It is important for all foreign nationals working and studying in the U.S. to ring in the New Year with their immigration status in good order. Here is our 10 Resolutions checklist that foreign nationals in temporary visa statuses may find useful:

1. Have I started the renewal process if my passport will expire within the next six months?
2. Do I have a valid visa in my passport if I will need to travel abroad soon or do I need to plan for a visa application at a U.S. consulate outside the United States?
3. Is my I-94 departure card valid and, even though unexpired, have I placed a reminder on my calendar to consider taking action six months in advance?
4. Have I moved and not yet filed a Change of Address notification with USCIS online and kept a copy of the bar code confirmation for my permanent records?
5. If employed, has my job title, duties, or location changed and, if so, has my employer determined whether action needs to be taken?
6. If employed, are there any changes contemplated in 2011 regarding my job title, work location, or other material aspect of my employment that I have not yet discussed with immigration counsel?
7. Am I about to add a family member in 2011 and, if so, have I determined what actions, if any, need to be taken?
8. Have I been arrested for or convicted of any offense and, if so, have I consulted an immigration lawyer regarding the impact of the arrest or conviction on my immigration status?
9. Have I calculated when my temporary immigration status will reach its ultimate limit?
10. If I am in the midst of the permanent residence process, have I checked my online INSZoom website record to better understand the current status of my case?

Happy New Year to all of our clients and friends!