How long does it take to wait for a work permit (EAD) in the USA — USCIS processing times 2026
Processing times for I-765 in 2026: asylum, AOS, OPT, H-4. How to check status, automatic 540-day extension.
🇺🇸 USA Guide: Immigration and paperwork
Practical guides on "Immigration and paperwork". Plain language, with examples for the Polish community in the USA.
Tourist Visa in the USA Expires — What to Do (Overstay, I-539, Options)
B-2/I-94 visa expiration — options: I-539 extension, status change, departure. Consequences of overstay (3 and 10-year bans).
How to Open a Bank Account in the USA Without an SSN
Account without SSN — ITIN, PSFCU (Polish bank), Chase, BoA, Wells Fargo. Step by step with a passport.
How to Get a Green Card in 2026 — A Guide for Poles
Real pathways to obtaining permanent residency in the USA in 2026: family, work, DV lottery, and more — costs, timelines, forms.
Tourist Visa to the USA 2026 — Step by Step
Do you need a B1/B2 visa or is ESTA sufficient? Procedure, costs, DS-160 form, and what to do in case of denial.
What Happens If You Don't Declare Money When Entering the USA?
Failing to declare money when entering the USA can lead to serious consequences, including cash confiscation by CBP and potential criminal charges. Learn about the real implications for travelers.
Profil zaufany z zagranicy — jak założyć z USA (mObywatel, bank, konsulat)
Profil zaufany (epuap) to cyfrowy klucz do polskich e-usług państwowych — wymagany do większości online spraw urzędowych (US-Skarbowy, ZUS, Urząd Gminy, sądy, NFZ). Z zagranicy 3 główne metody założenia: (1) przez polski bank online jeśli masz konto (najszybsza, 5-10 min), (2) przez aplikację mObywatel z polskim dowodem osobistym (online, ~15 min), (3) osobiście w polskim konsulacie w USA (wizyta, free). Wymagania: PESEL, polski paszport lub dowód osobisty, polski numer telefonu lub adres email. Po założeniu — ważny bezterminowo (with periodic security extension). Daje dostęp do: ePUAP, IKP (zdrowotne), e-Urząd Skarbowy, ZUS PUE, Krajowa Administracja Skarbowa, Urząd Stanu Cywilnego online, eRecepta. Kluczowe dla polskiego biznesu z USA — bez profilu zaufanego prawie nic online nie zrobisz.
FinCEN Form 105 — Step by Step: How to Complete the Report on Currency and Monetary Instruments
Learn how to correctly fill out FinCEN Form 105 to avoid mistakes and penalties; our step-by-step guide will help you understand each element of the form and who needs to submit it.
How to Recover Money Taken by CBP: A Guide to the Process
Recovering money taken by CBP can be complicated; learn how to effectively file for remission and the steps to take to increase your chances of success.
How Much Cash Can You Bring Across the U.S. Border? A Guide to Regulations
Planning a trip to the U.S. and wondering how much cash you can take with you? Learn about the rules regarding cash transportation and the potential consequences of improper reporting.
Civil Asset Forfeiture in the USA — What You Need to Know
Learn how civil asset forfeiture laws work in the USA, the differences between civil and criminal forfeiture, and how you can defend against unjust property seizure.
Do children have a separate $10,000 limit at the U.S. border? NO — explanation
The most common myth in the Polish community: each child has their own $10,000 limit. FALSE — the limit applies to the entire family collectively. What CBP says, why splitting is structuring (up to 5 years in prison).
Renewing a Polish Passport in the USA — Consulate, Costs, Timelines, mObywatel (2026)
A Polish passport can only be renewed in the USA through the consulate — NOT through the embassy in Warsaw or online.
Polish Passport for a Child Born in the USA — Step by Step
A child born in the USA to a Polish parent is entitled to Polish citizenship from birth; this guide covers the registration of the birth certificate in Poland (USC), obtaining a PESEL number, applying for the first passport at the consulate, costs, timelines, and required documents.
Is the $10,000 limit per person or per family?
Learn how the $10,000 limit applies when traveling to the USA; it is important to understand that the limit pertains to the entire family traveling together, not to an individual.
How to Obtain a Death Certificate from the USA for Matters in Poland
Apostille, sworn translation, registration in the Polish USC — a complete pathway for an American death certificate to be valid in Poland.
K-1 Visa (Fiancé) — Marriage to a U.S. Citizen Step by Step
The entire K-1 process: petition I-129F from the U.S. citizen fiancé, interview at the consulate, entry into the U.S., marriage within 90 days, status change to Green Card (AOS). Costs, timelines, documents.
Sponsoring Parents for a Green Card as a U.S. Citizen
A U.S. citizen can sponsor parents for a Green Card without a visa queue, including details on Form I-130, costs, processing time (12-18 months), required documents, and the consular path versus adjustment of status.
Can TSA Search Cash? Your Rights While Traveling
Learn whether TSA has the right to search cash during security checks and what your rights are as a traveler, including procedures and what to do in case of confrontation.
Biometrics appointment in the USA — what to expect, what to bring, how long it lasts
A biometrics appointment is a standard step in almost every USCIS case (Green Card, naturalization, EAD). Full guide: what it entails (fingerprints + photo + signature), where it takes place (ASC), what to bring, how long it lasts (~15 min), what to do after the visit, how to reschedule, and when biometrics can be reused.
First 30 Days in the USA — Checklist for New Immigrants
Just arrived in the USA? A complete checklist for your first month: SSN, driver's license, bank account, housing, health insurance, phone, work, and Polish community spots in your city, step by step.
How to Check USCIS Case Status — Tools, Alerts, Escalation
Checking the status of a USCIS application: receipt number, online case status, myUSCIS account, email alerts, InfoPass, when to file a Congressional inquiry or Ombudsman.
Apostille — from Poland to the USA and from the USA to Poland (step by step)
An apostille is an international certification of documents; learn how to obtain it in Poland (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice) and in the USA (Secretary of State of the state), including time, costs, where to apply, and when it is needed.
Zgubiony / skradziony polski paszport w USA — krok po kroku
Zgubiłeś polski paszport w USA? Krok po kroku: zgłoszenie kradzieży (policja USA + system polski), wniosek o nowy paszport w konsulacie, paszport tymczasowy 1-roczny, koszty $40-130, czas 1-3 tygodnie, podróż awaryjna do Polski.