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Good News for H-1B Applicants: Return to Lottery Random Selection for FY 2022 on March 1, 2021

Feb 5, 2021
3 min

Good News for H-1B Applicants: Return to Lottery Random Selection for FY 2022 on March 1, 2021

February 4, 2021 Good News for H-1B applicants! Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com On Jan. 7, USCIS announced the H-1B Selection final rule, which amended the regulations governing the process by which USCIS selects H-1B registrations for the filing of H-1B cap-subject petitions. To give USCIS more time to develop, test, and implement the modifications to the H-1B registration system and selection process, DHS is delaying the effective date of this final rule from March

USCIS Announces New H-1B Registration Process Starting March 1, 2020

Feb 5, 2020
3 min

USCIS Announces New H-1B Registration Process Starting March 1, 2020

On December 6, 2019, USCIS announced that it is implementing an electronic registration requirement for petitioners seeking to submit H-1B cap-subject petitions. Employers seeking to file FY2021 H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption, must first electronically register and pay an associated $10 fee for each electronic registration they submit to USCIS. The registration process now commences a month earlier, on March 1. This a a

Changes to the H-1B lottery and New $10 Registration Fee

Nov 7, 2019
3 min

Changes to the H-1B lottery and New $10 Registration Fee

Department of Homeland Security | DHS.gov WASHINGTON—On November 7, 2019, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a final rule that will require a $10 non-refundable fee for each H-1B registration submitted by petitioning employers, once it implements the electronic registration system. The registration fee is part of an agency-wide effort to modernize and more efficiently process applications to live or work in the United States. The H-1B program allows comp

Cap on H-1B Visas for FY 2020 Reached Within 5 Days

Apr 12, 2019
3 min

Cap on H-1B Visas for FY 2020 Reached Within 5 Days

Each year, the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) grants 85,000 H-1B visas to applicants in “specialty occupations”. This cap has not increased since 2004, and has been greatly outweighed by demand over the last few years. Within the first five days of the 2020 fiscal year application filing period, which started on April 1, 2019, the cap was reached, as 201,011 petitions were received by April 5. This marks a 5% increase in petitions from the previous year. Immi

When Is the Best Time to Apply for an H-1B Employee Visa?

Dec 4, 2018
5 min

When Is the Best Time to Apply for an H-1B Employee Visa?

The H-1B visa is valid for three years, with an optional three-year extension, and provides the employee with the opportunity to apply for a Green Card if sponsored by the employer. Accordingly, because the H-1B visa can last for 6 years (and even longer under some circumstances), the H-1B visa is one of the most popular ways for foreign professionals obtain a work visa, and ultimately, a Green Card in the United States. As H-1B applications require a third-party academic cr

Will the H-1B Lottery Change in 2019?

Nov 5, 2018
2 min

Will the H-1B Lottery Change in 2019?

Other proposed changes would benefit applicants with Master’s Degrees by adding them to the initial round of 65,000 Bachelor’s Degree applicant visa spots lottery. Then, if there are any Master’s Degree applications left over after the initial lottery round, the remaining Master’s Degree applications will be added to the lottery for the remaining 20,000 Master’s Degree cap. USCIS aims for the new system to go into effect for FY2020, which is set to begin on April 1, 2019. Ho

USCIS Increases Premium Processing Fee by 15% on October 1, 2018

Sep 5, 2018
2 min

USCIS Increases Premium Processing Fee by 15% on October 1, 2018

On August 31, 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will adjust the premium processing fee for Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker and Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, beginning on October 1, 2018, to “more effectively adjudicate petitions and maintain effective service to petitioners. ” These forms are typically used for H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, H-3, L-1, O-1, O-2, P-1, P-1S, P-2, P-2S, P-3, P-3S, Q-1 or R-1 petitions.

