VISA2US Blog

When you’re trying to obtain an H-1B visa, you must abide by specific beginning and ending dates, and these aren’t always optimal. This can be particularly concerning when you’re a student finishing your university program with a gap between your last day of school and your first day at your new job. Since this is relatively common, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has a process in place to streamline your H-1B petition and allow you to remain in the US with a cap gap extension.

Foreign nationals enter the United States every year for various reasons, including work, tourism, and education. The visa they use to gain entry into the US depends on the reason for their visit. For international students, this is typically the F-1 status. However, only certain fields of study qualify for extensions that also permit work authorization. According to the latest updates from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), there are eight new fields that fall under the STEM OPT degree and qualify for the two-year work authorization extension. We’ll break those fields down here.

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.

While many foreign workers envision the United States as their ultimate workplace, there are many other countries ready to embrace immigrants and nonimmigrants with easier immigration policies. One of these nations is Canada, and the new H-1B immigration rules established in June 2023 are creating ripple effects felt throughout the world. How do these changes affect you? Read on to find out.

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.

Followers of the immigration law landscape in the United States have been bracing for rising fees for months. One of those increases is slated for May 30, 2023. This rate hike affects anyone applying for a nonimmigrant visa. What does this mean for you? We have the details here.

Foreign nationals on an F-1 student visa often prefer to stay in the United States and continue their careers. The H-1B work visa is one way to do this. However, most job offers are obtained through businesses under the “capped” category. In these situations, a limited number of visas are allotted annually, and those approved can’t enter the US to begin work until October 1 of that fiscal year. So what happens to those in F-1 status who are approved for an H-1B visa but their OPT authorization or F-1 grace period expires before October 1? That’s where the H-1B Cap Gap Extension kicks in, and we’ll explain the details here.

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.

The H-1B visa is highly coveted in the world of foreign workers wishing for employment in the United States. But before you can apply for this document, you must have a sponsor — an approved US employer willing to pay for your application and associated fees and hire you for the length of your visa’s terms (three years). This is often a challenge, as the employer and employee requirements are strict. However, if you qualify for certain highly skilled professions, you may be able to convince one of these companies to sponsor your visa 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.