VISA2US Blog

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

How to Maintain Work Authorization While Awaiting NIW Approval

November 15, 2023
When you’re a foreign national living in the United States, you need permission from the government to obtain work legally. This is given via an EAD or an Employment Authorization Document. Work authorization is the proof an employer needs to hire you, but it isn’t always given to immigrants or foreign nationals. If you’re waiting for a National Interest Waiver or are on another path to a Green Card, and you already have work authorization, keeping it is a precarious thing. Here, we’ll delve into everything you need to know to get or maintain your EAD when you’re waiting for an NIW or Green Card.

Latest Info From USCIS on Premium Processing

August 9, 2023
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.

Using Compelling Circumstances to Get Your H-4 Dependents an EAD

August 8, 2023
There are many benefits to an H-1B visa, making it a highly sought-after document for foreign workers worldwide. One of these perks is the ability to bring your spouse and dependent children with you to the United States under an H-4 visa category. However, that label doesn’t give those individuals the immediate right to work, as you have. Instead, they must apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and there’s no guarantee that this application will be approved. You may need to use compelling circumstance arguments to get your H-4 dependents an EAD, and we’ll explain what those are in this short blog.

Changes to Premium Processing in 2023

June 8, 2023
Changes to how the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services department handles premium processing have begun, and the latest round began on April 3, 2023. These adjustments directly affect students in certain F-1 categories and those petitioning for nonimmigrant foreign worker visas. This blog explains how you may be affected by the new regulations for premium processing.

Changes to the H-1B and Other Filing Fee Increases

March 27, 2023
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services filed a petition recently requesting permission to raise its rates. If this proposed rule is approved, certain applications and petitions will see filing fee hikes. As with any fee request, there are advantages and disadvantages to this change, but USCIS and the government aren’t making this decision unilaterally. Those affected by this rule and anyone with an opinion on the proposed rule may be heard, but the public comment period ended on March 13, 2023. What does this mean for you? Read on to learn the details.

USCIS Predicts 2023's Immigration Processes

March 8, 2023
Since the pandemic, the process of obtaining a visa or green card has been significantly delayed. Some of these delays were unavoidable as a global shutdown forced everyone to stay home, regardless of the expiration date on one’s visa. However, other delays since the reopening of government offices were due to changing legislation, increases in applications, and outdated technology. 2022 brought with it the need for massive adjustments in USCIS’s processes, and as 2023 begins, the immigration specialists predict we’ll be seeing some much-needed improvements.

Proposed Fee Increases From USCIS and What They Mean for You

March 2, 2023
When an employer extends a job offer to a foreign worker, it’s never done lightly. This action comes at a cost — payable to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Labor. Yet, although those fees can seem hefty when you’re the one paying them, USCIS operates on a constant backlog due to high operating costs. The fees have stayed consistent since 2016, but in 2023, a proposed rule seeks to help reduce backlogs by increasing fees and allowing the department to streamline its processes. 

New Legislation on Bundled Dependent Applications for H-1B Holders

March 1, 2023
The H-1B visa is in high demand, but the process of obtaining one is challenging. When H-1B holders can bring their families with them to the United States, it gets even more complex. Now, legislation signed on January 19, 2023, “bundles” the forms together to reduce the complications that are often part of working and living in the US as a family.

Preparing for Your Green Card Interview

November 30, 2022
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.

Can Your Spouse or Children Work Under an H-1B Visa?

November 9, 2022
The highly coveted H-1B visa is yours, and you’re ready to begin the next phase of your career journey in the United States. With the H-1B visa, your spouse and children get to join you, but they also want a normal life in this foreign place. Many H-1B beneficiaries are concerned that their spouses and children won’t be allowed to work once in the US. If this is your concern, this guide answers your questions about spousal and dependent employment under an H-1B beneficiary.
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