Are You Interested in Coming to the United States to Study?

August 30, 2013

If you are a foreign national interested in pursuing education (academic studies and/or language training programs) in the United States, F-1 student visa would allow you to do that.  F-1 international students must maintain a full course of study and demonstrate financial ability to support themselves during their stay in the United States.  Please keep in mind that the opportunities for legal off-campus employment are limited when you are in F-1 student status.   F-1 visas are adjudicated directly at the U.S. Embassy/ Consulate of the foreign national’s home country.

Prospective F-1 international student must apply to the SEVP registered school of his choosing and secure a Form I-20, as well as gather a number of other supporting documents, in order to apply for an F-1 visa at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate abroad.  Dependents of international students are issued F-2 visas that does not allow for any type of compensated employment.  However, minor children may attend public schools.  Whether you are interested in coming to the United States to attend High School, college or a language program, F-1 student visa is the nonimmigrant status to accomplish that!

Foreign Nationals Investing in the U.S.: Green Card Through Investment

August 12, 2013

Employment-based 5th preference category (EB-5) provides a method of obtaining permanent residence (green card) for foreign nationals who invest capital in the U.S. Foreign investor must invest $1,000,000 (or at least $500,000 in a "Targeted Employment Area"), creating or preserving at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers, excluding the investor and his immediate family. Under the Pilot Program investment can be made directly in a job-generating commercial enterprise (new or existing), or into a "Regional Center," a third party-managed investment vehicle, which assumes the responsibility of creating the requisite jobs.

If the foreign investor's petition is approved by USCIS, the investor and his dependents will be granted conditional permanent residence valid for two years. Within 90 days prior to the expiration of the conditional permanent residence, the foreign investor must submit evidence documenting that the full required investment has been made and that 10 full-time jobs have been maintained, or 10 full-time jobs have been created or will be created within a reasonable time period.  EB-5 makes for an excellent vehicle to secure permanent residence in the U.S. for the investor and his family.