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.

Obtaining an H-1B visa is essential when living and working in the United States as a foreign national. This coveted document is the evidence you must present to US Customs and Border Protection before stepping foot in America. But what happens when you must leave the country for a while and return? Here is the information you need to know to travel and re-enter the US on an H-1B visa.

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.

As technology continues to streamline life, government officials are quickly jumping on board. Tasks that once took hours are now automated, and some travelers will notice these big changes in 2023. Instead of the manual process of reviewing passports and applying the requisite stamps, electronic entry systems using biometrics have been unveiled. This system, called e-Gates, is expected to speed up the process of customs entry, reduce human error, and, essentially, replace customs officers in standard interactions. What do you need to know about traveling through e-Gates with your H-1B visa? Read on to find out!

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, H-1B and L visa holders living and working in the United States have had substantial uncertainty about their futures. Between the global shutdown, changing political climates, and the USCIS backlog on processing new and renewed visas, it has been a long few years for these foreign workers. But we’re happy to announce some good news around the corner just released from the State Department regarding their Domestic Renewal Pilot Program. Here, we’ll give you the basic details that have been shared with the public.

The H-1B visa is a program that allows US companies to hire specialized workers from other countries. Once in the US, are H-1B visa holders allowed to return to their home country or travel outside the US at all?

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.

While many international travellers ignore the State Department’s warning system, it’s 4-tiered approach is a reminder of the potential risks while travelling abroad.

Green card holders and U.S. citizens returning back to the United States from Ukraine are subject to a negative Covid-19 test exemption based on the national interest.

The State Department’s site has many valuable links and informational resources for immigrants going through consular processing. To better understand the features of the DOS site for immigration, see below.