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Back Labor Condition Application The Labor Condition Application is a form that a sponsoring employer files with the Department of Labor on behalf of any H-1B employees that the employer may be hiring. It is often one of the first steps that a sponsoring employer must take when trying to hire an H-1B employee. Without an LCA, the employer cannot file the I-129 petition for the H-1B visa. LCA Attestations A well-prepared LCA contains four different attestations from the employer. The attestation is a factual statement supported with evidence. In fact, the U.S. Department of Labor requires employers to provide and maintain documentation supporting that the following four main labor conditions have been met: Application process To get an LCA, your employer needs to file an ETA 9035 with the Department of Labour long before the beginning of the H-1B filing window. This way, you can avoid the risk of having the two overlap, causing you to miss the filing window. If your H-1B LCA is denied, the DOL will provide you with the reasons for the denial in the notice. It is not likely that an LCA denial can be appealed or motioned, but this obstacle can be overcome by fixing these problems and refiling before the H-1B filing window in April. This is why it is important to obtain an LCA well before the start of the filing season. Processing times and Period of Stay/Extension of Stay The typical processing time is 7 days, but this can easily vary from case to case based on how busy the DOL is at the time, when dealing with bureaucracy, you have to factor in delays or high volume periods. The initial validity period for the H-1B Labour Condition Application is three years, just like the H-1B. Some factors that can shorten this are: Termination of H-1B status Strike or lockout at place of work. If an employer becomes H-1B dependent, this can have a negative impact on the LCA. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement O-1 visa is a great visa for individuals who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements. One of the O-1 visa requirements is a consultation with a U.S. peer group, labor organization or management organization regarding the nature of the work you will be doing in the U.S. and your qualifications. Requirements and eligibility REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR O-1 VISA Along with your passport, visa fee receipt, and the notice of decision by the USCIS, the following is a concise list of all the documents you need to apply for an O-1 visa: Written consultation from someone with expertise in your field. Ex: a peer group, as relevant to your area of expertise . Copy of the written work contract that must include a summary of the agreement under which you will be employed. Document explaining the activities and events you will participate in. Must include the nature, start and end dates. And an itinerary of these activities/events. Proof of your extraordinary abilities or achievements. Some examples are: Proof you have received an award; Published articles relevant to your field; Contributed original research to your field; You are a member of a highly distinguished association or organization; or Have been paid a high salary for your skills and contribution REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR O-2 VISA Written consultation Support of an individual with extraordinary ability in athletics or the arts: must be from the appropriate labor organization. Support of an individual with extraordinary achievement in motion pictures or television: must come from an appropriate labor organization and a management organization with expertise in the skill area involved Proof of your extraordinary abilities or achievements Should establish that you have substantial experience performing the critical skills and essential support services for the O-1. For motion picture or television production, establish that significant production, including pre- and post-production, has taken place outside the United States and will take place inside the United States, and that your continuing participation is essential to the successful completion of the production. After petition is approved You can apply for your visa in the U.S. Embassy or Consulate Department of State (DOS) establishes visa application processing and issuance fees Application process APPLICATION PROCESS FOR AN O-1 VISA File Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker (U.S. employer, U.S. agent, or foreign employer through a U.S. agent). Include required evidence according to the form instructions. File it at least 45 days before the date of employment. In addition to Form I-129, the petitioner must submit the documentary evidence discussed in the previous item. APPLICATION PROCESS FOR AN O-2 VISA Employer or agent should file Form I-129, Petition for a Non-immigrant Worker, Include the required evidence according to the form instructions. Must petition for you in connection with the services of an O-1 artist or athlete, Both you and the O-1 artist or athlete must each have your own Form I-129. Employer or agent cannot file your Form I-129 more than one year before the artist or athlete will begin employment. File it at least 45 days before the date of employment. In addition to Form I-129, the petitioner must submit the documentary evidence discussed in the previous item. Processing times and Period of Stay/Extension of Stay With each step discussed above in mind, we can make an estimate on what the processing time will be. However, there are a number of factors that can drastically change the amount of time it will take. Form I-129: average of six months depending on caseload. Premium processing shortens your petition’s processing time to 15 calendar days Take into consideration the amount of time it will take to gather and organize the evidence required to prove your eligibility. If you are outside the U.S. and must go through consular processing, the O-1 processing time may be extended depending on when the consulate or embassy schedules your interview appointment. As an O non-immigrant, you may be admitted to the United States for the validity period of the petition, plus a period of up to 10 days before the validity period begins and 10 days after the validity period ends. You are only authorized to work during the validity period of the petition. