We all know the importance of an attorney when it comes to cases pertaining to immigration. At the same time, there are only few who are actually aware that when it comes to an interview with the visa officer, an attorney cannot represent an applicant in the US Embassy. This is simply not permitted by the US Embassy.

However, the same is allowed at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) where in an American lawyer is permitted to represent an applicant. The common rule that is followed amongst all the Embassies and Consulates of the United States is that all the foreign nationals who are applying for a visa have to appear in person for an interview. Here, any form of representation legal in nature would not be accepted under any circumstance. Also, people related to the applicant such as spouse or any relative or even a friend would not be permitted.

The only exception to the above is when the applicant is a minor. In such a case, a legal guardian or an attorney can appear on behalf of the minor applicant. When it comes to client representation, the United States Foreign Affairs Manual is followed. This manual caters to proper guidance to the United States Department of State which includes all the State employees.

Each consulate has the authority to form its own set of policies when it comes to representation of applicants by an attorney. In such cases, the consular officers usually consult with the attorney directly. This is done if the lawyer has submitted a G-28 Notice of Representation which has been implemented appropriately. In this case, the consular officials would inform the attorney of records when it comes to issues with the applicant in question.

The benefit of this form of correspondence is priceless especially when this attorney is on the ground. This leads to speeding the process and thus, reducing the number of delays through mails or telephone. This is because the attorney can be present in front of the consular officer which leads to an inquiry being made directly.

Above all, it is best to seek the advice of an expert before walking in for an interview. Even if a visa consultant is not permitted to represent your case, he can always advice you on how to go about the process. This is because he is always updated with the latest when it comes to such matters.

The Government of Canada has made announcement that it would implement rigid regulations. The motto behind this step is to enhance the working conditions of applicants who come to work in the country on temporary basis as well as the care-givers in the nation.

The Federal government has confirmed that the employers have been exploiting and mistreating people who come here. According to Chair Nigel Thomson from the Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants, the new stringent regulation would see to it that the temporary workers don’t face any hassles here and it would be made sure that employers play their rules.

In order to take care of this issue, the Federal government has implemented these rigid rules to take care of the employees who are live-in caregivers, plus the ones who work on temporary basis. The steps would save them from potential exploitation from their employers.

The rules came into implementation in April 2010. In accordance with these regulations, the employers would be required to give the contracts which have properly demonstrated wages, benefits and hours of duties, including the leaves which would be granted to these employees.

Also, starting from April 2011, new regulations will apply a stricter and accurate assessment to employments for these categories before the employers are granted the authority to hire. It will take care whether the employer who is hiring the workers are following the guidelines or not.

For any foreign national who wishes to visit the United States, it is mandatory for him to obtain a non-immigrant visa. Such visas are meant for people who enter the nation with a specific purpose and reside in the nation temporarily. With this visa in hand, the foreign national can travel to the US and seek the permission of the US immigration inspector to enter the country. The visitor visas include those for business which is the B-1 visa, for medical treatment or pleasures is the B-2 visa and others include a combination of the above.

At the same time, the United States has a Visa Waiver Program with some nations where in the nationals from these specific countries need not obtain a visa. However, these applicants must qualify with the visa requirements under the guidelines. With the Visa Waiver Program in place, there are thirty six nations which are participating in this program. It permits travelers from these countries to US to visit for the purpose of tourism, official or business and are permitted to reside in the nation for up to ninety days or less, that too without obtaining a visa. This program was introduced to reduce certain irrelevant hindrances pertaining to travel. With this, it was also done to promote the tourism industry. At the same time, it also allows the Department of State to concentrate the consular resources in other aspects.

On the other hand, those not belonging to these specific countries would have to apply for a tourist visa. This can be done at the US Embassy or Consulate in the specific country. An appointment for an interview can be requested for. In such a case, the applicant has to prove that he has strong ties as well as an employment which is stabilized. Also, he has to prove that he has a decent income along with a valid and a legitimate reason for his trip.

