“Global immigration” is the designation used for all of VISANOW’s services that take place outside of the U.S. and do not specifically require any interaction, applications, or submissions to any U.S. government agencies such as USCIS, the Department of State, and the Department of Homeland Security.
Topics: Businesses-FAQ
An E-1 visa or Treaty Trader Visa is used for companies or individuals who are involved in or want to develop substantial trade between the U.S. and a country with which the U.S. maintains an appropriate treaty. An E-1 visa can also be granted to the primary visa holder’s spouse and minor children.
Topics: Businesses-FAQ
Employment-based green cards are available to certain individuals who are looking to relocate permanently for employment within the United States. Unlike H-1B visa and other non-immigrant visa holders, the recipients of the employment-based green card intend to stay in the United States for good.
Topics: Businesses-FAQ
Ever since I started college, I always had to face more struggles than other students. My freshman year I was afraid I would not be able to return for second semester because I could not pay for it. Even with my 3.8 GPA at the time, and all the multiple extracurricular activities, I still could not get any financial aid from the government. I was afraid to go ask for help because I did not know who in the school was an ally to DREAMers. My lifelong dream of getting an education was slipping away like water running through my fingers. I was losing hope and felt like it was not worth it anymore. Why struggle so much? Why work three times as hard just to see if maybe I would return? I felt hopeless and alone.
In the Northern Illinois University Latino Resource Center I found my salvation. Even if each year the story repeats itself, I know I will come back as long as I work hard in school and stay involved because I have the support of staff members, DREAM Action NIU, and other allies. I consider myself lucky because not many DREAMers have the strength to look for help; they just give up.
Last Tuesday, October 27, 2013 I was given the opportunity to be at a historical event for NIU. NIU’s President Baker came out and in front of the media and agreed to help DREAMers. This means many DREAMers to come will not have to go through the struggles that I did. Discrimination will decrease and hopefully we will get financial aid as well as emotional support.
During the event I was the only undocumented person in the panel. I represented all the DREAMers at NIU. I felt honored to be selected for this historical event sponsored by the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition and NIU. As a 21 year-old woman with a learning disability, I was shocked to be selected. I told them my story, how I came here, and how I was raised in a violent neighborhood. I informed them that I graduated in top 20 of 1,100 students in my high school. I spoke of my involvement in the executive board of the first Latin Honor Society at NIU. I mentioned that I am a mentor for other students through various groups and that I am in the Honors Program at NIU. During the summer time I worked three jobs, went to school and interned at VISANOW. Even with all this I informed them that I still struggle to come back each semester. President Baker acknowledged that the school does need to help us.
“It should not be this difficult for a student like Christian to get an education,” President Baker said. The other members of the panel were Billy Lawless, chair of the Chicago Celts for Immigration Reform, Emily Gray, executive director of World Relief, Manny Sanchez , chair of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce Employment Law Forum, and Lauren Carini, student at Wheaton College.
It has been a short journey for me. Two years ago I was living a double life not letting anybody know that I was undocumented. I was afraid of applying to DACA and I did not even know if I would finish my first year at NIU. Today I am two years from graduating with honors from one of the best business schools in the Midwest. I have fought for a voice to be heard not only for myself but for my people, for my family. As a DREAMer I am not the problem, I am one of the millions of solutions. To other DREAMers struggling like me, I tell you do not lose hope. Never let anybody tell you it’s impossible. On behalf of DREAM Action NIU and all DREAMers that attend NIU I thank President Baker for his support.
An H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign national workers in a highly specialized field.
Topics: Businesses-FAQ
Not all United States visas are created equal. And when it comes to relocating to the U.S., citizens of countries with a high volume of immigrants must wait a great deal longer than others.
Topics: Work-Based Visas, Personal and Family Visas, Immigration Blog
An L-1A visa beneficiary must be employed at a company abroad at an executive or managerial level for at least one of the last three years before the L-1A visa is filed. Generally, L-1A holders are admitted to the U.S. for a three year period, though in some cases it is only one year.
Topics: Businesses-FAQ
Topics: Work-Based Visas, Personal and Family Visas, Immigration Blog
The nonimmigrant TN visa allows citizens of Canada and Mexico to come to the U.S. to work in as a NAFTA professional in designated categories. There are dozens of professions that fall under the designated TN category. Contact an immigration attorney or VISANOW immigration consultant to determine whether or not your employee would fall into any of the TN categories.
Canadian citizens can apply for a TN visa directly at the border/port of entry. VISANOW can prepare the TN application for the individual to present to the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer.
Topics: Businesses-FAQ
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a one-year work visa intended for recent graduates of approved academic programs in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) areas. OPT holders may be eligible for an additional 17-month OPT extension after the initial one year if their employers are enrolled in the optional E-Verify program, a web-based employment verification system. It is valid for 17 months and the applicant’s work must directly relate to his or her course of study.
Topics: Businesses-FAQ