VISA2US Blog

Residents of the United States have visibly seen the impact of India’s nonimmigrant and immigrant population. The country’s visa holders make a substantial economic indent, filling highly skilled positions, owning businesses, and getting educated in the US. The demand for visas in India is so high that the past few years have seen massive wait times, and the government is stepping in to make cutting these delays a priority for Indians.

H-1B visas are in high demand for multiple reasons, but one of the main benefits is that spouses and children can travel with the H-1B beneficiary. Children must have birth certificates proving their relationship to the beneficiary, be under 21 years old, and remain unmarried to be considered dependent. Each individual is provided with a separate document showing their legal right to live in the US under an H-4 nonimmigrant status. The H-4 status lasts the same duration as the H-1B holder’s visa is valid, but it doesn’t provide the same benefits. When you have H-4 holders in your home, here are a few things you should know about the terms of their status.

The H-1B and certain other categories of visas are designed to bring skilled workers into the United States to fill specialty job positions. However, these workers must meet strict requirements, such as a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university. Those applying for an advanced degree exemption typically have a bachelor’s and a master’s or beyond that must qualify as accredited. Hopeful H-1B petitioners need to verify that their institutions are from an accrediting agency, but recent changes in the US Department of Education have dropped an important one. The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) is no longer recognized, meaning substantial impacts for H-1B and certain F-1 student visa holders.

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.

The H-1B visa program has been in place for decades. Since its inception, it has stayed somewhat consistent, but the ongoing changes in the world, particularly since COVID, along with the increasing cost of living, have forced many new policies. Here are some of the Frequently Asked Questions about the latest guidelines, along with their answers.

According to USCIS, a student on a visa is, well, a student. Therefore, they should devote their time to studies, not to earning an income. Students aren’t allowed to receive Employment Authorization Documents. They can go to school and perform in after-school activities, such as clubs and sports. This has been a non-issue for most foreign student-athletes on a non-immigrant visa. Yet, the current changes in NCAA policy — the National College Athlete Association — could impact all of this.

The H-1B visa and Green Card program have existed for decades as a way to bring nonimmigrants and immigrants into the United States. The policies behind the programs have shifted as problems and gaps become visible. Still, overall, the goal is to help bring skilled workers into the US and benefit the economies, as well as the individuals. One of the policies under scrutiny currently is the per-country cap on green cards, which limits how many families are approved for a Green Card based on birthplace. Will this policy continue in 2023, or will new legislation revamp this factor?

It’s no surprise that dealing with any government agency is confusing, but when it comes to applying for an H-1B visa as a STEM worker, USCIS tries to make this as easy as possible. 

Foreign workers and US employers of these individuals should pay close attention to politics in America. What’s going on in the White House, Congress, and Senate often ties directly to the H-1B visa program, and the Biden administration continues this pattern. Under this administration, USCIS has devised a proposal, delayed until May 2023, that affects the H-1B visa program. Whether you’re an employer or prospective employee, this change relates to you. We have the details you need to know right here.