Many applicants face delays or RFEs because their photos do not meet USCIS standards.

Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to help you get your photos right the first time as per USCIS photo guidelines for H4 EAD.

Official USCIS Photo Requirements

To avoid delays and rejections, your application photos must strictly follow the official U.S. government photo specifications.

• Size: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
• Head Position: Head height must be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair.
• Background: A plain white or off-white background is required, with no patterns or shadows.
• Expression: Maintain a neutral facial expression or a natural, subtle smile. Both eyes must be open and visible.
• Eyewear: Glasses are not permitted in the photo, except in rare instances of medical necessity with a signed doctor’s statement.
• Print Quality: Photos must be high-resolution, printed on photo-quality paper (matte or glossy), and free of smudges or creases.
• Quantity: Unless specified otherwise on your form, you must submit two identical photos.

Important: Do not use selfies, casual snapshots, or heavily filtered photos. Ensure the lighting is even and there are no dark shadows on your face or the background.

Where to Get H4 EAD photo Clicked?

You can visit Walmart, CVS or Walgreens to get your photos clicked for H4 EAD.

At some locations, even Costco and Sams club also offer reasonably proced passport size photos. They can also edit the photo as per USCIS requirements.

They usually charge upwards of $14.99 for two pictures.

The other option is to click the photo yourself using the mobile phone camera or your digital camera. There are softwares and websites available online which can help you edit your photos to exact specifications.

You should remember that editing is complex as the final edited image should print to exact measurements of 2 inch x 2 inch on paper. The image’s DPI (dots per inch) also matter as they control the quality of the final printed output.

USCIS requires the image to be high resolution which can be attained if you click the image by your iPhone and then edit it to at least 300 DPI. AM22Tech’s AI photo editor takes care of checking the photo resolution and edits it to minimum 300 Dots per inch thereby making it extremely easy to satisfy government requirements.

If you would like to click them yourself to save money, here is how to take H4 EAD photo at home.

Step 1 of 4

Lighting

How to Take Your Passport or Visa Photo at Home

Save time and money by capturing a professional-quality photo right from home. All you need is a smartphone and a few minutes. Follow these steps for the perfect shot.

1 Right Lighting

Stand against a plain white or off-white wall. Face a window for natural daylight to ensure even lighting and avoid harsh shadows.

2 Set Up Your Camera

Use a tripod or ask a friend. Keep the lens at eye level and about 2 to 4 feet away. Always use the back camera for sharper quality.

3 Strike the Correct Pose

Look directly at the camera with a neutral expression. Keep your head straight, shoulders relaxed, and ensure your full head and shoulders are visible.

4 Capture & Upload

Take the shot and upload it to an AI photo editor. It will adjust background, crop correctly, and produce a high-resolution photo that matches government standards.

Expert Tip

Avoid using a flash. It creates glare on skin and glasses. Natural light is your best friend!

Making Your Photo USCIS-Ready

Even with a perfect shot, technical details like resizing, cropping, and cleaning the background can be a headache. USCIS is very strict and will reject photos if the head ratio or dimensions are even slightly off, leading to frustrating delays.

The Final Editing Steps

• Crop and center the head to the exact specifications.
• Ensure precise 2x2 inch (51x51 mm) dimensions.
• Professionally remove background shadows and ensure a pure white background.
• Generate print-ready files (JPEG/PNG/PDF) for easy printing at home or a store.

FAQ

The post How to Get H4 EAD Photo Online – USCIS Guidelines [Avoid Rejection] appeared first on AM22Tech.

An alien number, commonly known as ‘A number’ is assigned to each person who intends to immigrate to the USA.

This 7 to 9-digit number, prefixed with the letter ‘A’ can be found in various documents that have been issued to you by USCIS.

The 9-digit USCIS number printed on US permanent resident green cards is the same as the A-number.

Please note that the PERM ETA number is not the same as the A (Alien) number.

Where Can I find my Alien Number?

i140 – A number on i797 form

The most common place is the i140 approval i797C form that carries ‘A number’ assigned to you:

Many times, the H1B visa employer does not share i140 approvals with the employee. In that case, you can use the FOIA request and may need this A-number to improve your application.

EAD card – Alien Number

You can find your unique A number on your EAD card if any was ever issued to you. This includes OPT EAD, H4 EAD, L2 EAD, etc.

On the EAD card, the USCIS# is the same as your A number and can be used whenever you need to enter the Alien number.

Example:

A number will be required on the i-485 green card medical application form i-693.

Green Card Alien Registration Number

Green card also uses the term ‘USCIS#’ to mean Alien number.

