VISA2US Blog

With a valid H-1B visa, you have many of the same rights and privileges as a native US citizen for three years (with an optional three-year extension). During that time, you are allowed to live and work in the US, receiving the agreed-upon salary covered in the terms of your visa. But with those privileges comes responsibilities, including the requirement to pay taxes. How do you know what taxes you must file as an H-1B holder? We have that information here in this guide.

Foreign nationals who enter the US via the temporary visa route, like a work or student visa, often decide to stay permanently. They must apply for lawful permanent residency and obtain a green card to do this. Not all visas permit this path, but the H-1B category, also called a dual-intent visa, does, all without needing to leave the country. You just need to file an Adjustment of Status (AOS) and go through the green card process, and we’ll explain how to do that here.

There are many benefits that make the H-1B visa one of the most coveted work visas available. One of these advantages is that one visa holder can work for multiple employers simultaneously, provided that any additional companies file the H-1B petition. Although the beneficiary already holds the H-1B visa, the new employer must receive authorization to hire them through USCIS via a process called the Concurrent H-1B. We’ll explain what that means and how to file yours here.

When you’re in the United States under an H-1B visa, there are specific terms you must abide by during your stay. Yes, the visa gives you permission to work and earn a living in the country, but only for the company that sponsored your petition and only under the job description specified on your Labor Condition Approval. But sometimes, your financial goals aren’t in line with your annual income, and you want to add more money to your bank account. How can you earn extra income while on an H-1B visa without violating the terms of your document? Keep reading to find out what you can do to increase your pay while in the US and what you mustn’t do if you want to avoid penalties.

Moving to the United States, temporarily or permanently, is a goal for millions worldwide. One way to do this is to obtain a work visa that allows the beneficiary to live and reside in the country for limited periods. Two of the most popular work visas are the H-1B and the EB-2. However, both of these employment-based green card avenues have long, cumbersome processes with no guarantee of success. On the other hand, a National Interest Waiver, which is a step up from the EB-2, lets the holder skip the wait and head to the front of the green card queue. Which of these avenues is best for you? Read on to learn the differences between an EB-2 and an NIW.

Much of the controversy surrounding foreign workers is based on the idea that it’s used to displace American workers with “cheaper” labor. This theory contends that employers will hire out jobs to foreigners willing to take less money, thus increasing the unemployment rates in the US. In reality, studies show that the H-1B visa program brings skilled labor to the country through workers who are paid better than the average American, as these workers are educated and enter professional fields where their fellow workers are paid well. In fact, H-1B visa salaries are on the rise, meaning the argument against “cheap labor” no longer holds water. What does this mean for employers and H-1B employees? We’ll explain here.

If you’re considering entering or remaining in the United States under a work visa in the EB category, you have two main pathways: the EB-2 or the EB-2 national interest waiver. There are substantial benefits and drawbacks to both of these work documents, and it’s important for you to understand the fine print of each before you choose your next steps. Here, we’ll cover the differences between the two and help you decide which one is right for your journey.

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.

Foreign nationals with the right skills and experience are often in demand in other countries. If you have the talent and education, you can take a job anywhere in the world as long as you and your potential employer meet the requirements set by the government. In the United States, the first essential step is to ensure your potential employer is offering you a legitimate job and they are eligible to sponsor your H-1B visa. Before you get excited about a job offer and invest time and resources into the new position, read this short blog to see how you can find out if your potential employer is allowed to extend the offer to you as your sponsor.

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.