I was fortunate enough to be invited to visit Yunnan and Shandong Provinces in China in September 2011. During this trip, I attended meetings, did a short presentation, and visited with potential clients. Here are some pictures of the trip:
10/12/2011
2013 Diversity Visa Lottery Program 多國籍移民簽證計劃
If you are interested in the diversity lottery program for the fiscal year of 2013, you may start submitting application from October 4 to November 5, 2011. Like last year, 50,000 immigrant visas will be available under the program for the fiscal year of 2013. Result of the lottery will be made available on May 1, 2012.
A couple friendly reminders: 1) Persons born in Mainland China, Mexico, and other countries where a large number of immigrants come from are not eligible to participate in the lottery; 2) the program is completely free and only those who win will be required to pay a visa application fee; 3) winners will not be notified by mail or email by the State Department.
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.
如果你有興趣參加2013財政年度的多國籍移民簽證計劃，你需要在2011年10月1日至11月5日期間遞交申請表。與去年一樣，多國籍移民簽證計劃今年將會提供50,000個移民簽證配額。抽籤結果將會在2012年5月1日公佈。
以下是關於此計劃的溫馨提示：1)於中國大陸、墨西哥等移民主要來源地出生的人士是不能參加此計劃的；2) 多國籍移民簽證計劃是免費參加的。只有符合資格而被選中面談的申請人需繳交簽證的申請費；3)國務院不會將中籤通知書以郵件或電郵方式寄給被抽中的幸運兒。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本人查詢。
A couple friendly reminders: 1) Persons born in Mainland China, Mexico, and other countries where a large number of immigrants come from are not eligible to participate in the lottery; 2) the program is completely free and only those who win will be required to pay a visa application fee; 3) winners will not be notified by mail or email by the State Department.
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.
如果你有興趣參加2013財政年度的多國籍移民簽證計劃，你需要在2011年10月1日至11月5日期間遞交申請表。與去年一樣，多國籍移民簽證計劃今年將會提供50,000個移民簽證配額。抽籤結果將會在2012年5月1日公佈。
以下是關於此計劃的溫馨提示：1)於中國大陸、墨西哥等移民主要來源地出生的人士是不能參加此計劃的；2) 多國籍移民簽證計劃是免費參加的。只有符合資格而被選中面談的申請人需繳交簽證的申請費；3)國務院不會將中籤通知書以郵件或電郵方式寄給被抽中的幸運兒。
以上資料僅供參考之用，並非法律意見。如有個別問題，請致電本人查詢。
8/04/2011
New Administrative Changes to Attract Foreign Investors 吸引外商投資的新措施
USCIS announced this week that a few administarive changes would be made to attract more foreign investors to create job opportunities in the U.S. These changes include:
- Premium processing available to EB-1 petitioners that apply under the multinational executives and managers caategory (E13) and EB-5 investors;
- EB-2 applicants may apply under the National Interest Waiver (NIW) if they can show that they are either a member in a profession that requires an advanced degree or an individual of exceptional ability and their investment in the U.S. will benefit the interest of the United States;
- Specialized EB-5 intake teams will be created to handle EB-5 adjudications and EB-5 regional center applicants will be able to communicate with the intake teams directly through email;
- An expert decision board will be convened to make decisions on EB-5 application;
- Re-emphasize that self-employed aliens may apply for H-1B visa as long as the aliens can show that their own company can exercise control over them, such as having a separate board that can hire, pay, or fire the aliens.
These changes will certainly make it easier and faster for investors to apply for different kind of non-immigrant and immigrant work visas. Hopefully, USCIS will be able to articulate a specific plan to implement these changes in the next 30 days as promised by USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas.
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.
- EB-1類別中跨國公司行政人員及經理(E13)及EB-5投資移民的申請人可申請特快服務 ；
- 外商可以透過EB-2中的國家利益豁免(National Interest Waiver; NIW)類別申請綠咭。外商必須從事需要高等學歷的專業或本身擁有特殊的才能，而且從事的工作會為全國的經濟帶來益處；
- 成立數個專門負責 EB-5 案件的隊伍，而EB-5 投資中心的申請人可以以電郵方式與這些隊伍溝通；
- 成立專家小組，專門負責批核EB-5申請；
- 重申自雇人士只要能夠證明其公司可以對他擁有控制權，如有獨立的董事會可以僱用、支付薪水、及罷免申請人，那麼申請人仍有資格申請H-1B 簽證。
這些改革將使投資者能更容易和快捷地得到各種不同的非移民和移民工作簽證。希望誠如移民局局長梅奧卡斯所說，關於這些改革的具體實施計劃可以在30天內出爐。
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。
7/28/2011
E-Filing 網上申請
USCIS announced that it would start accepting I-539 application electronically in December 2011. By creating a username and password, an applicant can fill out I-539 and submit evidence online. In 2012, applicants of some non-immigrant benefits, such as I-131 and I-765, may file those applications electronically. In latter stages, applicants of immigrant benefits will be able to do the same. USCIS has posted a prototype video online if you are interested to learn more about filing an application online in the future.