Immigrant visa – Alien registration number

On your US immigrant visa, the same A number is referred to as the ‘Registration number’.

A number is assigned only to people who file any visa application with the USA with the intent of permanent residence.

Hence, an H1B visa will not have the USCIS# or A number listed on the visa.

i485 Receipt Notice

You can find your A-number on the i485 receipt notice as well if you do not have access to your i140.

You will need this A-number if you want to interfile the i-693 medical form before USCIS issues an RFE for your pending ‘Adjustment-of-status’.

H1B Receipt Notice A Number

H1B applicants are assigned the A number once their employer files a Green Card PERM application and then i140.

A Number format: A-XXX-XXX-XXX

FAQ

The post Where Is My Alien Registration Number or A number? appeared first on AM22Tech.

I have written down the basic rules for EB5 investment here.

Most people are worried about the money needed to file EB5 and how to collect those funds.

I try to list down all possible options for you.

How to Collect EB5 Funds

You will need at least $800k to file your EB5 Green card.

Realistically, you will also need an additional $50k to pay for the attorney fee, USCIS fee, and EB5 project admin fee.

Hence, plan for at least 880k to have in hand to take the jump for EB5 investment.

There are various creative ways of collecting funds for your EB5 Investment. We share some of them which are not commonly known to people.

#1 Use 401K Money

You can use your 401k directly as the EB5 investment. The most important thing to understand here is that the project you invest in should be available as the investment in your 401k provider portfolio.

What’s the solution then?

The solution is to move your 401K money from Fidelity to a provider that has the specific project that you chose for EB5 as an investment option. To find this 401K provider, you can ask the EB5 project’s team as they have all the information.

As an example, the Alto IRA has Behring’s EB5 project listed as an investment.

So, you would need to move your 401K money from Fidelity to Alto IRA to use it as an EB5 investment.

Can I move my 401K to another provider If I am currently working for the same company?

That’s a problem. You can only move the amount of money in your 401K to another provider that is not from your current employer.

This is an IRS rule and has nothing to do with USCIS, Fidelity, or any other 401k Provider.

#2 Roth IRA

You can use the same strategy as we mentioned for 401K above for using your Roth IRA for EB5 investment.

The other method is to withdraw your Roth IRA and use it as cash for the EB5 project.

You will be able to withdraw the Roth IRA amount that you contributed without any tax penalties.

If you withdraw the growth (the amount that increased due to the market), you will have to pay the penalty and the tax as per withdrawal rules.

#3 EB5 Project Unsecured Loan

Most EB5 project companies also give you an unsecured loan at the market rate.

This can then be used as the EB5 investment in your name to become eligible for the Green card.

You can get a loan of up to 500k for an investment of 800k. You will have to put in your 300k.

This loan follows the market APR rate and is usually 3-4% above the normal APR.

#4 Money from India/China or Home Country

You can get money from your home country like India or China by selling your assets there.

1. Sell Home Country Property – Many people sell their homes or other property to collect money for EB5.
2. Mortgage/ Loan on the property – The other way is to take a loan on the property in the Home country and then use it to fund the EB5 project in the USA.
3. Borrow from Family & Friends – You can also borrow from relatives, parents, or friends but will need all their proofs of income which may be a little cumbersome to collect.

This is allowed as long as you can prove that money to buy a home was earned legitimately and no taxes are due to the respective home country government.

#5 Other Sources

Whatever sources of money you use, make sure that it is the legitimate source as you will need to submit proof of it.

EB5 Green Card Processing Time

These times can vary but we have provided an estimate based on our understanding.

1. EAD & AP:
   • 5-6 Months to get EAD for work, 10-12 months to get Advance parole for travel.
2. Conditional Green Card:
   • Consider 2-6 years based on your EB5 sub-category and the status of your visa bulletin.
   • If your EB5 priority date (I526 receipt date) is current in the visa bulletin, then you are eligible for a 2-year conditional green card.
   • Your i526 will not be approved until the date gets and remains current.
3. Final Green Card
   • Your I526 should be approved.
   • You will have to apply using the I829 form and request to remove conditions from your conditional green card. This can take several months/years too based on USCIS processing time.
4. Citizenship/Naturalization
   • Your time on a conditional green card should be counted for your Naturalization/Citizenship but you can’t apply for citizenship until your I829 is approved.

Child Age Protection Using EB5

Your child’s age will be locked when you file I485 with your I526e application.

The child should stay unmarried until they get the greed card though.

FAQ

More Questions?

