Consider the States That Have an EB-5 Regional Center

If you are planning to use the eb-5 visa, particularly the Regional Center route, you have a lot of decisions to make. The obvious ones are deciding whether you will start a new business or buy a company that is in trouble financially. If you do start a new company, you must select a product or service to sell, and then hire ten new employees. It seems like the decisions are endless, but one of the most important choices is where you will start this company.

So you have already decided to go down the eb-5 Regional Center pathway to owning a business and entering the United States. Once you have created a business model, you need to choose an area to set up shop. You should take into account the areas that need a new business most, but you should also consider the environment in which your new business will thrive. If you plan to live near the new company, you should also think about the type of surroundings you want in your new home. Vermont is just one state that has the eb-5 Regional center program and welcomes new business owners.

If you are worried about getting approved, you should select an area that is known for high approval rates. Vermont not only has a 100 percent rate of approval at the time of this writing, but it is also known as one of the fastest approved areas. U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services appears to place eb-5 Regional Center approvals at the top of their to-do list, particularly in Vermont. It could be because of the currently stable economy compared to some other states, or it is perhaps due to the large array of industries that are successful in the state, such as sugaring, lumbering, and the dairy market. Additionally, enough jobs are needed that getting applications for new companies approved is important.

Nearly every area in Vermont qualifies as an eb-5 Regional Center, which means that you have many options if you move there. Additionally, you will have more assistance in Vermont than in other states, as the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development runs the Regional Center. This means you do not have to participate in day-to-day operations of your business if you do not want to. This gives you freedom to live your life how you want, including choosing an area away from your business if you desire. You can live anywhere from larger cities like Burlington and Rutland to smaller towns like Montpelier and Newport. No matter where you live, know that the Vermont eb-5 Regional Center program also affords business owners two week per year for free at a resort that offers golfing and skiing. Clearly, if you want to live the good life in the United States, the eb-5 visa in Vermont could be for you.

Of course you can choose any state that has a Targeted Employment area. Vermont is just one of about 50 current centers. However, if you enjoy cold weather, skiing, and snowboarding, Vermont might be the best place for you. The ability to obtain your visa quickly, a need for your business, and allowing the Agency of Commerce and Community Development to help operate your company should also be considered advantages for this state.?

For more information visit EB-5 Investor Green Card or visit the http://eb-5investorgreencard.com website for information on obtaining an EB-5 visa.

Building the "Great Wall of Mexico"

The increasing problems with illegal immigration into the United States have prompted a controversial plan: building a "Great Wall of Mexico." This wall would theoretically deter thousands of would-be immigrants, either from Mexico or immigrating by way of Mexico, from entering the United States. CNN estimates that there are about 20 million illegal immigrants residing in the U.S. However, is a giant fence really going to help solve this problem?

First of all, we have to determine why illegal immigration is such a detriment to society. If we are currently functioning with as many as 20 million aliens present in our country, why stop illegal immigration now? Some people argue that non-naturalized citizens compete with legal residents for jobs. In the current state of the economy, this can definitely be a big deal. Second, a large amount of tax dollars goes towards immigrants, either as health care or border patrol against immigration. After these, there are a number of other complaints such as increased crime, spread of disease, and possible terrorism, among others.

Currently in effect are multiple cameras and sensors along the Texas-Mexico border. Citizens can actually create accounts to participate in the Border Watch, monitoring the cameras online at their own computers. However, the program has been called unsuccessful and a waste of money. This is unsurprising considering that there is only one camera per about every 70 miles of the border.

With the problems of sneaking into the United States still rampant, legislators have looked to other methods to keep border-crossers out. In the Secure Fence Act, passed in September of 2006, the United States Congress voted to build a fence along the border with Mexico. The fence was proposed to be a double-layer, 700 mile-long monstrosity built in several sections from California to Texas. This wall was supposed to be finished by the end of 2008, but it has not yet been completed as of July 2009.

Perhaps the completion of the wall has stalled due to the high amount of opposition to building the fence. Mexican President Felipe Calderon has compared the U.S.-Mexico fence to the Berlin Wall. Chief among the American opposition is the city of Brownsville. The government has proposed to purchase private lands-some held in the same family for generations-in order to build the fence.

As for those concerned for the environment, the Great Wall of Mexico would cut through the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The land is home to 17 endangered or threatened species of organisms, as well as the only piece of American soil where some species can be seen.

Taking all this into account, there are definite pros and cons of building the Great Wall of Mexico. Illegal immigration is a hot topic, and we have yet to see how the fence will culminate in American history.

If you or someone you know needs more information on becoming a naturalized citizen, a good source of immigration lawyers can be found here.

Joseph Devine

Basics of AC21 and Labor Immigration Law

What is the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act of 2000?

The American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act of 2000 (also known as AC21) allows for a 3-year extension of an H1-B visa if the candidate's I-140 has been approved and there is no visa number available immediately, according to Section 104(c).

What is Premium Processing (PP)?

I-140 Premium Processing is available was made available March 2, 2009. It is only applicable to H-1B beneficiaries who faced with the prospect of an expiring H-1B visa. Only H-1B beneficiaries are eligible to request premium processing at the time of filing.

Who is Eligible?

Candidates must be beneficiaries of I-140 petitions, in a category of preference that is designated for premium processing service, must have reached the six-year limit of their H-1B visa stay or will reach the limit within 60 days of their filing, must adhere to section 104(c) of the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act (AC21), and must be ineligible for extension of their H-1B status under section 106(a) of AC21.

What Documents are needed?

According to USCIS standards, petitioners must have copies of all I-94, I-797, H-1B, L and Arrival/Departure Records that have been issued to them, a copy of the Labor Certification Approval Letter, as issued by the Department of Labor (only if applying using the EB-2 and EB-3 classifications), and a copy of the I-140 Form petition receipt notice if the form had been previously filed.

What are the Consequences of the New Premium Processing Standards?

Previously, only H-1B holders whose status was set to expire within 60 days or less were eligible to apply for premium processing. Now, individuals have the option of applying more than 60 days in advance of their H-1B expiration, or after their H-1B visa has already expired. This allows for more eligible candidates for the processing program and expands its purview.

Naresh M. Gehi is an Attorney at Immigration Law providing best Immigration Services US with two offices located in New York and Queens . For assistance in immigration matters, please call (718) 263-5999. For immediate suggestions to your immigration and bankruptcy problems attend Conference Calls on every Saturday 4PM hosted by US Immigration Attorney, Gehi.

Put Your Eb5 Green Card to Work in a Southern California City That Needs Assistance

If you have decided to get into the United States using an eb5 green card, you can either select an area of your choice for a $1 million investment, or a Targeted Employment area for $500,000. If you choose the latter, you have about 50 areas to choose from in the country. Consider the benefits of one of those centers, called the Imperial Regional Center in Southern California.

Like any other Regional Center, this one requires that you invest $500,000 in a new company, or increase the net worth of an existing company by 40 percent. You must also gain jobs for at least ten U.S. citizens or approved immigrant workers. The company behind the Imperial Regional Center, Pacificland International Development, Inc., or PID, has high hopes for the area that you will be assisting them with once you receive your eb5 green card.

Your money will help the economy of the Targeted Employment Area inside the Heber region. The opportunities available through the Imperial Regional Center mainly involve retail. The objective is to boost the economy through six industries, including wholesale shopping areas, retail shopping centers, dining locations, hospitality centers, entertainment complexes, and performance venues. Your investment will assist in developing, operating, and managing these new businesses in Imperial County.

Heber is an unincorporated Targeted Employment Area within Imperial County. It has this title due to its rural status and higher than average unemployment rates. If you agree to put your investment to work here, you will not need to directly hire ten new employees. Instead, you can show that your new business indirectly resulted in the hiring of at least ten people, whether you participated in the hiring process or not.

In order to get your eb5 green card at the Imperial Regional Center, you will need to show U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS, a copy of your approval letter once your funds have been verified. Additionally, you will need the center's business plan for its project, the method in which you will create ten or more jobs, limited partnership agreement, subscription agreement, and escrow agreement. In order to stay in good standing, the Imperial Regional Center will need to monitor and record its activities and those of its immigrant investors, so be prepared to help document how your investment is a benefit to the area.

At this Regional Center, you will focus on providing the area with businesses related to retail, restaurant, entertainment, hospitality, and cultural interests. This might include parks, recreational areas, lighted walkways, shopping centers, movie theaters, parking structures, hotels, bars, art galleries, outlet stores, outdoor stages, rivers, and more. Overall, your job could include anything that will benefit the area and help it prosper, so be sure to include such objectives in your business plan to get your eb5 green card.

For more information visit EB-5 Investor Green Card or visit the http://eb-5investorgreencard.com website for information on obtaining an EB-5 visa.

K1 Visa Truths and Myths

There is so much information out on the internet about the immigration K1 Visa that it is hard to know what truth is or what is myth. Part of the problem is the amount of data that is either outdated or just incorrect. The other reason has to do with the different techniques that one company or law firm might take over another.

