Immigration Articles

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa is a non-immigrant visa category administered by the U.S. Department of State. The program was created to promote educational, cultural, and professional exchange between the United States and other countries. Through the J-1 program, foreign nationals can participate in approved exchange programs that provide training, education, research opportunities, teaching experience, and cultural immersion in the United States. Unlike many employment-base

On May 22, 2025, USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-620-1099, signaling a significant shift in how officers evaluate Adjustment of Status (AOS) applications. According to the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the new guidance effectively imposes a much higher burden on applicants seeking permanent residence from within the United States. While adjustment of status has always involved an exercise of discretion, AILA warns that the new policy may result in increas

USCIS 于 5 月 22 日发布的新政策备忘录（Policy Memorandum，PM）PM-620-1099，将身份调整（Adjustment of Status）描述为一种“特殊救济（extraordinary relief），允许申请人免于走普通领馆签证程序（ordinary consular visa process）”，这与以往的实践相比，是一个重大变化。虽然身份调整一直属于酌情性质的福利，但自从国会于 1952 年制定 INA §245(a) 以来，无论是国会、原 INS，还是 DHS，都从未采取过这样一种立场：即除非存在特殊情况，否则寻求永久居民身份的外国人原则上应当离开美国，通过海外领馆获得移民签证。事实上，自那以后，国会和法院反而不断扩大了可以适用身份调整的情形。 该备忘录声称，这一立场符合国会限制境内身份调整的原始意图，因为大多数非移民签证类别都要求申请人具有严格的非移民意图或离境意图。虽然备忘录承认“双重意图（dual intent）”类别的存在，但并未进一步说明，为什么在国会长期允许 H-1B、L-1...

Over the past year, the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) has issued a series of non-precedent I-526 decisions that provide important insight into how USCIS is currently analyzing EB-5 source-of-funds documentation. Although these decisions are not binding precedent, they offer a valuable window into modern adjudication trends — particularly for investors filing under increasingly rigorous evidentiary standards. A review of multiple 2025–2026 AAO decisions suggests that USC

In today’s global workforce, many U.S. employers hire talented individuals who are in dependent visa status. While these employees can be highly valuable, their ability to work in the United States is not always straightforward. Dependent visa categories come with different rules on employment authorization, and misunderstanding these rules can create compliance risks and unexpected disruptions. Dependent status is typically granted to spouses of primary visa holders. Common

2026年3月16日，美国移民与海关执法局（ICE）更新了规则，显著改变了其对I-9表格违规情形的认定标准。表面看，这似乎只是技术层面的调整；但对雇主而言，其现实影响十分明确： 过去可能仅被视为轻微文书错误的问题，如今可能直接引发处罚。 如果您的机构近期尚未开展 I-9 内部审查，那么现在就应当采取行动。保证赶在收到检查通知（Notice of Inspection, NOI）之前，消除所有合规风险。 什么是 I-9表格？ 根据 1986 年《移民改革与控制法》（Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, IRCA），雇主必须为所有于 1986 年 11 月 6 日之后入职的员工填写 Form I-9，以核验员工的以下两项内容： 身份 在美国合法工作的资格 雇主应当履行以下义务： 确保员工在 入职首日 或之前完成第 1 部分（Section 1）； 在员工入职后 三个工作日 内完成第 2 部分（Section 2）； 妥善保存相关表格，并确保填写准确完整。 即便看似细微的错误，例如：遗漏日期、栏目填写不

On March 16, 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued updated guidance that significantly changes how Form I-9 violations are evaluated. While this may seem like a technical shift, the practical impact on employers is clear: Errors that were once treated as minor paperwork issues may now result in immediate penalties. If your organization has not conducted a recent I-9 audit, now is the time to act—before receiving a Notice of Inspection (NOI). A Quick Refr

