| In This Issue: |
| COVID-19 DELAYS IN EXTENSION/CHANGE OF STATUS FILINGS. |
| REMOTE INSPECTION OF I-9 FORM DOCUMENTS NOW PERMITTED IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DURING CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY. |
| VIDEO: PRINCETON TELEVISION FEATURES DAVID NACHMAN, ESQ. AND LUDKA ZIMOVCAK, ESQ. OF NPZ LAW GROUP - VISASERVE - ABOUT THE PATH FROM TN CLASSIFICATION TO GREEN CARD. |
| USCIS TEMPORARY OFFICE CLOSURES EXTENDED UNTIL AT LEAST MAY 3RD. |
| USCIS ANNOUNCES FLEXIBILITY FOR RESPONDING TO REQUESTS DURING THE PANDEMIC EMERGENCY. |
| OPTIONS FOR H-1BS FACING TERMINATION: "H-1BS CAN GO ON UNPAID LEAVE ... IT'S A BETTER OPTION", SAY U.S. IMMIGRATION LAW EXPERTS. |
| DOS VISA BULLETIN UPDATE: VISA BULLETIN FOR APRIL 2020 - IF YOUR "PRIORITY DATE" IS CURRENT PLEASE LET US KNOW? |
| NEW MANDATORY MEASURES WHEN TRAVELING TO CANADA. |
| THE WAY COVID-19 IS AFFECTING IMMIGRATION PROCESS AND SERVICES: UPDATE FROM NORTH OF THE BORDER. |
| CURE FOR THE CORONAVIRUS BOREDOM FROM QUARANTINE: GENERAL INFORMATION FROM DAVID H. NACHMAN, ESQ., IMMIGRATION LAWYER, ABOUT THE FILING OF MARRIAGE CASES, FIANCE CASES, FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRATION LAW CASES WITH THE USCIS IN THIS PANDEMIC-STRICKEN ENVIRONMENT. EVERYONE PLEASE BE SAFE AND SOUND AND VIRUS FREE. |
| VIDEO: U.S. IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY LAWYERS, DAVID NACHMAN, ESQ. AND LUDKA ZIMOVCAK, ESQ. FROM VISASERVE (NPZ LAW GROUP) DISCUSS THE WAY COVID-19 IS IMPACTING THE IMMIGRATION LAW PRACTICE FROM THEIR HOME OFFICES. |
| VIDEO: U.S. IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY LAWYER, SNEHAL BATRA, ESQ. FROM VISASERVE (NPZ LAW GROUP) SPEAKS FROM HER HOME OFFICE ABOUT L-1A INTRACOMPANY TRANSFER VISA BASICS. |
| FREE ½ Hour Consultation with one of our Law Firm's Attorneys. NPZ's way to assist Employers and employees on the FRONT LINES during these unprecedented times. |
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FOR YOUR U.S. AND CANADA IMMIGRATION LAW QUERIES PLEASE FEEL FREE TO GIVE US A CALL.
:: 201-670-0006
(ext. 100)
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UPCOMING EVENT:
Employer Immigration Compliance: I-9s and Beyond
May 12th, 2020
Location: Formerly, Sheraton Parsippany, NJ - To be shifted to WEBINAR
3 HRCI & SHRM-CP credits available.
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HEAR ABOUT YOUR IMMIGRATION LAW ISSUE:
NPZ LAW GROUP - US and CANADA Immigration and Nationality Law Podcast Library is available to you
on . . .
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PRESS RELEASE: DAVID H. NACHMAN, ESQ. CONTINUES
TO SERVE
AS CHAIR OF THE NJSBA INTERNATIONAL LAW COMMITTEE.
David Nachman, Esq., one of the Managing Attorneys at the
Immigration
and Nationality Law Firm of Nachman Phulwani Zimovcak (NPZ) Law Group, P.C. - VISASERVE - continues to serve as Chair of the International Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA).
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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
If you are stopped by an Immigration Official or Police Officer; you can choose to ...
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AT NPZ ... WE SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE:
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NPZ'S OFFICES*:
NPZ'S NORTHERN NEW JERSEY OFFICE:
VISASERVE Plaza
487 Goffle Road
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Phone: 201-670-0006 (x107)
Please feel free to ask about our presence in Boston, MA. and in Chicago, IL.
* Please note that our immigration law practice is national and international in scope. We assist our clients throughout the U.S. and throughout the world.