For example there are many law firms that stick with the word of the instructions and law. The problem with sticking to the word of the USCIS instruction is it does not lend itself to providing a good representation of the couple. You have to provide more than just what the instructions ask.

The first truth or myth - It takes a year or more to get a immigration K1 Visa. This is a myth. If done correctly you can easily get a immigration K1 Visa within four to six months. Depending on the country that the immigrant fiance(e) is coming from, the marriage visa could be completed even sooner. I had a case where the fianc?as coming from Argentina. It only took six weeks for the paperwork to get processed and K1 Visa granted to the immigrant fiance. It all depends on the country and amount of applications being processed for that country. If your fiance/Fiancee is coming from Russia, Europe or any former Soviet State, then you can expect the average time to be between four and six months.

The second truth or myth - It is not good to apply for a K1 Visa between the months of January and April. This is a truth. You want to plan ahead and avoid applying during these months. The USCIS will be expecting the most current tax year information from you. A lot of times taxes are done in April or March. If you apply within these months, ensure you first do your taxes and submit them with your application. If you choose to submit your application without the most current year's tax filing, the USCIS will put your application on hold while they wait for you to send in the most current tax year.

Now let us say you do not submit your most current year's tax information. What happens? The USCIS will kindly send you a letter requesting proof of your current income through your 1040 filing. But since you did not send in a copy with your application, the USCIS can and most of the time requires a tax summary from the IRS. What does this mean? It means that you need to call the IRS and order a formal summary report. The summary takes about two weeks to reach you. All along your K1 Fiance/K1 Fiancee Visa application is sitting on hold waiting for the missing information. Now consider this, it takes two weeks to order the summary and then another two weeks for your application to get put back into a review status. In the best case scenario, you have added one month to your K1 Visa application process. In the worst case scenario your application gets put on someone's desk, gets lost or even denied because of the missing information. It is better to avoid these months than to risk the scenarios above.

The third truth or myth - If a U.S Embassy does not exist in the country of my fiance(e) I cannot get a immigration K1 Visa for her or him. This is not true. In the case where a U.S Embassy does not exist in her or his country, the fiance(e) may opt to cross the border into a country that does have a U.S Embassy. The process does take a little longer, but it is doable.

There is a lot of very interesting information out there and I commend those that take the K1 Visa process on themselves without the aid of an attorney. It can be a tricky process that does not leaned itself to romance or mistakes. Yet, when done correctly it can go smoothly and finalize in generally a short amount of time.

Throughout the years I have responded to a lot of myths. Some of the myths were rather strange and others very close to the truth. But being close to the truth is never good enough for the USCIS; it is that "close to the truth "information that is just wrong enough to cause someone a lot of trouble if they followed what they were reading.

Art Saborio is a specialist in both the "K1 Fiance Visa" and "Green Card Permanent US Immigrant Resident Adjustment of Status Process" for the fiance(e) immigrating to the U.S.A. He has written many exclusive articles on these subjects, as well as, articles on the relationship differences between an American Man and a Russian/Ukrainian Woman. His FREE "Exclusive Backstage Pass" to submitting the K1 Visa is now available. Check it out at ----> http://www.k1visaexperts.com

How to Go About Making a Personal Injury Claim

There are parameters that have to be observed for an incident to qualify as personal injury. An incident must be due to the negligence, carelessness, recklessness, or deliberate actions of another. It may sound obvious, but you do have to have received an injury in order to be able to make a personal injury claim.

Should you be injured then you may be able to make a claim for:

Actual Damages:

Actual damages are the actual out of pocket expenses that you have incurred and include:

- travel to and from doctor's offices

- loss of income- prostheses

- ambulance- drugs and medication

- therapy

- drugs and medication

- therapy

- doctors

- hospital

Specific Injuries:

Specific injuries are injuries to a specific part of your body. For example, a broken arm or broken leg.

Pain and Suffering:

Calculating the cost of the suffering of pain is not an easy thing to do, but you are entitled to be recompensed for any pain that you have suffered due to personal injury.

Permanent disability

Permanent disability is generally defined as being left unable to do something or things that you were able to do, prior to becoming a victim of personal injury. You do not have to have been rendered totally disabled. It can be as minimal as partially losing the ability to use one of your toes.

Future damages

Should you have been subjected to a type of injury that is going to have an effect on your future, then you are entitled to compensation. This future effect5 could be in relation to loss of income, or medical bills that you are likely to face in the future, for example.

Punitive damages

Such castigatory compensation is designed as a form of punishment to the party that has caused a victim to suffer a personal injury. This is especially in view of something being done in a purposeful manner, so as to discourage a person or party form acting in such a way in the future.

This information is general, and if you are in a position where you would like to file for personal injury then you need to speak to a professional.

If you want to make a claim in relation to bank charges, mis-sold PPI or a personal injury Make A Personal Injury Claim via the Internet

Knowing the Ins and Outs of Making a Personal Injury Claim in Ontario Canada

As in any other country, a personal injury claim makes up a significant fraction of insurance and lawsuit claims in Ontario, Canada. Personal injuries is an umbrella category that covers injuries incurred inside school premises, slip and fall accidents within both public and private properties, injuries incurred from motor vehicle accidents, and compensation claims for defective or harmful products.

Liability

All compensation claims revolve around the concept of liability. In simple terms, a person or a party is "liable" is s/he is found guilty of causing the injury, whether consciously or out of negligence.

In theory, both the injured party and the property owner are responsible for the incidence of the injury. In court, the injured party needs to prove that s/he took all measures possible to avoid hurting him/herself. If the accident was proven to be a set-up, or if it was caused by the injured party's own negligence for personal safety (i.e. ignoring warning signs, or intentionally driving under the influence of alcohol) s/he won't be given ample compensation.

On the part of the property owner (e.g. grocery owners), s/he will need to prove that the accident wasn't caused by his/her negligence to make the property safe for his invitees (costumers) and licensees (social guests). In cases of slip and fall claims due to wet floors, the property owner needs to establish that s/he had set up warning signs for the hazard. Wet floors which have been left unattended for longer than five minutes, without any warning signs whatsoever, can be grounds enough for a strong slip and fall claim.

In many instances, where the liable party is insured, the compensation for personal injury damages may be partly or wholly covered by the insurance policy.

Compensation coverage

Compensation for a personal injury claim covers both non-pecuniary and pecuniary damages. Non-pecuniary damages are also called "pain and suffering". These are physical or psychological damages which cannot be calculated readily. In 2004, though, the Supreme Court of Canada made a ruling that a person's pain and suffering can only amount to a maximum of $300,000.00. This means that if you're filing for a personal injury claim, your non-pecuniary damages can range between $1.00 and $300,000.00.

Pecuniary damages are more tangible damages which can be given monetary values readily. This includes hospitalization, property damages, loss of salary, and other future damages which can be incurred due to prolonged or permanent injuries. Personal injuries which disable the injured party from performing his/her current job permanently usually amounts to a high compensation claim. Medical evidences, and in some cases economic opinions, are brought to court to support this claim.
Injured parties who are bread winners can also claim for salary support for his/her dependencies. This is, of course, only applicable to injured parties with children below 16 years of age.

Exceptions

Pain and suffering claims can't be made against drivers or owners of motor vehicles unless the injury includes scarring or permanent disfigurement and/or permanent and severe impairment of the injured party's physical and/or psychological functions.

The injured party can, however, demand for compensation pecuniary damages including loss of income.

Limitations

Personal injury claims need to be filed as soon as possible. If your personal injury claim was made later than the qualified period of time under the law of the court, it will be declared null and void.

Any sort of vehicle accident, disability claim, slip and fall, can all be claimed. Be sure to research thoroughly and find the right personal injury lawyer for yourself.

Injured Accident Victim Says "I Want You to Call the Insurance Company NOW!"

The prospective client walked into your office and tells you that she has all the records from her case. She spoon-feeds you which records she has: The police report, the ambulance report, part of the emergency room record and one physical therapy note. "Where are the rest of the records?" you ask. "Oh those, they're not important...anyway, my prior lawyer said this was enough to start a lawsuit in New York," says the eager-to-sign prospective client.

By now, two red warning flags should have gone up.

1. That this potential client had a prior attorney, and
2. That this potential client has only some of the records, and she feels, based on someone else's advice, that this is sufficient to proceed with a personal injury lawsuit in New York.

Now, having a prior attorney is fine. The question any attorney will want to know is: Why did you leave your prior attorney? The answer to that question will tell volumes. The second issue is why is the potential client feeding you certain records and not providing you with all of the records?

The nice woman sitting in your office chair tells you that under no circumstance are you to request records from her treating primary care doctor because "I left on bad terms, and I want nothing to do with him." She also tells you that she refuses to go for a physical examination by a doctor of the defense lawyer's choosing because "my medical condition is private and nobody is going to poke and prod me in my body when I'm complaining about an injury to my head and arm."

Can you guess how this conversation is going to go?