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.
USCIS宣佈，在2011年12月開始，I-539表格的申請人可以在網上遞交申請。申請人只要建立一個網上帳戶，便能在網上填好I-539表格和遞交證據。 在2012年，一些非移民表格的申請人，例如I-131和I-765，也可以在網上提出那些申請。 在不久的將來，移民表格的申請人亦可以在網上遞交申請。USCIS在網上張貼了一段關於占電子申請的錄影，有興趣的您亦不妨看看。
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。
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.
USCIS宣佈，在2011年12月開始，I-539表格的申請人可以在網上遞交申請。申請人只要建立一個網上帳戶，便能在網上填好I-539表格和遞交證據。 在2012年，一些非移民表格的申請人，例如I-131和I-765，也可以在網上提出那些申請。 在不久的將來，移民表格的申請人亦可以在網上遞交申請。USCIS在網上張貼了一段關於占電子申請的錄影，有興趣的您亦不妨看看。
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。
7/21/2011
Diversity Visa Fraud 多元化簽證計劃詐騙
On July 15 (last Friday), the State Department drew the winners for the Diversity Visa Program for fiscal year 2012 again after a hiccup back in May. Unfortunately, some dishonest people are trying to take advantage of the American dream of millions of people. In fact, the problem is serious enough that USCIS warns against Lottery Visa Fraud in its official blog.
Here are a few things to remember about the Diversity Visa Program and or the so-called visa lottery:
First, the State Department does not send out email or postal mail to notify the winners. Instead, participants of the program need to go to the State Department's website to check whether they win.
Second, a participant must have entered the draw for a particular year in order to be drawn. For example, a one-time participant in the lottery held in FY 2007 will never get picked for FY 2012.
Third, if you are a citizen from a list of countries in which the U.S. has received a lot of immigrants from, you are ineligible to participate in the program. For example, if you are from India or Mainland China, you know you will not be a winner of the lottery because you are not qualified to participate at the first place.
Finally, winners of the lottery do not need to pay anything until they apply for an immigrant visa at the U.S. Consulate/embassy.
Therefore, if you have received any communication about you winning the lottery that runs afoul of the above principles, you can know for sure it is a scam and you should discard it.
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.
由於電腦於5月出錯，國務院在7月15日(上星期五)再次為2012年財政年度的多元化簽證計劃進行抽籤。不幸的是，某些不誠實的人利用成千上萬希望一圓美國夢的人來進行詐騙。 由於問題嚴重，美國移民局於其官方部落格對此提出警告。
關於多元化簽證計劃，有四點大家應該注意：
首先，參加者需要到國務院的網站檢查結果，國務院不會發出電子郵件或信函通知被抽中的幸運兒。
其次，參加者要參加了該年度的抽籤才會有機會被抽中。 例如，一個参加者只曾參加2007年財政年度的抽籤，他一定不會在2012年財政年度被抽中。
第三，如果你在一個美國主要移民來源的國家出生，你沒有資格参加此計劃。 例如，如果你是在印度或中國大陸出生，那麼你一定不會被抽中，因為你根本不能參加此計劃。
最後，被抽中的幸運兒在他們到美國領事館申請移民簽證時才需付款。
所以，如果你收到任何與上述有衝突的通信，你便可以知道它是假的。
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。
Here are a few things to remember about the Diversity Visa Program and or the so-called visa lottery:
First, the State Department does not send out email or postal mail to notify the winners. Instead, participants of the program need to go to the State Department's website to check whether they win.
Second, a participant must have entered the draw for a particular year in order to be drawn. For example, a one-time participant in the lottery held in FY 2007 will never get picked for FY 2012.
Third, if you are a citizen from a list of countries in which the U.S. has received a lot of immigrants from, you are ineligible to participate in the program. For example, if you are from India or Mainland China, you know you will not be a winner of the lottery because you are not qualified to participate at the first place.
Finally, winners of the lottery do not need to pay anything until they apply for an immigrant visa at the U.S. Consulate/embassy.
Therefore, if you have received any communication about you winning the lottery that runs afoul of the above principles, you can know for sure it is a scam and you should discard it.
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.
