As of Dec 8, 2009, the USCIS has accepted 61,500 H-1b petitions toward the FY 2010 cap. USCIS has approved sufficient H-1B petitions for aliens with advanced degrees to meet the exemption of 20,000 from the fiscal year 2010 cap. Any H-1B petitions filed on behalf of an alien with an advanced degree will now… Continue reading H-1b count now at 61,500
Tag: h-1b
Is the H-1b cap 65,000 or 58,200 ?
With the recent announcement from the USCIS that 56,900 H-1b cases have been counted against the FY 2010 cap, there has been wide speculation about when the cap will actually be reached. Will it be a Hanukkah or Christmas present or will we get to ring in a new year with filings still to be… Continue reading Is the H-1b cap 65,000 or 58,200 ?
The End of H-1b visas for consulting/staffing cos. ?
Senate bill 887 proposed by Senators Grassley and Durbin, contains provisions that if enacted would eliminate the use of H-1b visas for any staffing or consulting company. Essentially, the bill would prohibit the placement of H-1b workers at any third party work-sites unless a waiver was first obtained and a waiver would not be available… Continue reading The End of H-1b visas for consulting/staffing cos. ?
Sanders/Grassley amendment bad policy
As reported earlier this week, the Senate version of the Stimulus package contains restrictions on the use of H-1b visas by companies receiving funds. In typical Grassley fashion, the basis for the restrictions was short on facts and logic and long on rhetoric and 19th century protectionist thinking. The National Foundation for American Policy has… Continue reading Sanders/Grassley amendment bad policy
HLG to host NYC seminar
On Nov. 7th, Hammond Law Group will host an immigration seminar specifically designed for IT companies. The seminar will be held in NYC at the Helmsley Hotel. For more info visit the HLG web-site.
Those who can, teach!
An article in today’s Washington Post highlights a new emerging trend in immigration — foreign professionals with degrees in math, science, and special education are turning to teaching as a way to work legally in the US. These highly educated teachers fill a much needed employment gap caused by retiring teachers. Because many school districts have… Continue reading Those who can, teach!
Premium processing returns for I-140’s
Today, the USCIS announced that on June 16, 2008, it will begin accepting Premium Processing Service requests for I-140’s filed on behalf of certain H-1b workers who are nearing the end of their sixth year limit. Although this particular program is rather limiting, it is welcome news and may signal the more widespread return of premium processing.… Continue reading Premium processing returns for I-140’s
USCIS Conducts H-1b Lottery
The USCIS announced that it has completed the H-1b lottery and that receipts on those cases that were chosen should be received no later than June 2, 2008. We should also expect that cases not chosen will begin to be returned and that process could take 6-8 weeks. If your case was filed as a premium processing case… Continue reading USCIS Conducts H-1b Lottery
USCIS changes name-check policy
On Feb 4th, the USCIS issued a new policy stating that they will proceed with the adjudication of certain petitions, most notably I-485 cases if the FBI fingerprint check and IBIS check have both cleared but, where the FBI name check has been pending for more than 180 days without any negative information. It is… Continue reading USCIS changes name-check policy
USCIS Issues Helpful Hints for H-1b filings
On Feb 1, the USCIS issued what they term as “Helpful hints” for a successful FY 2009 H1b filing.