You can become a US citizen through the naturalization process and have access to the benefits a US citizenship provides including having a US passport, the right to vote in elections, protection from deportation, US citizenship for your children, eligibility for certain government jobs that are otherwise not open for non-US citizens, access to public […]

Please note: On July 31, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHA) announced that the fees for USCIS for Application for Naturalization will be increased. Starting October 2, 2020, the fee for filing an application for US citizenship with USCIS will be $1,170, an increase from the current $640, excluding the USCIS biometric service fee. […]

The SBA EIDL loan application for your business was denied. How to apply for an SBA EIDL loan reconsideration, including for US businesses that are foreign-owned by individuals who hold an E-1, E-2, L-1, O-1 visa or are in the process of adjusting status to a permanent resident through EB-5, EB-1 and other programs?   […]

What is the SBA EIDL loan for Coronavirus and how to apply? In response to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has issued in March 2020 disaster declarations of economic injury for entire United States and US Territories for the COVID-19. As a result of the SBA’s disaster declarations nationwide, SBA Economic […]

The Public Charge Rule implemented on February 24, 2020 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) allows denial of nonimmigrant and immigrant visa applications, adjustment of status applications, extension or change of status applications and green card applications for those applicants who are more likely than not […]

What is the Public Charge Rule of February 24, 2020? On February 24, 2020, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implemented nationwide the Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds final rule (Public Charge Final Rule), including in Illinois. Simply put, an individual who is a foreign […]

PPP and EIDL loans for investors on US visas and foreign-owned U.S. Companies during COVID-19 The recent Coronavirus pandemic combined with the COVID-19 restrictions on international travel and the “Shelter in Place” orders issued by state governments, cities and counties throughout the US to slow down the spread of the virus have led inadvertently to […]

How does Trump suspension of Green Cards, L-1, H-1B and other visas affect applicants starting June 24, 2020? On June 22, 2020, President Trump signed an Executive Order to suspend the entry of new foreign nationals on L-1, H-1B, H-2B and certain J-1 visas for intern, trainee, teacher, camp counselor, au pair, work & travel, […]

What do you need to know when filing for an E2 visa renewal or extension? If your E2 visa is expiring soon or you simply want to learn and prepare ahead of time for when that time comes, it is important to know that once the expiration date on your visa comes due, you need […]

How to renew or extend the E-2 visa? How to apply for E-2 renewal or extension due to COVID-19 travel restrictions? Generally, if you hold an E-2 investor visa, you can apply for renewal or extension at the time you reenter the US after travelling or directly with the USCIS. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, […]