Immigration resource news magazine for United states of america» Aik Wan Kok Fillali

I-751 Biometric Appointment Notices with Incorrect Application Support Center

Tiyalaw — Thu, 24 May 2018 02:02:31 +0000

I-751 Biometric Appointment Notices with Incorrect Application Support Center

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) biometric services appointment notices dated 05/04/2018 for I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence contain errors. These notices instructed Petitioners to appear on May 21, 2018 at Application Support Center (ASC) locations outside their normal geographical area.

Form I-751 is for applying to remove the conditions on a permanent resident status; it is filed by conditional permanent resident who obtained status through marriage.

Per USCIS, Petitioners with these erroneous biometric notices do not need to travel to ASC outside their geographical area, and instead, may choose the following:

Wait for their new biometric services appointment notice with the correct ASC and a new appointment date. Petitioners may check such case status online at https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do ; or
Walk-in to the closest ASC for biometric services. Walk-in may not be seen on the same day. An applicant may locate the closest ASC at https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=ASC

For Petitioners who did not complete their biometric services through ASC walk-in or reschedule, USCIS will mail new biometric services appointment notices on June 8, 2018.

For additional information, please visit USCIS at: https://www.uscis.gov/news/update-form-i-751-petition-remove-conditions-residence

May 23, 2018

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice or attorney-client relationship. By Aik Wan Kok Fillali, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-8224 & info at tiyaimmigration dot com; Direct dial from abroad: 001-703-7728224; https://www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; https://immigrationresource.net

Aik Wan Kok Fillali at Tiya represents companies, employers, individuals and families, located nationwide and internationally, in U.S. Immigration Law. We focus on diverse immigration cases such as extraordinary ability; national interest waiver; PERM; green card; N-400 Naturalization; various waivers; H cases; L executive, manager and specialized knowledge professional; E treaty investor/trader; cases with USCIS, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Consulates and National Visa Center.

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Immigration News: USCIS Recalling Incorrectly Dated Green Cards

Tiyalaw — Wed, 16 May 2018 12:00:12 +0000

Immigration News: USCIS Recalling Incorrectly Dated Green Cards

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have started recalling over 8543 Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards) mailed out between February and April 2018 due to incorrectly printed date for “Residence Since.” These incorrect Green Cards were issued for approved applications for Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions of Residence filed by spouses of U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

USCIS will mail out notification with prepaid envelopes for Green Card holders to return, within 20 days, their incorrect Green Card. Alternatively, these Green Card holders may also return their incorrect Green Card to their local USCIS office. USCIS will send out replacement Green Cards within 15 days of receiving their returned cards.

Although the incorrect date on such a Green Card does not affect a Green Card holder’s permanent residence or green card status, it is still important to obtain a correct date for “Residence Since.” Otherwise, there may be USCIS processing delay when such a Green Card holder apply for U.S. naturalization. Spouses of U.S. citizens may apply for naturalization after three years of permanent residency in addition to meeting other immigration criteria.

For additional information, please visit USCIS at: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-recall-incorrectly-dated-green-cards

May 14, 2018

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Immigration News: USCIS Returns Unselected H-1B Cap Petitions for FY 2019

Tiyalaw — Wed, 16 May 2018 00:39:57 +0000

Immigration News & Processing: USCIS Begins Returning Unselected H-1B Cap Petitions for FY 2019

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have completed data entry for fiscal year 2019 (FY 2019) H-1B Cap Petitions selected in the recent lottery system, and will start returning unselected petitions. Although USCIS does not have a specific time for petitions return, it will issue an announcement once all unselected petitions are returned. H-1B petitioners will need to wait for their H-1B receipt notices or returned petitions, instead of seeking case status with USCIS.

Selected H-1B Cap Petitions may be transferred for adjudication between Vermont Service Center and California Service Center for balancing H-1B Cap Petitions caseload. USCIS will issue notice regarding such a transfer. Once transferred, H-1B petitioners will direct their future correspondence to the service center adjudicating the H-1B Cap Petition.

