Donating or Volunteering for a Political Campaign:

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, including those living abroad, may contribute money to and volunteer with federal political campaigns.

For more information, see: https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/foreign-nationals/

Foreign nationals, including DACA, TPS, and nonimmigrant visas holders cannot give money to political campaigns. They may, however, provide volunteer (unpaid) services to political campaigns, so long as they are not in a decision-making role.

For more information, see: https://www.fec.gov/updates/foreign-nationals/

How to Check my Case Status?

USCIS will mail you and/or your attorney a form I-797C- also known as a Receipt Notice. On this notice, at the top of the page you will find your Receipt Number (containing letters and numbers). Once you located your Receipt Number you will be able to check your case status at the following link: https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/mycasestatus.do. You will also be able to set up an alert that will automatically update you on the case status at every change. 

HOW TO GET A B2 VISA FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT IN THE US?

The B2 visa category has a subcategory for entries to the United States for the purposes of medical treatment. You will apply for the B2 visa at the US Consulate of your country and you must show evidence of the medical treatment to be received along with the traditionally required documents.

1. Purposes of Medical Treatment

If you are to receive medical treatment in the United States or participate in a clinical trial you must secure the appropriate visa through an application at the US Consulate of your country. At the interview you will be asked to show proof of the specific medical treatment to be received or clinical trial that you will participate in by providing documents such as a signed letter and communication with the provider facility, hospital and physician. You may wish to include further documentation of how you qualify for the treatment or clinical trial participation such as proof of your condition or diagnosis.

2. Application for a B2 Visa

When you secured an approval of the specific medical treatment or participation in a clinical trial (or an invitation) you are ready to apply for the B2 visa at the US Consulate of your country. You will need to submit the DS-160 form online that will ask numerous questions on your background, personal information, past visits to the United States and other travels, list of any relatives you may have staying/ living in the United States at the time and you will be asked to provide a photo at the end. You will also need to pay the visa fee. Once completed you will be able to schedule the interview appointment date.

3. Documents to Bring to the B2 Interview

At the interview you will show documentation of the specific medical treatment to be received or the clinical trial you will participate in along with documents proving your intent to return to your home country upon completion of the treatment or trial. You must show evidence that you have ties to your home country such as property you own or a lease agreement, family, extended relatives and of course employment or business that needs your presence in your home country. You will also need to prove that you have the necessary finances to cover your expenses for the duration of the medical treatment or clinical trial so showing adequate funds in a bank account you have access to is key to the success of this application. At the time of the interview you will be told whether your application is approved or not.

4. After the B2 Interview

If all goes well and your B2 application is approved, you will then be issued a visa stamp in your passport. In practice you will leave your passport at the US Consulate and they will mail it to you to the address you provided in your DS-160 form at the beginning of the application. Once you receive your passport you must check that all information is correct and if so, you are ready to make travel arrangements.

HOW TO GET AN L-1A INTRACOMPANY TRANSFEREE VISA?

A US employer may transfer/ bring an executive or manager of a foreign affiliated company and obtain an L-1A visa for such an employee. A foreign company may also open a new office as a subsidiary or affiliate in the United States and secure an L-1A visa for its executive or manager.

1. The Qualifying Corporate Relationship

   In order to qualify for an L visa the foreign and US companies must have a specific - qualifying- relationship. The two companies must be either in a parent-subsidiary relationship (most common) or they must be affiliates -as in a majority stock ownership in both companies is sufficient to qualify. The two companies may also be in a joint venture setup where the two parent companies -at 50% each- own the company and it is then a subsidiary of both parent companies.

2. How do I Qualify to be a Beneficiary of an L-1A petition?

   In order to qualify for an L-1A visa, you must be an employee of the foreign company for at least 12 months in the three years preceding the application- assuming there is a qualifying relationship as discussed above. You must be employed in a position of a manager or an executive to qualify for the L-1A visa at both the foreign company and the affiliated US company as well- in the case of a new office you will be the one operating and setting up the new business.

3. What is the Process of the L-1A Petition?

   The US company must file a petition in the United States at the appropriate Service Center having jurisdiction over the proposed work location. The petition is filed on Form I-129. Once approved, the beneficiary generally will need to appear at an interview at the US Consulate of his country and then seek admission at the US port of entry in L-1A visa status. The L-1A visa is approved for an initial period of three years- or one year in the case of a "new office" petition. The maximum stay is seven years. Final note: wishing you good luck on your new adventure!