The USCIS has announced that it will once again, extend the deadline for responses to RFE’s, NOID’s, NOIR’s etc by 60 days due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.
Category: Visas – H-1b, L-1, E, O, TN
Consular In-Person Interview Waivers Now in Effect
Recently, the U.S. Department of State authorized the waiver of consular interviews for certain H-1B, H-4, L-1, H-3, O, P, and Q visa holders. This decision was in response to the long wait times for visa interviews at U.S. consulates across the globe. This new policy went into effect until January 1st, 2022 and is… Continue reading Consular In-Person Interview Waivers Now in Effect
H-1B Registration Selection Rule based on Wages Dead
The rule will be published December 22, 2021 and once published Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will officially withdraw the “Modification of Registration Requirement for Petitioners Seeking to File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions,” final rule issued on January 8, 2021. This means next year’s H-1B CAP selection process will be the normal random lottery and NOT… Continue reading H-1B Registration Selection Rule based on Wages Dead
H-1b Workers Decreasing ?
A recent Bloomberg article stated that the number of H-1b workers in STEM positions dropped by over 12% from 2020 and reached their lowest levels in 10 years. The data used was the number of LCA’s filed and certified by the DOL. The speculation as to why; focused on slower processing times, COVID, and greater… Continue reading H-1b Workers Decreasing ?
IT Staffing Companies Beware
In an industry where sub-contracting is common, IT staffing companies must be cautious in dealing with a sub-vendor that employs H-1b workers. There are a number of documented cases where those H-1b workers are not in status, not being paid properly, and in essence being held hostage by an unscrupulous vendor. In one recent case,… Continue reading IT Staffing Companies Beware
USCIS Conducts THIRD Lottery Selection for FY 2022 H-1B CAP
On Nov. 19, USCIS has confirmed that they have completed a third round of lottery sections for the FY 2022 H1B cap. Individuals with selected registrations will have their myUSCIS accounts updated to include a selection notice, which includes details about when and where to file. The filing window for these selections will be Nov. 22, 2021, and close on Feb. 23, 2022. We will be… Continue reading USCIS Conducts THIRD Lottery Selection for FY 2022 H-1B CAP
H-4, L-2, and E dependents Win over EAD issues !
This week, the USCIS reached a settlement agreement stemming from a Federal lawsuit brought on behalf of H-4 and L-2 EAD holders. The lawsuit was brought by AILA and a number of partners. The USCIS then released a new policy memo implementing the settlement and also included E dependents. In pertinent part, the new policy… Continue reading H-4, L-2, and E dependents Win over EAD issues !
Highlights from the Nov. 8 COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing for International Travel
– All foreign national air travelers to the United States will be required to be fully vaccinated and to provide proof of vaccination status prior to boarding an airplane to fly to the United States. – You are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after your vaccination round, whether single or 2-dose series. – Fully vaccinated… Continue reading Highlights from the Nov. 8 COVID-19 Vaccinations and Testing for International Travel
More H-1b Visas ?
Although the H-1b lottery season is still 6 months away, the high demand for IT workers along with the shortage of qualified workers is causing many to ask the question of whether it is time to raise the H-1b cap ? Although in theory, it would be nice if our politicians would consider market conditions… Continue reading More H-1b Visas ?
Another Trump Era H-1b Rule is Declared Invalid
Last week, a Federal judge declared the last of the Trump Era (Stephen Miller creations) regulations illegally issued and declared it invalid. This last regulation would’ve changed the way H-1b cap cases were selected moving from a random lottery to a system that selected petitions by salary. This would’ve been a major boost to international… Continue reading Another Trump Era H-1b Rule is Declared Invalid
Visa Ban to be Lifted for travelers who are Vaccinated
Based upon a press event held by the White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator, Jeff Zients, the requirement for an NIE to enter the US for persons from countries subject to the Visa ban will be lifted in November. All persons entering the US will be subject to vaccination requirements. The exact date this will go… Continue reading Visa Ban to be Lifted for travelers who are Vaccinated