VISA2US Blog

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

Common H1B Cap Filing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

May 24, 2023
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.

Updates to the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2023

May 15, 2023
When it comes to choosing a work visa as a nonimmigrant, the H-1B and L-1 categories are at the top of the “preferred” list. But while both of these visas are beneficial to the holder and the United States economy, they have some drawbacks that keep them from being completely ideal. The gaps in the legislation allow companies to abuse and fraud the system. However, recent changes to the H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act seek to address those gaps and reduce the potential for abuse.

Can Your H-1B Dependent Transfer to a Student Visa?

May 11, 2023
The H-1B visa is highly sought after, partly because it allows the beneficiary to bring their dependents with them to the United States. The document permits the holder to work and live in the US for three years, with an optional three-year extension. But during that time, minors grow up and are no longer dependents. When that happens, they must obtain their own visas, such as the F1 student visa. If your child is in the transition period where they’re going to need a visa of their own to stay with you in the States, read on to find out what their options are and if transferring to an F1 status from your H-1B dependency is possible.

What to Do If You Weren't Selected in This Year's H-1B Lottery

May 10, 2023
There’s no denying that the H-1B visa is arguably the most popular category on the market. But with many more petitioners than visas allocated, it’s also very difficult to obtain. This year’s lottery, FY 2024, saw the largest influx of registrations in history, but the US Citizenship and Immigration Services can only provide 85,000 visas. If you weren’t one of the chosen few, you still have options, as we’ll discuss here.

How Laid-Off Tech H-1B Holders Are Staying in the US Legally

May 2, 2023
If you’ve paid attention to the immigration climate in the United States, you’ve heard about the massive layoffs in the tech sector. Many of these workers were H-1B visa holders who rely on steady employment to keep their legal status in the country. Per the H-1B visa’s terms, workers have 60 days to find another employer willing to sponsor their visa status, or they must return to their home country. But with so many people searching for work within similar industries, this is a challenging endeavor. However, a recent workaround may keep thousands of these laid-off tech workers in the US legally while they look for employment, even after their 60-day grace period ends by changing from an H-1B to a B-1 or B-2 visa.

The US Bill That Could Reform the H-1B and L-1 Visas

April 17, 2023
The H-1B and L-1 visas are used by hundreds of thousands of non-immigrants annually and have been part of the US-international exchange for more than two decades. During that time, the programs have stayed consistent with tweaks as necessary due to political changes in the United States government. But the world has changed substantially in the past twenty years, and a new bill calls for the H-1B and L-1 visa programs to reflect those changes.

Is an H-1B Visa Right for You? Understanding the Different Work Visas

April 13, 2023
You know you want to expand your career outside of your country’s borders, and the United States has a lot to offer. All you have to do is get there! But to live and work in the US, you need a visa, with the H-1B category being the most popular. However, it’s not the only kind of work visa there is, and navigating the various types can be confusing. We’ve broken them down for you here to help you understand which one is right for you.

H-1B Quotas Are Behind the Times: Is an Increase Around the Corner?

April 11, 2023
Skilled foreign workers are a crucial part of the United States economy. These individuals enter the country under business visas like the H-1B, which permits them to reside and obtain employment legally. The program, run by the federal agency known as USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), has worked well since its inception 20 years ago. But two decades later, the amount of visas remains unchanged, and Congress is calling for a potential increase.

What to Know When You Have Dependents Under Your H-1B Visa

April 7, 2023
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.

4 Easy Steps from an H-1B to a Green Card

April 6, 2023
There are multiple visas available for foreign nonimmigrants who want to work in the US, but the H-1B is arguably the most popular. One of the main reasons this visa is so coveted is its dual-intent factor: Holders of the H-1B can apply for permanent lawful residence during their “temporary” stay. If you’re in the US on an H-1B and ready to apply for a Green Card, follow these four steps to successfully accomplish your goal.
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