USCIS Archives - Foreign policy

How to Use Translation Services Effectively When Dealing with USCIS

Published on October 26, 2020

When working with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), paperwork must always be filled out perfectly. Often, it must also be in multiple languages, so that all parties involved in the immigration process can understand the text. Luckily, certified translation handles many different kinds of documents, including those relating to immigration and citizenship. Below we’ll discuss how to find, work with, and understand USCIS certified translation services.

What is USCIS Certified Translation?

The US immigration process is becoming increasingly complicated as new regulations are introduced. If applications aren’t filled out properly or meet all the legal requirements, they can be rejected.

Does USCIS require certified translation? The short answer is yes; USCIS requires documentation to show that the copy is certified as being the same in the new language as it was in the original.

For instance, on the US Department of State’s website, a requirement for the paperwork in the naturalization of foreign-born spouses reads:

“(3) Translations. Any document containing foreign language submitted to USCIS shall be accompanied by a full English language translation which the translator has certified as complete and accurate, and by the translator’s certification that he or she is competent to translate from the foreign language into English.”

Immigration requirements are crystal clear on this matter: you need certified translation.

So, how do you certify a translation? USCIS certified translation often comes with a document stating that the copy is accurate. You can find out more about this based on this website, including the particular requirements of USCIS when it comes to your multilingual immigration documents. According to Ofer Tirosh, CEO of language service provider Tomedes, since this is an important requirement of the USCIS, you simply can’t go without this service if you are navigating the immigration process and another language is involved. It is a required part of immigration paperwork; any non-English documents need the copy to be certified for the USCIS to accept them.

Certified translation can cover vital certificates required by the USCIS. These include:

Birth certificates
Marriage certificates
Divorce certificates
Transcripts
Passports
Affidavits

The USCIS is stringent in its requirements. The translated document has to include all the text from the original document. It also must have a signed Certificate of Translation Accuracy, which is the official name for the document certifying the copy.

A good language services provider will be able to guarantee the acceptance of its documents by USCIS. Many often post acceptance rates of 100%. This can provide you with peace of mind that your copies won’t cause any undue issues.

How to Work with USCIS Certified Translation Services

Working with certified translation services might just be the easiest part of the complicated immigration process. Working with a service often takes the following steps:

You start by submitting your document to the company. These days, many translators simply have you upload digital copies into a secure system.
Provide relevant personal details, such as your name and contact information.
Next, you designate which languages you need the text translated between.
Then, you submit the order and pay for the work to proceed.

Often, this is all completed online.

A convenient part of producing such documents for immigration purposes is that the whole process makes sure the text and information stay accurate between languages. A mistake could mean misrepresenting someone coming into the country, which can create all manner of issues.

Immigration certified translation is quite a different process from working to translate things like blog articles or marketing materials, where cultural sensitivities and tone must be considered. Those services require more communication and collaboration between the agency and client. Working with immigration documents is a much more hands-off transaction.

Once the process is complete, you receive the copied document and the Certificate of Translation Accuracy, often via both email and hardcopies through the mail.

How long the process takes varies from company to company, though many services offer a 24-hour turnaround time for certificates. Many of the US’s 1,096,611 legal permanent immigrants in 2018 made use of such services.

How to Find USCIS Certified Translation

With more than a million immigrants arriving in the US each year, certified language services that offer to help them abound. Most people look online initially. You might search local keywords like certified translation services NYC or USCIS certified translation services near me, for example, to find a service in your area.

Some people also ask around their personal or professional networks to find language companies. If someone you know had a good experience with such a company, using that business can reduce your risk of working with dubious certified translation services that don’t deliver on what they say they will. If someone recommends a service, it indicates they had a smooth experience getting their documents accepted by USCIS.

As well as comparing companies’ rates, you should also vet the background of the agency or translator, with an eye towards their experience in handling USCIS paperwork specifically. To find the best USCIS language service, check their background by:

Looking into proof of their past work. Review work portfolios, client testimonials or references if you are working with an individual translator.
Looking at how companies are rated through independent consumer groups like Consumer Advocates. You can also check their Better Business Bureau rating.
If the company does not list such information on its website, ask what its USCIS acceptance rate is for the documents that they have translated. Also, double check that they can provide a Certificate of Translation Accuracy.
Make sure the translator you use, or the agency’s translators, have professional backgrounds. They might have majored in the language they translate, for example, or have plenty of past working experience translating documents for the USCIS. They may also belong to a trade body or similar professional organization.