For additional information, please visit: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-completes-data-entry-fiscal-year-2019-h-1b-cap-subject-petitions

May 15, 2018

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice or attorney-client relationship. By Aik Wan Kok, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-8224 & info at tiyaimmigration dot com; Direct dial from abroad: 001-703-7728224; https://www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; https://immigrationresource.net
Aik Wan Kok Fillali at Tiya represents companies, employers, individuals and families, located nationwide and internationally, in U.S. Immigration Law. We focus on diverse immigration cases such as extraordinary ability; national interest waiver; PERM; green card; N-400 Naturalization; various waivers; H cases; L executive, manager and specialized knowledge professional; E treaty investor/trader; cases with USCIS, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Consulates and National Visa Center.

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Immigration News: USCIS New Policy on Unlawful Presence for F, J and M Nonimmigrants

Tiyalaw — Sat, 12 May 2018 19:38:12 +0000

Immigration News: USCIS New Policy on Unlawful Presence for F, J and M Nonimmigrants

Effective August 9, 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implements a new and more restrictive immigration policy on the accrual of unlawful presence for F, J and M nonimmigrants and their dependents, admitted/authorized to stay for duration of status (D/S) or until a specific date. This USCIS new policy is to update Chapter 40.9.2 of the USCIS Adjudicator’s Field Manual.

F and M are student visas. An F visa is for an academic student to study in the U.S. at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution or in a language training program. An M visa (vocational student) is participating in vocational or other nonacademic programs, other than language training. J is an exchange visitor visa for participating in an approved program for teaching, instructing or lecturing, studying, observing, conducting research, consulting, demonstrating special skills, receiving training, or to receive graduate medical education or training.

For nonimmigrants above who failed to maintain immigration status before August 9, 2018, their unlawful presence starts from August 9, 2018, unless they have previously started accruing unlawful presence on the earliest day of the following:

The day after DHS denied the request for an immigration benefit, if DHS made a formal finding that the individual violated his or her nonimmigrant status while adjudicating a request for another immigration benefit;
The day after their I-94 expired; or
The day after an immigration judge or in certain cases, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), ordered them excluded, deported, or removed (whether or not the decision is appealed).

For nonimmigrants above who failed to maintain nonimmigrant status on or after August 9, 2018, their unlawful presence starts on the earliest day of any of the following:

The day after they no longer pursue the course of study or the authorized activity, or the day after they engage in an unauthorized activity;
The day after completing the course of study or program, including any authorized practical training plus any authorized grace period;
The day after the I-94 expires; or
The day after an immigration judge, or in certain cases, the BIA, orders them excluded, deported, or removed (whether or not the decision is appealed).

A dependent’s status (F-2, J-2 and M-2) ends when the nonimmigrant status of the F-1, J-1 or M-1 ends. Alternatively, a dependent’s status in F-2, J-2 or M-2 may end due it his/her own’s activities or situations.

The accrual of unlawful presence for individuals present in the United States who are not in F, J, or M nonimmigrant status remains unchanged.

Unlawful presence affects an individual’s immigration benefits. Generally, individuals subject to a time bar are ineligible for a visa, admission, or Green Card unless they have an approved waiver or another form of relief. For examples, an individual with over 180 days of unlawful presence in a single stay may, upon departing the US, trigger a 3-year or 10-year bar from entering the U.S. Individuals who have over a year of unlawful presence who either reentered or attempted to reenter the US may trigger a permanent bar to inadmissibility.

For additional information on USCIS new policy on unlawful presence for J, F and M nonimmigrant status, please see

https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Outreach/Draft%20Memorandum%20for%20Comment/AccrualofUnlawfulPresenceFJMNonimmigrantsMEMO_v2.pdf

May 11, 2018

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice or attorney-client relationship. By Aik Wan Kok, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-8224 & info at tiyaimmigration dot com; Direct dial from abroad: 001-703-7728224; https://www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; https://immigrationresource.net
Aik Wan Kok Fillali at Tiya represents companies, employers, individuals and families, located nationwide and internationally, in U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law. We focus on diverse immigration cases such as extraordinary ability; national interest waiver; PERM; green card; N-400 Naturalization; various waivers; H cases; L executive, manager and specialized knowledge professional; E treaty investor/trader; cases with USCIS, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Consulates and National Visa Center.

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Immigration News: USCIS & FAM New Policy for Sibling DNA Testing

Tiyalaw — Thu, 03 May 2018 23:44:35 +0000

Immigration News: USCIS & FAM New Policy for Sibling DNA Testing

Recently, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new immigration policy on establishing sibling or half-sibling relationship when primary evidence is unavailable or unreliable. A USCIS officer may suggest or consider a direct sibling-to-sibling DNA test by an AABB-accredited lab when establishing sibling relationship in immigration cases.

