Breaking News

E-Filing: Now also via credit card The possibility of filing some applications online at USCIS had been introduced in May of 2003 already. 56,000 online (uscis.gov) applications could already be registered, especially applications to renew or replace lost or stolen green card (application form I-90) or applications for an employment authorization (form I-765).

From now on, applicants may also pay the appropriate fees via credit card! Accepted are all well-known credit card providers, such as Visa, MasterCard or American Express and the so-called Debit Cards that belong to the system of the mentioned providers.

Spouses of US citizens: applicants still in status Just recently US Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued a memo to better protect spouses of US citizens. According to US law, they initially get a conditional green card for two years. Before the end of this period, they have to file an application to have this condition removed (I-751).

The author of this document, Mr. William R. Yates, Associate Director for Operations at USCIS, gave a corresponding order on December 2. This makes it clear that those persons will still get the so-called I-551 stamp in their passports. As soon as the I-751 petition has been filed (Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence) they will receive a confirmation of receipt from USCIS, the form I-797. With this confirmation and the conditional green card, they can get the I-551 stamp in their passport. After the green card expires, this will replace it. This stamp, just like the green card, acts as a work permit and a permit for unrestricted travel until they are issued a new unconditional green card. Before this revision, it was uncertain what was to happen to the conditional permanent residence status in case the removal had not yet been approved.

Immigration legislation: President Bush signs extension of several laws On December 3, 2003, President Bush signed a new law, the "Basic Pilot Extension and Expansion Act of 2003" (Federal Law Gazette No. 108-156). The new law extends and expands a number of regulations within immigration law until the year 2008. Most of them had already been introduced in 1996 with the important "Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Responsibility Act of 1996 (IIRIRA)." Among other things, the green card for investors on a regional basis, the so-called "EB5 Immigrant Investor Regional Pilot Program," has been extended. Congress has asked the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to present them with a report about the course of the program after one year.

US Visa: Questions and consulting Do you have any questions concerning application processes at the US Citizenship and Immigration Services or the US consulates? Or do you need individual consultation? Our experts of our visa and consular service offer fast and comfortable advice via our hotline. Or use our free contact form on our website.