By taking the time to vet the background of a language agency, you can make sure you find the best USCIS certified translation services and assure that the process will be a smooth one.

What Is a Visa Type R?

Published on June 3, 2020June 3, 2020

Travel

Are you researching the different types of visas that you may be able to apply for in order to come to the United States? There are a variety of different paths that someone can take in order to get legal authorization to enter the country, remain for a set period of time, and perform specific tasks related to the nature of the visa. In some instances, this means that the bearer may be entitled to work, but in others, they may be only authorized to attend schooling or another specific duty.

Type R visas are awarded to religious workers that come to the United States. This type of visa falls into the category of non-immigrant visas. To qualify for it, you must establish that you meet the requirements that it calls for. The US embassy or consular office that receives your application will inform you if the USCIS has determined you are eligible to receive it.

As with all United States visa applications, the process is long and complicated. Fortunately, applying for a non-immigrant visa does come with less work than an immigrant visa, since you will not be requesting dispensation for a long-term stay in the country. For this visa, you will need to have the support and authorization of the religious organization that you work for in order to submit a final application.

Realistically, the best way to do this is to work with an immigration and visa lawyer in the United States who has been through this process. The good news is that there are law firms like the Florida Immigration Law Counsel who have years of experience helping all sorts of people apply for visas, asylum, green cards, and many other different tools that people can legally use in order to enter the United States. Be warned: you will quickly find this process to be overwhelming and exhausting when taking it on by yourself.

What Requirements Must You Meet To Qualify For a Type R Visa?

The following is a list of the basic requirements you must meet in order to qualify for an R visa, but keep in mind that each person is specific and there will likely be additional questions that you will need to answer before determining for certain that you are choosing then right visa. Consult with your immigration lawyer to make sure none of them have changed or been added to at the precise moment when you apply, as American immigration policy is continuously changing:

You must be a member of a religious denomination and perform a religious occupation for them
You must be coming to the United States to work at least 20 hours a week
The religious organization you are a member of must be a bona fide non-profit organization in the United States
The religious organization you belong to must be an authorized group tax exemption holder or a non-profit affiliated with a religious denomination
You must have been a member of your religious organization for at least two years before filing the petition

How Is a Religious Occupation Defined?

There are many different capacities in a religious organization that can qualify the participant as having a religious occupation. So many, in fact, that it is far easier for the United States government to list criteria instead of an extensive list of specific roles. The basic factors that must be present for you to initially be considered as having a religious occupation are as follows:

Be primarily related to a traditional religious function
Be defined as a religious occupation within your religious group
Be mostly related to carrying out the religious beliefs of the religious organization you belong to

As described above, the definition of duties doesn’t refer to any administrative positions, maintenance employees, or janitors. It also doesn’t apply to people that engage in fundraising activities or solicit donations, as this is often considered to be a volunteer position and not an occupation. Another group that would not qualify for this type of visa are those who engage in religious studies or training, although in this instance there may be an opportunity for a student visa. For more information check out fl-ilc.com,

What Process Must Be Followed To Receive an R Visa?

Your employer in the United States must file a petition for a non-immigrant worker through form I-129. The petition must provide the necessary evidence to prove the points outlined above. If the religious organization that is petitioning you believes that one of the above requirements places an undue burden on the organization’s ability to practice their religion, they may seek an exemption under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Has the COVID-19 Pandemic Had An Impact On These Types Of Visas?

As you may have guessed, the process for applying for and receiving a Type R American Visa has been significantly impacted. As of March 20, 2020, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) declared the immediate suspension of all of these petitions because of the limitations imposed by the Coronavirus. Hopefully, this will only be a temporary suspension and they may resume as all government agencies reopen.

The situation is changing quickly in terms of the Coronavirus shutdowns and limitations in the United States, so working closely with an attorney is likely the best way that you can make sure that you are up to date on the newest policies and limitations.

Are You Looking To Apply For a Visa Type R?

The process required to secure a type R visa for you or a member of your religious organization carries definite difficulties that should not be tackled by someone with no legal experience. Having the support of a knowledgeable immigration lawyer will certainly lift some of the worries off your shoulders and point you towards the path you need to follow to get the R visa you desire.

