VISA2US Blog

Getting a green card is a dream for millions of foreign nationals worldwide, but the application process is challenging and time-consuming. It helps when you have multiple avenues open to you because then you can choose the category with the least wait time, but that’s not always possible. The National Interest Waiver is one of the shortest routes to permanent residency. However, proving to the US government that your skills and work are of the utmost national importance isn’t easy, regardless of your occupation. In this article, we’ll discuss how F-1 and J-1 scholars, postdocs, and researchers can optimize their chances of approval for this coveted NIW document.

National Interest Waivers are an ideal way for individuals to skip the job sponsor requirement of a foreign work visa. However, qualifying for these coveted documents can be challenging as you must meet rigorous criteria.

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 architect profession requires an advanced degree and significant skills to be successful. With the expansive amount of new construction and remodeling in the United States on a regular basis, it can be challenging to find American citizens who fit the requirements of the job and are open to working for a particular company, requiring those employers to reach out to overseas countries for help. As a foreign worker in this occupation, you’ll need a visa to accept a job offer. Here are the options you have to move your profession into the US job market and what you should know before taking another step forward along this journey.

Occasionally, a foreign national with exceptional ability is able to bypass the strict requirements of most work visas and enter the United States under a National Interest Waiver. This is done through an application under an EB-2 second-preference employment category, which applies to professionals in fields such as art, athletics, business, and healthcare. However, meeting the highest standards as a physician can be challenging. We have the details here to help you successfully navigate the process of obtaining an NIW in the medical field.

The time it takes to file and process a visa from start to finish is quite lengthy. Some petitioners end up waiting over a year for their paperwork to process and then longer for their interview. The COVID-inflicted backlog took an already time-consuming project and added even more delays. However, those visa petitioners who were placed on hold because of the pandemic are mostly caught up, allowing USCIS officials to catch up on new filers. 

The H-1B work visa is highly sought after because of its many benefits, including the ability for the holder to bring their spouse and dependent children to the US. Children are considered dependent if they are under 21 and still unmarried. Upon entering the US, school-aged dependents have the right to attend school, but this varies depending on their category of visa status. This guide provides an overview of dependent children's rules under this category.

As of April, 2022, U.S. consular sections in Asia are mostly back to processing immigrant and non-immigrant visas. However, applicants in select locations can either expect backlogs when it comes to visa interviews, or the possibility or an interview waiver for purposes of efficiency or Covid-19 protocol.

The State Department is looking to increase NIV application fees in several categories in 2022. The Department has calculated fee increases based on their own Cost of Service Model (CoSM).

Section 8 on the I-485 application presents many broad, and sometimes confusing questions. Below are some insights for some questions that can easily trip up applicants as they near the completion of this USCIS form.