VISA2US Blog

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.

The National Interest Waiver (NIW) is a valuable opportunity for foreign nationals who wish to work and reside in the United States without enduring the traditional route of employer sponsorship. An NIW allows certain qualified foreigners to bypass the standard Labor Certification requirement in obtaining a green card. It is designed for those who possess exceptional ability in their field and whose work benefits the nation's interests. Unfortunately, misconceptions surrounding the waiver often lead to confusion and unrealistic expectations. This blog post will debunk six common myths to help you understand whether you qualify for an NIW.

FY2024 was a landmark year in H-1B lottery registrations. USCIS received the most it has ever had in history during the initial registration period, including those who qualified for the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap). But there was a downside to this landslide: The number of fraudulent petitions also exceeded historical records, and USCIS has taken this year as a learning experience, implementing new measures to combat fraud in the future.

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.

Obtaining your green card is crucial when you want to stay in the US permanently. In addition to complex paperwork, you’ll also need to pass an interview at a USCIS field office, US consulate, or embassy nearby. Preparing for this interview will help you feel more comfortable when you’re talking to the officer. This guide walks through what you need to know before you head to your interview.

If your goal is to become a permanent United States resident by obtaining a Green Card, an H-1B visa is a great place to start. While most U.S. visas don’t permit you to work toward this goal, the H-1B visa, often called a “dual intent” visa, does. This article will cover everything you need to know on the path to your Green Card.

Two year green card holders, or conditional permanent residents (CPRs), will now have the possibility of their green card interview waived based on the implementation of a risk based approach.

A new Biden policy allows some U visa applicants to receive EADs while they are on a long waitlist for a U-1 non-immigrant visa.

The possibility of two I-485 application questions possibly being scrapped shows how the Biden Administration is looking to rebuild the legal immigration process.

An employment authorization application takes into account many different fact-finding procedures that applicants might not be aware of based on their current status.