She next tells you that "I want you to get on the phone with the insurance company immediately, because the insurance company must surely know your excellent reputation and tell them they have to come up with a lot of money to settle my case, otherwise we'll take them to trial."

If you haven't guessed by now, this potential client is very demanding. The warning flags went up the moment she started telling the lawyer what SHE wanted done.

The bottom line is that when the client starts telling the lawyer how to handle her New York personal injury matter, there will be many problems. It is the lawyer's obligation to provide advice based upon his or her experience and knowledge. When the potential client simply will not listen or does not want to listen to the attorney's advice and directs how the case is to proceed, then you can easily envision significant problems down the road.

Gerry Oginski is an experienced medical malpractice and personal injury trial attorney practicing law in Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, New York, Staten Island, Nassau & Suffolk. He has tirelessly represented injured victims in all types of medical malpractice, wrongful death and injury cases since 1988. As a solo practitioner he is able to devote 100% of his time to each individual client. A client is never a file number in his office.

Take a look at Gerry's website http://www.oginski-law.com and read his free special reports on malpractice and accident law. Read actual testimony of real doctors in medical malpractice cases. Learn answers to your legal questions. We have over 250 FAQs to the most interesting legal questions. Read about his success stories. Read the latest injury and malpractice news. I guarantee there's something for you. For more information, call him personally at 516-487-8207.

Also, go over to http://medicalmalpracticetutorial.blogspot.com for Gerry's free instructional videos on New York Medical Malpractice, Wrongful Death & Accident law.

Injury on Construction Sites

There are a lot of different types of jobs and machines used in and around construction sites. This means that there is a lot that can go wrong. The more complex a machine is, the more parts it has that can break or malfunction. The more machines you have that are like this, the higher the risk of a break or malfunction occurring. Because construction sites have so many different types of machinery, there is a great deal that can go wrong.

When construction machinery breaks or malfunctions, there is generally someone operating in or around it. This means that there is someone there to be injured by the malfunction. This can become incredibly dangerous. Many of the machines used in construction sites are used to move heavy objects in some way. When these objects are accidentally released, they could end up crushing a person.

There are a great deal of other things that can go wrong as well. For instance, cranes can often malfunction. When the wind picks up, cranes automatically hit their kill switches. This causes them to sway with the wind instead of fighting it. This is meant to prevent cranes from toppling. However, if the crane is carrying a load at the time, the wind can push it into an area that could injure many people.

Cranes can also fall over if they are improperly secured. This can cause a great deal of damage as the crane can fall into an unprotected area around the construction site. Cranes are often tall enough to reach well beyond the construction site if they fall. Because nobody expects this, it can cause injury and death to people who are not within the confines of the construction site.

Other machinery can malfunction as well. Construction workers have been run over by large machines, crushed by heavy objects, pushed off tall heights by wind or swinging objects, and numerous other injuries as well. Just about any machine in a construction site can take a turn for the worse and badly injure or even kill a person.

Injuries suffered on construction sites are often burns, broken bones, lacerations, head injury, and even death. There is a wide range of injury because there are so many things that can go wrong. If you would like to know more about construction accidents and injuries, you can click here

Joseph Devine

K3 Marriage Visa - Your Ultimate Guide

If you've found your perfect match from another country and you want to take him or her with you to the United States to start a new life together, then you might think of getting a K3 marriage visa.?
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The K3 marriage visa falls under a non-immigrant visa category that allows spouses of U.S. citizens to enter the United States until they can lawfully adjust their status into a permanent residence status.
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There are many benefits of getting a K3 visa.?First, it takes shorter waiting periods for everything to be processed as opposed to marriage-based immigration visas.?Also, your spouse can engage in employment by applying for a work permit, and your children can enter the United States through the K4 visa, given that they are listed in the visa petition.???
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To be eligible to get a K3 visa, one has to be legally wed or married to a U.S. citizen.?The U.S. citizen spouse should file a family based immigration petition (I-130) on the non-citizen spouse's behalf.?Another requirement is if the non-citizen spouse wishes to enter the U.S. while waiting for his/her green card petition approval and the succeeding lawful change in status to permanent resident.??
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On behalf of your non-U.S. citizen spouse, you should file Form I-130 with the USCIS service center that has authority over your non-citizen spouse's place of residence.?Afterward, you will get Form I-797, stating that the Form I-130 was received by the USCIS.?A copy of this form should be sent together with a USCIS Form I-129F to the USCIS in Chicago, Illinois for adjudication.?This is then forwarded to the appropriate American Consulate so your spouse can apply for a K3 visa.?

We are here to make things a little easier during the K3 Visa process. We have a lot of useful information to help with all of your needs. Please visit us at http://www.visak1k3.com/k3-visa-news

Avail the Total Benefit From Immigration Lawyers

The word law always comes with norms, rules, legalities etc. Law is something which has its importance and it is not something that can be understood and applied by all. To be a lawyer you really need to undergo a serious course of law studies. There are various categories of law, and among them immigration law and immigration lawyers. Immigration lawyers are occupying a very reputed place in the law firm. In daily basis the immigration lawyers get a good number of cases to handle in this aspect.

Thus, basically the main reason of approaching an immigration lawyer is to get work permit in the foreign land. But one doesn't get work permit very easily, for this one needs to take assistance from immigration solicitor or immigration lawyer. There are various norms and rule one needs to fulfill before getting work permit. Basically if you planning to get the work permit in UK. To get UK work permit you have to consult a right immigration solicitor or a immigration lawyer who can really guide you with all terms and condition regarding getting a UK work permit.

If you really want to get UK work to permit than you really need to consult a expert immigration solicitor who can really help you and guide regarding get work permit. Talking in details about the immigration law than the immigration law firms can help in the following way, first and foremost it gives you a total idea about the dos and don'ts of the laws and rules on immigration law. Moreover, the immigration law firms of UK accept application and carry's British post abroad. They also publish in immigration Tribune and law courts. They accept all kinds of application related to immigration laws and regulations.

Thus, there are various prospects in immigration laws and the immigration lawyer's needs to take proper care that they work according to the given law, and moreover they always work according to the norms established for the law in general. Thus a particular thing that you should take into consideration that is before applying for immigration certificates, you should see that whether you are eligible to be an applicant for the to get UK work permit, thus it is very important so that you can very well judge whether you eligible for the permit. Moreover, the law firms in UK generally have very well versed in immigration law and expertise in there field.

Therefore, it is very important for you to learn more in details about immigration law and immigration lawyers in order to take the maximum value from it. So, if you want to get UK work permit than approach the right immigration solicitor or immigration lawyer and get what you desire. In this regard for assistance you can take the help fro a UK based immigration law firm that is danielcohenimimmigration firm.

Author Bio: - So for any sort of requirement in this relevant field, you know the exact way to go with http://www.daniellecohenimmigration.com

The Difference Between Deportation and Exclusion

In simple terms deportation and exclusion have the same consequences. However deportation is a process of removing the person who is already living in the United States. Exclusion is a process where a person arriving in United States is not allowed to enter.

The legal proceedings for both the cases differ in some ways. The reasons why a person may be excluded from entering the country can be health reasons, possession of illegal drugs like marijuana or cocaine or violation of any of the airport laws. The reasons for deportation may be breaking the law, overstaying the visa permit, or involved in criminal activity, working illegally, and going against the rules set by the immigration and naturalization services.

Exclusion that has been caused by illnesses and health grounds may be temporary. If you have been affected by some kind of virus you can be cordoned in the airport premises until you have been treated. However exclusion on the basis of criminal grounds can be permanent and you may never be allowed to enter the country again. Deportation also similarly can take place for a brief period of time and at a later point you may be allowed into the country depending on the act.

However if it is anything to do with breaking the laws or engaged in criminal activities in that case deportation is a permanent remedy. That is why it very important to watch your luggage and not leave it unguarded in airports. Also drugs and marijuana are taken very seriously by the officials at the airport.

About Author:
Pauline Go is an online leading expert in the legal industry. She also offers top quality articles like :
Criminal Law,
Perjury Penalties

Eb5 Visas - Who Applies For Them?

Whether you are seeking to enter the United States or are simply curious about eb5 visas and want to learn more, you might be interested to know who typically uses them. The eb5 visa is also known as an investment visa, as either a $500,000 to $1 million investment is required to qualify. With this money, those who want eb5 visas have to open a business and create jobs for at least ten United States citizens. However, there are not many requirements beyond those, which might make you wonder who is applying for this type of visa.

Some people do not need to enter the U.S., but simply want to, as they have lived their lives in another country and want to experience living in the United States. These people might include retirees. Those who open a new company in areas known for being great to retire in, such as California and Florida, are often older and ready to own a business. Since they simply have to provide the initial investment for it and not run it each day, eb5 visas can be perfect for retirees looking to enjoy life in the United States.