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back Employment-Based This is a green card category where your employer sponsors you for a green card. The employer must first go through the Labor Certification process to show that they could not find a qualified U.S. worker. You may be eligible for this green card if you are a skilled worker, professional, or other worker. “Skilled workers” are persons whose job requires a minimum of 2 years training or work experience, not of a temporary or seasonal nature “Professionals” are persons whose job requires at least a U.S. baccalaureate degree or a foreign equivalent and are a member of the professions The “other workers” subcategory is for persons performing unskilled labor requiring less than 2 years training or experience, not of a temporary or seasonal nature. Requirements and eligibility REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION Application process Processing times and Period of Stay These are green cards so as long as you meet the residency requirements and do not violate the terms of the visa you can keep them for life. Regarding processing time, with each step discussed above in mind, we can make an estimate on what the processing time will be. However, there are a number of factors that can drastically change the amount of time your EB-3 green card will take. PERM Labor Certification process: about 8 months without complications. Form I-140: average of 6 months depending on the caseload. Premium processing shortens your petition’s processing time to 15 calendar days Waiting for your priority date: two months to over a decade depending on country of origin. Form I-485: average of 6 months and cannot be expedited by premium processing. Family of EB - 3 Visa Holders Your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 may be eligible to apply for admission to the United States. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Acerca de Back SELLING OR BUYING A BUSINESS Sale or Acquisition of a Business The sale or purchase of a business is a milestone for many owners, representing the culmination of years of work and planning Buschkin Law Firm can help structure the deal, collaborating with your accountant or other tax advisor so that it is tax efficient and minimizes liability exposure, alert you to potential problems and uncertainties that may arise from financing or regulatory hurdles, and negotiate the most favourable terms for you. At Buschkin Law Firm, we want to have a closer relationship with our clients and be a more integral part of the team, we cherish these relationships, and feel honoured that these companies have chosen us to be a part of their growth and success. Comprehensive Counsel Before the actual purchase of a business, it is important that due diligence is completed. This includes thoroughly investigating the company that you are interested in purchasing, reviewing major contracts, documentation, leases, and more to ensure that there are no major problems or surprises that will occur after the purchase is made. The outcome of due diligence often has a significant impact on the price that you pay, as well as the terms and conditions. We can help you through this process and make sure that you are fully informed about what you are acquiring before any finalizations are made. What we do At Buschkin Law Firm, we handle all the legal aspects of buying or selling your company. FOR BUYERS: Reviewing & negotiating the Purchase & Sale Agreement. Explaining the Purchase & Sale Agreement to the buyer. Conducting due diligence to ensure that the Company is legally registered and will not be violating any leases or contracts upon the transfer of ownership. Ordering a lien & judgment search to determine that there are no liens, judgments or tax liens against the company or the seller. Corresponding with the seller’s attorney & other parties. Preparing & reviewing all legal documents for the closing. Representing the buyer at closing. FOR SELLERS: Preparation & negotiation of the Purchase & Sale Agreement. Explaining the Purchase & Sale Agreement to the seller. Corresponding with the buyer’s attorney & other parties. Preparing & reviewing all legal documents for the closing. Escrowing of funds. Representing the seller at closing. If you are the buyer, you face the following risks if you do not retain an attorney: Business may not be legally registered. Business is or may be in violation of state or federal laws, in breach of existing contracts and may be in breach of its existing leases if the transfer is not properly conducted. Seller or the business may have liens or judgments that might be your responsibility upon the transfer of the business. Seller might be past due on taxes and the obligation to pay might fall on you If you are the seller, you face the following risks if you do not retain an attorney: Documents that you sign may put an obligation on you to be responsible for the business in the future, even if you will no longer be running the business or deriving a profit from it. If you have a lease, you probably made a personal guarantee. If the buyer stops paying rent in the future, you will still be personally liable. An arrangement for the buyer to pay in instalments may not go as planned. How will you be protected if the buyer stops paying? The buyer’s attorney will want you to prepare certain legal documents for the transfer. Are you able to prepare them without an attorney? Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back Temporary Business Visitor This Visa is required for temporary business visitors to conduct activities of a commercial or professional nature. For example, consult with business associates, negotiate a contract, or attend a business conference Temporary business - participating in business activities of a commercial or professional nature in the United States, including, but not limited to: Consulting with business associates Traveling for a scientific, educational, professional or business convention, or a conference on specific dates Settling an estate Negotiating a contract Participating in short-term training Transiting through the United States: certain persons may transit the United States with a B-1 visa Deadheading (certain aircrew members may enter the United States as deadhead crew with a B-1 visa) VISITOR VISA VS. VISA WAIVER PROGRAM The main difference between these two is that a Visitor Visa is used for persons who wish to enter the United States to engage in temporary tourism, business, or professional activities related to their employment or business abroad. The primary intent for this visa type is that it’s for business purposes. B-visa visitors are not permitted to engage in employment while in the US. Meanwhile, the Visa Waiver Program does not need a B1 Visa to enter the United States, enabling most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Requirements and eligibility If you apply for a B-1 visa, you must demonstrate to a consular officer that you qualify for a U.S. visa that presumes that every B-1 applicant is an intending immigrant. You must overcome this legal presumption by demonstrating the following: The purpose of your trip is to enter the United States for business of a legitimate nature You plan to remain for a specific limited period of time You have sufficient funds to cover the expenses of the trip and your stay in the United States You have a residence outside the United States that you have no intention of abandoning, as well as other binding ties that will ensure your return abroad at the end of the visit You are otherwise admissible to the United States Application Process The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please consult the instructions on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website . STEP 1: COMPLETE THE ONLINE VISA APPLICATION Form DS-160 - You must: Complete the online visa application. Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview. You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Must be in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements . STEP 2: PAY THE B1 VISA FEES Pay the non-refundable visa application fee ($160). If your visa is approved, you may also need to pay a visa issuance fee, if applicable to your nationality, the amount depends on the relationship that your home country has with the US. STEP 3: SCHEDULE AN INTERVIEW Schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early. STEP 4: GATHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States. Non-immigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page. Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview. Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. If the photo upload fails, you must bring one printed photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements. Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified. For example, additional requested documents may include evidence of: A letter which describes the purpose of your trip. Financial or bank statements to prove you have the finances to stay in the US. Ties to your home country such as family, job contract, lease, or property deed, which prove you will return. Criminal records or letters from authorities stating that you do not have prior convictions. If you have visited the US before, bring documents relevant to your prior visits. If you work, bring a letter from your employer and payslips for the last three months. A letter from the company detailing the purpose of the trip and your job position. STEP 5: ATTEND YOUR VISA INTERVIEW A consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive a visitor visa. Bring your documents file and be prepared to answer questions from the interviewer. You will be asked about your background, your purpose of visit, what business you will be doing in the United States, and whether you intend to return. Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans are taken as part of the application process. After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further administrative processing. The consular officer will inform you if this is required. STEP 6: ENTERING THE UNITED STATES A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to the U.S. and request permission to enter. