FREE DOWNLOAD: Click Here To Download The Employers Guide to the H-1B Process.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Click Here To Download The Employers Guide to the H-1B Process.

Category: Immigration

Increases to Visa Costs Delayed Until 2024

After six months of little word about the proposal, USCIS has announced that proposed increases to visa fees will not be instituted until March 2024. This is excellent news for both potential employment visa recipients and their sponsors, as the rate increases primarily focused on these applications.  However, USCIS is just delaying fee hikes, not canceling them. The agency still

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USCIS Provides New Guidelines for Compelling Circumstances EADs

Foreign nationals with H-1B visas rely on their employment to remain in the US. H-1B holders are technically defined as nonimmigrants, but many have approved I-140 applications and are waiting for their green card.  This nonimmigrant status puts them in a precarious and even dangerous position if they lose their jobs. In most cases, they must either find new employment

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Changes to US Citizenship Tests Put Pressure on English Comprehension

For the first time since 2008, the US citizenship test is being permanently updated. According to advocates, the new design could put people with lower English proficiency levels at a disadvantage.  The exam is a critical step toward receiving US citizenship. Many people never receive full citizenship, instead living in the US as permanent residents with their green cards instead.

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Canadian Program to Recruit US H-1B Visa Holders Meets Quota in One Day

US H-1B visas are more popular than ever before. In fact, these employment visas are so renowned for attracting educated and driven applicants that Canada has opened a program specifically to poach H-1B holders.  This program, known as the Tech Talent Strategy, was designed to attract some of the best and brightest H-1B applicants to Canada. It offered applicants with

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Supreme Court Permits Biden Administration to Limit Immigration Arrests

In a major win for immigration reform and the Biden administration, the Supreme Court has ruled that it may reinstate rules to reduce overall immigration arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  The Court issued its 8-1 ruling in the case United States v. Texas in favor of the administration, stating that the executive branch has the broad power to

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U.S. Pilot Program May Permit Limited In-Country Renewal of H-1B Visas

As part of a new “people-to-people” initiative, the Biden administration has announced the launch of a limited pilot program to permit recipients of certain employment visas to renew their visas without leaving the country.  This announcement occurred after a bilateral meeting between President Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Tens of thousands of H-1B workers must leave the U.S.

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AOS vs. IVP: Which Is Better for Foreign Nationals in the US?

Once your I-140 petition is approved, you can take the next step toward permanent residency and apply for your green card. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), there are two paths through which a prospective permanent resident can get their green card: adjustment of status petitions and immigrant visa processing.  In some cases, people who have made it to

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USCIS States H-1B Visa Cap for FY2024 Reached and Lottery Performed

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the agency has received sufficient electronic registrations to meet the cap on H-1B visas for fiscal year (FY) 2024. As such, it has performed a lottery to randomly select registrants who will be chosen to apply for these visas. Registrants may check the USCIS portal to determine if they have been

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What Is Cross-Chargeability for Green Cards?

Applying for a U.S. green card is a complex process, particularly for people from countries like China or India. Federal limits on the number of green cards issued each year and caps on per-country issuances can make it particularly difficult for people from countries with large populations to receive consideration.  However, the rules of chargeability and cross-chargeability may provide some

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USCIS Proposes Adjustments to Visa Application Fee Structure

In January, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a proposed rule that would significantly alter fee structures for many visa applications. The USCIS proposal is intended to cover the costs associated with these applications, as the agency is primarily funded through filing fees.  According to the announcement, USCIS thoroughly reviewed the costs associated with immigration and naturalization applications of

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