Ask them in the comments and I will try to answer them to the best of my knowledge.

The post How to collect money for USA EB5 Green Card? appeared first on AM22Tech.

Documents Required

Forms

#1 Form I-485 – for Green card

This form is called ‘adjustment of status’ because you are asking USCIS to change your status from a current visa like H1B or L to a permanent resident (Green card)

#2 Form I-765 – for Employment Authorization (Optional but recommended)

You can use this app to fill out the EAD form, validate all, and make sure the form is not rejected or an RFE is sent by USCIS.

You are eligible to file an i-485 EAD along with your green card application.

#3 Form I-131 – for Advance Parole (Optional but recommended)

AP or Advance parole is used to return to the US instead of your H1B or L work visa while your I-485 is pending.

You may use the advance parole for returning to the US but there are some important points to consider before you take this step. It affects your ability to return to H1B, L1, or K visa status.

The i485 denial should also be kept in mind while deciding to use advance parole.

#4 Form I-693 (Medical Report)

This form is required to be filled out by your doctor (should be accredited by USCIS) to certify your health.

Here is the complete step-by-step process, costs, and issues for the USA green card medical test.

They will check your TB (tuberculosis) and other communicable diseases presence and your Green card can be denied if you have a medical issue.

You can find a doctor in your area using the USCIS doctor search facility.

The doctor will issue the report in a sealed envelope and it should be submitted to USCIS as it is (without opening). If you open it to see your results, your report will not be acceptable to USCIS.

• You can avoid filing form i693 and save the doctor’s fee if you think that your PD date will not get current in the next 24 months.
• The doctor’s report is only valid for 24 months.
• USCIS will send an RFE as and when your date is current and then you can submit this form i693.

#5 I-140

You will need to submit your approved i-140 i-797 copy.

If you are waiting for your i140 approval, you can upgrade it to premium to save time.

I140 can be filed concurrently with i485 too after your PERM approval.

#6 Supplement J (Optional)

Confirmation of job offer (on Form I-485 Supplement J) if you have changed the job after filing i485.

#7 Form I-864 (Optional)

An affidavit of Support form is required for all dependents in your family that you will support with your income.

#8 Form G1145

This form is for getting notifications as soon as the USCIS accepts your application. They send an email and a text message on your mobile if you send this form.

We strongly recommend filling out this form and keeping it at the top of your application bundle.

Personal Documents

Personal documents are required for each member of the family separately.

#1 Birth Certificate

You will need your birth certificate in English.

It should have been issued by the relevant government authority from your country of birth.

What to do if a Birth Certificate is not available?

You will need to get it translated to English and notarize it if it is in other languages like Chinese, Hindi, Gujarati, etc.

The name field is blank on my birth certificate?

You can write the name on the birth certificate by hand. This usually happens in countries like India where electronic computer-generated certificates are being issued these days and they have no record of the name from the past.

You can write the name by hand on the computer-generated birth certificate.

If unavailable or does not exist, provide other evidence of birth such as

• a church certificate
• school (like a Class X mark sheet in India), or
• medical records, and
• proof of unavailability or nonexistence, if applicable – get a letter from your home country’s authorized government agency that a birth certificate cannot be issued.

#2 Passport

Your most recent valid passport copies (all pages including blank) are required.

• Your old expired passport copies are required only if they have any US Visa stamps. Blank pages for old expired passports are not required.
• Copies of any lost or stolen passport are required too if you have them.
• Copy of your passport that was used to enter the USA anytime in the past.

I always recommend keeping a scanner at home and scanning and saving everything for that rainy day.

#3 All prior i-94 copies, i-797 approvals, I-20, EAD card, Passport

Collect all prior i94 copies.

• Online i94: Most i94 copies can be downloaded from the CBP i94 website. If you ever entered the USA through a land border in Mexico or Canada, then you may have paper I94 too. This is generally updated online on the CBP website.
• Paper i94 copies may not be available online. You will find them attached to your i797 approvals.

#4 Six (6) passport-style photographs

You need 6 Passport-size photos clicked within the last 30 days as per US size (2×2 inch).

• 2 Photo for i-485 (Green Card)
• 2 Photo for i-765 (EAD)
• 2 Photo for i-131 (Advance parole)

You can reduce the number of pictures if you are not applying EAD and AP with your i485.

This is the same as you would have gotten for a US visa application. Your photos and fingerprints will also be taken at the USCIS ASC Biometric Center.

You can get these pictures clicked at Walmart, CVS, or Walgreens. Walmart is the cheapest here selling 2 pictures for $8 whereas CVS and Walgreens charge double the amount for 2 pictures.

