ReloNavigator Opened New Office in Bellingham, Washington

Per the News article at their website, as of June 1, the office of ReloNavigator began conducting business in Bellingham, Washington. 

As always, wishing them more successes as they service new location.  Bellingham is only an hour and a half from Vancouver, Canada. 

For those who will be needing assistance in relocation and immigration, do not hesitate to contact ReloNavigator. Their professional services have helped countless organizations that were operating internationally, particularly their expats and their family members. 

For any additional inquiries, you can contact ReloNavigator directly at +1 (360) 312-4300 and one of their Specialist will provide you the guidance that you will need. 

USA: Now Open for Service - the USCIS ELIS (Electronic Immigration System)

Current Services Limited to Certain Nonimmigrant Visas - USCIS ELIS (Electronic Immigration System)

 Credit: USCIS.gov

The portal to file various US Immigration Applications and Maintenance has begun its operation. The USCIS office website announced today, May 22, 2012.  

“Today marks a significant milestone in our agency’s history,” said USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas. “We have launched the foundation for the web-based future of our agency and our immigration benefits system. USCIS ELIS will transform how we interact with our customers and how we manage the 6-7 million applications we receive each year.”

This initial release will be limited only to certain electronic applications like Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.

Who can use USCIS ELIS?

Goal	Current Visa	Action / Option	Exceptions
Extend Status	B-1, B-2, F-2, M-1, M-2	Use ELIS	F-1 holder who received a date-specific visa that requires completion of a given course of study within a specific time – can use USCIS ELIS
			Other F-1 holders are admitted for duration of status and should contact their designated school official to extend their status
Change Status	Like to become a visa holder of     B-1,  B-2, F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, M-1 or  M-2	Use ELIS	An M-1 student may not change status to an F-1 student
Reinstate Status	Were a visa holder of F-1 or M-1	Use ELIS	The spouse or child of an F-1 or M-1 student may be included in the principal’s benefit request.
Note: Before opening an account at ELIS, please make sure that your current status will benefit from using this new system.  If you do not meet eligibility please download Form I-539 from USCIS website and use the traditional paper application.

Using the USCIS ELIS:

Credit: USCIS.gov

This process will enable USCIS to continually enhance the user experience for both customers and USCIS employees. It will also allow the agency to smooth the transition to electronic filing over time, mindful of those individuals without computer access and the agency’s commitment to serve our diverse customer base.

Benefits of using USCIS ELIS include filing applications and paying fees online, shorter processing times, and the ability to update user profiles, receive notices, and respond to requests electronically. The system also includes tools to combat fraud and identify national security concerns. 

Perspectives:

While the intent of this action offers greater and better experience of visa applicants and their sponsors, with less processing time and better communication processes. We will wait and see in the next ninety days and up to six months whether or not the attempted goals of the system will be successful. In the past, experiences were frustrating among many individuals due to the enormous inconsistencies that were created when implemented prior USCIS system.  Hopefully, this time the USCIS have implemented a real time Quality Assurance testing of the system in order to troubleshoot mechanical glitches and issues prior to roll out. It's time for a real electronic system.

Comments:

We like to hear about your insights. You can email your comments to: info@jntconsulting.com or share them in the provided comments field at the end of this article.

About JNT Consulting

JNT Consulting Global Resources offers professional consulting in  human capital and resources management, provides workforce solutions that will achieve the "High Performance Organization" regardless of size and location.

JNT Consulting has its headquarters in San Jose, California and is "Your Partner for Growth & Development”, “Your Professional Coach”, and “Your Provider of Global Resources”. You can contact us by calling +1 650 241-3207 or visit our website.

Reference:

1  The JuNcTion

2 JNTC Articles

2 JNT Consulting

3  Facebook /JNTConsulting

4 Twitter/JNTConsulting  

5 JNTC Careers 

6 uscis.gov 

USA: Employment-based Visas, Immigration and New Fee Schedule

Corporate immigration is one among the strategies used when hiring experienced and technical professionals from other parts of the world.

©JNTConsulting

When your organization is based in the United States and hires through employment-based visa for your workforce.  Please make sure that you have the most up-to-date fee schedule in order to determine the appropriate fee for your new hire's visa application. Enclosing the applicable fee to the Visa Application will save you time, money and efforts.