USCIS Reaches FY 2019 H-1B Cap in Just Four Days

May 18, 2018
3 min

USCIS Reaches FY 2019 H-1B Cap in Just Four Days

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On April 6, 2018, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reached the congressionally-mandated 65,000 visa H-1B cap for fiscal year 2019. USCIS has also received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to meet the 20,000 visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, also known as the “Master’s cap.” USCIS began accepting applications on Monday, April 2, and reached its cap within just four days. It will reject and return filing fees for all unselected cap-s

Visa Options for Fashion Models (O-1B, H-1B3, and P-3 Visas)

Aug 14, 2017
3 min

Visa Options for Fashion Models (O-1B, H-1B3, and P-3 Visas)

Do you dream of walking down the runway at New York Fashion Week? Are you interested in becoming a brand ambassador for a prestigious luxury brand? Whether you’ve mastered the catwalk or discovered your niche in commercial modelling, several visa options are available depending on your level of achievement and reason for coming to the U.S. Fashion models typically enter the U.S. in one of two ways— the O-1B visa (for Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement) or

O-1B Visa for Artists or Actors with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement in the Arts Industries

Jul 27, 2017
3 min

O-1B Visa for Artists or Actors with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement in the Arts Industries

Calling all talented artists and actors! Are you an actor trying to make a breakthrough in Hollywood? Or perhaps you are a renowned violinist, famous choreographer, or an award-winning pastry chef? If you excel in your field of arts or the motion picture industry, you may be eligible for the O-1B visa. The O-1B visa is for individuals with an extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in motion picture or television industry who will perform in the U.S

Visa Options for Entrepreneurs and Recent Grads: H-1B Visa through Global Entrepreneur in Residence

Jul 27, 2017
4 min

Visa Options for Entrepreneurs and Recent Grads: H-1B Visa through Global Entrepreneur in Residence

In the absence of an official “startup visa”, and in lieu of the International Entrepreneur Parole Rule, which has now been postponed until March 2018, organizations and programs exist that help entrepreneurs from around the world establish their businesses in the U.S. These programs are generally geared towards assisting international students who have developed a technology or innovation with launching a start-up in the U.S. that creates high-paying jobs. H-1B Visa through

DHS Announces New International Entrepreneur Parole Option for Startup Founders

Feb 6, 2017
5 min

DHS Announces New International Entrepreneur Parole Option for Startup Founders

On January 17, 2017, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a new immigration avenue for foreign entrepreneurs who benefit the U.S economy. The “International Entrepreneur Rule” will serve as a pathway for qualified investors and foreign entrepreneurs to develop business enterprises which have significant public benefit in the United States. This exciting news for start-ups and foreign entrepreneurs comes as a much welcomed development for those frustrated b

Now is the Time to Start Preparing Your H-1B Visa Application

Nov 30, 2016
2 min

Now is the Time to Start Preparing Your H-1B Visa Application

The H-1B visa is one of the most popular ways for foreign professionals in specialty occupations to obtain a work visa, and even a Green Card in the United States. A successful H-1B application requires sponsorship by the professional’s employer, and can be granted for three years, with one additional three-year renewal. The H-1B allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations, and requires a Bachelor’s Degree or its equivalent. Although

For Australians Searching for an Alternative to the Competitive H-1B Visa, the E-3 Specialty Occupat

Jan 25, 2016
3 min

For Australians Searching for an Alternative to the Competitive H-1B Visa, the E-3 Specialty Occupat

by Jennifer A. Grady, Esq. E-3 visas were created for nationals of the Commonwealth of Australia for temporary employment in specialty occupations. For citizens of Australia, E-3 visa is an alternative to the competitive H-1B visa. This specialty occupation visa, which was created by law by President Bush in 2005 in Section 501 of the REAL ID Act, is solely for for nationals of the Commonwealth of Australia. Eligibility for the E-3 visa requires (1) theoretical and practica

5 Secrets to Preparing a Successful H-1B Application

Dec 1, 2015
6 min

5 Secrets to Preparing a Successful H-1B Application

by Jennifer A. Grady, Esq. One of the most notorious ways for foreign professionals to obtain a visa and even a Green Card in the US is through an H-1B visa, which requires sponsorship by the professional’s employer, and can be granted for three years with one additional three year renewal. The H-1B allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations, and requires a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. However, with great benefits comes great

Which U.S. Visas are Available for People in the Arts and Entertainment Industry?

May 12, 2014
6 min

Which U.S. Visas are Available for People in the Arts and Entertainment Industry?

by Jennifer A. Grady, Esq. and Anthony Mance, Esq. For artists, chefs, musicians, dancers, athletes, performers, and other individuals with talent in the art and entertainment industry, there are numerous visa types available to enter and work in the United States on a non-immigrant visa. Read below to learn about the visa types that may be available to such individuals. O-1: Individuals With Extraordinary Ability or Achievement The O-1 visa is reserved for a very limited gro

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