As with all legal processes in the United States, prepare to deal with a lot of administrative work in order to ensure that your paperwork makes it through the bureaucracy and is returned in a timely manner (hopefully with approval). If the religious organization that you work with does not have a lawyer on retainer in order to help people like yourself with this process, we highly recommend finding someone to take your case today.

5 things you need for a U.S. fiance visa

Published on September 30, 2019

Tips

Love knows no boundaries, even if those boundaries are miles and countries apart. When U.S. citizens find love abroad, they often find it appropriate to offer marriage to their partners. When this happens, their immigrants or partners can get used to U.S. customs, language, and they can work, and they can eventually become full-fledged U.S. citizens.

Those who are lucky to have their visas approved can enjoy the full benefits of being a U.S. citizen, granted they follow every necessary paperwork and stipulation. Before they even reach that point, people should know that there are specific requirements you must have and meet when applying for U.S. Fiance Visa.

Way back in 2016, at the twilight of the Obama administration, 90.5% of petitions were approved in the U.S. This meant that getting an application was easy. After the Trump administration won and assumed office in 2017, those numbers have significantly dropped. From 90.5% approval rate, the petitions that were approved only totaled to 66.2%.

Basically, it’s now harder to get petitions approved. This difficulty is the reason why couples should always take into consideration the requirements needed to become approved. To help you further, here are five requirements to get your k1 visa approved.

Only a U.S. citizen can file the petition

Legal residents of the United States of America are the only people who can file a petition for their fiances. Those who aren’t citizens but are green card holders won’t get their petitions approved. Although they can’t file for a K1 visa, green card holders are eligible for the CR1 visa which can take up to two years or more to process.

All petitions should be made with the USCIS or the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Supplying the USCIS with U.S. birth certificate should be enough for U.S. born citizens. Those who underwent naturalization show a U.S. passport that supports their naturalization.

Both of you should legally be able to marry each other

You and your fiance should be able to legally marry each other at the time of filing your petition. If you think that your fiance has a pending divorce, don’t bother registering for a petition yet. It’ll only get you in trouble and could take your request longer to process. Always be 100% sure that you’re able to marry each other legally.

Having to apply and getting denied for something you aren’t sure of is a waste of time. You won’t have the chance to appeal because state laws require you to file your petition from the beginning.

Intention to marry within 90 days

Petitioners who want to bring over their fiance into the U.S. should convince USCIS that their relationship is for real and not for any other purpose. One way of convincing USCIS agents is the intent to marry within 90 days.

If you’re lying or if you don’t get married within the 90 days, you might be fined for not following the law. What’s more, is that your fiance will be arrested. They’ll then go to removal proceedings which will deport your fiance back to their country. The 90-day rule is made to discourage frauds and marry-for-convenience schemes.

A lot of people try to get in wealthy, developed countries such as the United States. Being a legal resident of these countries is a life-changing moment and can lift the lives of a foreign immigrant coming from other countries. If you can’t marry within 90 days for some legitimate reason, contact a lawyer and talk with USCIS. If you need more help, there are professionals that work as a visacoach that can significantly help you with your application process.

Prove that you’ve met within the last two years

Another way to convince your USCIS agent is to prove that you and your fiance have met within the previous two years. Skype and video calls do not count in this matter. Although you can use screenshots of your conversation and video calls as a supplement, you have to prove to the agents of your relationship.

You can show them photographs of you and your fiance, the places you’ve been together, receipts for hotel stays and restaurant bills, etc. For another measure, you and your fiance should know essential dates related to your relationship. USCIS agents will ask you and your fiance about important dates.

These could be birthdates, your anniversary dates, etc. They can even ask about more intriguing and personal questions such as how, when, and where did you first meet. All of this information is important to USCIS so they can determine that the two of you are really in love and plan to start a life together in the country.

Income Requirement

While some visas require on your fiance’s financial capabilities, the K-1 petition needs to determine if the petitioner is financially able. There’s a strict poverty guideline that the USCIS follows. These guidelines ensure that when both of you start your married life, there won’t be any financial problems encountered.

Takeaway

Getting a fiance visa isn’t easy, but it isn’t impossible. Just follow the guidelines by the USCIS. Don’t withhold any information from them as they can perceive it as something shady and that you’re hiding something. USCIS will be very thorough in their processes. They’ll ask you essential dates, ask for pictures and proof of your relationship. Once you follow everything by the book, you can expect that your fiance will arrive on U.S. soil, legally, ready for marriage.