由於電腦於5月出錯，國務院在7月15日(上星期五)再次為2012年財政年度的多元化簽證計劃進行抽籤。不幸的是，某些不誠實的人利用成千上萬希望一圓美國夢的人來進行詐騙。 由於問題嚴重，美國移民局於其官方部落格對此提出警告。
關於多元化簽證計劃，有四點大家應該注意：
首先，參加者需要到國務院的網站檢查結果，國務院不會發出電子郵件或信函通知被抽中的幸運兒。
其次，參加者要參加了該年度的抽籤才會有機會被抽中。 例如，一個参加者只曾參加2007年財政年度的抽籤，他一定不會在2012年財政年度被抽中。
第三，如果你在一個美國主要移民來源的國家出生，你沒有資格参加此計劃。 例如，如果你是在印度或中國大陸出生，那麼你一定不會被抽中，因為你根本不能參加此計劃。
最後，被抽中的幸運兒在他們到美國領事館申請移民簽證時才需付款。
所以，如果你收到任何與上述有衝突的通信，你便可以知道它是假的。
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。
7/12/2011
Immigrant Visa and Consular Processing 到領事館申請移民簽證
For most I-130, I-140, and I-526 applicants who live outside of the United States, they must apply for an immigrant visa (IV) to enter the U.S. after their application is approved. In the initial application of I-130/I-140.I-526, the applicant may specify which consulate the applicant would apply for an IV. Under 22 CFR §42.61(a), an applicant should apply for an IV with the Consulate that has jurisdiction over his or her residence. Usually this means the applicant's home country. If the applicant is currently working at a foreign country, an applicant may apply for an IV even though the applicant may not have a residency there. However, the Consulate in the third country may exercise discretion and refuse to process the IV.
After the I-130/I-140/I-526 application has been approved by USCIS, the application is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC). Usually the applicant will need to pay the document processing fee and submit the documents required for the particular kind of application. After NVC has reviewed the file, the applicant will receive a notice that specifies the day and time of the interview.
When attending an interview with a consulate officer, it is important to know the information included in the original I-130/I-140/I-526 application. For instance, an EB-5 applicant should be able to know the basics of his or her investment, such as the location, investment amount, etc. An I-130 applicant should be able to answer simple questions about the petitioner.
In short, an applicant should follow the directions sent from the NVC closely and be prepared to attend the IV interview. It would certainly be a pain if the applicant's IV application gets denied after going through the I-130/I-140/I-526 application process.
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.
多數居住在美國境外的I-130、I-140和I-526申請人都必須在他們的移民申請獲批後到領事館申請移民簽證(IV)進入美國。 在提交I-130/I-140/I-526申請的時候，申請人可以揀選在哪個領事館申請IV。22 CFR §42.61(a)規定申請人應該在他們居住地方所屬的領事館申請IV。 這通常是申請人的家鄉或祖國。 如果申請人在外地工作，即使申請人不在該地居住，申請人也可以在該地所屬的領事館申請IV。 然而，領事館有權行使酌情權而拒绝處理該申請人的IV申請。
在移民局審批准了I-130/I-140/I-526之後，申請會被送到全國簽證中心(NVC)。 通常申請人需要繳付文件處理費和遞交與申請有關的證明文件。 在NVC查核文件之後，申請人將收到關於到領事館面談的資料，如日期、時間及地址。 與領事面談的時候，申請人應熟悉I-130/I-140/I-526申請書中的資料。 例如， EB-5申請人應能回答關於他們投資項目的基本資料，例如地點、投資額等等。 I-130申請人應該能回答關於替他提交申請的家人的簡單問題。
簡而言之，申請人應該小心跟從NVC的指示及到領事館面談前做好準備。如果申請人在通過移民局I-130/I-140/I-526的審批之後無法獲得IV來美，就真是功虧一簣了。
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。
After the I-130/I-140/I-526 application has been approved by USCIS, the application is forwarded to the National Visa Center (NVC). Usually the applicant will need to pay the document processing fee and submit the documents required for the particular kind of application. After NVC has reviewed the file, the applicant will receive a notice that specifies the day and time of the interview.
When attending an interview with a consulate officer, it is important to know the information included in the original I-130/I-140/I-526 application. For instance, an EB-5 applicant should be able to know the basics of his or her investment, such as the location, investment amount, etc. An I-130 applicant should be able to answer simple questions about the petitioner.
In short, an applicant should follow the directions sent from the NVC closely and be prepared to attend the IV interview. It would certainly be a pain if the applicant's IV application gets denied after going through the I-130/I-140/I-526 application process.
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.