You do not need to be retiring to see the benefits of living in the United States. The cost of living is less than that of many countries, and the schools are also often considered better. Plus, most quality schools here are free, unlike some countries. Thus, families with children might be interested in eb5 visas, as well. Since the investor can move their family here, including children under age 21, it is a great way to get a feel for life in the U.S. For the first two years, the investor and their family will have a conditional visa. If they still enjoy this country after five years, they can apply for citizenship. This makes eb5 visas a fast track to getting into this country, owning a business, and eventually becoming a citizen after a few years of residency.

Students who are graduating from college in the United States might also be interested in the eb5 visa. If they do not want to leave the country soon after graduation, and can obtain a large business loan, this type of visa can allow them to open a business. If they open a company related to their major, it can help them get real world experience and find out if they want to stay in that career forever, or if it is not for them. This is particularly helpful for business students.

No matter who you are, you might find eb5 visas interesting enough to consider. Simply getting to know more about them and the type of people who often apply for them can help make a final decision. Whether you are a recent graduate, a soon-to-be retiree, or someone with a family, an eb5 visa is worth looking into.?

For more information on who qualifies for an EB5 green card or visit the http://eb-5investorgreencard.com website for information on obtaining an EB-5 visa.

Benefits of the Eb5 Visa Regional Center Plan

If you want to enter the United States as soon as possible, it might seem like you have few options. Most green card programs take years to allow immigrants into the country, and they have many requirements. However, be advised that there is a way to enter this country after fulfilling only a few conditions.

If you want to move to the United States with your family as soon as possible, you should learn about the eb5 visa Regional Center route. You might have heard of this visa, which requires you to make a one million dollar investment in a business in the United States. After proving you have the capital, starting a new company or taking over an old business, and creating ten or more full-time jobs for U.S. citizens, you have fulfilled your side of the bargain. Often, you can be living in the United States within eight months under this system.

If getting together a million dollars seems intimidating, consider whether you could get a business loan for $500,000 instead. If so, you can still start your own business using the eb5 visa, but you would simply start it in a targeted area, which has unemployment rates that are higher than the nation's average. There are about 50 of them scattered through this country, with more on the way, and most of them have a Regional Center that helps you hire employees. This means that for half the price of a regular eb5 visa, and in a much faster time period than a regular green card, you could be living in the U.S. with your own business through the eb5 visa Regional Center pathway.

The shorter time it takes to obtain this type of visa, which averages six to ten months, is just one of its benefits. There is also no labor requirement, unlike typical green cards that request that you have a job. You will own your own business, but you do not necessarily have to take part in everyday management. This is particularly an advantage of the eb5 visa Regional Center route, as targeted areas often have people there to help you hire employees and make other decisions. Additionally, you can choose to live anywhere in the country. Even if you use the eb5 visa Regional Center route, you do not have to live in the city where your business is located, especially if you do not plan to be involved in day-to-day operations.

You can move your immediate family, including unmarried children under the age of 21, with you to the United States with this visa type. As long as you have the ambition and investment capital to go along with this type of opportunity, you should. Taking the eb5 visa Regional Center route offers more flexibility and advantages than most other methods of entering the United States.

For more information on who should consider an EB5 regional center or visit the http://eb-5investorgreencard.com website for information on obtaining an EB-5 visa.

How to Hire Foreign National Employees Without Violating United States Immigration Laws?

Several multinational companies have the need for workers from foreign countries for various kinds of jobs. However bringing people from other countries to work in the United States is not an easy task anymore. It is more or less like a lottery system where the person who gets the visa is lucky.

However companies now can be smarter about the way they deal with the work permits. The H1 B status of an employee can actually be kept alive and prospective employees can still be brought into the country to work. It is called a H1 B transfer and using this employer can transfer the visa to the prospective employee to make them work for the company.

H1 B visas are granted for 3 years and it can be typically be extended to a maximum period of 6 or 7 years also if you want to retain the employee try to look at many other options while you get the extension. Start planning for future extension or change in visa status before the visa expires. There different categories of visas for employees like L1 and L2 and each one have their benefits and limitations when it comes to transfers or extensions.

See how you can manipulate these benefits in order to get a longer sty period for the employee. Also if the employee has stayed long enough then you may want to consider getting a permanent residency which is a more lasting solution. The employer can discuss the possibility of it with the employee and get the process started.

About Author:
Pauline Go is an online leading expert in the legal industry. She also offers top quality articles like :
Criminal Law,
Perjury Penalties

Dual Nationality and a Second Passport - Ways to Obtain Them

Obtaining dual nationality and a second passport is one of the wisest moves you can make if you truly value maintaining your international freedom. It is sort of like taking out an insurance policy. Only the asset you are insuring is not your car or home, but something much more precious: YOUR FREEDOM. This is something you can't put a price on, but it is something many men have laid down their lives for. It is worth millions.

It may come as a surprise to you to find out that passports are a modern invention. Less than one hundred years ago official passports were never required by most countries. But now they are required by all countries and the issuing of them is used as a means of coercion by some to restrict your right to travel and even control, monitor, and record it. That is why applying for dual nationality and a second passport is a wise decision. If the government of your country is unduly authoritarian and is making your life miserable then you have a freedom document that will allow you to escape and freely move about the world.

Moreover, the issuing of your passport can be used by your government as leverage to force you to pay for the unreasonable tax burden created by out of control government spending. They can also force you to report worldwide income and assets if you are their property by reason of the passport you hold. So you can see why it may be prudent to obtain dual nationality and also a second passport to freedom - one with no restrictive strings attached. This will give you the option to renounce your old citizenship to embrace only your new one if things get too out of control in the country of your first nationality.

Having a dual nationality and a second passport means that you are legally a citizen of two countries at the same time. A person can acquire this by birth or by marriage. For example a family who is living abroad gives birth to a child in another country. That child could be both a citizen of the country he was born in and also a citizen of the original country of his or her parents. Also if a person goes to another country and marries a foreign citizen then they can become a citizen of their new country while retaining their original citizenship also.

But the other way to obtain dual nationality and a second passport is to involve yourself or all of your family in one of the legitimate second citizenship programs available from a very reputable provider who is either a lawyer or a facilitator who is knowledgeable about the laws concerning how to apply for dual citizenship in the particular country you are interested in getting second citizenship from. There are a few programs available that are affordable and there are some others that are more expensive. So it is important that you get connected with someone who can help you find a program that is best for your situation.

James Bauman Ph.D. has been involved with the offshore world, banking, and asset protection for about 12 years now. During that time he has gained an education in not only the financial asset protection world, but also has gained expertise in where to find the most affordable real dual citizenship and second passport programs available. Out of the knowledge he has gained over the years, he developed the asset protection business: FREEDOM OFFSHORE SERVICES. You can find out more about how to get a second passport by going here: http://www.freedomoffshore.com/howtogetasecondpassport.html Also, you can learn more about how to obtain dual citizenship by going here: http://www.freedomoffshore.com/dualcitizenship.html We hope to serve you not only in a way that saves you money, but by giving you quality service also. May your experience in the offshore world of dual nationality and second passports be a pleasant one with our help.

Overhaul of Australian Temporary-Worker-Visa-Program Makes Permanent Visas More Attractive

The Australian Department of Immigration has introduced a number of changes to the 457 temporary worker visa program so far in 2009, and further changes have been announced which amount to a complete overhaul of the 457 visa system. The 457 visa program allows employers to sponsor workers for a visa lasting up to 4 years. Permanent employer sponsored options are unaffected by the changes, making them more attractive than 457 visas in many ways.

The changes have been in response to a number of concerns. Firstly, there is a perception that employers rely too heavily on the 457 program in a time where the unemployment rate in Australia has been rising. Secondly, there have been several examples of employers who have abused the 457 system leading to exploitation of workers.

Minimum Salary Level

There will be an increase in the Minimum Salary Level from 1 July 2009. The changes will result in an increase in the applicable minimum salary of 4.1% for all workers currently on a 457 visa.

The minimum salary levels for workers sponsored after 1 July 2009 will be as follows:

• Non-IT Occupations: $45,221 (currently $43,440)
• IT Occupations: $61,919 (currently $59,480) Benefit to Australia

Since February 2009, the Department of Immigration has been requesting evidence of the benefit to Australia of sponsoring the relevant employee at the nomination and visa application stage of the 457 process. Establishing benefit to Australia has always been a requirement for approval as a business sponsor, albeit one which the Department of Immigration has not actively policed.

Employers are now being asked to provide information on any redundancies which have occurred within the business, evidence of efforts made to recruit local workers and specific benefits of sponsoring each worker. This has introduced significant delays in the application process.

Minimum Salary to be Based on Market Rate

In addition to the above increases in the Minimum Salary Level, the Minister for Immigration has announced that from 1 September 2009 the required salary level will be based on a "market rate". At this point, there are not many details on how this will be calculated.

However, it is likely that the market rate requirement will only apply where the remuneration package is under $100,000. The following sources of information are likely to be considered in estimating the market rate:

• Salary paid for equivalent positions in the business;
• Rate set by any Collective Agreements in effect
• Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Data

The Department has already taken measures to implement this policy - sponsors have been requested in some cases to provide copies of employment contracts for employees in similar positions to the 457 applicant.