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States. If you are allowed to enter the United States, the CBP official will provide an admission stamp or a paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. Processing times and Period/Extension of Stay The processing times for the B1 visa is not exact. It can take a couple of weeks or a few months for your visa to be processed. This depends on the workload of the US Embassy and other factors that they take into consideration. After the processing time is complete, you will be notified about whether you got the visa or not. You can review the visa processing times for Visa Appointment depending on your home country. The initial validity for which the B1 visa is given is 6 months. For extension you must: Prove that you have not completed all the business that you need to complete. Get letters of confirmation from your employer or company that proves your stay in the US is essential for business. Remember that you are not allowed to work for a US company and earn income Prove financial stability and that you have enough money to stay in the United States. At the port of entry, an immigration official must authorize your admission to the United States. If you wish to stay beyond the time indicated on the Form I-94 without departing from the United States, you must file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. Submit any required supporting documents to USCIS. VWP: ESTA application, participating countries, passport requirements ESTA is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Authorization via ESTA does not determine whether a traveller is admissible to the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers determine admissibility upon travellers' arrival. HOW TO APPLY FOR AN ESTA? PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES You must be a citizen or national of the following countries to be eligible to travel to the United States under the VWP. PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS Travel under the Visa Waiver Program is restricted to travellers possessing passports with specified security features. Visa Waiver Program requirements are: The passport must have a machine-readable zone on the biographic page. The passport must be an electronic passport with a digital chip containing biometric information about the passport owner. As of April 1, 2016, all travellers must have an e-passport to use the VWP. An e-Passport, denoted by the symbol, is an enhanced secure passport with an embedded electronic chip. Canadians & Bermudians Citizens of Canada traveling to the United States do not require a non-immigrant visa, except for the travel purposes described below. VISA REQUIREMENTS - CITIZENS AND PERMANENT RESIDENTS OF CANADA Foreign government officials (A); officials and employees of international organizations (G); and NATO officials, representatives, and employees assigned to the United States (NATO) Treaty traders (E-1) Treaty investors (E-2) Spouse or Child of an Australian Treaty Alien coming to the United States Solely to Perform Services in a Specialty Occupation (E-3D) Fiancé(e)s (K-1) Children of fiancé(e)s (K-2) Spouse of a U.S. citizen traveling to the United States to complete the immigration process (K-3) Children of a foreign citizen spouse (K-4) described above Informant supplying critical information relating to a criminal organization (S-5) Informant supplying critical information relating to terrorism (S-6) Qualified family member (S-7) of an S-5 or S-6 visa holder described above Citizens of Bermuda traveling to the United States do not require a non-immigrant visa for travel up to 180 days, except for the travel purposes described below. Additionally, Bermudian citizens do not require a visa unless they are ineligible for a visa under U.S. immigration law, or have previously violated the terms of their immigration status in the U.S. VISA REQUIREMENTS - CITIZENS OF BERMUDA Foreign government officials (A); and officials and employees of international organizations (G) Fiancé(e)s (K-1) Children of fiancé(e)s (K-2) Spouse of a U.S. citizen traveling to the United States to complete the immigration process (K-3) Children of a foreign citizen spouse (K-4) described above Informant supplying critical information relating to a criminal organization (S-5) Informant supplying critical information relating to terrorism (S-6) Qualified family member (S-7) of an S-5 or S-6 visa holder described above Other travel purposes where the intended stay is longer than 180 days Family of B-1 Visa holders Spouses and children are not eligible for a dependent visa. You can find out if they need a visa by checking to see if your country participates in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) . If you don't see your country listed, you will need a non-immigrant visa to visit the U.S. Each of your dependents who will be accompanying or following to join you must apply separately for a B-2 visa and must follow the regulations for that visa . With this visa, they will be able to come to stay with you for 6 months, and then ask for extensions for up to 1 year if necessary. Whether your dependents get the visa or not does not depend on the fact that you have a B1 visa. Each application is considered individually so there must always be proof of financial stability and that you plan to return home. Here are some examples of activities permitted with this visa: Tourism Vacation (holiday) Visit with friends or relatives Medical treatment Participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations Participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating Enrolment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation) Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back Trusts and Estate Planning Services We help you create a Trust for your specific needs and answer all your questions throughout the process. WHY DO I NEED A TRUST ATTORNEY? A trust attorney can set up the trust on your behalf and even serve as the trustee. Engaging an experienced elder law attorney for these functions can help you and your family avoid a long probate process, potentially pay lower estate taxes, and allow you to retain control over when your beneficiaries receive an inheritance. BENEFITS OF A LIVING TRUST Unlike a will, a living trust does not go through probate, an often-lengthy legal process. That means that your assets may be disbursed to your heirs in a matter of weeks rather than months or years. Establishing a living trust also prevents the substantial court costs associated with probate. This type of document also allows you to retain privacy: while a will is a public record, the assets are distributed privately. