DV Lottery

If you’re living in the United States on a visa, with a green card, or as an expat professional, you’ve probably heard about Real ID by now. As of May 7, 2025, this federally mandated identification standard became the requirement for boarding domestic flights and entering certain federal facilities. But here’s what many non-citizens are asking: Can I even get …

In the shadowed corridors of America’s immigration system, where bureaucracy meets heartbreak, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) emerges as a quiet beacon for the most vulnerable. Picture a teenager, fresh from a border crossing scarred by family betrayal, now navigating foster care in a strange city. SIJS isn’t just paperwork—it’s a lifeline, a federal acknowledgment that some children deserve protection …

Why Awards Are Powerful Awards often provide the clearest form of third-party validation. They show that experts and respected organizations recognize your talent and contribution. For USCIS, this external recognition is harder to dispute than self-claims of excellence. When documented properly, awards can transform an EB-1A petition from strong to extraordinary. But as powerful as awards are, there are also …

October 22, 2025 Update on the $100,000 H-1B Fee On October 20, 2025, USCIS issued further clarification on the Proclamation on Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers that was issued on September 19, 2025. In a nutshell, who is NOT subject to the $100,000 fee? The $100,000 fee does not apply to: Foreign nationals who have a currently valid …

For many Turks looking to build a new life, start a business, or pursue education in the US, legal processes can sometimes feel like complete chaos. Especially when dealing with language barriers, cultural differences, and the impenetrable nature of legal terms… That’s where the search for a “Turkish lawyer in the US” comes in. Finding a guide who speaks your …

News The Department of State is adding a $1 registration fee for entering the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery.   What is the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery? The Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program, also called the Green Card Lottery, is a U.S. government program that makes up to 55,000 immigrant visas available each year. Its purpose is to diversify the immigrant …

What does it really mean to be “extraordinary” for immigration purposes and who decides how we prove it? For years, EB-1A petitions often felt like a shell game: petitioners tried to meet the regulation’s listed criteria while adjudicators quietly pressed for something more. In Kazarian v. USCIS, 596 F.3d 1115 (9th Cir. 2010), the Ninth Circuit stepped in, not to …

To establish national importance, your petition must show why the endeavor’s success would have ripple effects beyond one employer or region. The focus is on scope, policy relevance, and national benefit, not on local gains or personal achievements. 1. Start with the Field’s National Relevance Open by explaining why the field itself matters to the U.S. economy, health, or security.Cite …

For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. You can also join our Immigration News Digest Newsletter here. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued guidance clarifying when the new $100,000 H-1B fee applies. The update, following the September 19 presidential proclamation, resolves major questions for employers managing upcoming FY2026 filings. The …

A prior visa denial is not a life sentence, but it’s a significant roadblock. While a refusal rarely means you can never apply again, it flags your case for increased scrutiny in every subsequent application. The ability to reapply depends entirely on the reason for the denial and your capacity to address and overcome that specific issue. Understanding Visa Denials …