English Language Ability for Trade Applicants

English language testing is required for people being sponsored to work in trade occupations (ie ASCO Group 4). For applications lodged on or after 14 April 2009, the English language requirement has been increased from an IELTS average 4.5 to average 5.0.

In addition, chefs and head chefs are now required to provide evidence of English - these occupations are in ASCO Group 3 and were previously exempt from English language testing.

Workers are still exempt from English language testing if:

• They are to be employed in ASCO Groups 1-3 (ie Managers, Professionals and Associate Professionals) apart from Chefs and Head Chefs; or
• Base salary is $77,850 or higher; or
• They hold a passport from the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada or New Zealand; or
• They have completed certain qualifications taught in English medium

Skills Assessment for Trade Applicants

A formal skills assessment or "job-ready" test is to be progressively introduced from 1 July 2009. To date, there is little detail on what this would involve but is likely to include a workplace-based assessment.

Regional Sponsorship for Semi-Skilled Workers

Employers were previously able to sponsor semi-skilled workers in ASCO Groups 5-7 to fill positions in regional areas. Such positions had to be endorsed by the local Regional Certifying Body.

However, from 15 May 2009 such workers must be sponsored under a labour agreement. Obtaining a labour agreement involves an individual negotiation process for each employer or employer group, and can take 12 months or more.

Upcoming Changes to 457 Program

The above changes have made obtaining 457 visas more challenging for many employers. However, we can expect further changes in the future, including:

• Introduction of more objective criteria for assessment of the Employer's training record;
• Revision of sponsorship obligations;
• Expanding the requirement for labour agreements to larger 457 visa users;
• Restricting the maximum length of time a person can spend in Australia on a 457 visa to 8 years;
• Making it easier for 457 holders to change employer or move onto permanent visas from within Australia.

Permanent Visas Now More Attractive

The changes have not so far affected the permanent employer sponsored options (ie ENS and RSMS). The permanent options are currently being processed reasonably quickly and may be a better option for employers who are concerned about sponsoring under the 457 program. In particular, the permanent options:

• Do not require employers to show benefit to Australia
• Salary need not be paid at the market rate
• Regional concessions are still available
• English language testing can be waived and is lower for regional positions
• There are no ongoing sponsorship obligations.

For employees, permanent visas are also much more favorable as they give access to Medicare, eligibility for Australian citizenship and make them less vulnerable if they lose their job.

About the Author:

Mark Webster is the director and founder of Acacia Immigration and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia's NSW Executive. In this capacity Mark has liaised with the Department of Immigration on key policy issues. He was a major contributor to the MIA's submissions on Skills Assessment and Review of the General Skilled Program.

A recognized expert in the field, Mr. Webster has been quoted in print numerous times, including in Phillipe Legrain's 2007 book, Immigrants: Your Country Needs Them (Princeton University Press).

Mark is a contributing author of the current edition of the Immigration Kit (Federation Press), the definitive text on migration law. He wrote the chapters on General Skilled Migration and Temporary Workers.

Read the original article at: http://www.acacia-au.com/457_overhaul_200907.php

Student Visa Conditions

With its world-class educational system, Australia attracts students from nearly 200 countries. Student visas are among the most popular type of Australian visas available. Once you have acquired one, it is important to understand that there are certain conditions you must fulfill to be allowed to stay and study in Australia.

The most common ones for most student visas are as follows:

? Maintain satisfactory attendance in the course as required by the Australian school, college or university.
? Make satisfactory course progress for each study period and achieve satisfactory academic results.
? Continue to be enrolled in a study course in Australia.
? Notify your Australia school, university or college of your address within seven days of arriving in the country. If there are changes to your address, notification for this must also be sent within seven days. The educational institution needs to be made aware of your address so they can contact you if you do not satisfy the requirements of the course.
? If you plan to move from one Australia school to another, you must also inform your original education provider within seven days of obtaining your new certificate of enrollment.
? You must also maintain your health insurance, particularly the mandatory Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

These conditions are sent out with our letter of approval for your student visa or on your visa label. Overseas students who do not comply with these conditions may get their Australian visa cancelled and may be deported. Non-compliance may also mean that you will no be able to return to Australia for three years after the visa cancellation.

The most common types of non-compliance committed by students are working without approval or longer than permitted hours, ceasing studies before the end of the course overstaying and using fraudulent documentation.

Since July 1, 2007, the "no change of provider" condition (8206) has also been implemented for most student visas. This means, that Australian student visa holders are not allowed to change their education provider within the first 12 months of the course.

Dylan Lautner is a Search Engine Optimisation Specialist, he is also a writer.

Australia visa | Australian Visa
Study courses in Australia

Learn the Documents Necessary to Take Advantage of the Foreign Investor Visa

If you are an immigrant looking to pursue your goal of both opening a business and living in the United States, there is a specific visa for you. The eb5 visa is also known as a foreign investor visa, since you need to show you can add to the U.S. economy to qualify. Before you count on this type of visa getting you into the U.S., learn the evidence you need to take advantage of this opportunity.

Even if you already know the basics of the foreign investor visa, you should get to know the specifics before applying. Officials will be impressed if you have all the requirements and proof of meeting them before you send in your application. Though there are plenty of these visas available each year, once they're gone, they're gone. Some years feature more competition than others, and if you want to speed past others applying for the same visa, preparedness for the process will get you noticed.

If you know anything about the eb5 visa, you already know the monetary requirements, as well as the rule that you must create ten new jobs for citizens. However, you might be confused on what type of business qualifies. You can create your own new business, or you can take over one that is already established. However, you must restructure the older business so that it qualifies as a new commercial organization, and you need to save at least ten jobs from being lost, had this business failed before you stepped in. In addition, you can buy an existing business even if it is not in economic trouble, and simply expand it, adding ten or more new positions.

After having performed these tasks, you will need to prove it. This can be done by showing the Articles of Incorporation for your new or changed company. If you have a partnership agreement, that will also be needed to complete the process. Whether you leased or bought the building that houses your business, you will need to keep those records, and any state licenses you received will also be helpful to keep. Evidence of the necessary funds having been transferred, documentation of where you received your initial capital, and proof of creating ten jobs will also be necessary. If you took over an existing company, you will also need to show organizational records and proof that you increased the net worth of the business since you took over.

Clearly, the process of obtaining a foreign investor visa involves a lot of paperwork. This is simply to prove without a doubt that any immigrant who wants to come to the U.S. under the guise of starting a business does what they intend to. Otherwise, this pathway to eventually becoming a citizen could be abused by those with no intention of successfully running their own business. However, do not let the red tape stop you from pursuing a dream of opening your own business in the United States. Contacting an immigration lawyer can help you stay focused and organized on your path to obtaining a foreign investor visa.

For more information visit EB-5 Investor Green Card or visit the http://eb-5investorgreencard.com website for information on obtaining an EB-5 visa.

Choose Between the Traditional Eb5 Visa and the Eb5 Regional Center

You might have heard of the eb5 visa, especially if you have an interest in getting into the United States. Considering how sought after a green card for the U.S. is, it is surprising that more immigrants do not take advantage of this program. Imagine not only legally coming into the country within three to six months, but also owning your own business. Most people have trouble getting into America within a few years, let alone finding a job. Being their own boss is more than most people, immigrants or not, would imagine being able to do. However, the eb5 visa offers this choice.

The process is fast for a green card, and allows approved applicants to bring their spouses and children under age 21 over, as well. Once you qualify for this visa, there is no need to send remittance to your family back in your home country, nor do you need to spend years taking tests before entering the country. There are even a few options within the eb5 visa route, which you should decide on based on your interests and financial situation.

There is the traditional eb5 visa, and then there is the eb5 regional center. Deciding on the best one for you requires taking a look at the requirements for each one. The traditional eb5 visa requires you to invest $1 million into a new business in the U.S. Your new company must also employ at least ten American citizens full-time, so it needs to be a certain size to justify that number of employees. This type of card is known as the million dollar green card.

If you do not think you could access $1 million at one time, even with a business loan, there is another option to consider. It is the eb5 regional center route, which allows you to open a new business in a targeted employment area. This pathway requires only a $500,000 investment. A targeted area is one that has very high unemployment rates, about one and a half times higher than the nation's average rate. Targeted areas often have Regional Centers, which are agencies that study and try to improve the economy and job outlook in those areas. There are more than 45 Regional Centers in the United States, with more planned for the future.

You might wonder how to make the important decision between a traditional eb5 visa and the eb5 regional center route. Consider the fact that if you want to have an active role in the new business, such as managing it on your own each day, and want to directly hire ten or more new employees, the traditional eb5 visa would suit you. However, if you want a more passive role that does not require you to be at the business everyday, and one that does not require that you be directly involved in the process of hiring ten new employees, you should consider checking out an eb5 regional center. Whichever path leads to you obtaining a green card and living your dream life in the United States will be the best option.

For more information visit EB-5 Investor Green Card or visit the http://eb-5investorgreencard.com website for information on obtaining an EB-5 visa.