NPZ'S CENTRAL NEW JERSEY OFFICE:
907 U.S. Highway
#202 North,
Raritan, NJ
Phone: 1-866-599-3625
NEW YORK CITY OFFICE:
108 West 39th Street
8th Floor, Suite 800
New York, NY 10018
Phone: 1-866-599-3625
INDIANA OFFICE:
201 North Illinois Street
16th Floor, South Tower
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: 317-936-6600
CANADA AFFILIATED OFFICE:
VISASERVE - Canada
2980 Drew Road
Suite 225
Mississauga,
ON L4T 0A7
Phone: 905-499-3853
INDIA AFFILIATED OFFICES:
Gujarat Office in India
If you are looking for
a local contact in
Gujarat (India), please
call us or send us an
email at
and we will point you in the appropriate direction. We have numerous individuals and organizations with
whom we have relationships in Gujarat and the organizations/persons with whom we work depend upon your demographics in
Gujarat (India) and the type of case you may
be calling about.
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Nachman Phulwani Zimovcak (NPZ) Law Group, P.C. (Mailing Address only - Offices
in Mumbai)
.
c/o Mr. Shishir Goyal, Authorized Agent
201 Nepean House
85 Nepean Sea Road
Mumbai 400006, India
Call us at
201-670-0006 (x100)
for contact details.
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Shekhar Raj Sharma
SRS Legal
A1/134, Safdurjung Enclave,
Lower Ground Floor
New Delhi-29, India
(This office provides "on the ground" services to our Indian clients such as India Divorce, India Real Estate Purchase and Sale, Business Sale Purchase, Adoption, Litigation and High Court Complaints)
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Dear Readers:
We continue to receive calls from foreign national workers about layoffs, furloughs and terminations. Especially hard hit have been the H-1B nonimmigrant professional and specialty occupation workers. The COVID-19 Pandemic came on the heels of the announcement of the results of the H-1B Registration results. Interesting is the willingness of prospective H-1B employers to move forward with the filings. This helps us to be cautiously optimistic that business-people believe that the US economy will be "back on track" by October 1st.
The Pandemic has caused NPZ staff to also take a close look at issues under the February 24th Public Charge rule as applied in the context of Unemployment Insurance and other Health Treatment issues.
A large number of recent inquiries have been from F-1, international students, as many were due to begin Optional Practical Training (OPT) following graduation. Now, with the contraction of the economy, opportunities may be gone. VISASERVE Lawyers continue to assist ISOs and DSOs at Academic Institutions throughout the Nation to understand potential options and repercussions served-up by the new COVID-19 landscape.
As newly-minted immigration law policies find their way to the forefront, we continue to work hard to assist you, your staff, your friends and relatives, find ways through the labyrinth of changes.
We remind our readers that we are U.S. and Canadian immigration and nationality lawyers and immigration attorneys. We are happy to assist you at your request. Please feel to email us at
[email protected]
or you can call us at 201-670-0006 (x107).
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USCIS ANNOUNCES DELAYS: COVID-19 DELAYS IN EXTENSION / CHANGE OF STATUS FILINGS.
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recognizes that there are immigration-related challenges as a direct result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. DHS continues to carefully analyze these issues and to leverage its resources to effectively address these challenges within DHS existing authorities. DHS also continues to take action to protect the American people and communities and is considering a number of policies and procedures to improve the employment opportunities of U.S. workers during the pandemic.
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RECENT I-9 FORM PROCEDURAL CHANGES: REMOTE INSPECTION OF I-9 DOCUMENTS NOW PERMITTED IN LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DURING THE CORONAVIRUS EMERGENCY.
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced that effective immediately, "employers taking physical proximity precautions due to COVID-19" will be temporarily allowed to review new employees' "section 2" documents remotely when completing I-9 Forms.
This can include, for example, reviewing the documents via web camera or emailed images. This relaxes long-standing policy that ordinarily requires a physical, in-person inspection.
Bear in mind, however, that: The flexibility is only available when because of COVID-19 arrangements specifically, there are no employees physically present at what would otherwise be the employee's work location; and
An employer that uses this option must provide written documentation of its "remote on boarding and telework policy for each employee."
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PRINCETON TELEVISION FEATURES NPZ IMMIGRATION LAWYERS - DAVID NACHMAN, ESQ. AND LUDKA ZIMOVCAK, ESQ. - VISASERVE.COM - THEY EXPLAIN THE PATH FROM THE TN WORK CLASSIFICATION TO THE GREEN CARD.
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Under NAFTA Treaty (or whatever it is called now), Canadians (as well as Mexicans) who practice certain professional occupations and who have a job offer from a U.S. employer may apply for TN status. It lasts for up to three years, and can be renewed in up to three-year increments, with no limit on renewals. For a list of the qualifying occupations.
