In the past few months, the waiting time for immigrant visa applicants under the 2A category (spouses and minor children of permanent residents) had decreased significantly. In December 2010, applicants under the 2A category who have a priority date on or before August 1, 2010 might apply for adjustment of status or consular processing through the National Visa Center (NVC).
However, the waiting time for applicants under 2A will be 2-3 years again after the State Department issued the Visa Bulletin for January 2011 last week. The priority date for applicants under 2A is moved back to January 1, 2008 because the demand for IV under the categpry has exceeded the visa number available. Therefore, if your priority date is between January 2008 and August 2010, you should apply for adjustment of status or consualr processing now, or you will be out of luck and have to wait again.
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
在過去幾個月，2A類別的移民簽證申請人(永久居民的配偶或未成年的子女)的等待時間比以前大大減少。 在2010年12月，如果2A類別的申請人的優先權日期是2010年8月1日或更早，他們便可以申請調整身份或透過國家簽證中心(NVC)到在海外的美國領事館申請移民簽證。
然而，2A類別的移民簽證申請人的等候時間將會回到從前的2年到3年左右。國務院在上星期發布了2011年1月的簽證公報。 因為2A類別的移民簽證需求超出了配額，2A類別的移民簽證申請人的優先權日期被移回到2008年1月1日。 所以，如果您的優先權日期是在2008年1月及2010年8月之間，那您應該在十二月底前申請調整身份或在海外的美國領事館申請移民簽證，否則您必須再等待多一些時間。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
12/08/2010
The DREAM Act 夢想法案 (2)
According to the Immigration Policy Center, the House will vote on the DREAM Act as well, but it differs from the Senate version in 2 significant ways:
- Instead of granting one ten-year conditional NIV status, the House version will divide the 10 years and grant the beneficiary two 5-year conditional NIV status.
- The House bill requires applicants to pay 2 separate fees for getting the conditional NIV status; the application fee for the first 5 years would be $525 and the second five years would be $2,000.
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
眾議院今天晚上亦會對夢想法案進行表決，但是它與參議院版本有2處很大的差別
- 眾議院的版本會給予受益人兩次為期五年的有條件非移民身份，而不是授予一次十年的有條件非移民身份。
-申請人在申請有條件非移民身份的時候需要支付費用：首5年的申請費是$525，而次五年的申請費是$2,000。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
- Instead of granting one ten-year conditional NIV status, the House version will divide the 10 years and grant the beneficiary two 5-year conditional NIV status.
- The House bill requires applicants to pay 2 separate fees for getting the conditional NIV status; the application fee for the first 5 years would be $525 and the second five years would be $2,000.
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
眾議院今天晚上亦會對夢想法案進行表決，但是它與參議院版本有2處很大的差別
- 眾議院的版本會給予受益人兩次為期五年的有條件非移民身份，而不是授予一次十年的有條件非移民身份。
-申請人在申請有條件非移民身份的時候需要支付費用：首5年的申請費是$525，而次五年的申請費是$2,000。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
12/07/2010
The DREAM Act 夢想法案
The DREAM Act is a potential legislation that will provide thousands of illegal children and students a path to citizenship. It will likely be voted on December 8 in the Senate. The key provisions of the DREAM Act include the following:
-10 years of conditional non-immigrant status
- 3 years of permanent residency
- eligible for citizenship after 3 years of permanent residency
To be eligible for the DREAM Act, an undocument child/student has to meet the following requirements:
- the student must be 30 years old or younger when the Act is enacted;
- the student must have entered the United States before his or her 16th birthday;
- the student must have been present in the United States for at least five years immediately before the DREAM Act is enacted;
-the student must have graduated from high school or been admitted to a college;
- the student has not commited a serious felony or three petty offenses;
- the student is not inadmissible or deportable under specified grounds of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA);
- the student must not be subject to a deportation order before turning 16; and
- the student cannot be guilty of persecuting others based on the grounds of current U.S. asylum law.
Finally, students who will receive legal status under this legislation is not eligible for government benefits and in-state tuitions.