7 Steps How to Become a Citizen of Caribbean Country

1st Step - Decision to move
During the last couple of years the Dominican Republic became a home of higher quantities of foreign investors or whole families coming here from abroad.

Which are the principal reasons why to choose Dominican Republic?

• Very stable economy
• Unlimited business opportunities in industry production, services, tourism, export and import
• Nice tropical weather whole year
• Variable and in many places still virgin beautiful nature
• Friendly and helpful local people

2nd Step - Prepare documents to submit your application
Which documents are necessary to submit your application for Dominican residency and work permit?

• Medical exams (it must be done here in Santo Domingo by Immigration doctors)
• Full copy (all pages) of your passport
• Three sets of your photographs (front and side)
• Notarized, officially translated into Spanish and legalized Birth Certificate
• Dominican citizen who is required by the local authorities as a personal guarantee for your application
• Postal address in Dominican Republic

3rd Step - Immigration process
It is strongly recommended to start the process as soon as you reach the country and settle, because you can start your immigration during the turist visa. The first step is to visit the Immigration Office with all the papers for application, you will pass the medical exams (Blood-test and X-ray). At the moment of the acceptation of your file in the Immigration Office, you will receive four digit registration number (which is the number of your file in the Dominican Immigration system) and based on this number you can start immediately to work or do business in Dominican Republic because you are officially considered as a person who has his application in process.

Tip! Is better to bring with you an Spanish speaking, the staff in Immigration Office is really nice and mostly they can speak English with you, but with Spanish you will really speed things up.

4th Step - Settling in new country
Now you have time to settle in and make yourself comfortable in your new home.

Because Dominican Republic is an island, it have own problems - reliable supply of power or water has not yet been achieved. When you will rent or buy an apartment or a house ask everytime for own alternate sources: Planta (gas generator), Inversor (backup power in batteries - like UPS) and for Tinaco (water tank in top of building). When the power goes down for 2-3 hours, it is good to have at least one backup to run the basic (light, fridge, TV, etc.).

Tip! Find a local person to help you with ads for apratment or house, will achieved better prices.

5th Step - Business company
The time to finish your residency process vary from 3 - 4 months from the moment that you submit your application. You can use this time to open a Dominican local business company with bank account, get needed licences for special type of business, such as import or export of medicaments or other controlled products by the state.

What do you need to open a business company with bank account?

• According to the new Business Law of the Dominican Republic 2 persons as owners of the company (before there had to be seven persons)
• Copy of your passport or new Dominican ID "cedula"
• Postal address in Dominican Republic for your company

6th Step - Naturalization (citizenship)
You are living in a new environment and culture, you have a new life, business company and new experiences. You felt in love with Dominican Republic and you want to become a citizen with full rights and advantages of this country?

You can apply for the Dominican citizenship normally after two years of obtaining the permanent residency in the country but the substantial advantage consists in the fact that you do not need to be physically in the country all the time. There are also some exceptions determined by Dominican authorities, for example in case of foreign investors, when you can apply for the Dominican citizenship practically after one year.

What you will get with citizenship?

• Full citizenship and not only so called "economical" citizenship which is offered in most of Caribbean and Central American countries
• Same rights as native Dominican with only one exception - you can not be elected as president of the country
• Free travel visa for example to Israel, Japan, South Korea, Uruguay, Argentina, Honduras, Peru, Ecuador and others
• Your Dominican ID card "c?la de identidad" will be changed for new one, the same as any native Dominican has
• New Dominican Birth Certificate
• Your Dominican travel passport

7th Step - Last step is your first step to become a citizen of Dominican Republic
It looks like a difficult process for you? But in fact, it is really easy, all you have to do is trust to professionals, which will be happy to assist you with every single step, any advice or help that you will need.

Change your life today, visit us: www.caribe-lawyers.com

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Complete provision of permanent residence and work permit (immigration), emigration, naturalization (citizenship), the business company with bank account, legal advice in the Dominican Republic.

Information on South African Study Permits

With South Africa's diverse and highly recommended range of schooling and tertiary education institutions, it is no surprise to know that many foreigners who immigrate to RSA, either as individuals or families with children, will receive the best education for the person(s) concerned. There are so many different options of education institutions (from pre-schools, primary schools, secondary schools and tertiary schooling facilities) to choose from. South Africa is abundant with students who thrive on knowledge and highly qualified teachers/lecturers to provide the knowledge required to go forward in life.

In South Africa, a foreigner who would like to study in one of these institutions would require a study permit (temporary residency). There are two options for this type of permit for the respective foreigner(s):

The first option would be for families immigrating to South African with children from the age 6 to 16 (as all children from the age of 6 - 16 are required by law to attend schooling, therefore, requiring a study permit). If a child is young enough to attend cr?e, pre-school, etc, provision may be made by the Department to issue a permit to the child(ren), this is done with their own discretion. These permits are issued to the length of the schooling period, the maximum period length of a study permit is 3 years.

What documentation would be required for a study (children accompanying families) permit ?

The documentation required for a RSA (children accompanying families) study permit would include an acceptance letter ("provisionally accepted") from the RSA educational institution concerned, South African Registered Medical Insurance and proof from the parents (guardians) of financial support for during their stay in RSA while studying.

The second option would be for individual (stand alone) foreigners wishing to continue their studies in South Africa (e.g. university, college, etc). These permits are issued by the Department of Home Affairs to the applicant who has been "provisionally accepted" to a South African Registered Educational Institution. RSA Study permits are issued to the length of the course; this is done with the Department's discretion.

What documentation would be required for a study (individual) permit ?

The documentation required for a South African (individual) study permit would include an acceptance letter from the South African educational institution concerned, South African Registered Medical Insurance and proof that the applicant can sustain themselves financially during their stay in RSA while studying.

Can a foreigner work on a South African on this permit?

The student (over the age of 16 years) may work 20 hours per week during their term (semester) or when the workplace is a learning institution on this permit.

In order to retain a study permit while in South Africa, the foreigner must attend the courses/school-days. As this permit is a specific permit, if a child/person moves to a different institution or from primary to high school (secondary school), etc - a new study permit would need to be applied for in order to legally attend the new institution. Correspondence courses/distance learning courses do not allow for the issuance of a South African study permit.

South Africa thrives on education. All South Africans and foreigners alike, see education as a significant part of our lives in order to better ourselves and our futures. Therefore, obtaining a permit for education is important to a child or a person continuing their studies in South Africa.

Claire Roodman
claire@intergate-immigration.com
http://www.intergate-immigration.com

The UK Youth Mobility Scheme

The UK is currently making the biggest immigration law changes for the last 45 years.

Currently to be an au pair in the UK you will need:

• To be an EU citizen; or
• Get a holiday work visa, for example British commonwealth countries like Australia & South Africa; or
• You are a national of a country that is part of the au pair programme for example Turkey and Macedonia; or
• Obtain a blue card from BUNAC (British Universities North America Club).

The above will no longer be applicable from December of this year (2008) and will be replaced by TIER 5 of the new points-based system.

That means to qualify to be an au pair in the UK you will need to be:

• An EU citizen
• A national of a participating country; or
• A British overseas citizen; or
• A British overseas territories citizen; or
• A British national (overseas);

Also:

• You will also need to be aged between 18 and 30 years of age and have enough financial resources to support yourself from when you first enter the United Kingdom until you start earning.
• You may not participate in the Youth Mobility Scheme if you have dependent children or have previously spent time in the UK as a working holidaymaker.
• You will be expected to leave the UK when your permission to stay ends.
• You will only be able to come to the UK on the youth mobility scheme once.

We are yet to be informed by the UK border agency which countries will be participating in the youth mobility scheme.

For the latest information please visit:

Youth Mobility Scheme for au pairs.

Soraya is currently doing a BA in Media studies at Cardiff university and is a marketing consultant for Au pair and nanny agency Almondbury.

Dual Citizenship and an Alternative Passport - Applying For and Securing Your Freedom of Mobility

Applying for dual citizenship is an essential step to freedom for the person or family that values international freedom more than the illusion of temporary comfort. It is for the person or family that refuses to be trapped in a country that has lost the founding freedom and greatness it once had and assures you freedom of mobility in case an event of catastrophic proportions causes a violent change in the present system. You need to be able to flee if this happens with your alternative passport.

Applying for and obtaining dual citizenship gives a person or family freedom insurance in a time of social and financial upheavel brought on by terrorism and the stupidity of a spendaholic government whose currency is being trashed on the world markets. Do you realize that you do not own your passport? It is the property of your government and if they decide to keep their citizens trapped inside by means of martial law then you need to have second citizenship and an alternative passport to escape and insure your international freedom.

Applying for dual citizenship is also the gateway to obtaining a second foreign passport. This document proves your second nationality and is the ticket to freedom that you need in order to leave a country which is restricting the freedom of its own citizens. Without a second alternative passport you have no way to easily prove your dual nationality to the customs officials and border guards that you may meet during your hasty departure out of a crumbling world.

