DOH launches “Study in the States” website

Posted on September 27th, 2011 No Comments

Recently, the Department of Homeland security launched a website titled “Study in the States” in an effort to make obtaining or renewing an F-1 student visa easier for current and potential international students.

“Study in the States” provides international students with information from all federal agencies involved in the student visa application, approval, and renewal processes.  The website features tips, individual accounts, public service announcements, blogs, videos, and social medic connections to help keep international students adequately informed.

Currently, about 1.1 million students studying at universities in the U.S. are international students.

Officials say they hope that making the visa process easier for students will encourage them to stay and work in the United States after graduating.

If you have questions about the F-1 student visa application process, contact the Orange County student visa attorneys of Garg & Associates, P.C. at 949-540-6704 to learn more about how we can help you.

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3 ways to be eligible for a green card

Posted on September 22nd, 2011 No Comments

People who apply for and receive a green card become permanent residents of the United States.  As a permanent resident, one is able to work in the U.S. and is afforded the same protection under U.S. laws as a citizen.

There are 3 ways in which an individual may be eligible to receive a green card.  These are through family, through a job, and through refugee status.

Family members of citizens and permanent residents and immediate relatives of U.S. citizens can apply for permanent residency with a green card.  Also, if you have lived in the U.S. as a refugee for a year or more, you are eligible for permanent residency.

In addition, people who invest in U.S. businesses, have a permanent job offer from a company in the U.S., have been determined to have an “extraordinary ability,” and people doing religious work may be eligible to receive a green card due to their employment.

Contact the Orange County green card lawyers of Garg & Associates, P.C. at 800-242-2151 today, if you or someone you know needs assistance applying for a green card.

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Congresswoman and USCIS hold naturalization info session

Posted on September 14th, 2011 No Comments

Earlier this month, Congresswoman Jackie Speier and U.S. Citizenship Immigration Services held an information session on naturalization.  The session was targeted at legal permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship through naturalization.

Congresswoman Speier began the meeting with an explanation of the differences between legal permanent residency and citizenship and the advantages that citizenship provides.  Only citizens of the U.S. are able to vote, work for the U.S. government, run for office, apply for citizenship for family members, use a U.S. passport, and serve on a jury.

USCIS San Francisco Field Office Director Robin Barrett continued the information session with a detailed explanation of the naturalization process.  Barrett explained that the process involves an initial application, passing tests, taking a final oath, and receiving a certificate of citizenship.

To learn more about the naturalization process and to speak with an experienced immigration attorney, contact the Orange County naturalization lawyers of Garg & Associates, P.C. at 949-540-6704 today.

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Brazil could be added to Visa Waiver Program

Posted on September 9th, 2011 No Comments

Last year, Brazil ranked 5th in terms of countries with tourists visiting the United States.  An estimated 1.2 million Brazilians traveled to the United States in 2010.  Furthermore, the number of Brazilian tourists coming to the U.S. every year is expected to increase by about 12 percent over the next 3 years.

With protests in Brazil and the U.S. over adding Brazil to the U.S.’s Visa Waiver Program, experts are speculating that Brazil could be the 37th country to be added to the list.  The VWP allows tourists from other countries to visit the U.S. for 90 days or less without a visa.

In addition, if Brazil is added to the list, U.S. tourists would most likely not need visas to visit Brazil due a reciprocity clause.

If you or someone you know is planning on staying in the U.S. for more than 90 days, you will need a visitor visa to do so.  Contact the Orange County visitor visa attorneys of Garg & Associates, P.C. by calling 800-242-2151 today.

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