Passport photos online would be a cheaper option as compared to a retail store.

#5 Driver License

Copy of current valid driver’s license.

Spouse & Dependent Documents

You need to provide all personal documents as mentioned above for your spouse and each kid separately.

Additional documents required for dependents:

#1 Marriage Certificate

A copy of your marriage certificate is required for your spouse.

Check what all proofs can be used for Indian marriage (Hindu, Islamic style, etc.).

#2 Child Relationship Proof

Proof of relationship as a child to the principal applicant is required.

• A child’s BIRTH certificate can act as proof of the family unit if it has a father and mother’s name.
• A child’s passport, if mentions the parent (applicant) name can be used as evidence of the family unit.

#3 Divorce Certificate (if Any)

Get a free divorce Consultation by lawyers.com if you are thinking of separating before getting a green card!

Traffic Tickets

Should I mention my traffic tickets on the i-485 application is a common question and here is the answer.

Unless the traffic incident was alcohol or drug-related, do not include incidents where you were not arrested and the only penalty was a fine of less than $500 and/or points on your license.

Another important detail required on the I485 form is about arrests.

Have you ever been arrested or detained by any law enforcement officer for any reason?

• What was the reason for the arrest or detention?
• What law enforcement agency performed the arrest or detention?
• When did the incident occur and how old were you at the time?
• Were charges filed against you? If so,
  • What was your plea?
  • What was the disposition of the case?
  • When was the final order entered?
  • Please provide all documents in your possession.

i485 Processing Time

i485 processing time varies a lot by USCIS service center. There is no one straight answer. You should keep checking the USCIS website for estimations.

FAQ

Source: USCIS i485 Checklist

The post i485 Adjustment of Status Document Checklist (Employment-Based) appeared first on AM22Tech.

You can use this app to fill out the EAD form, validate all, and make sure the form is not rejected or an RFE is sent by USCIS.

EAD Processing Time

You will receive the new EAD card (i-485 EAD, F1 OPT-EAD, L2 EAD, H4 EAD, or other) by mail within 5-10 working days after the “New card is being produced” USCIS case status update.

The EAD (Employment Authorization Document) is filed using USCIS form I-765.

I485 New Card is Being Produced

The i485 adjustment of status application can also have the “New card is being produced” status. This means that your green card is approved. You should get it by USPS mail within 5-10 working days after this status.

It is possible that the case status directly shows the New card is being produced without any USCIS notification about case approval. There is no need to worry as the card will not be produced until the case is approved first.

As an example, see the case history for this i-485 application where the status changed to “New card is being produced” even when the expedited request was denied.

It seems that the USCIS website only shows the most recent update if there have been multiple status changes within the same day. I am just guessing here.

SSN Card with EAD

The SSN request is sent to the SSN office after your EAD has been approved. It will take about 4-5 weeks for the SSN card to arrive by USPS mail.

There is no biometric required for H4-EAD and SSN.

SSN card Not Received After EAD approval?

If you do not receive the SSN in 6 weeks, you can directly visit your local SSN office. They can check if any SSN application is pending for you.

If no application is pending, you can request a new SSN.

EAD, AP Combo Card

The i485 EAD + AP (advance parole) combo card is also approved with a “New card is being produced” status.

In many cases, if USCIS thinks that your Green card can be approved earlier than your EAD/AP, they may even deny your EAD application. This is normal and no need to worry.

It would help if you planned to travel outside the USA only after your I131 advance parole card has been approved.  

USCIS Case History

Other status updates for the EAD i765 application may look like this:

FAQ

The post New Card Is Being Produced Meaning (USCIS Case Status) appeared first on AM22Tech.

The good thing about i485 EAD is that you get an automatic 180-day extension if you file your renewals before the current card expires.

The EAD application is filed using USCIS form i765 and advance parole requires filing a separate form i131. The USCIS may issue both in the form of a combo card if you applied them together and got approved too.

The form i765 is a common form for various types of EADs like H4, and L2, in addition to i485, and hence makes it a little difficult for a non-lawyer to fill up correctly. The i765 form is a little less complex than the i131.

If you miss any relevant field on the form for your case-specific situation, USCIS may simply reject the application and send it back to you. Note that there is a difference between rejection and RFE.

How to Fill the i131 Advance Parole Form?

Log in to apps.am22tech.com and start filling in your details. The app is smart enough to detect the fields you need to fill in based on your selections at each step.

It will also validate the correct USCIS form to avoid straight rejections.