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
在12月8日參議院表決的夢想法案下，某些非法居留的學生可以獲得十年非移民的合法身份，然後可以申請綠卡，再過三年後可申請入藉。
只有符合下資格的學生才可透過夢想法案獲得合法身份：
-年齡上限為30歲以下
-在16歲之前進入美國
-在美國住滿至少五年
-已高中畢業或被大學取錄
-不能犯過一項重罪，或三項輕罪
-不屬於禁止入境或可被驅逐出境的類別
-不可在16歲之前被下令驅逐出境
-不能在過去參與迫害
再者，夢想法案的受益人不能獲得本州學費的優惠或其他社會福利。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
-10 years of conditional non-immigrant status
- 3 years of permanent residency
- eligible for citizenship after 3 years of permanent residency
To be eligible for the DREAM Act, an undocument child/student has to meet the following requirements:
- the student must be 30 years old or younger when the Act is enacted;
- the student must have entered the United States before his or her 16th birthday;
- the student must have been present in the United States for at least five years immediately before the DREAM Act is enacted;
-the student must have graduated from high school or been admitted to a college;
- the student has not commited a serious felony or three petty offenses;
- the student is not inadmissible or deportable under specified grounds of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA);
- the student must not be subject to a deportation order before turning 16; and
- the student cannot be guilty of persecuting others based on the grounds of current U.S. asylum law.
Finally, students who will receive legal status under this legislation is not eligible for government benefits and in-state tuitions.
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
只有符合下資格的學生才可透過夢想法案獲得合法身份：
-年齡上限為30歲以下
-在16歲之前進入美國
-在美國住滿至少五年
-已高中畢業或被大學取錄
-不能犯過一項重罪，或三項輕罪
-不屬於禁止入境或可被驅逐出境的類別
-不可在16歲之前被下令驅逐出境
-不能在過去參與迫害
再者，夢想法案的受益人不能獲得本州學費的優惠或其他社會福利。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
12/02/2010
11/30/2010
I-912 Fee Waiver
USCIS has issued a new form named I-912 Request for Fee Waiver. Several categories of immigrants may file the form and request for a fee waiver. For a list of who may apply for a waiver, please read the instructions for Form I-912. In general, applicants who are filing for immigration benefits based on employment are not eligible for a waiver.
Normally, USCIS will grant the waiver if the applicants can show that they are receiving means-test benefits or are living at or under 150% of the federal povety guidelines. For those who are under financial stress such as unemployment or high medical expense, USCIS may grant a fee waiver if the applicant may provide sufficient information of the applicant's income and assets and a detailed description of the applicant's financial difficulties.
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
移民局頒布了新的豁免費用申請表I - 912。幾個不同類別的移民可以遞交此申請表要求豁免遞交移民申請的費用。至於誰可以申請豁免，請流覽移民局關於I - 912表格的說明。一般來說，工作移民的申請人是不能申請豁免費用的。
在一般情況下，如果申請人能夠證明他們正在接受援助，或生活在低於聯邦貧窮準則150％以下的水平，移民局將給予豁免。對於那些活在財政壓力下，如失業或需要支付高額醫療費用的人士，如果申請人可以提供足夠的資料，包括申請人的收入和資產以及能夠詳細說明申請人的經濟困難，移民局或會給予豁免。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
Normally, USCIS will grant the waiver if the applicants can show that they are receiving means-test benefits or are living at or under 150% of the federal povety guidelines. For those who are under financial stress such as unemployment or high medical expense, USCIS may grant a fee waiver if the applicant may provide sufficient information of the applicant's income and assets and a detailed description of the applicant's financial difficulties.
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
移民局頒布了新的豁免費用申請表I - 912。幾個不同類別的移民可以遞交此申請表要求豁免遞交移民申請的費用。至於誰可以申請豁免，請流覽移民局關於I - 912表格的說明。一般來說，工作移民的申請人是不能申請豁免費用的。
在一般情況下，如果申請人能夠證明他們正在接受援助，或生活在低於聯邦貧窮準則150％以下的水平，移民局將給予豁免。對於那些活在財政壓力下，如失業或需要支付高額醫療費用的人士，如果申請人可以提供足夠的資料，包括申請人的收入和資產以及能夠詳細說明申請人的經濟困難，移民局或會給予豁免。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
11/17/2010
More International Sudents Than Ever 國際學生創歷年新高
An annual report released by the Insitute of International Education (IIE) suggests that in the academic year of 2009-2010, there were 690,923 international students in universities and colleges in the U.S. This is a record high number of international students in American higher educational instutions. In addition, 23.6% of all international students are from Mainland China (18.5%), Taiwan (3.9%), and Hong Kong (1.2%). In other words, almost every 1 out of 4 international student in the U.S. is from a Chinese-speaking town! You may read the entire report, named Open Doors, online.
