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.

For decades, the US has relied upon foreign workers to fill vital positions in the labor market, including both skilled and unskilled jobs. In more recent years, the focus has shifted to ensure critical industries, such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), are taken care of through work visas such as the H-1B. This program has been in place since 1990 and is run by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Since its implementation, the H-1B program has significantly impacted the US economy, and we’ll discuss the effects here.

As the immigration system in the United States continues to undergo scrutiny, it is slowly evolving one category at a time. Most recently, on September 18, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security issued a proposed rule to bring the H-2 Temporary Visa Program up-to-date, strengthening protections for these workers and making other much-needed changes. What does this modernization attempt mean for skilled and unskilled workers? We’ll break down the changes here.

Since the pandemic, it has become expected, and even customary, for businesses to include virtual options as part of their service. But this switch remains unwanted for those who prefer in-person interactions or who aren’t tech-savvy. The move to electronic documentation is spreading as an eco-friendly and pandemic-proof change, and it has reached USCIC via Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Is this change well-founded and for the better, or does it negatively impact foreign workers? We’ll explain here.

If you’ve been following immigration law in the United States, you know that what happens in one state often sets the stage for others to follow. That may be the case in Florida, where recent legislation has made it required for private employers with 25 or more workers to use E-Verify. This is the federal government’s database used to verify work authorization. What does this mean for employers of foreign national workers and the workers themselves? Read on to find out.

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.

If you’re looking at obtaining an H-1B visa, you know that it’s a highly competitive goal. With more people applying than there are visas allocated, and a random lottery process on top of that, you need to ensure you follow all the steps to boost your odds of approval. Here are some of the top tips that will give you the best chance at one of these coveted H-1B visas.

When you sign your H-1B visa, you accept the terms provided by USCIS. Those terms stipulate that you’re only allowed to work for the employer listed on the I-129 form — the business that sponsored your visa. But when the salary they pay you isn’t enough for you to reach your financial goals, can you supplement that income in other ways? This guide explains how to stay within the terms of your contract and still make some side cash.

The H-1B visa is as beneficial to the employer as it is to the employee, and both parties must take their responsibilities seriously. The visa is a government-issued document that is only authorized under significant scrutiny. Each part of the petition and application process must be completed wholly and accurately. When issued, it becomes a contract between the government, the employer, and the employee. To ensure you’re filling your side of the requirements, check out this article full of essential information employers of H-1B visa holders and the employee themselves must know.

When an H-1B petitioner files their application and is approved, they’re agreeing to work with a specific sponsoring employer in the United States. This is a significant part of the terms of the H-1B visa contract, and transferring to another employer once in the country isn’t as easy as “getting a new job.” The new employer must complete the visa transfer application, and USCIS must approve the job change for the H-1B holder to continue working in the country legally. How difficult is this to complete? This overview will help you understand what it takes to transfer employers under an H-1B visa.