VISA2US Blog

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

The Future of National Interest Waivers: Trends and Predictions

December 21, 2023
Since the program was implemented by the US Congress in 1990, the EB-2 National Interest Waiver visa has consistently remained one of the most sought-after but challenging ways for foreign nationals to enter the country. This document is solely for those with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities who can demonstrate that giving them the waiver in exchange for their abilities and knowledge would be in the “national interest” of the US. What qualifies as “of interest” to the country doesn’t always stay the same, though, and with so many changes on the horizon, the trends and predictions of the future of National Interest Waivers are possibly changing, as we’ll discuss here.

E-Verify Employers Can Now Use Remote Verification Options

August 12, 2023
Early in 2023, E-Verify made headlines as Florida added legislation to enforce E-Verify as a required part of the employment process for every employee. Although this announcement was met with substantial backlash, the reality is that many other states already have this system in place, including Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah. Although it’s voluntary elsewhere, most employers prefer the simplicity and efficiency of the system, and USCIS has made the program even more accessible with its newly released remote verification options. Read on to learn more about what this involves.

National Interest Waivers for Scientists

July 7, 2023
Obtaining approval for a National Interest Waiver is an exciting step in your journey to permanent United States residency. Understandably, this is a challenging endeavor to undertake, as you must prove to the government that your skills and knowledge are essential to the overall national interest of the country. One such field that tends to fall under this category is that of scientists, and if your studies lead you into the biological science realm, you may qualify for this coveted waiver, as we’ll discuss here.

How Foreign Entrepreneurs May Benefit From a National Interest Waiver

July 4, 2023
Changes to the National Interest Waiver typically occur under every new presidential administration, and Biden’s presidency is no different. The latest changes took place on January 21, 2022, with the announcement of an expanded path to meet the National Interest Exemptions. Who benefits from these changes? The focus is on entrepreneurs meeting specific criteria, and we have the details here.

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.

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.

2023's Long-Term USCIS Goals

May 1, 2023
Immigration news is full of optimistic changes on the horizon as US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) continues to revamp its systems and processes. The latest regulations involved requests for rate increases. Should those requests go through, USCIS has big plans for the funds. Regardless of the budget, though, the agency released its goals for FY 2023-2026 in its Strategic Plan. This plan is essentially a roadmap of milestones and targets that will take USCIS to its ultimate goals to strengthen its workforce and aid the country overall. A summary of the plan is found here.

New Research Shows Foreign Workers are Essential to the US Economy

April 7, 2023
The H-1B visa program has long been a controversial topic in American politics, with many arguing that it takes away jobs from American workers. New research has shed light on the true impact of H-1B visas on the US workforce and economy. From Silicon Valley to Wall Street, H-1B visa holders are making significant contributions to the success of American businesses. This article will explore the power of H-1B visas and why they are crucial to the US economy.

Tips for Employers Looking to Relocate Foreign Workers

April 5, 2023
When you run a business where highly skilled workers are essential, sometimes you must look outside the country to fill vacancies. Bringing a foreign worker into the US via an H-1B visa is common but challenging. And if you’re part of a multinational company that wants to relocate a worker to an overseas branch, it can be even more complicated. Immigration laws and policies are always changing. However, if you follow these tips before relocating a foreign worker, you’ll have a greater chance of success.

How Changing Federal Immigration Policies in 2023 Affect Your Visa

March 27, 2023
The past few years have seen an increase in immigration changes through the COVID-19 pandemic and switching Trump and Biden Administrations. The latest round of federal immigration policies in 2023 focuses on things like immigration activity along the border of US and Mexico, noncitizens in mixed immigration status families, and children with immigrant parents. We cover the evolving immigration policies here and how they’ll affect your visa in 2023.
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