The app has a lot of built-in checks and validations to make sure you fill the right fields with the correct data. USCIS rejects the applications even when you make an innocent mistake or leave a required field blank.

The app will make sure you do not leave anything.

Once all the required fields have been set, you can generate the form. At this point, the app will automatically get the correct i131 USCIS form and fill in the details.

You will get this form by email and the instructions about what to do next.

Documents For AP (i131)

The document list may vary based on the purpose of your travel and then the type of underlying application with USCIS.

We will take the example of pending i485 and share the list of documents. We recommend sending color copies of all proofs but blank & white are also acceptable.

1. Pending i485 Receipt
2. Travel Reason Cover Letter – USCIS requires you to write an explanation letter as to why you need to travel.
3. Passport Copy (first page with your biometric information like photo etc. and last page with your address)
4. Two (2) identical passport-style photographs of yourself taken within 30 days of the filing of this application
5. Current i94 Copy
6. Approved/Pending i485 EAD card copy (if any)
7. US Driving License (if any)
8. Current EAD + AP combo card copy (if applying for AP renewal).
9. A copy of the U.S. consular appointment letter, if you are traveling to Canada to apply for an immigrant visa (Green card at the US embassy in Canada).

Advance Parole Processing Time

The current AP processing time can be found on the USCIS website or using one of the crowd-sourced case trackers.

• USCIS website – Select form i131 and then the service center based on your receipt number.

The normal time varies from 7 to 12 months. In most cases, the advance parole is approved or denied at the same time as their pending EAD application.

If your EAD has been approved, you can expect your i131 application to reach a result within the next 1-10 days as the USCIS aims to produce the combo card rather than a separate card for each.

Advance Parole Card

EAD with Advance Parole (AP)

The EAD card category will be listed as C09P if the card also works as a travel document. This is a combo card that acts as:

• EAD work Permit
• Advance Parole for Travel (I-512)

EAD without Advance Parole (AP)

For people who do not have advance parole but only an EAD approval, the card will look like this.

The EAD card will have the category listed as C09 instead of C09P and also have the annotation “NOT VALID FOR REENTRY TO U.S.” at the bottom of the card.

This can happen if:

• Your i131 was denied
• You applied only i765 EAD and did not file any i131 travel application

i131 is Denied

USCIS is supposed to deny your i131 advance parole application if you travel while it is pending. The only problem with travel apart from the i131 denial is the reentry to the US. You will need some other visa type to return to the US if you do not have an AP approval.

This is fine with people who have a visa like H1B, L1, F1, etc to return without an issue. We have discussed the status issues and how you can use AP to avoid H1B visa stamping issues here.

This can happen even if you just traveled on a cruise to Mexico or visited any US border for an i94 extension, or used an AVR to return from Canada. There are some cases in which USCIS may still approve your i131 but most attorneys suggest refiling the i131 to be on the safe side.

i131 Fee

USCIS added an advance parole application fee starting 1 Apr 2024 for people who will be filing new i485.

Anyone who filed i485 before 1 Apr, 2024 will still be eligible for free filing.

• If you filed your i485 on or after 1 Apr 2024, then, your i485 EAD application fee is $630.
• If you filed i485 before 1 Apr 2024, then there is no fee for i485 EAD renewal. It is FREE.

You can calculate the current fee using the USCIS fee calculator here. It is important to send the correct fee check if any, to avoid rejections. It can be a personal check.

FAQ

The post How to File i131 Advance Parole While i485 is Pending appeared first on AM22Tech.

1. Fill out simple EAD application form i765,
2. Attach supporting documents,
3. Send it to USCIS. You are done.

Green Card EAD allows people waiting for their green card approval to work legally in the US along with other benefits. You can apply for i485 only if you are filing i485 when your priority date is current or i485 is pending.

An H1B visa holder waiting for his GC approval can use the i485 EAD to work without any employer or location restrictions.

Green Card EAD Form Online

You can use this app to fill the form, validate all, and make sure the form is not rejected or an RFE is sent by USCIS:

Documents for i485 EAD Application

#1 Photo (2)

Two identical 2×2 inch photographs clicked within the last 30 days are required for the EAD application.

Do not send an old photo with the I-765 application as USCIS will send RFE to submit new photos. This will increase your EAD processing time.

You can get photos clicked at Costco, Walmart, CVS, or Walgreens as they know the US passport-size photo specifications.

#2 EAD Form I-765

Download and fill USCIS i765 form yourself.

To make it easy, you can also use our app to fill out this form. The app validates and checks all form fields to make sure you do not make any mistakes or leave anything to chance.