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

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Back Intracompany Transferee The L-1 visa permits a U.S. employer to transfer an employee with specialized knowledge relating to the organization’s interests or a manager/executive from one of its affiliated foreign offices to one of its offices in the United States. This classification also enables a foreign company which does not yet have an affiliated U.S. office to send a specialized knowledge employee or manager/executive to the United States to set one up. This classification also enables a foreign company which does not yet have an affiliated U.S. office to send a specialized knowledge employee or manager/executive to the United States to set one up. There are two types of L-1: L-1A for executives and managers L-1B for employees with specialized knowledge Benefits of an L-1 Visa No Quotas: No annual limits on the number of visas available to certain countries Fast Processing Times: Average processing time is between 3-6 months Premium Processing is also available by paying an additional fee of $2,500 USCIS is required to respond with 15 business days Family: Allowed to take their spouses and dependent children with them with the L-2 visa Work Authorization: Spouses are permitted to apply for work authorization to work for any US employer Tax Advantages: Non-immigrant visa holders are generally not taxed on worldwide income Transition to Green Card: The criteria for L-1A is similar to EB1C category for Multinational Managers or Executives Easier to become permanent residents Also considered a dual intent visa Requirements and eligibility QUALIFICATIONS To receive either type of L-1 visa, both the employer and the employee need to meet the requirements detailed below: Doing business: Defined by the government Means the regular, systematic, and continuous provision of goods and/or services by a qualifying organization. Specialized knowledge: In organization’s product, service, research, equipment, techniques, management, or other interests and its application in international markets, or In the organization’s processes and procedures Executive capacity: The employee’s ability to make decisions of wide latitude without much oversight Managerial capacity: Ability of the employee to supervise and control the work of professional employees and to manage the organization Employee’s ability to manage an essential function of the organization at a high level New Offices: Employer has secured sufficient physical premises to house the new office Employee has been employed as an executive or manager for one continuous year in the three years preceding the filing of the petition The intended U.S. office will support an executive or managerial position within one year of the approval of the petition DOCUMENTS REQUIRED Application process Processing times and Period of Stay/Extension of Stay The L-1 category of visas process begins with a petition. In general, preparing an L-1 petition may take 1-2 months on the average depending on the responsiveness of the clients and the availability of required documents. The petition is then filed by USCIS. On the average, it could take USCIS between 3-6 months to decide on a petition, but with premium processing, USCIS could decide in as fast as 15 business days. Family and Transition to Green Card CAN I TAKE MY FAMILY TO THE UNITED STATES? A successful L-1 applicant applying for a visa under L1 visa can take their spouse to the United States, as well as any dependent children under the age of 21. Spouses are eligible to apply for work authorization to work in the United States. They are not restricted to working in the same L-1 business as their spouse. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back MEDICAID PLANNING Long-term care can be financially devastating and deplete your life savings. We can help you create a plan that will allow you to stay in control of your life and protect your assets for the people you love. HOW WE CAN HELP YOU: Assist in obtaining government benefits to pay for skilled nursing and in-home care Protect your assets for yourself and your family Navigate through the maze of rules and regulations There are many misconceptions about Medicaid qualification and the “spend down” process. With proper planning, you don’t have to lose everything to a nursing home if you, your spouse, or your parent is in need of long-term care. At Buschkin Law Firm, we understand the difficulties our clients and their families are faced with at the time of a crisis, as well as the level of stress associated with it. Our narrow focus on Elder Law and Estate Planning allows us to develop a solution that alleviates the burden on a client and his or her family. By combining Estate Planning with end-of-life advocacy, our goal is to protect