Moreover, if you have a portable business such as an internet business then applying for and obtaining dual citizenship gives you peace of mind knowing that you will be able to maintain your personal sovereignty through the freedom of international living. Through the use of your alternative second passport you will be able to work your internet business on the beaches of the world and not worry about your home country cancelling your first national passport and forcing you back home.

Futhermore, if you have assets in your home country that you want to protect then applying for and having dual citizenship will allow you to unrestrictedly open up bank and investment accounts in safe countries of the world where you can hold your gold, stocks, and money safely away from those who will want to take it from you while the financial system crashes. You need to keep your money in safe currencies like the Swiss Franc and in other currencies which maintain the purchasing power of your money. The ATM card you get will allow you to draw out the money wherever you are in the world.

James Bauman Ph.D. has been involved with the offshore world, banking, and asset protection for about 12 years now. During that time he has gained an education in the offshore world and has found the best lawyers and facilitators for dual citizenship leading to alternative passports. He has founded the business Freedom Offshore Services. We can introduce you to about six different dual citizenship sources that will NOT COST YOU your life savings. We have several competitors who charge up to ten times what you pay through us and our facilitators or lawyers. We do not sell dual citizenships or alternative passports but provide an introduction to the best and lowest priced ones available. That way you can apply for dual citizenship http://www.freedomoffshore.com/howtoobtaindualcitizenship.html and get an alternative passport with the lawyer or facilitator that handles the country that is right for you. We hope to serve you not only in a way that helps you with a cheap second passport, http://www.freedomoffshore.com/cheapsecondpassport.html but by giving you quality service also. May your experience in the world of offshore banking, asset protection, and dual citizenships always be a pleasant one with our help.

Get to Know the Process to Obtain an EB5 Visa

If you are an immigrant with a desire to get into the United States legally, you probably constantly hear how difficult it is to do so. Even if you meet all the requirements, the process can take years, and if you simply want to leave your country to make money for your family, you likely don't have years to wait. For this reason, finding out about any way to get into the U.S. fairly quickly is important.

For immigrants who have always wanted to open their own business, the perfect visa for that situation is called the EB5 visa. This allows foreigners to enter the United States and own their own business, as long as they have a business plan, $1 million to invest in the company, and hire at least ten full-time American employees. The visa exists to both benefit the U.S. economy and immigrants who want to relocate and fulfill their desire of running their own company. If you do not have $1 million to spend, you still have a chance at the EB5 visa. If you start your business in a targeted area, which is one that has high unemployment rates, you need only invest $500,000 to start the company. Finding a loan for this amount and making sure you meet any other requirements is the best way to have a chance at an EB5 visa, but you should learn the entire process so you know what to expect.

The first step is to select the targeted area in which you want to start your business. There are about 45 in the country, so you have some options. You will then need to sign a limited partner agreement and put $500,000 into an escrow account. Your immigration attorney will then submit the documents, called an Immigration Petition, and once it is approved, you will have an interview with a U.S. Consulate. To attend this interview, you will need a Conditional Visa, along with a medical exam.

If you are approved, you can come to the U.S. within six months. Since you now have an EB5 visa, your immigration attorney can file to remove the conditions on your temporary visa, and you can become a citizen about two months after you enter the country. Clearly, this route is one of the fastest, since if you begin preparing now, you can be in the U.S. in the next six months. Considering most other ways of legally living in the U.S. can take years, the advantages of the EB5 visa are obvious.

The best way to start your journey to owning an American business, and eventually U.S. citizenship, is to contact an immigration attorney. Such a lawyer is likely to know the fastest way to ensure you meet the requirements and get you into this country. If owning your own company and building a home in the U.S. is your goal, get started on meeting the EB5 visa requirements today.

For more information visit EB-5 Investor Green Card or visit the http://eb-5investorgreencard.com website for information on obtaining an EB-5 visa.

Read the Fine Print When Considering Immigration by Investment

The best way to enter the United States is to prove you can bring something positive to the country. No country, including your own, wants to admit people who will simply sit around and rely on the government for everything. Nations are made up of people, and it is only natural to refuse to admit others who will use up resources without adding to the community. As such, it is often difficult to enter a country. It usually either takes plenty time and testing to make sure you are a good candidate to become a citizen, or plenty of money. There is nothing wrong with immigration by investment, especially when it can benefit both you and your new country, and this is what the EB5 visa is about.

Simply put, the EB5 visa allows immigrants to buy their way into a country, since their new business can add to the benefits a country can offer. In most cases, you need to have at least $1 million and a good business plan that involves the full-time involvement of at least ten American citizens. Hence, immigration by investment through the EB5 visa offers new residents the chance to be their own boss, and also creates jobs for ten or more Americans. However, the requirements for the EB5 visa need to met to ensure it is done right.

To correctly complete the process, you should understand key terms involved with immigration by investment. A commercial enterprise as defined by the EB5 visa can be a sole proprietorship, corporation, joint venture, limited partnership, general partnership, business trust, or holding company. Basically, you can choose the type and size of your company, as long as it serves a good purpose and has a need for at least ten employees full-time. You can even buy an existing business, as long as you can increase its net worth and number of employees by 40 percent. Additionally, if the business you take over is in danger of closing after having lost 20 percent of its worth in a year, and by doing so you save ten or more jobs, you can qualify for immigration by investment.

You might wonder what kind of capital is required for the EB5 visa. You can obtain the money by either getting a business loan or accepting a gift. As long as it was legally obtained, it counts toward the $1 million needed. You should also know that you need to have some part of managing the business, whether you take part in daily operations or are a decision-maker when it comes to the company.

If you are not sure if you meet the requirements for immigration by investment via an EB5 visa, you can contact an immigration attorney. It is important that you read the fine print before counting on this type of visa to make America your home and place of business, and a lawyer who specializes in this area can help.

For more information visit EB-5 Investor Green Card Program or visit the http://eb-5investorgreencard.com website for information on obtaining an EB-5 visa.

Immigration Law and Business Enforcement Audits Considered

The federal government is cracking down on businesses that hire illegal immigrants and they are auditing employer's I-9s and paperwork to find violations. In fact, they notified nearly 1,000 businesses across the nation that their records will be audited, and also warned the companies of the stiff penalties if they did not fix the problems.

The Obama Administration doesn't want immigration officials to "storm businesses" while people are working. Rather they would like to look at all the records. For those business owners with a history of violating these laws they can expect stiff criminal penalties. The government has already went over Social Security Numbers and notified many businesses that they are aware that the Social Security Numbers do not match, and the company needs to clean up their act.

One company in Los Angeles that has over 10,000 employees, and was estimated having about 15% of its work force as undocumented, perhaps even illegal aliens working there, which is what's suspected. They now have 30 days to fix the problem or the owners will be put in jail, the company closed, and extremely harsh penalties will be levied.

Some employers claim there are typographical errors on the forms, but the government said; "that's no longer good enough, and it's not acceptable." No doubt these are probably excuses, as companies try to hide the fact that they hire illegal immigrants in order to pay lower wages. and skip out on various taxes and fees.

Previously a business could simply say they did not know that they were receiving fake documents. But now the government is telling them that these are not legitimate workers, and therefore those excuses no longer holds water. Companies are referred to the e-verify system, and if they fail to use it there is no excuse.

Various Hispanic groups are protesting this action, but much of it is driven by unemployment for US citizens, and labor unions, which see the exploitation of illegal immigrants as a way to avoid paying living wages to union workers. Nevertheless, those who do not follow the immigration laws when hiring workers will most likely be thrown in jail the future. Please consider all this.

Lance Winslow is a retired franchisor - Lance Winslow's Bio. Lance Winslow is formerly the CEO of WashGuys family of franchises which Lance; http://www.windowwashguys.com/links.shtml.

Getting Answers to Questions About Immigration Laws

There are so many questions about immigration and sometimes it can be frustrating trying to find all of the answers alone.?This is why immigration attorneys are a great source for information and can help you in times of uncertainty.?However, before you call an attorney, there are some things that you can do which might make your situation a little easier.

First, try doing some research on the internet.?There are many different websites that can give a lot of information about all kinds of immigration questions.?Of course, you might not understand every single thing that you read, but it will give you a lot of information about immigration laws.?Then, just write down a few of the things that you are concerned with and you can bring them up with an attorney.?For example, you might be planning on getting married to a person who isn't a U.S. citizen.?Do a little research first to know what you will need to do in regards to your visas.?It can make a huge difference whether the marriage ceremony was performed in the United States or in your fianc?native country.?There are different steps to take in regards of getting permanent visas to live in the United States.

Good luck researching more about immigration and again don't be nervous about calling an immigration attorney.?They are very knowledgeable in this field and can help direct you in the right paths to take.?Doing things right the first time around can make your life so much easier.

Berd & Klauss (http://www.berdklauss.com) is a full service immigration law firm. We offer the best immigration attorney New York services available. Please contact us for a professional immigration lawyer New York. Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer.

