VISA2US Blog

The National Interest Waiver (NIW) is a valuable opportunity for foreign nationals who wish to work and reside in the United States without enduring the traditional route of employer sponsorship. An NIW allows certain qualified foreigners to bypass the standard Labor Certification requirement in obtaining a green card. It is designed for those who possess exceptional ability in their field and whose work benefits the nation's interests. Unfortunately, misconceptions surrounding the waiver often lead to confusion and unrealistic expectations. This blog post will debunk six common myths to help you understand whether you qualify for an NIW.

FY2024 was a landmark year in H-1B lottery registrations. USCIS received the most it has ever had in history during the initial registration period, including those who qualified for the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap). But there was a downside to this landslide: The number of fraudulent petitions also exceeded historical records, and USCIS has taken this year as a learning experience, implementing new measures to combat fraud in the future.

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.

Congress is continually monitoring immigration legislation and how it’s impacting the American economy and citizens. Revisions are always part of the agenda, regardless of which political party is in the majority at the time. As of 2023, the Republicans have the majority in the House, President Biden is a Democrat, and the combination is affecting H-1B visa holders and other immigration avenues. We’ll explain what you can expect to see in the near future here.

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.

If you're an H-1B employer, you already know that hiring foreign workers comes with a unique set of challenges. One of those challenges is navigating the complex world of immigration laws.  With the recent changes to the H-1B visa program and increased scrutiny of immigration policies, understanding the ins and outs of the visa process is more important than ever. In this article, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about E-Verify as an H-1B employer, including how it works and the government’s plan to roll out E-Verify NextGen.

The H-1B and certain other categories of visas are designed to bring skilled workers into the United States to fill specialty job positions. However, these workers must meet strict requirements, such as a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university. Those applying for an advanced degree exemption typically have a bachelor’s and a master’s or beyond that must qualify as accredited. Hopeful H-1B petitioners need to verify that their institutions are from an accrediting agency, but recent changes in the US Department of Education have dropped an important one. The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) is no longer recognized, meaning substantial impacts for H-1B and certain F-1 student visa holders.

The 2023-2024 H-1B season is just beginning, and US employers are ramping up their efforts to get their registrations selected in the lottery. If you’re one of them or the hopeful foreign worker relying on the visa for your next career move, this time is crucial. With hundreds of thousands of applicants and a limited amount of visas, you need to do what you can to give your registration a leg up over the rest. One way to do that is to obtain a master’s degree or higher. We’ll give you the details here on how this advanced degree can increase your chances of an H-1B visa approval.

When it comes to American immigration, the H-1B visa is one of the most popular options for foreign-born workers looking to gain entry into the United States. Companies in the US can sponsor foreign nationals on an H-1B visa. The initial visa is good for three years, with an option to extend it for three more years. But what if you want to become a permanent resident in the US? There is a path from an H-1B visa to a green card. Read on to find out how it works and what to do if your PERM request is denied.

The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows foreign nationals to work in the United States. It also includes immigration to those considered "family" under the law. What exactly is meant by the term “family” under an H-1B visa? Who qualifies as a family member? This article will explain who is considered “family” under an H-1B visa. Keep reading to find out more.