VISA2US Blog

Immigrants and nonimmigrants around the world have been hard hit by the global shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although most businesses have returned back to their “new normal,” one sector that continues to feel the restrictions is that of US visa services through consulates and embassies. Many countries have minor restrictions that allow consulate and embassy representatives to conduct interviews, while others remain shut down for the foreseeable future. Where does your country stand? Read on to find out how some of the most common countries for H-1B visa approvals are currently faring.

The 2023-2024 H-1B season is just beginning, and US employers are ramping up their efforts to get their registrations selected in the lottery. If you’re one of them or the hopeful foreign worker relying on the visa for your next career move, this time is crucial. With hundreds of thousands of applicants and a limited amount of visas, you need to do what you can to give your registration a leg up over the rest. One way to do that is to obtain a master’s degree or higher. We’ll give you the details here on how this advanced degree can increase your chances of an H-1B visa approval.

Before COVID, H-1B levels were significantly higher than the availability of visas. But when the embassies and consulates were shut down, and international borders were limited, so were the visa requests and approvals. This has affected US businesses relying on specialized workers to fill vacancies, but the good news is around the corner. Reports from the Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Visa Issuance organization show that these numbers are almost back to normal.

Early in every year, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announce the registration period for the upcoming fiscal year H-1B cap. The fiscal year 2024’s was officially shared with the public on January 27, 2023. This means employers and H-1B foreign workers are scrambling to prepare their documents to be ready for noon, March 1, Eastern Standard Time (EST). Here’s what you should know about these deadlines.

If you’re looking at obtaining an H-1B visa, you know that it’s a highly competitive goal. With more people applying than there are visas allocated, and a random lottery process on top of that, you need to ensure you follow all the steps to boost your odds of approval. Here are some of the top tips that will give you the best chance at one of these coveted H-1B visas.

As tech layoffs continue rising, many H-1B visa holders remain in limbo. Some are concerned that they’ll be the next to face the dreaded pink slip, while others are actively trying to look for a new employer to sponsor their visa. This problem extends to those seeking green cards, as labor certification approvals were recently paused. These delays in processing mean your H-1B visa deadline could expire before your green card application is entered into the system. What can you do while you wait? This article gives you some ideas to make this time in limbo more productive.

The H-1B visa is for foreign workers in specialty occupations, and the technology field clearly meets this definition. It’s not surprising that an overwhelming majority of these visas are given to those employed in the tech industry. Yet, this leaves the industry — and thousands of workers — prone to serious problems when the market causes substantial layoffs. That’s what is happening now, and if you’re one of the visa holders facing job loss, you’re not alone. The good news is that USCIS recognizes this is a mass issue, and they’re offering you hope.

Thousands of US companies employ H-1B visa holders every year. It’s a system designed to ensure the success of the country’s economy. But when your business is deemed “H-1B dependent,” you must follow particular immigration rules and regulations that are much stricter than the average H-1B employer. If USCIS or your lawyer has labeled you in this category (or close to it), keep these requirements in mind as you go through your daily routines.

When you sign your H-1B visa, you accept the terms provided by USCIS. Those terms stipulate that you’re only allowed to work for the employer listed on the I-129 form — the business that sponsored your visa. But when the salary they pay you isn’t enough for you to reach your financial goals, can you supplement that income in other ways? This guide explains how to stay within the terms of your contract and still make some side cash.

If you’re an employer who routinely hires foreign workers, you know it’s a time-consuming process. The opportunity to fill essential vacancies with skilled employees is valuable. Yet, the delays in processing mean you aren’t always meeting your deadlines. This is especially true now due to current events that are delaying approvals more than usual. You can help your business and team adjust to the delays while USCIS attempts to clear its backlog.