Here, it is important to note that the Consular Officer has very little time to take a decision regarding the eligibility of the applicant for the visa. So, during the interview, the visa official would question the applicant regarding his intent and purpose of making this trip. With this, questions pertaining to whether or not the applicant was involved with any violation of law or visas in the past. Above all, the applicant would be assessed for his strong ties to his native country. This would be proved by the evidence he submits.

Above all, it is has to be ensured that the documents are submitted along with the application form. More so, the right and the relevant documents which cater to the visa must be submitted. It is best to consult a visa expert in this regard who deals with US visit visas. He would be the one who would be updated with all the latest and can guide you appropriately.

When you are crazy about someone, would you look for the signs that help you know that he/she is your soul mate or you both are meant to be together; or would you keep faith in your destiny, like Kate Beckinsale did in ‘Serendipity’? Well, a majority would not leave one of the life’s most important things like making someone yours to fate. Still, there are few people who would want to go the Kate Beckinsale way…not a bad idea though!

But, as far as my view is concerned, when it comes to love someone or making him/her forever yours, we should not give it up to our destiny or whatever it is! If you are falling for someone or seeing the signs that you both would make for the perfect couple, why not say it off? But, here the big question arises- how would one know if the person he/she is falling for is right for him/her? Here I am going reveal a few of the signs that could help you know whether you are dating your soul mate or if the person is the right one for you with whom you can spend the rest of your life happily. But, let me tell you one thing, while these apply to most situations, but there may be exceptions though! But, who cares? Aren’t you game for taking risks? Read on…

• To be life partners, two people must have trust on each other, which we know! Well, over the time of interacting and meeting a person for long, we anyhow develop that a level of trust. But, it is amazing to discover how you get to trust a person at a few brief meetings and open up to him/her without a push or jerk. Take a reality check of it…count the number of people (prospective partners) around you and indulge in introspection to realize how many or who out of the total could gain your trust. The one who scores the most obviously the one whom you may consider as your soul mate. If not soul mates, depending on the level of trust, you both can walk towards the future together!
• They say, when we are happy we think of the person whom we love the most; but when we are sad we think of the person who loves us the most! So, do you have that person in your life with whom you can share everything, even your sorrows? Your soul mate must be the one who can give his/her shoulder to cry on!
• It is very important that you do not live the life of a different person in front of him/her. The person in front of whom you can be just ‘YOU’-r-self makes for the perfect partner for you. If you are meant for that person, he/she anyway will accept you, despite your faults and flaws! When it comes to differences between the two, regarding any aspect, soul mates even work on them and come up with an amicable decision.

People are often attracted towards opposite sex because of physical attributes. If you are being attracted to someone for this reason, think twice. There are much more to a person than physical attractiveness which could make him/her the perfect match for you! Now, that’s up to you whether you go with the above mentioned signs or like it the ‘Serendipity’ way!

The Marriage Visa is issued as per the United States Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) for the foreign spouses of US citizens. Certain requirements or terms and conditions have to be followed as per the laws of the United States in order to obtain this visa.

This visa is basically a petition for a family based immigrant. Here, the US citizen files a petition for his immediate relative for an immigrant status. The immediate relatives include spouses, parents and children who are minor and unmarried which also include stepchildren. However, when it comes to stepchildren, this relationship should have been formed before the children were 18 years of age. It has to be realized that this immigrant visa is a form of Green Card only which permits the immigrant to live and work in the US.

Incase, a relative does not fall in the immediate relative category, he would be termed as the derivative beneficiary. So, in such a case, a separate petition has to be filed for each of such relatives.

It has to be remembered that before filing either the K1 Fiancé visa or an immediate relative petition, the major part of the process for immigration should have been done with before the immigrant’s entry into the nation. This is because the immigrant would enter the nation as a Green Card which means that the person would be eligible to find work the day he/she lands in the nation. This means that the background check on the applicant which includes the immigration history of the applicant, bona fides of the relationship etc. are carried out. With this, the applicant is also interview by the consular officers before obtaining a visa.  The interview is conducted at a US Embassy in the native country of the applicant of which the applicant is a citizen.