App has been designed to make sure USCIS does not reject your form. The app picks up the correct i765 form version automatically and fills all the required fields for you.

You can use this app to fill out the EAD form, validate all, and make sure the form is not rejected or an RFE is sent by USCIS.

#3 Most Recent i94 (Optional)

If you have a valid i94, please include it.

Example:

People who are using their H1B, L, or H4 visas to keep staying and working in the USA, will have a valid i94.

• If an extension was approved recently, the new i94 would be attached to your approval (i797) notice.

#4 Government-issued Photo ID Document

Any one document from this list:

• Copy of Passport’s front (with Photo) and back pages (with address) OR
• A copy of your last i485 EAD – Both front and back (if any) OR
• A birth certificate with a photo ID. For example, an Indian (or Chinese) birth certificate will work only if it has a photograph on it. OR
• Any other national identity document with a photo. US State ID or Driving License is NOT acceptable.

#5 Relationship with Primary Applicant

If your i485 was filed based on your spouse’s employment, then including a copy of your marriage certificate in English is recommended.

If you filed i485 in the family green card queue, then we suggest adding a passport page where it shows the parent’s name.

#6 EAD Eligibility Proof

• For employment-based i485, a primary H1B spouse’s I-140 i797c approval notice is required to prove EAD eligibility. If the employer has not shared the I-140 approval copy with you, use the USCIS FOIA request to get I-140 details.
• For family-based i485, include a copy of the I-130 approval.

#7 Current EAD copy for Renewal

An existing EAD copy is required only if you already have an EAD and you are applying for renewal or extension.

Only a black color ink pen is allowed as USCIS uses computer scanning to read forms.

Do NOT staple the documents. Use a paper clip to bind them together.

EAD Fees

USCIS added an EAD application fee starting 1 Apr 2024 for people who will be filing new i485. Anyone who filed i485 before 1 Apr, 2024 will still be eligible for free filing.

• If you filed your i485 on or after 1 Apr 2024, then, your i485 EAD application fee is $260.
• If you filed i485 before 1 Apr 2024, then there is no fee for i485 EAD renewal. It is FREE.

Biometric – Fingerprints

Every adult will receive a biometric appointment notice for their EAD application.

We suggest filing both i485 EAD and Advance parole at the same time unless the validity of each of them is separate.

If you filed both EAD and AP together, you will get one biometric appointment for both.

Apply SSN with EAD

If you do not currently have SSN, select ‘No’ on Q 13.a. and then select ‘Yes’ on Q 14 and Q 15.

You will have to fill Q 16.a., 16.b. with your (H4’s) father and mother’s name to get an SSN card.

Your SSN card will be automatically generated after your EAD is approved within 3-4 weeks and mailed by USPS.

FAQ

The post How to Renew Green Card EAD (i765) While i485 Is Pending? appeared first on AM22Tech.

You can even start your own business and if you can create 10 jobs, you will be eligible for a green card.

You are allowed to buy an existing USA business and still be eligible for an EB5 green card.

EB5 Investment Rules

#1 Investment Amount

• Rural Areas or targeted employment areas (Urban high unemployment): Investment of $800k required.
• Urban Area: A $1+ million investment is required to be eligible for an EB5 Green card.

The Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor (Form I-526e) petition form is required to file your application.

#2 Priority Date Retention

If you have multiple approved EB5 petitions, then you can use the earliest priority date, which is the date on which the petition was properly filed.

Also, you cannot use your EB2 or EB3 PD date with the EB5 application. Basically, you cannot port your EB1/2/3 green card queue date to the EB5 application.

#3 Managerial Control / Money at Risk

Your investment for the EB5 Green card should be at risk, meaning that it is invested in a real business. No risk means that USCIS will reject your application.

#4 Full-time jobs for 10 workers

Your company should create 10+ full-time jobs in the USA for U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (Green card holders), or other immigrants lawfully authorized to be employed in the United States.

You can count the jobs for these people:

• US citizen
• Green card holder
• Conditional resident (Conditional green card holder)
• Temporary resident,
• Asylee,
• Refugee,
• A person residing in the United States under suspension of deportation

You cannot count the jobs where these visa holders are working:

• H1B
• H4 EAD workers
• L1/L2 visa workers
• L2 EAD workers
• F1 OPT workers

You cannot count yourself, your spouse or your family members to satisfy this 10-employee requirement.

New Business

There are strict rules for starting a new business or buying an existing one if you want to use it to file your EB5 Green card.

The business should be run for profit. Non-profit companies are not eligible for EB5 green cards.