Additionally, since January 24, 2017 and pursuant to 9 FAM 601.11-1 (A)(3) and 9 FAM 601.11-1 (B) of the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), U.S. Consular officers are permitted to recommend direct sibling-to-sibling DNA testing as one of the ways of establishing sibling relationship.

For additional information on immigration policies on direct sibling-to-sibling DNA testing, please see https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-updates-policy-dna-evidence-support-sibling-relationships and https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/policy_updates/17%20STATE%206984%20Permitting%20Direct%20Sibling-to-sibling%20and%20Half-Sibling%20DNA%20Testing%20as%20Evidence%20of%20Relationship.pdf

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice or attorney-client relationship. By Aik Wan Kok, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-8224 & info at tiyaimmigration dot com; Direct dial from abroad: 001-703-7728224; https://www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; https://immigrationresource.net

Aik Wan Kok Fillali at Tiya represents companies, employers, individuals and families, located nationwide and internationally, in U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law. We focus on diverse immigration cases such as extraordinary ability; national interest waiver; PERM; green card; N-400 Naturalization; various waivers; H cases; L executive, manager and specialized knowledge professional; E treaty investor/trader; cases with USCIS, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Consulates and National Visa Center.

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USCIS Completed FY 2019 H-1B Cap Lottery Process

Tiyalaw — Thu, 12 Apr 2018 19:59:22 +0000

USCIS Completed FY 2019 H-1B Cap Lottery Process
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) just announced it had completed the random selection process for the 190,098 petitions it received for the fiscal year 2019 (FY 2019) H-1B Cap. It began accepting H-1B Cap Petitions on April 2, 2018.

On April 12, 2018, USCIS had received sufficient FY 2019 H-1B Cap Petitions for the government-mandated annual 65,000 H-1B visa cap and the 20,000 master’s cap (U.S.-advanced-degree visa exemption).

USCIS conducted the lottery process first for the 20,000 master’s cap H-1B petitions. Those not selected joined the lottery process for the 65,000 H-1B visa cap.

Premium processing for H-1B Cap Petitions cases selected in the lottery process have been suspended until September 10, 2018. For prior H-1B cap-seasons, USCIS began premium processing for selected H-1B Cap cases a few weeks after April 1.

H-1B Cap Petitions that are not selected will be rejected and returned with their filing fees.

What is an H-1B?
H-1B petitions are temporary work visas for positions requiring theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields for qualified foreign nationals to live and work in the U.S. Many H-1B foreign nationals have successfully gone on to apply for and obtain lawful permanent residence status (also known as, green card).

Foreign nationals with at least a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent (equivalent degree and/or work experience) may be sponsored for H-1B petitions. A broad range of positions may fall under H-1B specialty occupations, and each case depends on a position’s own set of circumstances necessitating complex legal analysis.

Some H-1Bs Are Not Subject to H-1B Cap
Not all H-1B petitions are subject to annual visa cap, depending on the types of H-1B petition being filed, or the types of entity-sponsor. For examples, foreign nationals who already have approved H-1B petitions or H-1B status may still have H-1B petitions filed for them to extend their H-1B status, or to change or add H-1B employers.

Duration of H-1B
In general, H-1B petitions/work visas are approved for three years each time (up to a total of 6 years). Under certain circumstances, H-1B work visas can be extended beyond the 6-year maximum time limitation.

H-1B Cap Petitions Not Selected or Filed After H-1B Cap is Met
Potential H-1B candidates who do not make it to the 2019 FY H-1B visa cap (October 1, 2018 employment start-date or later) have the options to have their H-1B cap petitions submitted or resubmitted to USCIS on or after April 1, 2019 (October 1, 2019 employment start-date or later) for the FY 2020 H-1B Cap. They may also consider other immigration options such as other nonimmigrant work status and self-petition green card filings, if eligible.

For more information on USCIS H-1B Cap selection process, please visit: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-completes-h-1b-cap-random-selection-process-fy-2019

April 12, 2018

Aik Wan Kok Fillali at Tiya represents companies, employers, individuals and families, located nationwide and internationally, in U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law. We focus on diverse immigration cases such as extraordinary ability; national interest waiver; PERM; green card; N-400 Naturalization; various waivers; H cases; L executive, manager and specialized knowledge professional; E treaty investor/trader; cases with USCIS, U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Consulates and National Visa Center.