While in the United States on a
TN visa
, it may not be acceptable to apply for a green card. Some visas, such as the H-1B allow "dual intent" - that is, simultaneously assuring the immigration authorities that you are planning a temporary stay while also
pursuing the possibility of a green card
- but the TN is not one of them. Your best bet is most likely asking the employer for whom you are already working to petition for you to
receive an H-1B visa
, and then to seek permanent residence.
TO READ MORE, PLEASE CLICK HERE . . .
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USCIS CLOSURE UPDATES: USCIS TEMPORARY OFFICE CLOSURES HAVE BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL AT LEAST MAY 3RD.
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On March 18th, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services temporarily suspended in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers (ASCs) to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). It has been announced recently that USCIS offices will begin to reopen on May 4th unless the public closures are extended further. Employees in USCIS offices are continuing to perform mission - essential services that do not require face-to-face contact with the public.
USCIS will continue to provide limited emergency services. Please call the Contact Center for assistance with any emergency services.
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USCIS ANNOUNCES FLEXIBILITY IN CORONAVIRUS ENVIRONMENT: USCIS EXPANDS FLEXIBILITY FOR RESPONDING TO USCIS REQUESTS AND NPT.
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In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, USCIS announced that it has adopted measures to assist applicants and petitioners who are responding to certain Requests for Evidence (RFE) and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOID). The alert clarifies that the flexibility also applies to certain Notices of Intent to Revoke (NOIR) and Notices of Intent to Terminate (NOIT) regional investment centers, as well as certain filing date requirements for Form I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion.
Notice/Request/Decision Issuance Date:
This flexibility applies to an RFE, NOID, NOIR, NOIT or appealable decision within AAO jurisdiction and the issuance date listed on the request, notice or decision is between March 1st, 2020 and May 1st, 2020, inclusive.
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OPTIONS FOR H-1BS FACING TERMINATION: "H-1BS CAN GO ON UNPAID LEAVE ... IT'S A BETTER OPTION", SAY IMMIGRATION EXPERTS.
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Immigration attorneys continue to be inundated with queries from their H-1B employer clients and prospective clients owing to the various intricate issues related to their H-1B employees. Can we furlough (bench) our H-1B employees? Or terminate their services? Can a salary cut be offered to them? Or can they go on unpaid leave? Can they work from home? Do I have to amend the H-1B? These are only some of the many questions that H-1B employers who have hired foreign national workers are grappling with.David Nachman, Esq., Managing Attorney at the NPZ Law Group, helps H-1B nonimmigrant professional and specialty occupation worker employers to understand their options during these "unprecedented times".
Source: The Times of India
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DOS VISA BULLETIN UPDATE: VISA BULLETIN FOR APRIL 2020 - IF YOUR "PRIORITY DATE" IS CURRENT, PLEASE LET US KNOW? YES, . . . WE KNOW . . . MOVEMENT CONTINUES TO BE SLOW!
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This Visa Bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during April
for: "Final Action Dates" and "Dates for Filing Applications," indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
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CANADIAN IMMIGRATION LAW NEWS .
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GET READY TO QUARANTINE IF YOU ARE GOING TO CANADA: NEW MANDATORY MEASURES WHEN TRAVELING TO CANADA.
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As of April 15th, 2020, the Government of Canada updated its Emergency Order under the Quarantine Act to "self-isolate or mandatory quarantine" when entering Canada. Now, all travelers arriving in Canada, by land, air, or sea, whether they are symptomatic or asymptomatic, will need to confirm if they have a suitable place to isolate or quarantine and whether they will have access to basic necessities such as food and medication. Travelers must have such a plan available prior to arriving to Canada. For travelers who do not have an appropriate plan in place, they must go to places designated by the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada for self-isolation or quarantine. This criterion is newly applied to asymptomatic travelers.
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UPDATE ON HOW THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IS AFFECTING IMMIGRATION PROCESS AND SERVICES IN CANADA.
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The Immigration process may have slowed down but not paused during COVID-19. The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada ("IRCC") continues to make tremendous efforts to address various "how about" concerns and questions in the Immigration process and procedures. We discuss below some of the processes affected due to COVID-19.
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CHECKOUT VISASERVE'S REGULARLY UPDATED YOUTUBE VIDEO LIBRARY (SOME SELECTIONS BELOW) ABOUT U.S. AND CANADIAN IMMIGRATION LAWS:
"IMMIGRATION NEWS AND VIEWS" - NPZ'S NEW PRACTICAL SERIES ON YOUTUBE ABOUT VARIOUS U.S. AND CANADIAN IMMIGRATION LAW ISSUES.
