The B-2 Option-Your Family's Visit to the U.S.

For those who have immigrated to the United States, there are loved ones in their country of origin, who long to reunite with them. However, bringing your relatives to the States for a visit is not necessarily easy. Unless your relative is a citizen of one of the countries belonging to the visa waiver program, or among those few exempt from a visa, he or she must apply for a visa at the U.S. Embassy in their country. Let's review the background and common problems in applying for this visa.

Investing your way to a U.S. Visa

Foreign business owners or investors can acquire a non-immigrant visa in the U.S. based on their investment.  Following is an overview of the E-1 and E-2 visas which apply to foreign business owners from countries which have treaties with the United States.

Read: The Treaty Traders, Investors and Family (E-1, E-2)

18-Month Extension of TPS for Haiti

The U.S. Citizenship and immigration Service (USCIS) has re-designated Haiti for Temporary Protected Status, and extended the current TPS designation for another 18 months (through Jan. 22, 2013).

Haitian citizens or nationals who do not currently have TPS may still file a new application. However, the application must be filed by Nov. 15, 2011. Haitians who do have TPS may file to re-register once the re-registration procedure is published by the Federal Register.

The Department of Homeland Security initially designated Haiti for TPS on Jan. 15, 2010, after the devastating earthquakes. Initially, TPS applicants needed to show that they had continuously resided in the United States since Jan. 12, 2010.  Under the current extended TPS program, even Haitians who arrived up to one year after the earthquake may apply for TPS.

Efficient Delivery of Green Cards by USCIS

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented the Secure Mail Initiative (SMI). Under the SMI, the USCIS now mails certain important documents via Priority Mail with Delivery Confirmation.

This is a positive step since some immigrants had experienced problems by not receiving the resident alien cards (green cards) and other important documents in mail. Now it is possible to track these mailed documents.