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USCIS Met FY 2019 H-1B Cap

Tiyalaw — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 16:53:14 +0000

USCIS Met FY 2019 H-1B Cap

On April 6, 2018, USCIS had received sufficient H-1B Cap Petitions for the 2019 fiscal year (FY), to meet the annual 65,000 H-1B work visa cap and the 20,000 master’s cap (U.S.-advanced-degree visa exemption).

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began accepting H-1B Cap Petitions on April 2, 2018.

Premium processing for H-1B Cap Petitions cases selected in the lottery system have been suspended until September 10, 2018. For prior H-1B cap-seasons, USCIS began premium processing for selected H-1B Cap cases a few weeks after April 1.

H-1B Cap Petitions that are not selected will be rejected and returned with their filing fees.

What is an H-1B?

H-1B petitions are temporary work visas for positions requiring theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields for qualified foreign nationals to live and work in the U.S. Many H-1B foreign nationals have successfully gone on to apply for and obtain lawful permanent residence status (also known as, green card).

Some H-1Bs Are Not Subject to H-1B Annual Work Visa Cap

Not all H-1B petitions are subject to annual visa cap, depending on the types of H-1B petition being filed, or the types of entity-sponsor. For examples, foreign nationals who already have approved H-1B petitions or H-1B status may still have H-1B petitions filed for them to extend their H-1B status, or to change or add H-1B employers.

Duration of H-1B

In general, H-1B petitions/work visas are approved for three years each time (up to a total of 6 years). Under certain circumstances, H-1B work visas can be extended beyond the 6-year maximum time limitation.

H-1Bs Not Selected or Filed When All H-1B Annual Work Visas Are Used Up

Potential H-1B candidates who do not make it to the 2019 FY H-1B visa cap (October 1, 2018 employment start-date or later) have the options to have their H-1B cap petitions submitted or resubmitted to USCIS on or after April 1, 2019 (October 1, 2019 employment start-date or later) for the FY 2020 H-1B Cap. They may also consider other immigration options such as other nonimmigrant work status and self-petition green card filings, if eligible.

For more information on USCIS H-1B Cap selection process, please visit: https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-reaches-fy-2019-h-1b-cap

April 6, 2018

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Still Waiting for Green Card, Work Permit or Travel Document in the Mail? USCIS Will Destroy Them After 60 Days When Returned Undelivered

Tiyalaw — Wed, 04 Apr 2018 02:27:11 +0000

Still Waiting for Green Card, Work Permit or Travel Document in the Mail? USCIS Will Destroy Them After 60 Days When Returned Undelivered

If a Green Card, work permit or travel document has been approved, and the document has not arrived in the mail, please note the following.

Starting April 2, 2018, USCIS will destroy Permanent Resident Cards (Green Cards), Employment Authorization Cards (Work Permits), and Travel Documents (international travels) that are returned as undelivered by the U.S. Postal Service after 60 days if Applicants haven’t contacted USCIS to provide a correct address. In general, Applicants are encouraged to report an address change within 10 days at http://uscis.gov/addresschange . USCIS National Customer Service Center (NCSC) telephone is 1-800-375-5283.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). USCIS administers the U.S. lawful immigration system.

For additional information on this matter, please visit USCIS at https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/undeliverable-permanent-resident-and-employment-authorization-cards-and-travel-documents-be-destroyed-after-60-days

April 3, 2018

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice or attorney-client relationship. By Aik Wan Kok, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-822four & email to info at tiyaimmigration dot com; Direct dial from abroad: 001-703-7728224; https://www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; https://immigrationresource.net

We represent employers, companies, individuals, and families in U.S. Immigration & Nationality Law. Our clients are based nationwide in the U.S. and internationally. We focus on diverse immigration cases including, but are not limiting to: extraordinary ability; national interest waiver; PERM with U.S. Department of Labor; I-130 for sponsoring relatives and families; I-140 for employment green card; I-485 Adjustment Applications; I-765 work permit; I-131 for international travel and returning to the U.S; I-601 extreme hardship waiver relatives of U.S. citizen or green card holder; I-751 joint filing or waiver; N-400 Naturalization/Citizenship; N-648 Medical Waiver; I-212 waiver for deportation or removal order; J waiver; other waivers; H-1B professional worker/specialty occupation; H-2B temporary worker; L executive, manager and specialized knowledge professional transferring from overseas; E treaty investors/traders; B-1 business visitor to the U.S.; B-2 visitor to the U.S.; F-1 student coming to study in the U.S.; matters pertaining to consular processing with U.S. consulates and National Visa Centers; cases with USCIS; cases with U.S. Department of Labor; PERM audit; RFE Request for Evidence (RFE); NOID Notice of Intention to Deny (NOID), and others.