O-1A 签证是一种非移民签证，专为在科学、教育、商业或体育领域具备杰出才能的人士设立。该签证允许已在其专业领域中取得高度成就和广泛认可的外国人士，临时在美国居住并工作。 作为一项以能力和成就为核心的签证类别，O-1A 为在国家或国际层面脱颖而出的顶尖专业人士，提供了灵活且极具竞争力的赴美发展途径。 谁符合 O-1A 签证资格？ 申请 O-1A 签证，需证明申请人在其领域内已获得持续性的国家级或国际级声誉。美国移民局（USCIS）通常要求申请人已跻身本行业的最高层级。 资格证明通常通过以下方式之一完成： 获得国际公认的重大个人奖项（例如诺贝尔奖） 提供以下 至少三项 证据： 获得国家级或国际级专业奖项或荣誉 成为仅限杰出成就人士加入的专业协会成员 有关申请人的专业或主流行业媒体报道 作为评审、评委或专家评估他人作品 对所属领域作出具有重大意义的原创性贡献 发表学术论文或专业文章 在知名机构中担任关键或核心职位 相较同行显著偏高的薪酬或报酬水平 O-1A 签证的主要优势 无年度配额限制：不同于 H-1B，O-1A 不受名额或抽签限制。 停留期限灵活

由于2025 年 9 月 H-1B 总统公告引入针对 部分名额限制（cap-subject）H-1B 申请的 10 万美元政府费用 ，在 2026 财年 H-1B 抽签申请季中，F-1 “cap-gap（衔接期）”规则的重要性显著提升，对雇主及国际学生均产生关键影响。 该公告中的一项重要例外是： 通过“境内身份转换”（change of status, COS）从 F-1 转为 H-1B 的申请人，无需缴纳该 10 万美元费用 。然而，这一豁免高度依赖于学生是否持续维持有效的 F-1 身份以及是否符合 cap-gap 适用条件。 一旦学生或雇主对 cap-gap 规则理解有误，可能会无意中丧失境内转换身份的资格，导致 H-1B 申请被迫改为领馆处理（consular processing）。在这种情况下，申请极有可能触发 10 万美元费用。因此， 正确理解 cap-gap 规则在今年尤为关键 。 什么是 H-1B Cap-Gap 规则？ Cap-gap 规则允许符合条件的 F-1 学生在等待 H-1B 身份于 10 月 1 日生效期间，...

近几个月，申请人正在切身感受到，NIW（National Interest Waiver，国家利益豁免）的审理环境已经出现明显变化。 根据 Lawfully 发布的最新数据， 2025 年第四季度 ：NIW 批准率已降至 约 36% ，而在 2025 年较早时期，这一数字约为 54% 。虽然现在已经进入 2026 年，更新的数据仍在陆续形成中，但 2025 年第四季度的表现已经释放出一个非常明确的信号： USCIS 对 NIW 的审理标准正在收紧，案件整体面临更高强度的审查。 NIW 的“隐形门槛”正在上升 需要强调的是， Matter of Dhanasar 所确立的法律标准并没有变化，但 USCIS 对这一标准的理解与适用，明显比以往更为严格。过去一年中原本可能获批的案件，如今更容易收到补件通知（RFE），甚至被直接拒绝。 NIW 的三项审查标准 申请 NIW，必须同时满足 Dhanasar 案确立的三项要求： 申请人 拟定的事业方向 （proposed endeavor）具有实质价值与国家重要性 申请人具备推进该拟议事业的条件 综合权衡。

The National Interest Waiver (NIW) landscape has shifted noticeably in recent months, and applicants are feeling the impact. According to data aggregated by Lawfully, the latest available data from Q4 2025 shows NIW approval rates dropping to roughly 36%, a sharp decline from about 54% earlier in the year. While we are now in 2026 and more recent data is still emerging, this last reported quarter signals a meaningful tightening of adjudication standards and suggests that USCI

With the September 2025 H-1B proclamation introducing a $100,000 fee for certain cap-subject H-1B petitions, the F-1 cap-gap rule has become critically important for employers and international students in 2026 H-1B cap season filings. One key exception under the proclamation is that F-1 students transitioning to H-1B through a change of status (COS) are not subject to the $100,000 fee. However, this exemption depends heavily on whether the student properly maintains F-1 stat

Employers across the United States are required to verify the identity and work authorization of every employee they hire. While many companies use E-Verify to assist with this process, confusion often arises about how E-Verify relates to Form I-9, electronic signatures, and remote document verification. Misunderstanding these requirements can lead to costly penalties during government audits. Below are some of the most common I-9 and E-Verify compliance mistakes employers sh

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

For many families, finding reliable childcare is a top priority. Some families consider hiring a nanny from overseas. Although there is no specific "nanny visa" in the United States, various immigration pathways can facilitate legal employment based on the family's circumstances, the nanny's qualifications, and the nature of employment. Below is an overview of the most common options. J-1 Visa: Au Pair Program The J-1 Au Pair program allows young individuals (typically aged 1

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