The requirements for both the marriage visa as well as for the K1 Fiancé visa are more or less similar. The proof provided should be sufficient that the relationship with the US citizen is genuine. Thus, the evidence should include a marriage bona fide which is honest; legitimate as well as sincere. This should prove that the couple is legally and is not trying to evade the laws pertaining to immigration. Also, if the couple was into a previous marriage, they have to prove that it has been terminated before walking into this relationship.

To know more, it is best to contact an immigration and visa who deals with US immigration. He is always updated with the latest and the correct procedure to follow. However, make sure that you are consulting a genuine and a registered expert with a decent amount of experience.

According to a latest survey, it has been confirmed that Afghan and Iraqi Passports are regarded as the worst in all over the globe. As per the report, the findings prove that Arabian citizens find it extremely hard to get visas to visit international places.

Each nation is given one point per country that the people of that country can enter without the need of going for a visa beforehand. The same has been confirmed from the statistics of IATA International Air Transport Association ().

The report has further stated that that the rankings at this global level resonates the global travel freedom of the nationals of various nations as well as the kind of relations these nations share with other countries. Similarly the visa requirements also contemplate the kind of relation these countries share with each other.

As far as the list is concerned, Afghanistan is at the lowest level of the list as managed to get just 26 points. This means that the nationals of Afghan have the freedom to enter just 26 nations without the need of going for a visa beforehand. Iraq is not so far as it managed to get just 27 points.

The country which got the top most position is the United Kingdom with an unbeaten 166 points. It has been speculated that, rather immigration experts strongly believe that stringent visa requirements play a critical role in affecting the travel plans of people, hence affecting the image of the country as well.

At the time when most immigrant doctors from India are struggling to get their degrees recognized by Canada in one of the most popular Canadian cities, Toronto, here is the news that would make all Indians feel proud, as well as inspire medicos to make it big in foreign land. The founder of BSA Diagnostic Medical Imaging Center, who hails from Amritsar, Punjab in India has made it big in the Canadian land. The center happens to be one of the largest medical facilities in Canada. A graduate from the Amritsar Medical College, Birinder Ahluwalia is a famous figure in Canada, thanks to not only his professional achievements, but also for his contributions to the cultural aspect.

Physician Ahluwalia immigrated to Toronto in the year 1985. He started off his career in the Canadian city as a courier boy. However, he did not wait much time, as soon after he joined the chief of the RDS Diagnostics as his assistant. Alongside, he was training as a diagnostic imaging specialist. He just took the right move at the time. Diagnostic imaging was just taking off, where there were lots of opportunities in the field at that time.

He then opened the BSA Diagnostic Imaging Center in the year 1989- the vehicle for his successful journey! In 2009, the center handled a total of seventy thousand cases. According to Mr. Ahluwalia, his center expects to treat even more patients this year. It was his achievement which earned him the one of the top 25 slots for the immigrant achievers in Canada. He accompanied the Canadian PM Stephen Harper to India in 2009.

Birinder Ahluwalia’s achievements are not restricted to only his profession. He is one of the founders of the Toronto’s Spinning Wheel Film Festival. Mr. Ahluwalia is the perfect example of a promising immigrant who holds the determination to make something remarkable in foreign land. He, especially, is a role model to immigrant doctors in Toronto, where one can find the highest number of immigrant physicians who are earning their livelihood as taxi drivers, due to the non-recognition of their degrees.

The monsoon session of the Indian Parliament came to an end recently. But when it comes to some of our darling MPs, nothing seems to deter them whether or not a session is running. After all, the government is paying them for just showing their faces in the Parliament. This particular time, there have been more than a hundred members of Parliament who did not bother to participate in any of the activities taking place in both the houses. The session went on for over a month before it ended.

The above statements are not mere exaggerations but have been suggested by reports. So, we can say that despite the salaries being hiked, nothing seems to motivate our so-called leaders. It seems to be more of a one-way regime where in the common man continues to pay taxes for the fat bundles of money to just end up in the lazy pockets.

