Archive for March 4th, 2010
The Start-Up Visa Buzz
While comprehensive immigration reform currently seems a distant dream, there is some support in Congress for a new immigrant visa for entrepreneurs. Called the Start-Up Visa, this new category of immigrant visa would require a $250,000 investment in a start-up venture. At least $100,000 of that capital would need to come from a U.S. investor. An entrepreneur would receive a conditional green card for two years, and at the end of those years, he or she would need to show that the start-up venture created at least 5 jobs for U.S. workers.
Modeled on the EB-5 program, which currently requires a $1,000,000 investment in most cases and the creation of 10 jobs, the Start-Up Visa is a brilliant idea which recognizes that scrappy entrepreneurs (not just those investors who have $1,000,000 in cash to plunk down) create the companies that are an engine of huge growth in our economy. The idea has generated a lobbying effort by Silicon Valley, and appears to have some key Congressional support. To learn more, visit www.startupvisa.com . Let’s hope the xenophobes in Congress don’t kill this one.
Tags: entrepreneurs, start-up visa
Posted in Alternative Visa Categories, Politics/Current Events | Read More »
When is it okay to change to a new employer during my employment-based green card process?
A person with a pending employment-based green card petition may change to a new employer once his/her I-140 immigrant petition is approved and the I-485 green card application has been pending 180 days or more. The individual must take a position with the new employer that is the same or similar to the position for which the green card petition was filed. If these elements are met, the green card petition can remain active and pending through the new employer.
The new employer and employee may choose to notify the immigration service of this change. Please note that if the I-140 immigrant petition is withdrawn before 180 days or the immigration service denies or revokes the I-140 approval at any time, the employment-based green card process will most likely result in a denial. Please contact our immigration law office if you have questions about your employment options during the green card process.
Tags: change employer, EB-2, EB-3, employment-based, green card, immigrant petition, permanent resident petition
Posted in FAQ Employment-Based Green Card, Immigrant Visas | Read More »
