Remember when every H-1b working for a staffing company required an end client letter ? Recall how difficult it was to obtain them and remember hearing anecdotes about certain companies being “creative” in obtaining them ? In at least one instance, a Federal Indictment has been issued and charges have been brought alleging the preparation… Continue reading H-1b End Client Letters leading to an Indictment !
Category: Visas – H-1b, L-1, E, O, TN
Great News for EAD Renewals !
The USCIS has issued a Temporary Final Rule that extends the automatic renewal time period for EAD renewals from 180 days to 540 days. This new rule, which takes effect on May 4, 2022 applies to all classes of EAD cards that are currently entitled to an automatic extension. The current list can be found… Continue reading Great News for EAD Renewals !
H-1b Lottery is Conducted
The USCIS announced that it has completed the selection process for the H-1b lottery for Fiscal Year 2023. Registrations that have been chosen will be notified electronically and filings can begin on April 1, 2022.
CBP Update for L-2 and E-2 holders
As of Jan 31, 2022, CBP has begun to annotate the passports/I-94 records of L-2 and E-2 holders with an annotation which indicates they are eligible to be employed. This change is a result of Federal litigation which caused the USCIS to admit that dependents of E and L holders are work authorized incident to… Continue reading CBP Update for L-2 and E-2 holders
H-1b Cap Lottery Strategy Call
Hammond Neal Moore will be hosting a free strategy conference call for clients on Thursday Feb 10th at 2:00 pm eastern discussing H-1b cap lottery filings for this cap season. Partner Sherry Neal will lead the discussion and will be joined by partners Cadence Moore, Lisa Galvan, and Matt Minor and will also be joined… Continue reading H-1b Cap Lottery Strategy Call
Good News for STEM Workers
STEM workers have now been given more opportunities to work and immigrate to the U.S. The DHS added 22 additional STEM fields to the list of those programs that are eligible for the 24 mo. STEM OPT EAD extension. They include such fields as Human-Centered Technology Design, Data Science, Data Analytics, Cloud Computing, and Business… Continue reading Good News for STEM Workers
H-1b Lottery News
The USCIS announced this week that H-1b lottery registrations will begin on March 1st at noon and be accepted through noon on March 18th with results provided on March 31st. They also announced a $10 registration fee. HNM will be hosting an informational session for clients which will cover a variety of topics relevant to… Continue reading H-1b Lottery News
USCIS Extends Grace, Again
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.
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 ?