This company can be run as:

• A sole proprietorship
• Partnership
• Holding company and its wholly owned subsidiaries (provided that each subsidiary is engaged in a for-profit activity formed for the ongoing conduct of a lawful business);
• Joint venture
• Corporation
• Business trust
• Limited liability company (LLC)
• Other business entities, which may be publicly or privately owned

FAQ

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This acts as a cover letter to send with your medical RFE. Since it has your receipt barcode, USCIS can easily scan it and find your application file quickly.

You can use our app to generate this medical RFE interfiling cover letter and keep it on top of the i693 package that a USCIS-approved Civil doctor would have given you.

You can also use this letter if you send medical records in response to USCIS RFE (Request for Evidence).

Sample Green Card Medical Letter

You can use this sample medical interfile cover letter to attach to your sealed medical envelope.

Make sure that you change the values as per your case.

Note that the current status of your i485 application should be ‘Pending’. You can check the current status on the USCIS case status website here by using your receipt number.

Receipt Barcode Required?

Printing a receipt and A number barcode is optional.

• Adding a Barcode helps USCIS scan and locate your Green card file easily.
• Attorneys recommend it to make it easier for USCIS.

Sample Barcode printed on medical interfile letter:

USCIS Processing Time After Medical Interfile

The processing time varies a lot with the service center and the officer who is working on your case.

However, it has been seen that once your medical reaches the USCIS service center, the processing time can be anytime between 10-60 days for green card approval.

Many people wait for the medical RFE to be issued by USCIS.

We recommend sending it without waiting for RFE to increase your chances of getting ahead in the i485 queue.

It saves time by cutting down all the time consumed by medical RFE.

Does the USCIS case status update after interfile is accepted by USCIS?

It is not guaranteed that you will see a case status update. Sometimes, it does update though.

It can take anywhere from 1-30 days for them to process your mail.

You might see a USCIS case status update like this once your medical interfile letter has been delivered by mail service to USCIS:

Can USCIS send an RFE even after receiving my Medical Interfile?

Yes, they can send an RFE for medical even after receiving your medical interfile.

To mitigate this situation, we recommend getting two copies of your medical from the doctor.

Send one as interfile and keep the other as a backup in case USCIS sends an RFE.

Medical Validity

Doctor signature 60-day rule

On Mar 31, 2023, USCIS removed the 60-day rule of doctor signature. This means that i693 will be accepted even if the doctor signed it more than 60 days ago.

Earlier, the i693 form was considered valid only if the doctor had signed it within 60 days of submitting it to USCIS. There is no such requirement now after 31 Mar 2023.

Medical Expiry Date

The medical form does not expire. In 2024, USCIS announced that once a medical is submitted, it remains valid for its life if submitted in 2024 or later.

Earlier, this term was 2 years (before 2024) and USCIS used to ask for new medicals every two years if i-485 remained pending.

Medical Cover Letter App

You can write this letter yourself or use our app to create one for you.

The app creates a PDF file that can be printed on a plain A4 size white or colored paper sheet.

It is okay even if you use plain white standard paper.

Interfiling Risks vs Benefits

Please note that there is no official medical interfiling process designed or published by USCIS.

The interfiling simply means that you send the documents as per your wish and then request USCIS to add them to your file. All this is done without USCIS requesting these documents through the official process of RFE (request for evidence).

Since it is an unsolicited request, USCIS may or may not add these documents to your file.

Many people have seen success with sending the i485 medicals without RFE but there is no guarantee.

Also, your attorney may or may not agree to send it without RFE. So, it is entirely your choice. You can send the medical interfile letter directly yourself without asking your attorney to do it.

Benefits of interfiling

There is a 50% chance that your interfiled medical application will end up in your green card file at the USCIS service center.

Now, a 50% chance is a very good chance given that there are thousands of applications waiting to receive medical RFE.

If your interfile request is successful, then your file has a better chance of

• Getting ahead in the queue even though your PD date or the i485 receipt maybe after someone who has an earlier PD date.
• The USCIS officer working on your case may not issue medical RFE at all if they see your interfiled medical in your file. This will easily save about 30 days of processing time on your case.

Risks of interfiling

There is virtually no risk in sending the i693 form without an RFE except that you may lose the doctor’s fee if USCIS does not add it to your file.

The Doctor usually charges about $350 per application and you stand to lose it. We know that most Indians will happily take this risk even if it gives them a slight chance to get ahead in line.

• Your pending i485 application will not see any adverse effect simply because you tried to interfile.
• USCIS will issue the medical RFE. In this case, you will have to redo the medical and send it with an RFE letter.

