An H1B visa or status is available for “specialty occupations,” those that require theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and the attainment of a bachelor’s degree or equivalent as a minimum requirement to perform the job duties. In simple terms, the position must require a bachelor’s degree in a specific […]
Read more...27 February 2023
As we enter tax season, it is important to remember that errors on tax returns could lead to delays or even denials of requests for immigration benefits, like permanent residence or naturalization. When immigration officials review tax returns, they may be asking several questions, including: Does this person make enough money to sponsor the immigrant? […]
Read more...15 February 2023
USCIS Proposed Fee Increases On January 4, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) proposed changes to its fees for certain types of cases. The changes to the fees are dramatic increases to some employment-based visa types and are in an effort to make up for funding shortages that have impacted USCIS. Proposed filing fee […]
Read more...27 January 2023
Employment-Based Green Cards to Expand by 41% in FY 2023 For fiscal years 2021 and 2022, USCIS carried over unused family numbers to the next fiscal year and allocated them to employment-based categories. The U.S. State Department estimates that roughly 200,000 employment-based immigrant visas (green cards) will be available in the upcoming fiscal year. These extra […]
Read more...15 January 2023
Summary State and local pay transparency laws require employers to disclose pay ranges to applicants in their job advertisements and may require steps beyond the Department of Labor (DOL) regulations when sponsoring foreign national workers for permanent resident (green card) status. Employers filing Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) applications should prepare for changes in the PERM […]
Read more...28 December 2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is providing information for nonimmigrant workers whose employment has terminated, either voluntarily or involuntarily. These workers may have several options for remaining in the United States in a period of authorized stay based on existing rules and regulations. Below is a compilation of options that may be available to […]
Read more...19 December 2022
As we prepare to enter 2023, we also are preparing for the upcoming 2024 H-1B fiscal year registration window. The H-1B is a widely utilized nonimmigrant classification for foreign-born individuals who have been offered employment in the U.S. in a specialty occupation in professional fields such as computer science, engineering, accounting, and medicine, among others. […]
Read more...28 November 2022
Many schools encourage students to innovate and create, so it isn’t surprising that a lot of entrepreneurial ideas spring from students. However, for international students, starting a business can be intimidating because of their intertwined immigration status. This overview is intended to help international students follow their dream of starting their own businesses in the […]
Read more...15 November 2022
The below step-by-step guide provides information for Supporters of Uniting for Ukraine on how to request an extension of a travel authorization that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued to a beneficiary you agreed to support. Travel authorizations are valid for 90 days. However, if a beneficiary of Uniting for Ukraine cannot travel to the […]
Read more...29 September 2022
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a final rule, to be published in the Federal Register, that provides clarity and consistency for noncitizens on how DHS will administer the public charge ground of inadmissibility. The rule restores the historical understanding of a ‘public charge’ that had been in place for decades, until […]
Read more...15 September 2022
