VISA2US Blog

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

This One Was Avoided, But What Impact Would a Government Shutdown Have on Immigration?

November 1, 2023
It seems like navigating a potential government shutdown is a regular part of fiscal year changes anymore. While this year’s was avoided with a last-minute deal between the two parties, conflicting values in the US government point toward an actual shutdown sooner rather than later. What would happen to the immigration system if the Democrats and Republicans can’t agree on how to fund spending? Each agency has a contingency plan in place, and we’ll explain them here.

How to Prepare for Your H-1B Biometrics Appointment

October 27, 2023
Part of the visa application process includes verifying your identity. For initial visas like the H-1B category and for green cards, that includes a biometrics screening. While it might sound like advanced artificial intelligence, this is simply an appointment during which the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) collects a record of your fingerprints and takes a picture of you to cross-reference the information with the FBI database and the Department of Homeland Security. Provided you don’t have a criminal record or any run-ins with the immigration department, this is a simple step. What should you know before you go to prepare for your biometrics appointment? We’ll give you the details here.

How AI is Revolutionizing the Immigration System

October 26, 2023
Artificial intelligence (AI) is at the forefront of nearly every global industry. Some businesses use it to streamline their practices, making them more efficient and saving money. Others see the potential of AI as a way to shift their goals and blaze new paths. In the world of immigration, technology has begun revolutionizing the system, changing regulations, easing restrictions, and speeding up a notoriously lengthy process. What’s new on the horizon with AI and immigration? Read on to find out.

Updates You Should Know When Filing an I-539 Change of Status

October 26, 2023
Nonimmigrants wishing to extend their visa’s validity period use Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. This form is one of the most commonly filed, as it is used by students, visitors, and temporary workers. Generally, requesting an extension is simple, provided no significant changes have occurred. However, in the past, a biometrics requirement added extra time and expense to the application. Recently, USCIS announced changes to this requirement. How will that affect your I-539? We’ll explain here.

Your Guide to Filing Taxes as an H-1B Holder

October 25, 2023
With a valid H-1B visa, you have many of the same rights and privileges as a native US citizen for three years (with an optional three-year extension). During that time, you are allowed to live and work in the US, receiving the agreed-upon salary covered in the terms of your visa. But with those privileges comes responsibilities, including the requirement to pay taxes. How do you know what taxes you must file as an H-1B holder? We have that information here in this guide.

H-1B Workers and F-1 Student Regulations Under Review

October 25, 2023
One of the most popular work visas, the H-1B, has always had strict requirements to get and keep its validity. But now, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is trying to amend some of these requirements and oversight. The proposed rule affects H-1B specialty occupation employees and F-1 students who have filed H-1B Cap Subject Petitions. What does this rule include, and how might it affect you? We’ll break it down here.

Understanding E-Verify and H-1B Portability

October 20, 2023
When you employ foreign workers (or you are the employee), particularly with H-1B visa holders, the terms “E-Verify” and “H-1B portability” often show up. While neither is universal, they are essential in certain aspects of the immigration world. What do these terms mean, and how are they related? We’ll explain those answers here.

The Diversity Visa Lottery is Now Open. Could This Help You?

October 18, 2023
October is a big deal for the government, particularly in the immigration sector. October 1 is the start of the new fiscal year, and a new round of H-1B workers have begun the jobs they worked so hard to obtain. But October is also when the Diversity Visa (Green Card) lottery opens. This year, the window started on October 4. What is this lottery, and could it help you? Keep reading to find out.

The Barely Moving November Visa Bulletin

October 17, 2023
Followers of the US State Department’s monthly Visa Bulletin were pleased to see so much forward momentum in the October release. Yet, those who recognize the changes and what they mean predicted that so much movement would be followed by slow growth, and November’s bulletin is evidence of that expectation. With hardly any movement anywhere, the second bulletin of the new fiscal year’s lackluster release is broken down here.

More Benefits to the National Interest Waiver (Including H-4 Spouses' Right to Work)

October 16, 2023
The National Interest Waiver (NIW) is a top-tier under the Employment-Based Second Preference (EB-2) visa category. It permits the holder to live and work in the United States without a job sponsor. Qualifying for this coveted document is challenging as the applicant must prove that they are highly skilled or have an exceptional ability that makes them of particular national interest. As with all immigration regulations, the requirements and benefits of the NIW adapt to the needs of society, and recent changes may benefit spouses under an H-4 visa should they seek work. We’ll explain those and the other must-know details here.

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