What does this information mean? This could mean that the State Department is fairly generous in issuing student visas to foreign nationals. Granted, the report fails to mention how many F-1 applicants have been turned down by the State Department. Nonetheless, the increase in number of international students shows that international students are welcome in higher institutions and the State Department is willing to issue more F visas to allow international students to study in the U.S. If you have ever considered attending college/university in the U.S. and your situation permits you to do so, now may be a good time to do that.
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
國際教育研究所(IIE)於星期一發表了一年一度關於國際學生在美國大專院校就讀的報告。該報告指出，在2009-2010學年期間，有690,923名國際學生在在美國的大學和學院就讀，創下歷年新高。另外，在國際學生當中，有23.6%來自中國(18.5%)、臺灣(3.9%)和香港(1.2%)。 換句話說，幾乎每4名國際學生中就有一位是來自說中文的家鄉! 你可以在此處閱讀整個報告。
這代表什麼呢？ 這可能意味著國務院放寬了對簽發學生簽證的限制。雖然報告沒有提及有多少F-1申請被國務院拒絕， 但是從國際學生總人數的增加可以知道，國際學生在美國的大專院校深受歡迎，而國務院亦願意簽發更多F簽證來配合這些院校的需求。 如果你正考慮到美國上大學而你的情況亦允許你這樣做，那現在可能是個好時機！
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
What does this information mean? This could mean that the State Department is fairly generous in issuing student visas to foreign nationals. Granted, the report fails to mention how many F-1 applicants have been turned down by the State Department. Nonetheless, the increase in number of international students shows that international students are welcome in higher institutions and the State Department is willing to issue more F visas to allow international students to study in the U.S. If you have ever considered attending college/university in the U.S. and your situation permits you to do so, now may be a good time to do that.
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
國際教育研究所(IIE)於星期一發表了一年一度關於國際學生在美國大專院校就讀的報告。該報告指出，在2009-2010學年期間，有690,923名國際學生在在美國的大學和學院就讀，創下歷年新高。另外，在國際學生當中，有23.6%來自中國(18.5%)、臺灣(3.9%)和香港(1.2%)。 換句話說，幾乎每4名國際學生中就有一位是來自說中文的家鄉! 你可以在此處閱讀整個報告。
這代表什麼呢？ 這可能意味著國務院放寬了對簽發學生簽證的限制。雖然報告沒有提及有多少F-1申請被國務院拒絕， 但是從國際學生總人數的增加可以知道，國際學生在美國的大專院校深受歡迎，而國務院亦願意簽發更多F簽證來配合這些院校的需求。 如果你正考慮到美國上大學而你的情況亦允許你這樣做，那現在可能是個好時機！
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
11/02/2010
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
Many international students would like to work in the U.S. after they graduate from an American institution. One of the easiest ways for them to do so is to apply for post-graduation optional practical training (OPT). The two most frequently asked questions regarding OPT are related to unemployment period and the nature of jobs that are permissible for an international graduate to take under OPT.
According to 8 CFR §214.2(f)(10)(ii)(E), an international graduate may not accumulate more than 90 days of unemployment during he OPT authorization. If the international graduate has obtained an STEM extension, the graduate may not accumulate more than 120 days of unemployment from the initial 12 months of OPT to the end of the STEM extension.
8 CFR §214.2(f)(10) states that "[a]n eligible student may request employment authorization for practical training in a position that is directly related to his or her major area of study." The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a program administered by Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE), has elaborated what kind of jobs are permissible under OPT in a Policy Guidance issued on April 23, 2010. These jobs include working for multiple employers, paid employments, unpaid employments/internships, and even self-employment. Moreover, the OPT student can work either as a W-2 worker or an 1099 independent contractor. Thus, an OPT student has a large variety of jobs that he/she can choose from. The Policy Guidance has explanation on each type of employment, so those who are interested in applying for OPT should carefully review it.
Finally, 8 CFR §214.2(f)(12)(i) requires an OPT student to report to his/her school officials if there is a change of name, address, or employment status. When to report these changes are different for those who are under the initial OPT and those who are under the STEM extension. For those who are under the initial OPT authorization, SEVP "recommends the student to report any change within 10 business days[.]" supra, 7.3.1. of Policy Guidance. In contrast, a student under STEM extension must report any change in name, address, employer, employer's address, and/or loss of employment. 8 CFR §214.2(f)(12)(ii)(A). In addition, the student needs to provide a validation report to his/her school official every 6 months during the STEM extension. 8 CFR §214.2(f)(12)(ii)(B).