Recently, the USCIS announce the new changes on the schedule of US visas that took effect April 13, 2012.

New US Visas Processing Fees 

For your information, according to the Department of State website,


"Fees that will increase (only nonimmigrant fees) - If you paid your visa fee before April 13, 2012, you do not have to pay the difference between the new and old fee amounts as long as your visa interview is on or before July 12, 2012. Starting July 13, 2012, you will be required to pay the difference between the old and new fee amounts – no exceptions."

"Because of a reallocation of costs associated with immigrant visas, all categories of immigrant visa processing fees will decrease."


What this means to you?
1. Planning ahead of the game is essential.  It will save you economically and get the best return on your investments. For considerations take note of the following items:
a.  Discuss your expat status with an experienced global mobility and corporate immigration specialist
b. Plan a strategy that will match to your expectations, time lines and long journey patience
c.  Prior to application, a Petition on your behalf must be prepared based on the matching requirements of the position and understand its optimum opportunities 
d. Extra care is a must when you travel based on your current status, seek advise as necessary prior to travel and understand current restrictions and limitations are the country you will visit or travel to
e.  Make sure all documents are in order, plan ahead in securing required documentations pertaining to your previous employment, personal and corporate documentation
f. Discuss with current petitioning employer about the intent for long term opportunities as well as limitations
g. Filing fees and complete documentation will result to a visa acquisition and following an official entry to the United States of America


2. Strategic R.O.I-based and Results Driven Corporate Immigration Program:
Organizations that do not have strategic global corporate immigration program can be helped by JNT Consulting Global Resources. Please call  +1 650 241 3207 to discuss on how we can assist you


3. Our experienced team can also assist you with your global mobility strategies across cultures. 

Comments:
We like to hear about your insights. You can email your comments to: info@jntconsulting.com or complete the comments section below towards the end of this article.

About JNT Consulting

JNT Consulting Global Resources offers professional consulting and resources management, provides workforce solutions that will achieve the "High Performance Organization" regardless of size and location.

JNT Consulting has its headquarters in San Jose, California and is "Your Partner for Growth & Development”, “Your Professional Coach”, and “Your Provider of Global Resources”. You can contact us by calling +1 650 241-3207 or visit our website.

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USA - New USCIS ELIS (Electronic Immigration System) in the Horizon

The US Citizenship and Immigration Service’ Director, Mr. Alejandro Mayorkas announced recently through The BEACON that the post-development phase of their new USCIS ELIS (Electronic Immigration System) was about ready to be released of its first segment.  ELIS is anticipated to be released for public use at the soonest.

Source: USCIS

 “The new USCIS ELIS will transform our paper-based agency into an electronic, online organization.  This is an unprecedented step for the world’s largest and most complex immigration system” - said A. Mayorkas, Director, USCIS.

The prototype of ELIS was shown through the link at The BEACON (see above). It demonstrated the convenience of a nonimmigrant visa holder to apply for the Status Change or Extend his/her visa. When this becomes operationally launched, many visa holders can benefit from it electronically.  

“USCIS is developing a simplified, Web-based system that will allow customers to submit and track their applications online and enhance USCIS' ability to process cases with greater accuracy, security and timeliness.”

A better viewing is also available at www.youtube.com (please click the link provided below).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f623xZUTXdM&feature=youtu.be

Perspectives:

This means faster delivery of business needs, that employees will soon have access to a real electronic system that USCIS has been trying to push through in many years. Based on the demonstration provided, it shows significant advantages and convenience to employees, employers, even the B visa holders and others.

The ELIS is meant to be a web-based system. This means that anyone can access it regardless of their current location within the United States or outside the country.  If this is to be true, a real convenience has arrived in the USCIS premises.  It will eliminate the time consuming procedures and documentation that every nonimmigrant visa holder has to go through when renewing, changing, or extending their current status.

However, it would be necessary to wait and see how it will work actually. Hopefully, the USCIS’ Electronic Tranformational Team has thought all the many facets that complete an application of which fast track approvals as well as avoidance of RFE (Request for Evidence) or additional documentation.    

Other countries like Australia has put in placed successfully, an electronically convenient web-based visa acquisition. Something that USCIS has to look as well. 

Comments:

We  like to hear about your experience and feedback in regards to how effective this new system.  You can email your comments to: info@jntconsulting.com or send through the provided message field at the end of this article. 

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