Check us out at . . .
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CURE FOR CORONAVIRUS BOREDOM FROM QUARANTINE: GENERAL INFORMATION FROM DAVID H. NACHMAN, ESQ., IMMIGRATION LAWYER, ABOUT THE FILING OF MARRIAGE CASES, FIANCE CASES, FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRATION LAW CASES WITH THE USCIS IN THIS PANDEMIC STRICKEN ENVIRONMENT. EVERYONE PLEASE BE SAFE AND SOUND AND VIRUS FREE!!!!
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Each year, the U.S. government allows about 1.1 million people to obtain a
green card, making them lawful permanent residents ("LPRs") who typically become eligible for
U.S. citizenship within 3-5 years. There are
over 13 million permanent residents
living in the United States - not including the many more people who have a
temporary visa
to visit, work, or study. Nearly half of these green cards go to the spouses, young children, and parents of U.S. citizens. There is no cap on these "
Immediate Relative" family visas. For other relatives, however, Congress has set an annual cap of 226,000 green cards. These "
Family Preference Categories" include the adult children and siblings of U.S. citizens, as well as the spouses and children of lawful permanent residents. Demand always exceeds supply for these green cards, so there is typically a wait time of years or even decades. For more information please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or see website http://www.visaserve.com
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U.S. IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY LAWYERS, DAVID NACHMAN, ESQ. AND LUDKA ZIMOVCAK, ESQ. FROM NPZ LAW GROUP (VISASERVE) SPEAK FROM THEIR HOME OFFICES ABOUT IMMIGRATION LAW PRACTICE CHANGES BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ITS IMPACT ON THE USCIS.
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The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). Numerous countries, including the United States, have implemented travel or entry restrictions at their ports of entry. These changes will impact nonimmigrant visa holders as well as certain immigrants. The outbreak has also
disrupted immigration services
and proceedings within the United States.
As of March 18th, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has temporarily suspended routine in-person services through at least May 3rd to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). USCIS staff will continue to perform mission critical duties that do not involve contact with the public. However, USCIS will provide emergency services for limited situations. To schedule an emergency
appointment contact the USCIS Contact Center. For more information please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or see website http://www.visaserve.com
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U.S. IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY LAWYER, SNEHAL BATRA, ESQ. FROM NPZ LAW GROUP (VISASERVE) SPEAKS FROM HER HOME OFFICE ABOUT INTRACOMPANY TRANSFER VISAS AND THE L-1A NONIMMIGRANT VISA BASICS.
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An
L-1 visa
is a
visa document
used to enter the
United States
for the purpose of work in L-1 status. It is a nonimmigrant work visa, and is valid for a relatively short amount of time, from three months (for Iran nationals) to five years (India, Japan, Germany), based on a
reciprocity schedule.
With extensions, the maximum stay is seven years. L-1 visas are available to employees of an international company with offices in both the United States and abroad. The visa allows such foreign workers to relocate to the corporation's US office after having worked abroad for the company for at least one continuous year within the previous three prior to admission in the US. The US and non-US employers must be related in one of four ways: parent and subsidiary; branch and headquarters; sister companies owned by a mutual parent; or "affiliates" owned by the same or people in approximately the same percentages. Spouses of L-1 visa holders are allowed to work without restriction in the US (using an
L-2 visa) once
EAD
is granted, and the L-1 visa may legally be used as a stepping stone to a
green card
under the doctrine of
dual intent.
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THE IMMIGRATION & NATIONALITY LAWYERS AT NACHMAN PHULWANI ZIMOVCAK (NPZ) LAW GROUP, P.C. CONTINUE TO DO THEIR PART!
NPZ OFFERS SUPPORT TO PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS & SMALL BUSINESSES ON THE FRONT LINES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC "UNPRECEDENTED TIMES".
CHECK OUT OUR FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION OFFER ABOUT CANADA OR U.S.
IMMIGRATION LAW BELOW.
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FREE ½ Hour Consultation with one of
our Law Firm's Attorneys.
VISASERVE is affording a FREE 1/2-hour initial consultation for all professional organizations & small businesses (in the U.S. and outside the U.S.) to address their Nonimmigrant Visa and/or Immigrant Visa related queries concerning layoffs, fourloughs and terminations of foreign nationals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic emergency.
Starting today, through April 30th, 2020, if any employer or employee impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, who may have any questions associated with the U.S or Canadian Immigration, would like to speak to one of our Immigration Lawyers or Immigration Staff,
call us at 201-670-0006 (x107).
*** When scheduling the appointment,
please reference discount code COVID19.
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