VISA2US Blog

American citizens and those affiliated with them via business, like foreign workers, held a collective breath as the days counted down to October 1 and a potential fiscal year government shutdown. If the two parties couldn’t come to a spending agreement, there would be an impasse and a federal spending moratorium until they did. Thanks to the last-minute short-term spending bill by President Biden, life in the government checkbook went on as normal — at least until November 17. With this new deadline on the horizon, the federal budget remains in dispute, and those holding an H-1B visa must act fast to keep it safe. We’ll explain why and what this means for immigration here.

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.

America’s immigration policies are frequently tied to the political situation in the country at any given time. When those in charge of reformation and policies can’t come to an agreement, the resulting impasse may have serious consequences. That’s what we see playing out on the near horizon as the end of the fiscal year approaches. If Congress can’t agree on how to fund the federal government, a partial shutdown could happen, and the impact could be damaging to those awaiting immigration paperwork. We’ll explain what’s going on and what you should be doing to prepare for a potential government shutdown here.

When you’re trying to obtain an H-1B visa, you must abide by specific beginning and ending dates, and these aren’t always optimal. This can be particularly concerning when you’re a student finishing your university program with a gap between your last day of school and your first day at your new job. Since this is relatively common, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has a process in place to streamline your H-1B petition and allow you to remain in the US with a cap gap extension.

The United States immigration program regulations aren’t set in stone. In fact, they undergo revision regularly, with the current focus on a proposed pilot program designed to determine the future of E-Verify as mandatory or optional. Currently, some states require employers to use this remote system to verify employment eligibility. But those that don’t still need a way to verify documents. The Department of Homeland Security has suggested remote I-9 document inspections for employers with 500 or fewer workers. If you are interested in expressing your thoughts on this proposal, you have until October 2, 2023, to do so. Keep reading to find out how this works.

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.

H-1B visa petitioners know the crucial time of year is in February and March when USCIS announces its window opening and closing dates to register for the visa lottery. If your petition isn't registered by the deadline, you lose your chance to enter the random selection process, allowing you to file the full application for your H-1B visa. Sometimes, as is the case in 2023, circumstances arise that permit USCIS to run a second drawing later in the year. What does that mean for you? Read on to find out.

Premium processing is an optional part of filing certain forms as part of your immigrant or nonimmigrant petition. Although it’s not essential, this feature is often beneficial for those who need their forms adjudicated quickly. Through the expedited processing of your case, you may be able to push your application ahead of others. However, the categories that allow premium processing are limited and frequently changing. USCIS’s latest adjustment to this feature was announced in June 2023, and we have the information that you need to know here.

The H-1B visa is an essential part of the US immigration workforce. It provides employers with vacant positions in specialty occupations to hire qualified workers when none are found in America. The visa is highly sought after due to its many benefits, and it is challenging to obtain one if you’re not in a cap-exempt industry. Because of the high demand and limited availability, applicants must first enter a random lottery. But in the past few years, various factors have spotlighted the lottery system, causing millions to suggest it needs a complete overhaul.

When you file for an H-1B visa, the process includes various levels of detailed paperwork and essential documentation. Each box must be answered correctly, each line must be filled in accurately, and every aspect of your claims must be backed with the appropriate documentation included. When USCIS receives your paperwork, if any claim submissions are missing enough supporting evidence, they may return your petition with an RFE — Request for Evidence. What happens next depends on the reason for the request, and we'll break those down here.