：CBP 可能会告知您在入境审查过程中没有律师权利，但要求联系律师不能作为不利因素被使用。 ·        查看和理解所有为您准备的书面材料：您有权要求以您能理解的语言查看文件，并索取副本。 ·        不同意内容就不签字：如果您不同意文件内容，或不理解，不

In today’s music industry, fame doesn't always come from a record label—sometimes it comes from TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube. I’m often asked by musical groups or solo artists: "We’ve built a big online following, but can we perform or tour in the U.S. legally?" The answer? Yes, it's possible—but it depends on how well your digital presence translates into legal evidence of professional recognition. Below are the key visa options for bands and musical acts with significant s

Finding reliable childcare is a top priority for many families, and for some, that means exploring visa options to hire a nanny from abroad. While there is no single "nanny visa," several U.S. immigration pathways may be used depending on the family's circumstances, the nanny's qualifications, and the nature of the employment. Below is an overview of the most common options: 1. J-1 Visa: Au Pair Program The J-1 Au Pair program allows young individuals (typically between 18 an

For foreign nationals from treaty countries looking to live and work in the United States, the E-1 (Treaty Trader) and E-2 (Treaty Investor) visas offer compelling pathways. Both visa categories fall under the U.S. treaty visa framework and provide temporary but renewable access to the U.S. for individuals engaged in international trade or investment. Choosing the right one depends on your business model, country of citizenship, and long-term goals. E-1 Treaty Trader Visa: Wh

The O-1A visa is a nonimmigrant visa designed for individuals who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics. It allows foreign nationals who have demonstrated a high level of expertise and recognition in their field to live and work temporarily in the United States. This visa category provides a flexible and powerful option for top-tier professionals whose skills set them apart on a national or international stage. Who Qualifies for the

The H-1B visa remains a popular but competitive route for foreign professionals to work in the U.S. However, with the annual cap and lottery system, many qualified individuals are left exploring other pathways. Whether you’re an employer or a prospective employee, understanding your options can open doors to more stable, flexible, or permanent immigration strategies. Here are key alternatives to the H-1B visa: O-1 Visa: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability Ideal for:  Scien

It’s the annual Pond Skim at Stowe Mountain, and watching all the athletic skiers got me thinking about the ski-related entries and coaching visas I often encounter in my practice. Here are some of the key visa options:  • O-1A Visa: For athletes or coaches with extraordinary ability and a strong record of national or international success.  • O-2 Visa: For essential support personnel of O-1 holders—like trainers or techs—whose help is critical to performance.  • P-1A Visa: F

In the dynamic landscape of today's business environment, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have become commonplace, driving corporate growth and market expansion. However, amidst the strategic maneuvering and business restructuring, the fate of foreign employees' visas or work permits is often overlooked or underestimated by Human Resources (HR) departments. The potential impacts of M&A on foreign employees' immigration status can be significant, ranging from visa complications