Our Suggestion

Send the sealed medical letter along with the cover letter and the i485 receipt bar code.

There is nothing to lose here. Just try every possible option to help move your application ahead in the queue and get a green card faster. You may have waited for a decade for your Green card. Do not leave any stone unturned to push your application forward.

We understand that this effort may go to waste but think of the situation where it may get accepted. Your application will certainly save time and may get approved earlier than others.

USCIS Interfiling Address

You should ideally send the medical interfile package to the address printed on your i485 receipt notice. The service center address will be mentioned in the bottom left corner of the i-485 receipt notice.

Sending to USCIS Field Office?

You can also send it to the USCIS field office if your green card file has been transferred. You should confirm this by first checking with USCIS Emma chat.

How to Get Your File’s Field Office Location?

To ask for the current location of your Green card file from Emma’s agent, follow these steps:

• Visit uscis.gov and click the “Ask Emma” button to start chatting with Emma’s agent.
• Once the chat box is open, type “representative“.
• When you see the list of options, click “case status“.
• Click “connect to live chat” and enter your i-485 receipt number.
• When prompted for your request, type “location of file“.
• At this time, you should be connected to a live agent.
• Ask them “I would like to know where my I-485 file is right now“? The agent should provide the service center’s name or local field office.
• Once you know the field office, ask them if they have the office’s address. If they give it, use it to send your medical interfile letter. If they can’t give the address, you can search it on the USCIS website by field office name or search on Google.

FAQ

The post USCIS Medical Interfile with Barcode for Pending i485 (Send without RFE) appeared first on AM22Tech.

We discuss various types of messages that the USCIS processing site (also called USCIS myAccount) sends.

Sometimes, they are sent without any meaning, and other times it may signal some activity on your long pending case.

USCIS Messages

#1 We are still reviewing your case and there are no updates at this time

There is no need to worry. This message does not mean that your case has received any approval denial or RFE.

It is just a system-generated common message that the DHS (or USCIS) case status website sends every week or 10 days if you have opted to get email notifications for your case.

The case status email is sent for all types of immigrant or non-immigrant applications including i485 Green card applications. 

The last action date mentioned in the email message would be the same as your last case status.

Example:

If USCIS transfers your i485 case to any field office, they would update it in their system and the last action date would be recorded.

Most people who are waiting for their naturalization ceremony get worried as to why they are receiving this email.

You can ignore this email. It is not a glitch in the USCIS system.

#2 USCIS Email – We have Taken Action On Your Case

You might also get this message by email or SMS text if your case is pending with USCIS.

It is not clear when USCIS really sends you this message as people have received it even when there was no status update online.

This does not mean that there is no update on your case. It is possible:

• Your case has been approved but the status is not yet reflected online on the USCIS website. Usually, it gets updated in about 1-5 days as shared by many Reddit users.
• The action on your case can be anything like Approval, RFE, Denial, Biometric appointment issued, etc. It is not possible to guess the case status until you receive a notice by USPS mail or the status is reflected in your USCIS online account.

You should keep checking the USCIS case status website or the account that you may have registered to find the most recent updates.

If no physical paper notice (called i797C) is received by you or your attorney in the next 1-21 days after this email, then you can ignore the update as it was sent due to a possible glitch in the system.

The USCIS status update system is not correct 100% of the time. It mixes the status updates too. There is no guarantee that the status sequence will match the exact order of actions taken by the USCIS officer.

USCIS Case Status Mobile Text

The real case status update happens when you receive a text message on your mobile. This is the time you should log in to the USCIS account and check the new case status.

Example:

This text message was sent by USCIS when the H1B premium case was approved by the Nebraska service center.

The SMS does not have the real status but only an update that some action has been taken.

USCIS Case Status After Email

The case status will remain the same even after receiving the automated email from the DHS website to the last action taken on your application.

Example:

This H4 EAD case is added to the DHS website for tracking and keeps sending email notifications every week automatically even though there is no change in real status.

You can solve the USCIS website receipt number is not recognized error easily.

Stop Email Notifications

We strongly recommend keeping the notifications on but if you want to turn them off, you can go to your Account->Settings and edit the email notifications:

If you keep the email and mobile notifications ON, you will get a text message as and when your case is approved.

Example:

If your H4 EAD application status changes to “New card is being produced“, you will get an email as well as an SMS message on your phone.

FAQ

The post USCIS Email: Reviewing your case, no updates – Taken action on your case appeared first on AM22Tech.