多數居住在美國境外的I-130、I-140和I-526申請人都必須在他們的移民申請獲批後到領事館申請移民簽證(IV)進入美國。 在提交I-130/I-140/I-526申請的時候，申請人可以揀選在哪個領事館申請IV。22 CFR §42.61(a)規定申請人應該在他們居住地方所屬的領事館申請IV。 這通常是申請人的家鄉或祖國。 如果申請人在外地工作，即使申請人不在該地居住，申請人也可以在該地所屬的領事館申請IV。 然而，領事館有權行使酌情權而拒绝處理該申請人的IV申請。
在移民局審批准了I-130/I-140/I-526之後，申請會被送到全國簽證中心(NVC)。 通常申請人需要繳付文件處理費和遞交與申請有關的證明文件。 在NVC查核文件之後，申請人將收到關於到領事館面談的資料，如日期、時間及地址。 與領事面談的時候，申請人應熟悉I-130/I-140/I-526申請書中的資料。 例如， EB-5申請人應能回答關於他們投資項目的基本資料，例如地點、投資額等等。 I-130申請人應該能回答關於替他提交申請的家人的簡單問題。
簡而言之，申請人應該小心跟從NVC的指示及到領事館面談前做好準備。如果申請人在通過移民局I-130/I-140/I-526的審批之後無法獲得IV來美，就真是功虧一簣了。
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。
6/30/2011
Sophisticated Business Plans 詳細的計劃書
One common issue many potential immigrant investors and non-immigrant workers have to face is to write up a business plan that works. In order for an I-526 to be approved, the investor has to draw up a very sophisticated business plan that shows that the applicant's investment would actually work. Similarly, applicants for an E-2 visa or a L-1A visa under the new office provision also need to come up with a solid business plan. That begs the question: what kind of business plan do these applicants need?
It seems that USCIS like facts and statistics to back up claims. Therefore, whenever possible, try look for data that is published by the government, such as census and employment data. If official data is impossible to be obtained, find other data that is published by private companies and give proper citations to the source of the data. By doing so, it shows USCIS that the applicant is extremely serious about the business and a detailed business analysis has already been performed. That in turn will improve the chance of an approval.
Moreover, a business plan that has solid projections would be preferred. How the invested funds will be used, when and why a position is created, and the proposed salaries of the position should be explained and outlined.
The key thing to bear in mind for most situations is this: a renewal will needed to be filed down the road. If your initial business plan is lousy and unworkable, it may come back to haunt you when renewal comes!
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.
投資移民及非移民工作簽證的申請人常遇到的一個問題是如何草擬一份可行的工作計劃書。要I-526申請被批准，投資者必須草擬一份詳細的計劃書來證明申請人的投資項目是的確可行的。 同樣地，申請E-2簽證或L-1A新公司的簽證也需要一份周全的計劃書。 那麼，怎樣的計劃書才算得上是可行的呢？
移民局看起來喜歡有事實和統計支持的計劃書。 所以，若情況許可，嘗試找出由政府出版，例如人口調查和就業數據的資料。 如果無法獲得官方的數據，就應該嘗試找到由私人公司出版的其他數據，並且列出數據的來源。這樣做可以令移民局相信申請人對投資項目非常認真，並真的詳細研究過投資項目是否可行，從而增加申請獲批准的機會。
再者，計劃書中應有詳盡的預測，解釋和概述將怎麼使用投資的資金、工作職位為什麼及在何時會被創造、以及職位的建議薪金等。
要記住，在大多數情況下，簽證是需要續期的。 如果您最初的計劃書是粗淺和難以使用的話，當您要申請續期的時候，可能會為您帶來更大的煩惱!
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。
It seems that USCIS like facts and statistics to back up claims. Therefore, whenever possible, try look for data that is published by the government, such as census and employment data. If official data is impossible to be obtained, find other data that is published by private companies and give proper citations to the source of the data. By doing so, it shows USCIS that the applicant is extremely serious about the business and a detailed business analysis has already been performed. That in turn will improve the chance of an approval.
Moreover, a business plan that has solid projections would be preferred. How the invested funds will be used, when and why a position is created, and the proposed salaries of the position should be explained and outlined.
The key thing to bear in mind for most situations is this: a renewal will needed to be filed down the road. If your initial business plan is lousy and unworkable, it may come back to haunt you when renewal comes!
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.
投資移民及非移民工作簽證的申請人常遇到的一個問題是如何草擬一份可行的工作計劃書。要I-526申請被批准，投資者必須草擬一份詳細的計劃書來證明申請人的投資項目是的確可行的。 同樣地，申請E-2簽證或L-1A新公司的簽證也需要一份周全的計劃書。 那麼，怎樣的計劃書才算得上是可行的呢？
移民局看起來喜歡有事實和統計支持的計劃書。 所以，若情況許可，嘗試找出由政府出版，例如人口調查和就業數據的資料。 如果無法獲得官方的數據，就應該嘗試找到由私人公司出版的其他數據，並且列出數據的來源。這樣做可以令移民局相信申請人對投資項目非常認真，並真的詳細研究過投資項目是否可行，從而增加申請獲批准的機會。
再者，計劃書中應有詳盡的預測，解釋和概述將怎麼使用投資的資金、工作職位為什麼及在何時會被創造、以及職位的建議薪金等。
要記住，在大多數情況下，簽證是需要續期的。 如果您最初的計劃書是粗淺和難以使用的話，當您要申請續期的時候，可能會為您帶來更大的煩惱!
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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