VISA2US Blog

Our blog is a source of latest immigration news, policy updates and trends for thousands of readers every month.

What Foreign Athletes Should Know About National Interest Waivers

June 29, 2023
Back in 2020, an executive order was enacted to exempt professional athletes and any essential support staff from the COVID-19 restriction of entry into the US. With that order, foreign-national athletes and coaches of the NBA, NHL, USTA, PGA, and certain other sports bypassed the restriction. Since then, that vaguely worded document was used to successfully make business traveler arguments helping others get through COVID restrictions. Now, changes to the initial exemption have affected foreign athletes, particularly in the form of National Interest Waivers. What should you know if you’re attempting to travel under this category? Read on to find out.

Physicians and the National Interest Waiver: What You Need to Know

June 29, 2023
Occasionally, a foreign national with exceptional ability is able to bypass the strict requirements of most work visas and enter the United States under a National Interest Waiver. This is done through an application under an EB-2 second-preference employment category, which applies to professionals in fields such as art, athletics, business, and healthcare. However, meeting the highest standards as a physician can be challenging. We have the details here to help you successfully navigate the process of obtaining an NIW in the medical field.

June 2023 Visa Bulletin Summary

June 28, 2023
The Visa Bulletin is an important document released by the United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs monthly. If you’re waiting for a green card or another way to get into the US, this bulletin is your go-to resource to find out how much longer you can expect to sit in the “queue.” June 2023’s was released on May 12, 2023, and here, we have the overall summary to help you understand where your country’s momentum sits.

Filing Form I-539? You May Not Need to Submit Your Biometrics Yet

June 27, 2023
Ongoing modernization attempts are an essential part of keeping the borders safe worldwide, and USCIS regularly makes changes in support of this goal. One of the more recent adaptations is the policy of required biometrics submissions. Applicants requesting entry to the US through most avenues must complete a biometric screening as part of their approval process. But certain applicants fall under a temporary suspension of this requirement. If you’re a nonimmigrant filing Form I-539, you may not need to complete the screening before your petition is approved. We have the details here.

What is the Visa Bulletin, and Why Do You Need to Read It?

June 26, 2023
The path of a foreign national to a green card is full of navigating new terms, agencies, and websites. There are hundreds of potentially helpful resources, but they aren’t all necessary for your situation. However, if you’re considering applying for a green card or you already have applied, you should pay attention to the Visa Bulletin. This resource is issued monthly by the Department of State. Here, we’ll explain what information is covered within the Bulletin and why you need to read it.

The H-1B Application Deadline is Around the Corner: What You Should Be Doing

June 23, 2023
If you’re an employer with the intent of hiring foreign workers in the upcoming fiscal year, you should already be paying attention to the dates and deadlines of the H-1B visa category. This application process is cumbersome and time-consuming, with the initial important registration window having already closed on March 17, 2023. Registrants who were selected in the lottery process have 90 days to file their H-1B petitions, which means your deadline is likely June 30. What should you be doing before this date arrives? We have all the information here to get you ready.

Processing Times for H-1B Extensions Beyond 6 Years

June 22, 2023
The H-1B visa is one of the most sought-after work visas available. Although it’s challenging and costly to obtain this coveted document, that doesn’t stop millions of people from registering and petitioning for it. The advantages of having an H-1B visa are significant, ranging from family benefits to a green card path. It’s not surprising that once a beneficiary receives the visa, they don't want to give it up. However, the initial H-1B validity period is three years, with an optional three-year extension. What happens once you reach this six-year maximum? Well, if you know what you’re doing and work with an immigration expert, you may be able to extend your document beyond that period. Here, we will discuss the most essential things you need to know about an H-1B extension beyond six years and the processing time for this to happen.

How to Create a Strong Case for a National Interest Waiver

June 20, 2023
Applicants for a work visa face a long, challenging process before their petitions are approved. Part of the delay includes finding a qualified employer to extend a job offer, then waiting for that sponsor to obtain approval from the Department of Labor (DOL) through the job certification process. Yet, when an individual has exceptional ability in fields such as science, business, arts, or an advanced degree profession, they may qualify to skip sponsorship and the subsequent wait time through the National Interest Waiver (NIW) path. For most people, the industry itself isn’t as important as the case they present to USCIS, and we’ll explain how to develop solid evidence to support your NIW plea here.

Examples of Successful National Interest Waivers

June 20, 2023
A foreign national can legally enter the United States and apply for permanent residency in various ways. One of those methods is via the Employment-Based Second Preference visa, better known as the EB-2. However, the applicant must have a job offer from a qualified US-based employer willing to sponsor them for this visa — unless the individual has the skills, education, and assets to obtain a National Interest Waiver (NIW). What is an NIW, and what are some examples of successfully obtaining one? Read on to find out.

What Your Employer Must Offer You as an H-1B Worker

June 19, 2023
An H-1B visa is the preferred way for many skilled foreign workers to gain employment and residency in the United States. However, the path to this coveted document isn’t easy, nor is it cheap. The beneficiary cannot sponsor themselves. They must have an employer willing to pay the fees and complete the paperwork to obtain an H-1B visa, an often complicated, expensive, and time-consuming process. But the employer’s obligations don’t stop there. Once the H-1B employee is hired, they must be provided certain benefits, as we’ll discuss here.
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