the elderly and disabled, the most vulnerable groups among us. Upon getting to know you and your family, your health care needs, your values, and your preferences, we will work together on developing an estate plan that is right for you and your loved ones. As such, we assist senior citizens and their families on matters related to Medicaid and VA qualifications, guardianships, special needs, and disability planning, and more. When a crisis happens, you need an experienced attorney who you can trust to help you navigate through the convoluted world of wills, trusts and estates, and related government regulations. We will be by your side to plan for the future and protect what is truly important to you. COMMON QUESTIONS WHAT IS MEDICAID PLANNING? Most people know Medicaid as the government medical assistance program for people under a certain income level. Where Medicare pays for doctors, hospitals, and prescriptions, it does not cover long-term nursing homes or in-home care for the elderly. Medicaid is a valuable tool that can be used to pay for a nursing home or in-home care if the person’s countable assets are below a certain amount. DO I NEED TO PLAN FOR MEDICAID NOW? Unfortunately, 2 out of 3 senior citizens will need long-term care at some point. Although no one wants to believe that they will need nursing home care, the reality is that many of us will. If you or a loved one is a senior citizen, it is important to visit an estate planning or elder law attorney who can help walk you through the estate planning process. Because Medicaid considers gifts and other transfers you make (including those made to trusts) within five years of the date you apply for Medicaid, it is important to begin Medicaid planning early, before you and your spouse are actually in need of long-term care. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back STRUCTURING BUSINESS ENTITIES: Relationships Among Principals Which entity works for your business? S Corporation, C Corporation, Limited Partnership, Partnership, Limited Liability Company, Not-For-Profit Corporation? We will help you and your accountant make this decision and we will form your entity for you. You should have an agreement among yourselves to ensure that all of the issues are covered in order for you or any partner/shareholders who wish so be able represent themselves properly during matters at court. Issues covered in the agreement can be: How are decisions made? How will money be invested? What happens if one of the principals wants to sell his or her interest in the business What happens if a principal becomes disabled, or dies; how will his or her interest in the business be dealt with? You may be in need of our help to understand these and other issues. We're here for you with any task that requires discussion or negotiation. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

Back PERM Labor Certification The PERM or Program Electronic Review Management System Labor Certification is the first step in the process of applying for employment-based lawful permanent residency (green card). The objective of PERM is to defend U.S. workers and the job market. This means that the process was created to ensure that foreign workers are not filling the positions that could otherwise be filled by qualified U.S. workers. The PERM applicant must submit a comprehensive application to the Department of Labor in order to demonstrate how his/her exceptional skills cannot be duplicated by an available U.S. worker. IS LABOR CERTIFICATION SAME AS PERM? PERM stands for Program Electronic Review Management System Labor Certification. The certificate itself is often called “PERM labor certification” because obtaining a PERM is equivalent to a labor certificate. It’s important to note that the PERM labor certificate is not a visa and it doesn’t guarantee one. Employment-based visas require you to have a PERM labor certificate before you even apply for your visa. PERM immigration is one part of the entire immigration process. Requirements and eligibility In order to qualify to begin the PERM process, the following requirements must first be met: You must have an existing permanent job offer by a U.S. employer The offered wages are required to be equal or above the DOL prevailing wage. DOL will subject this to the specific position. The local job market has been analysed for qualified candidates. This is required to provide evidence that U.S. workers are unable to complete the requirements of the position, meaning that no qualified native workers are available for the position. Supplementary documentation relating to recruiting efforts must be made available if requested. The U.S. employer is obligated to construct and maintain an audit file with additional proof of attempts at recruitment. RECRUITMENT PERM regulations mandate that recruitment steps for both professional and non-professional positions be completed within 6 months of filing the PERM application. The steps must be conducted at least 30 days but no more than 180 days before the filing of the application. For both professional and non-professional positions, the employer must wait 30 days after the end of the recruitment period before filing the ETA 9089. This is to ensure that any qualified U.S. workers have a reasonable time period in which to respond to your ads or job order. DOCUMENTATION Application process / Green Card PERM CERTIFICATION PROCESS Step 1: Formulate job duties and minimum requirements Establish the crucial details of the job for which the employee is being sponsored The employer must articulate the job requirements based on DOL regulations and realistic