February 2020 | Bassey Law

How to move your adopted child to the U.S.

Adopting a child is a wonderful experience. Many families decide to adopt from outside the United States. This adds another layer to the process because you will have to account for immigration requirements. Just because you adopt the child does not give him or her automatic status as a U.S. citizen, nor does it allow the child immediate access to the U.S.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services explains that you have three options for bringing your child into the country. You will follow the method that works for your child’s circumstances, but you may not have an option as to which you will use.

Immediate relative

This method involves filing a Form I-130. This is asking for entry into the country as a child of a U.S. citizen. You must complete your adoption before you file, and the child must not be over the age of 16. The major downside to this method is that you must have legal and physical custody of the child for at least two years before you can file the petition. It does not have to be two years concurrently; you can do it over time.

Hauge

If the country from which you adopt your child is part of the Hauge Convention, then you can gain your son or daughter entry into the country on an IH-3 or IH-4 immigrant visa. You will know that you qualify for this method when you file forms I-800A and I-800 as part of your adoption paperwork.

Non-Hauge

If the country is not part of the Hague Adoption Convention, then you may still be able to get an IR-3 or IR 4 immigrant visa. You will need to file form I-600A and potentially I-600, or at least I-600 to qualify under this method.

Remember that your child cannot come into the country until you get him or her the proper visa. Once you are here, you will have to take additional steps to secure U.S. citizenship for your adopted child.

February 27, 2020/by On behalf of Bassey Immigration Law Center, P.A.

Immigration

Who is eligible for a green card?

You may come to the United States with the ultimate goal of going through the naturalization process and becoming a U.S. citizen. The first step in this process is to obtain a green card. This is legal authorization to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis.

However, not everyone qualifies for a green card. According to the Miami Herald, only those who fall into one of eight different categories are eligible. The following are examples of a few of the categories.

Victims of violence or crimes

Adults, children and youths who have been the victims of domestic abuse or neglect may be able to qualify for green cards. Another category includes asylum-seekers and refugees fleeing persecution in their home country. Victims of other crimes, such as human trafficking, may qualify for green cards, especially deportation to their home countries would impose extreme hardships.

Employees and investors

People who want to work in the United States may qualify for green cards, especially those with extraordinary skills. This typically requires an employer to sponsor you, or you may qualify by making a substantial monetary investment.

Family members of current residents

If you have a family member who is a citizen of the United States, or at least a permanent resident, he or she may be able to sponsor you, and you may be able to qualify for a green card that way. Generally speaking, immediate family members of permanent residents and relatives of U.S. citizens get preference.

Special immigrants

There is a broad range of cases that do not fit into the other categories. It includes employees of recognized international organizations and religious workers as a few examples. These people may be eligible for a green card under the category of special immigrants.

February 21, 2020/by On behalf of Bassey Immigration Law Center, P.A.

Business Investor and Employment Immigration

Are you eligible for an investment visa?

Investors often look to America for new enterprising opportunities. There are so many promising startups and plenty of innovative people. It is no wonder business immigration visas are a hot topic. Today we will look at investment visas in particular. We will focus on learning more about eligibility.

First, this type of visa is available if you are single. It is also available to people intending on bringing their family over. This includes a spouse and unmarried children. To be eligible, you must have invested into an established commercial enterprise. You may also be in the process of investing. Then, you must show that this investment will benefit the economy of the United States. Your business must also create a certain amount of full-time job positions.

You are eligible if you established a commercial enterprise. This includes:

Creating a business from the ground up
Expanding a business that already exists
Purchasing or re-organizing an existing business

Your investment must be at least $1,000,000. You can invest $500,000 in a “targeted employment area”. This is an area experiencing unemployment of at least 150 percent the national average. You must create at least 10 full-time jobs for qualified employees. You must also maintain the number of employees held at pre-investment level. This must last for two years at the least.

Do you want to learn more about business or investment visas? You can take a look at our web page for business immigration. If you wish to look into in other forms of immigration, you can look into those as well.

February 14, 2020/by On behalf of Bassey Immigration Law Center, P.A.

Business Investor and Employment Immigration

How much is the investment requirement for an EB-5 visa?

International investors seeking commercial opportunities in Florida must commit at least $900,000 toward a new business when applying for an EB-5 visa. Effective November 21, 2019, the minimum investment amount increased from its prior amount of $500,000.

Every five years, the capital requirement may increase to adjust with inflation. You may need to add to your initial investment to maintain the minimum amount required. Allowable capital contributions may include equipment, machinery and inventory that helps grow the company.

Where must the investor locate the business?

As reported by NBC News, creating new jobs through a business located in rural or targeted employment areas is a requirement for investors seeking permanent citizenship status. Several neighborhoods across Florida qualify as a targeted area. For an area to qualify, the local unemployment rate must be higher than the national average by at least 150%. You may choose any location that the Department of Homeland Security certified as a targeted employment area for your commercial enterprise.

How many jobs must the investment create?

When starting or growing a business in the Sunshine State as a means for earning permanent U.S. citizenship, your new company must produce at least 10 full-time jobs. Generally, employees may work directly or indirectly for your new company as long as the establishment conducts its business while situated in an approved regional zone.

When can I apply for citizenship?

The EB-5 visa program provides nearly 10,000 investors with a green card each year. If you plan to invest $500,000 and $1 million into growing a business over the course of several years, you may work toward establishing lawful residency. It generally may take about five years from receiving your green card to apply for U.S. citizenship.

February 9, 2020/by On behalf of Bassey Immigration Law Center, P.A.

How to move your adopted child to the U.S.

Who is eligible for a green card?

Are you eligible for an investment visa?

How much is the investment requirement for an EB-5 visa?

What Are Your Immigration Questions And Needs?

Contact Bassey Immigration Law Center, P.A.,

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Archive for month: February, 2020

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