VISA2US Blog

USCIS already expected to see a record number of applications for FY 2024 due to various factors, such as lifted pandemic restrictions and massive layoffs in the tech industry. But what wasn’t as predictable was the significant amount of attempted fraud that has been uncovered already. USCIS has caught almost half of the currently submitted applications as multiple registrants. Still, the government branch’s lack of action thus far leaves many questioning how this will affect legitimate applicants, as discussed here.

The National Interest Waiver (NIW) is part of the United States EB-2 employment-based visa petition. It’s designed for those with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities that could benefit the national interest of the US. It’s a highly sought-after visa because once the applicant is approved, they become a lawful permanent resident of the country. However, it’s not easy to qualify. Here are the details you must know before you apply for an NIW.

Are you a US-based company in need of skilled foreign labor? If so, it’s time to take notice of the upcoming deadlines. H-1B visas follow a rigid workflow, including many deadlines, throughout the application process. Here are the dates you need to know to stay on top of your employment vacancies.

Petitioning for an employment-based green card typically requires a sponsor. Applicants on a general path to this target can’t petition for themselves. The process includes receiving job offers and perm labor certification approvals, as well as completing various other forms and awaiting approval. But if you qualify, you can avoid these delays and sponsor yourself under a National Interest Waiver (NIW), which may cut down the processing time for your green card significantly.

When you’re approved for a National Interest Waiver, you sponsor yourself and don’t need a job offer to get your document. The NIW, as it’s referred to, is a fast track to a green card. But to keep your place in the green card waiting line, you must continue to prove that you’re working toward the terms stipulated with your NIW, which usually means having a specific job. So, when you change employers under an NIW, it could technically affect your green card status. Here are the details you should know if you’re considering changing (or have already changed) jobs as a National Interest Waiver holder.

An NIW, or National Interest Waiver, is part of the EB-2 category, used when an applicant wishes to obtain a green card in the US. This second-preference employment-based visa opportunity eliminates the requirement of other work visas: the beneficiary does not need a job offer in order to qualify for an NIW. But to balance this exception, there are many other substantial factors that must be met before someone is approved for the waiver, and it can be confusing to navigate the NIW process. Here are some of the typical frequently asked questions and their answers regarding the EB-2 National Interest Waiver.

It’s no secret that this year’s cap filing numbers were substantially higher than predicted or that many registrations are being inspected for potential fraud. Whether the fraudulent claims are based on legitimate abuse or simply careless mistakes remains to be seen, but the fact is that you want your H-1B registration to stand up to scrutiny. To ensure your petition is adjudicated successfully, avoid these common filing mistakes in the future.

Occasionally in the immigration visa world, there is more demand from a particular country than the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services expected. When that happens, a retrogression may occur. In those circumstances, the State Department pushes back the final action dates for the EB-2, moving them backward instead of the typical forward momentum. This retrogression was recently announced in the USCIS May 2023 Visa bulletin as necessary to keep the number of immigrant visas under the FY 2023 limit.

The H-1B visa is highly coveted in the world of foreign workers wishing for employment in the United States. But before you can apply for this document, you must have a sponsor — an approved US employer willing to pay for your application and associated fees and hire you for the length of your visa’s terms (three years). This is often a challenge, as the employer and employee requirements are strict. However, if you qualify for certain highly skilled professions, you may be able to convince one of these companies to sponsor your visa journey.

When you’re a foreign national attempting to get authorization to leave your country and live and work in America, there are multiple categories you can look into. These employment-based visas are typically contingent on having a legitimate job offer before applying for the document. But if you are eligible for a National Interest Waiver, you can skip this requirement. How does the NIW work, and how can you increase your chances of getting yours approved? Keep reading to find out.