Well, let’s come to the findings made by PRS Legislative Research which is a professional think tank! 35 members from Rajya Sabha and another 68 members from Lok Sabha have not taken any active interest when it came to questions, debates or even private member’s bills.

For those who don’t know, there are about 479 members in Lok Sabha and another 229 members in Rajya Sabha. This is keeping aside all the ministers, the speakers, the deputy speaker (of Lok Sabha) and the deputy chairman of Rajya Sabha. So, the notorious members comprise of about fourteen percent putting both the houses together.

It does not end here…when it came to questioning in the lower house, 117 members did not even bother where as in Rajya Sabha, another 79 added to this list. More so, out of the entire lot of members, only forty one percent of the members in Lok Sabha cared to be present during the sessions and another forty three percent from the Rajya Sabha. Only these many had an attendance level of above ninety percent.

Also, only eighty four percent of the total time of the sessions was utilized effectively. This caters to about 116 hours from a total of 138 hours. With this, the maximum commotions during the sessions came about in the House of the People where only 11 hours were spent productively out of the 23 hours which were planned. This caters to only forty seven percent of the total time.

When it came to Rajya Sabha, the productive timelines catered to only 104 hours out of 115 hours which comprises of twenty three percent of the total scheduled time for the questions.

In all of the above dark spots, the only spark seems to be Shailendra Kumar from the Samajwadi Party who actively participated in maximum number of debates. So, now we know why the nation has a growth trajectory which rapidly slow at all times!

The US government has posed certain restrictions on all its permanent residents when it comes traveling abroad. The reentry permit is an answer to these permanent residents who can enter the United States. This permit tends to identify the intentions of the immigrant whether he wanted to abandon his status or not. This program allows an individual to enter the United States after having been overseas for 2 years. This is when he has not acquired a retuning resident visa. This permit usually lasts for duration of 2 years from the date that it has been issued.

In order to apply for this permit, the applicant needs to submit the Form I-131 along with the fee. It is suggested that this form is filed way in advance to the trip, atleast 60 days in prior. Also, the candidate should be present in the United States while filing this form.

Incase, the applicant intends to reside outside the United States for less than a year, he does not need apply for this permit. Also, if the applicant has been residing overseas for less than a year, he is permitted to use his Permanent Resident Card in the form of his document for travel.

The total fee is $385 which also involves the fee for application which costs $305 along with a biometric fee of another $80. Incase the candidate would want an email notification or a text message once his application has been accepted; he needs to file the Form G-1145 E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance. This form should be attached with the first page of the main application.

Once the application has been submitted, within 30 days the applicant would receive the Form I-797 Receipt Notice which confirms that the application has been accepted. This would be followed by a Notice for Appointment which would need you to be present at the Local Application Support Center where in your fingerprints would be taken.

However, the application would not be approved if the applicant already has a valid reentry permit. And also, if it has been prohibited by the federal register where in a notice has been kept to not allow such a permit for travel purposes to the specific places.

Federal employees who cater to the claims pertaining to the Social Security disability and immigration hearings have lately been the victims of a constant series of threats. This is according to recent information revealed by the Association of Administrative Law Judges along with the National Association of Immigration Judges.

As per the data collected between March and August last year, about twenty eight violent threats have been reported. This has been on the Social Security Offices which cater to the disability hearings. Along with this, about nine judges claimed that they had been threatened in the same period. This is as per the data collected from the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review, Social Security Administration.

From September 2009 to February 2010, there has been a record of 21 threats against the SSA hearing offices. With this, another 11 judges were threatened as well as to the wives and children of the judges.

According to the President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Greg Junemann, personal threats are being made against those in the federal government by people who are angry with the government. They are not coming out otherwise. It is important to increase the level of precautions taken. The Internal Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers represent the federal workers along with the administrative law judges.

Following the above, a new list of recommendations has been brought out to improve security of the concerned personnel. This came about during the National Press Club briefing.