business practices Obtain and check the beneficiary’s educational documents and work experience letters Creating PERM piston includes: Job Title Job Duties Work Location Minimum Requirements (Degree, Work Experience, Other) Where (address) to send Resumes Step 2: Request prevailing wage determination (PWD) from DOL Submit an online PWD request to the Department of Labor DOL will determine the prevailing wage for the position in the specified geographic location Prevailing wage will based on the job duties, minimum requirements, and other details PWD sets the minimum wage that the employer must be willing to pay the employee, at the time that the employee becomes a legal permanent resident Step 3: Conduct recruitment Advertisements will be placed to test the labor market This labor market test for PERM purposes must be conducted in conformity with DOL rules: Internal Notice of Filing 2 Sundays in Major Newspaper where permanent position is located 30 days in the State Workforce Agency For Professional Positions choose 3 of the following 10 options: Employer’s website Job Fair Job search website other than the employers. On-campus recruiting. Trade or professional organizations. Private employment firms. Employee referral program with incentives. Campus placement offices. Local and ethnic newspapers. Radio and television advertisements. If an able, willing and qualified US worker applies for the position, we will need to stop the process, wait at least 6 months, and then re-test the labor market, perhaps with modified criteria Step 4: Submit PERM to DOL Prepare and File DOL Form ETA 9089 online. A chance of the case being audited is small: nationally the audit rate is about 25%, but with CBK the rate is less than 5%. GREEN CARD THROUGH PERM ROADMAP Step 5: File I-140 employer's immigrant visa petition with USCIS Employers need to show that the company can pay the employee the prevailing wage. The employee must show that she/he has all of the qualifications for the job. Petition must be submitted with the Labor Certification approval notice, which is only valid for 180 days. Step 6: Wait for priority date to become current Depending on the green card category and the country of chargeability, immigrant visa number may not be immediately available. Please refer to the visa bulletin for the current information. If the priority date is current when the PERM is approved, we may be able to move to next step immediately and file the I-485 application together with the I-140. Step 7: File I-485 I-485 is a personal green card application filed by the employee named in the I-140 petition and by her/his derivative family members (spouse and children). Adjustment of status application focuses on an employee's personal eligibility to receive a green card. We can request a travel/work authorization card that can be used while I-485 is pending. Step 8: Attend biometrics appointment This will be in the USCIS office closest to your place of residence. Step 9: Prepare for and attend interview with USCIS officer About 12 months after filing the paperwork, we will receive an interview notice. Interview wait time varies greatly among different USCIS field offices. Immigration officer will review the employee's green card application and all underlying immigration files. Employees need to confirm that a job offer is still available, provide all the original civil documents, immigration status documents and previously completed medical exam on form I-693 in a closed envelope. On rare occasions, when a visa number is no longer available, after the successful interview, the I-485 form will be sent to the National Benefits Center. In that scenario, USCIS will approve the green card as soon as a visa number becomes available again. Processing times and Validity Period PROCESSING TIMES With each step discussed above in mind, we can make an estimate on what the processing time will be, however, there are a number of factors that can drastically change the amount of time it will take. VALIDITY PERIOD The validity period for individual permanent labor certifications is 180 days, they will have this time to submit the permanent labor certification in support of a petition with USCIS. USCIS rejects petitions that require an approved permanent labor certification if the permanent labor certification has expired or if the petition is filed without the approved permanent labor certification. USCIS denies a petition that was inadvertently accepted without a required, valid permanent labor certification. As exceptions, USCIS accepts them if the original permanent labor certification was submitted in support of a previously filed petition during the permanent labor certification's validity period. These filings may occur when: There is a successor-in-interest employer change, which requires a new or amended petition; The petitioner wishes to file a new petition subsequent to the denial, revocation, or abandonment of the previously filed petition, and the permanent labor certification was not invalidated due to material misrepresentation or fraud relating to the labor certification application; The petitioner files an amended petition to request a different immigrant visa classification than the classification requested in the previously filed petition; or USCIS or U.S. Department of State (DOS) determines that the previously filed petition has been lost. Contact If you are in the US or planning to come to the US and would like to schedule a consultation, let's connect. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE INITIAL CONSULTATION OR EMAIL US ‬ CALL US

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