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
許多國際學生希望在畢業之後留下來在美國工作。其中一個最容易這樣做的方法是申請實習工作證(OPT)。 關於OPT的兩個最常見問題是與失業時間及工作的本質有關。
根據8 CFR §214.2(f)(10)(ii)(E)，一個國際畢業生不可以在他OPT期間積累超過90天的失業。 如果國際畢業生透過STEM計畫延長OPT，那麼從最初的OPT到延期的結尾不可以積累超過120天的失業時間。
8 CFR §214.2(f)(10)規定OPT的工作必須與國際畢業生就讀的專業有關。負責學生及交換生計畫的SEVP表示，這些OPT工作包括為多個雇主工作、有薪的工作、沒有薪水的工作或者實習、以及自僱。 另外， OPT學生可以是以W-2或者1099的身份工作。 因此， OPT學生其實有很多工作可以選擇。SEVP發出的政策指引對每一種就業的形式皆有解釋，因此有興趣申請OPT的學生應細心閱讀該文件。
最後，8 CFR §214.2(f)(12)(i) 規定持有OPT工作證的國際畢業生如果更改了姓名、地址、或就業情況必須向學校報告。什麼時候要報告這些變動會因人而異。所有持有OPT的畢業生， 應在上述變更後的10個工作天向學校報告有關的改動。透過STEM計畫延長OPT的國際畢業生但凡變更了姓名、地址、雇主、雇主地址、或失業，皆須要向學校報告，而且每6個月要向學校提供報告。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
According to 8 CFR §214.2(f)(10)(ii)(E), an international graduate may not accumulate more than 90 days of unemployment during he OPT authorization. If the international graduate has obtained an STEM extension, the graduate may not accumulate more than 120 days of unemployment from the initial 12 months of OPT to the end of the STEM extension.
8 CFR §214.2(f)(10) states that "[a]n eligible student may request employment authorization for practical training in a position that is directly related to his or her major area of study." The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a program administered by Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE), has elaborated what kind of jobs are permissible under OPT in a Policy Guidance issued on April 23, 2010. These jobs include working for multiple employers, paid employments, unpaid employments/internships, and even self-employment. Moreover, the OPT student can work either as a W-2 worker or an 1099 independent contractor. Thus, an OPT student has a large variety of jobs that he/she can choose from. The Policy Guidance has explanation on each type of employment, so those who are interested in applying for OPT should carefully review it.
Finally, 8 CFR §214.2(f)(12)(i) requires an OPT student to report to his/her school officials if there is a change of name, address, or employment status. When to report these changes are different for those who are under the initial OPT and those who are under the STEM extension. For those who are under the initial OPT authorization, SEVP "recommends the student to report any change within 10 business days[.]" supra, 7.3.1. of Policy Guidance. In contrast, a student under STEM extension must report any change in name, address, employer, employer's address, and/or loss of employment. 8 CFR §214.2(f)(12)(ii)(A). In addition, the student needs to provide a validation report to his/her school official every 6 months during the STEM extension. 8 CFR §214.2(f)(12)(ii)(B).
Disclaimer: Information included in this page does not constitute as legal advice and receipt of this page does not establish attorney-client relationship. For specific inquiries, please call my office and schedule an appointment.
許多國際學生希望在畢業之後留下來在美國工作。其中一個最容易這樣做的方法是申請實習工作證(OPT)。 關於OPT的兩個最常見問題是與失業時間及工作的本質有關。
根據8 CFR §214.2(f)(10)(ii)(E)，一個國際畢業生不可以在他OPT期間積累超過90天的失業。 如果國際畢業生透過STEM計畫延長OPT，那麼從最初的OPT到延期的結尾不可以積累超過120天的失業時間。
8 CFR §214.2(f)(10)規定OPT的工作必須與國際畢業生就讀的專業有關。負責學生及交換生計畫的SEVP表示，這些OPT工作包括為多個雇主工作、有薪的工作、沒有薪水的工作或者實習、以及自僱。 另外， OPT學生可以是以W-2或者1099的身份工作。 因此， OPT學生其實有很多工作可以選擇。SEVP發出的政策指引對每一種就業的形式皆有解釋，因此有興趣申請OPT的學生應細心閱讀該文件。
最後，8 CFR §214.2(f)(12)(i) 規定持有OPT工作證的國際畢業生如果更改了姓名、地址、或就業情況必須向學校報告。什麼時候要報告這些變動會因人而異。所有持有OPT的畢業生， 應在上述變更後的10個工作天向學校報告有關的改動。透過STEM計畫延長OPT的國際畢業生但凡變更了姓名、地址、雇主、雇主地址、或失業，皆須要向學校報告，而且每6個月要向學校提供報告。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本所查詢。
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