Berd & Klauss, PLLC

On January 30, 2024, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced substantial increases in fees for various immigration applications and benefit requests. This marks the first major revision since 2016, prompted by the need to address the agency's financial and operational challenges. The new fees aim to facilitate more efficient processing of applications. Starting April 1, 2024, the updated fee schedule will take effect. To avoid the increased charges, applicants should ensure the USCIS receives their applications before this date. The need to refresh the USCIS fee structure had been imminent, given the agency’s financial and operational challenges. With the new fees, the agency can address its pain points and ensure timely processing for new applications. Things you need to know about the new fee structure Below are some of the significant fee changes for certain forms and applications: ·        Petition for Alien Relative : Fees will increase by 26% t

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently unveiled a new proposal that could dramatically alter the current fee structure for various immigration-related forms and services. New York citizenship lawyers are closely examining how these changes may impact applicants. Why does the USCIS want to increase fees? The proposed rule, known as the “ US Citizenship and Immigration Services Fee Schedule and Changes to Certain Other Immigration Benefit Request Requirements ,” will lead to an increase in most immigration filing fees. Though the proposal includes some minor fee reductions, the new fee structure will substantially increase the costs for certain applications. According to USCIS, the increase is intended to help the agency recover operating costs and handle the rising expenses of the incoming asylum population. Those looking to understand these changes in detail can consult a New York citizenship lawyer for guidance. Notable changes beyond fees Aside from hi

  The L1 Visa facilitates the entry of overseas businesses into the US market with minimal investment. Consult with a NY visa lawyer if you need legal advice on navigating the application process, ensuring compliance with visa requirements, or understanding how to maintain the validity of the visa once it has been issued. What is the L1 visa? This non-immigrant visa allows companies to transfer their employees under two different schemes: ·          L1A visa - This permits executives and managers to stay in the US for up to seven years. L1A executives and managers must meet strict requirements and have supervisory responsibility for professional staff and/or a key function of the department or subdivision of the employer. They can be issued an L1A visa for a three-year period, extendable in two-year increments up to a maximum of seven years. ·          L1B visa -This allows specialized knowledge employees to enter the US for a maximum of fiveyears. The L1B category includ

Are you waiting for your immigrant visa? Unfortunately, many people are facing prolonged wait times due to a significant backlog at the National Visa Center (NVC). As of the beginning of 2023, there are 422,954 immigrant visa applicants queued for an interview. Despite their cases being ready for a decision, the processing system hasn't seen significant improvements this year.   Here's a brief explanation of the backlog:   The NVC is in charge of preparing immigrant visa cases for review by the US embassy or consulate. It manages the processing and sets up everything required for the interview. But when the volume of incoming cases surpasses the number that can be processed, a backlog occurs. The present NVC backlog is a result of an overwhelming influx of new cases that haven't been matched with an adequate processing capacity.   Whenever the USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) approves a case, such as Form I-130, it adds to the backlog. Conversely,

Are you married to a US citizen? Congratulations on your union. As a married couple, you naturally want to live and work in the same place and start a family. But before you can live permanently in the US, you’ll need to obtain a permanent resident card, commonly known as a green card. Consider hiring a green card lawyer in NYC to make the process easier. The basics of getting a green card A marriage green card allows you to live and work in the US as a permanent resident if you meet these conditions: ·         You are married to a US citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident ·         Your marriage is legitimate and officially recognized by the government Note that if you have been married to another person in the past, you will need to provide a divorce decree, death certificate, or other documents to prove that your prior marriage has ended. Are you eligible for a marriage green card? If you meet the requirements above, you can proceed to the application process. A green car

  Green card holders by marriage may sponsor a foreign-born family member. But this can be a lengthy process that requires a good start to ensure success. Consulting with a green card lawyer NYC is a good idea if you want more information on the matter. Keep in mind that you can only sponsor immediate family members, not distant relatives.   Who is qualified to apply?    As a US citizen, you can file an immediate relative petition for a spouse (IR-1), an orphan adopted abroad (IR-3), a parent who is at least 21 years old (IR-5), or an unmarried child under 21 years of age (IR-2). You also need to show proof of your relationship with the people you’re filing for. This can be a marriage or birth certificate, or any documentation about the intent of adoption or adoption.   What to do if you’re not currently in the US?   If you’re currently living abroad and you’ve been a resident there for the past six months or you’re permitted to live in that country, you can file the