Green Card Through Marriage to a US Citizen in New York City

Applying for a green card through a marriage entered into in good faith to a U.S. citizen is one of the quickest ways?a qualifying foreign national may obtain a?U.S. green card (permanent residency).? When a foreign individual and his/her?U.S. citizen spouse reside in the U.S. and?they are applying for a green card, the process is?referred to as?"adjustment of status" (this is different than "change of status").??Adjustment of status essentially means a foreign national is adjusting his/her status from whatever his/her status currently is (H-1B, TN, L-1, F-1, out of status, etc.) to that of a permanent resident.? If?the foreign spouse is not in the U.S., but is?married to a U.S.?citizen then the case would be processed partly through USCIS?in the U.S.?and partly with?a consulate outside?of the U.S.? The?immigration benefit pursued would either?be a marriage visa or?an immigrant visa, not adjustment of status.? ?

Unlike many other immigration benefits, you can apply for a green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen (aka adjust status to a U.S. permanent?resident)?even if you have unlawful presence in the U.S. or you have overstayed a visa.?However, there are limited circumstances where you may not eligible to apply for a green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen.?

The green card through marriage process entails?numerous forms, legal issues, filings, receipts, government correspondence, and finally an interview.? It is not uncommon in some parts of the U.S. to wait up to a year or more to finally complete the process.? However, in New York City, there has been a recent trend of processing properly prepared and filed cases in a timely manner.? In fact, our recent experience has shown cases being scheduled for interviews in as little as 3.5 months from the date the application has been received by USCIS.??

The following two green card through marriage application examples are taken from two recent cases in New York City.? Please keep in mind that both cases were prepared and filed by an attorney experienced with family based immigration law matters.

The applications submitted in these cases were the following:? I-130 Immigrant Petition & I-485 Adjustment of Status, I-765 Work Authorization, and I-131 Advance Parole.? The biometrics appointments for both cases were conducted at 201 Varick Street and the interviews for both cases were conducted at 26 Federal Plaza.

Example One

• January 12, 2009:? All applications sent via Federal Express for overnight delivery to USCIS, Chicago
• January?13, 2009:? All applications received by USCIS, Chicago
• January?19, 2009:? Receipts issued by USCIS for the following applications:? I-130, I-485, I-765, & I-131
• January 23, 2009:? Notice issued by USCIS providing the place, date, and time for the biometrics appointment
• February 9, 2009:? Biometrics appointment
• February 27, 2009:? Advance Parole approval issued
• March 4, 2009:? USCIS Notice for Interview Request issued providing the place, date, and time for the interview
• March 6, 2009:? Work authorization issued
• April 28, 2009:? Interview for adjustment of status (stamp placed in passport)
• Green Card received in the mail within 2 months (delay do to recent upgrades of green card production machine)

Example Two

• January 26, 2009:? All applications sent via Federal Express for overnight delivery to USCIS, Chicago
• January?27, 2009:? All applications received by USCIS, Chicago
• February 2, 2009:? Receipts issued by USCIS for the following applications:? I-130, I-485, I-765, & I-131
• February 4, 2009:? Notice issued by USCIS providing the place, date, and time for the biometrics appointment
• February 24, 2009:? Biometrics appointment
• March 12, 2009:? USCIS Notice for Interview Request issued providing the place, date, and time for the interview
• March 18, 2009:? Advance Parole approval issued
• March 2322, 2009:? Work authorization issued
• May 19, 2009:? Interview for adjustment of status (stamp placed in passport)
• Receipt of actual green card still pending due to recent upgrades of green card production machine

Please keep in mind that both of these cases were fully prepared and filed by an experienced immigration attorney.? Furthermore, they both were relatively "normal" cases.? Regardless of your situation, competent legal counsel is important through all parts of the application process and therefore it is strongly advised that you work with an attorney experienced in these matters before moving forward.?A green card is a highly sought after U.S. immigration benefit and something that should be pursued with great care.

Douglas M. Lightman, Esq. is the principal and founding attorney of Lightman Law Firm LLC, a boutique law firm located in New York City with a focus on U.S. immigration law. The firm focuses on both family immigration and business immigration. Some of the more common services provided by the firm on the family immigration end deal with green card through marriage applications, K-1 fiance visas, K-3 marriage visas, immigrant relative petitions, and other family related matters. On the business end, the firm provides services in connection with employment based green card applications, work visas such as the H1B visa, the L-1 visa for intracompany transferees, the O-1 visa for artists and entertainers, the TN visas for Canadians and Mexicans, and visas for investors and traders. The firm also handles various matters relating to citizenship and naturalization.

Please contact us at the following for more information about Lightman Law Firm and immigration law.

K-1 Visa - How to Apply

If you are an American citizen wanting to bring your foreign fianc?to the United States in order to marry, then it is recommended to obtain a K1 fianc?visa status. The K1 visa is also referred to as a fiancee visa, or the marriage visa. Only an American citizen can apply for a fianc?visa. In order for your request to be approved, you will need to follow these very specific steps:

First, your K-1 visa petition must be filed with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and you must accompany your petition with these documents:?

• Letter from you describing your intention to marry your fianc?/li>
• Valid passport
• Birch certificate
• Certificate from the police authorities at all the places you have lived since the age of 16
• Evidence of support
• Photographs
• Medical examination reports from an approved physician
• Divorce or death certificate related to a previous marriage (if applicable)

After your K-1 visa petition is approved by the USCIS, it will be forwarded to the United States Consulate in the country where your fianc?lives. The United States Consulate will then contact your fianc?to schedule an interview.

After your fianc?attends the interview at the?consulate, the K-1 visa will be issued within a few days. If managed correctly, the whole process should only take several weeks. Once your fianc?arrives in the United States, you must marry within a period of 90 days.

For more explicit instructions and little known strategies to ensure your success in getting a K-1 Visa for your fiancee, visit this site.

Laura Ellerbe is a professional legal advisor, lecturer and freelance writer. She enjoys helping others navigate through the complex legal system in order to achieve their goals. Visit http://www.K1VisaNow.com to learn more strategies to obtain a K1 Visa for your fiancee.

Call to Announce Amnesty For All Illegal Immigrants in UK

Public majority in Britain are of the opinion that illegal immigrants living in the UK, should be allowed to work so that they could contribute positively to the UK economy.

In a program entitled, "The Big Question", telecast by BBC recently, the attendees were of the opinion that it would cost the government an arm and a leg to send all the illegal settlers back home. Claims about the number of illegal immigrants living in UK, vary between 600,000 to three million. There is no way in which we can judge the authenticity of the illegal immigrants in UK. A technocrat said, "it would take the Home Office 35 years to send all the illegal immigrants back home - if their number remains the same."

A representative from the London Mayor's Office said that illegal immigrants should not be given a Carte blanche. Instead a restricted permission to work in UK for five years would be a step in the right direction. Those granted amnesty during these five years should be monitored closely and if they are found contributing positively to the society without committing any crime or creating a law and order situation, only then such illegal immigrants status should be further regularised.

It may be worthwhile to add that a study commissioned by the London Mayor Boris Johnson had recently suggested that an immigration amnesty would lead to a GBP3 billion boost to the economy. The London School of Economics study also concludes that an amnesty would not lead to large scale illegal immigration, as border controls would prevent this happening. The report's findings were welcomed by Boris Johnson.

The main points in that report are as follows:

Estimates that there are 618,000 illegal migrants in the UK.
More than two-thirds 442,000 are in London.
If illegal immigrants were given legal status in the then GBP 846 million a year would be raised in taxes.
The public sector costs of granting indefinite leave to remain would be about GBP410 million a year.
Total costs could rise to GBP1 billion a year in the long term if the immigrants receive welfare benefits and public sector housing.
The proposed amnesty would be for those who had been in the for at least five years. It is estimated that two thirds of illegal immigrants would be eligible. The report estimates that regularizing the status of illegal settlers would result in:

An increase in individual earnings of 25%.
An increase in the rate of employment of 6%.
An additional GBP3 billion a year in national gross domestic product.
Amnesties and regularisation programmes have been common in a number of Countries, including in France. The amnesty idea was first mentioned by Boris Johnson more than a year ago in April 2008. This sparked widespread controversy. The Immigration Minister at the time Phil Woolas said that it would lead to more people trafficking.

The LSE research came as a Commons public accounts committee report showed it would be at least another four years before the UK Border Agency reached its "optimum capacity" to remove failed ?asylum seekers.

Only 12,000 were removed last year. The MPs' report said Home Office staff on asylum cases are still using fax machines, paper files and handwritten interview notes and will not have a better IT system until 2013. It will also take four years to expand the availability of detention spaces to the 4,000 needed to step up the pace of removals.

The Home Office told the MPs that it was on track to finish working through the backlog of 400,000 to 450,000 cases, some of which date back years. The backlog will finally be cleared by 2011.

Edward Leigh, chairman of the public accounts committee, said: "The process of coming to decisions on whether to grant asylum is still too slow."

For more details visit http://www.ukvisastoday.com/