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No More DACA Deal? TN For Mexico in Crisis!

Tiyalaw — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 22:11:22 +0000

No More DACA Deal? TN For Mexico in Crisis!

This morning, President Trump tweeted: “NO MORE DACA DEAL!” and threatened to terminate NAFTA with Mexico if it doesn’t stop people from flowing through Mexico’s Southern Border and then into U.S.

It is unclear if the tweet represents a change on DACA policies. Although rescinded by President Trump, The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program’s cancellation is being partially postponed by court action. Currently, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is not accepting DACA applications from individuals who had never been previously granted DACA. The benefits of having an approved DACA are the ability to apply for a work permit and deferred removal actions from the U.S.

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is an agreement of special economic and trade relationships for the United States, Canada and Mexico. Under NAFTA, eligible Mexican and Canadian citizens may apply for TN classification to perform professional business/work activities in the U.S. Unlike H-1B Cap Petition, TN is not subject to an annual visa cap.

April 1, 2018

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice or attorney-client relationship. By Aik Wan Kok, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-822four & email to info at tiyaimmigration dot com; Direct dial from abroad: 001-703-7728224; https://www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; https://immigrationresource.net

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New USCIS Policy: H-1B Cap “Related-Entity” Filing Bar for Employers with Different Corporate Ownership and Control

Tiyalaw — Thu, 29 Mar 2018 17:04:30 +0000

New USCIS Policy: H-1B Cap “Related-Entity” Filing Bar for Employers with Different Corporate Ownership and Control

There is a new policy on H-1B Cap “Related-Entity” Filing Bar by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS will deny or revoke all multiple filings of H-1B Visa Cap Petitions filed without a “legitimate business need” for the same beneficiary by “related entities” for “substantially the same job” in the same H-1B visa fiscal year, even if the petitioners are unrelated through corporate ownership and control, or a duplicate petition is later withdrawn. For examples, petitioners are considered “related entities” even if they have separate FEINs, operation locations, management, and ownership.

The list provided by immigration regulation in 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(2)(i)(G) describing “related entities” as “…. (such as a parent company, subsidiary, or affiliate)….” are examples only and not an exhaustive list. Factors determining “related entities” and “substantially the same job” will be based on the totality of the records including, but are not limiting to: familial ties, proximity of locations, leadership structure, employment history, similar work assignments, and substantially similar supporting documentation.

Each of these “related entities” must separately demonstrate a “legitimate business need”. Otherwise, all these H-1B Cap Petitions will be revoked or denied.

This USCIS policy is to increase fairness in the random lottery process for the limited H-1B visa numbers so that other H-1B Cap Petitions will have a chance of being selected.

A USCIS policy memorandum serves as a guidance only, and does not create any rights to immigration benefits. Each case is adjudicated on a discretionary basis by USCIS.

This USCIS policy memorandum is based on an AAO decision in the Matter of S- Inc. For further information on Matter of S- Inc., Adopted Decision 2018-02 (AAO Mar. 23, 2018), please visit: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/USCIS/Laws/Memoranda/2018/2018-3-23-PM-602-0159-Matter-of-S-Inc-Adopted-Decision-Package.pdf

The Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) hears appeals for over 50 different types of immigration case, approximately. AAO and USCIS are parts of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Instead of AAO, certain immigration cases are appealed to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) such as the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).

Petitioners are eligible to file H-1B Cap Petitions for the Fiscal Year 2019 to be received by USCIS on April 2, 2018.

March 23, 2018

This article is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be relied on as legal advice or attorney-client relationship. By Aik Wan Kok, Lawyer USA Immigration Services, at Tiya; Tel: 703-772-822four & email to info at tiyaimmigration dot com; Direct dial from abroad: 001-703-7728224; https://www.tiyaimmigration.com ; http://tiyalaw.blogspot.com ; https://immigrationresource.net