Key points -
H-1B lottery will be open from March 1 until March 18, 2022.
There will be no changes from last year’s lottery rules...more
Key Points -
U.S. embassies and consulates abroad may now waive many in-person appointments for U.S. visas.
Visa applicants for in-person appointment waiver must have a previously issued visa or previous travel to the...more
Key points:
- H-1B lottery will be open from March 9 until March 25, 2021.
- There will be no changes from last year’s lottery rules.
- Priority for higher-paid H-1B applicants will not be implemented in 2021, but...more
Key Points
- DHS and DOL Interim Final Rules on H-1B visas and prevailing wage levels have been struck down by the Court.
- Definition of “specialty occupation” and rules for third-party placement of H-1B employees...more
12/7/2020
/ Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ,
Department of Labor (DOL) ,
Foreign Workers ,
Green Cards ,
H-1B ,
Highly-Skilled Workers Visa ,
Interim Final Rules (IFR) ,
Presidential Proclamations ,
Prevailing Wages ,
Trump Administration ,
Visas ,
Wage and Hour
- DHS and DOL publish Interim Final Rules on H-1B visas and prevailing wage levels.
- DHS tightens “specialty occupation” definition and restricts third-party placement of H-1B employees.
- DOL significantly raises...more
10/23/2020
/ Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ,
Department of Labor (DOL) ,
Foreign Nationals ,
Foreign Workers ,
Green Cards ,
H-1B ,
Highly-Skilled Workers Visa ,
Interim Final Rules (IFR) ,
Preliminary Injunctions ,
Prevailing Wages ,
Specialty Occupations ,
Trump Administration ,
Visas ,
Wage and Hour
- Visa issuance and entry of certain H-1B, H-2B, L-1, and J-1 visa holders are suspended.
- Proclamation does not apply to anyone currently in the United States.
- Proclamation does not apply to anyone who already...more
6/23/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ,
Department of Labor (DOL) ,
Foreign Nationals ,
Foreign Students ,
Foreign Workers ,
H-1B ,
H-2B ,
Immigration Procedures ,
J-1 Visas ,
L-1 Visas ,
Non-Immigrant Visas ,
Presidential Proclamations ,
Trump Administration ,
USCIS ,
Visas
- Proclamation only suspends entry of applicants for an immigrant visa (“green card”) who are currently outside the United States.
- Proclamation does not apply to anyone currently in the United States.
- Proclamation...more
- Foreign visitors and employees can extend or change their immigration status.
- DHS relaxes requirements for original documents and original signatures.
- DHS offices are closed to the public but continue to...more
4/21/2020
/ Coronavirus/COVID-19 ,
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ,
E-Signatures ,
Employment Eligibility Verification ,
Filing Deadlines ,
Foreign Workers ,
Form I-9 ,
Passports ,
Remote Working ,
Time Extensions ,
Travelers ,
US Department of State ,
USCIS ,
Visa Applications ,
Visa Waiver Program ,
Visas
- Most U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world have suspended visa services and cancelled visa interview appointments.
- Individuals traveling to the United States on a Visa Waiver Program that are subject to the...more
- New DHS regulation mandates use of an electronic H-1B registration system.
- Registration system will be open for only 20 days.
- Employers who win H-1B lottery but then do not file H-1B petitions may be penalized....more
2/18/2020
/ Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ,
Electronic Reporting ,
Foreign Workers ,
H-1B ,
Highly-Skilled Workers Visa ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Immigrants ,
Lottery ,
New Rules ,
Registration Requirement ,
USCIS ,
Visas
• DHS has announced that it has finalized the previously proposed rule on what immigrants are considered a “public charge.” The final rule was published in the Federal Register on August 14th, 2019.
• The rule is effective...more
• On May 16, 2019, President Trump announced broad parameters of an immigration plan to address border security, interior enforcement, asylum policy, modernization of ports of entry and the current immigrant visa or “green...more
• DHS has announced that it has finalized the previously proposed rule governing the H-1B lottery. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on January 31, 2019.
• DHS will reverse the order of the H-1B lottery...more
2/8/2019
/ Amended Regulation ,
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ,
Diversity Lottery ,
Electronic Filing ,
Final Rules ,
Foreign Workers ,
H-1B ,
Highly-Skilled Workers Visa ,
Labor Condition Applications ,
Registration Requirement ,
USCIS ,
Visa Applications ,
Visa Caps ,
Visas
• Prior to submitting petitions for H-1B visas, employers first will be required to register electronically with USCIS during a designated registration period.
• DHS proposes to use a computer-generated process to select a...more
12/11/2018
/ Comment Period ,
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ,
Diversity Lottery ,
Electronic Filing ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
H-1B ,
Highly-Skilled Workers Visa ,
Immigration Procedures ,
Proposed Rules ,
Public Comment ,
Registration Requirement ,
Trump Administration ,
USCIS ,
Visa Caps ,
Visas