What's at Stake for Immigration?
The H-1B visa classification is often referred to as the “workhorse” of nonimmigrant visa classifications, and rightfully so. It is available to foreign national employees in specialty occupations (i.e., a position that...more
In the past few years, it has become difficult to prepare immigration strategies for religious workers due to the length of time it takes for religious worker green cards to be approved. The delay is new and does not make a...more
Significant modifications to the H-1B visa program are expected to be implemented by the Department of Homeland Security. The agency issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPR) that would “modernize the H-1B specialty...more
On October 23, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), which the agency indicates will modernize and improve the H-1B specialty occupation worker program. DHS states...more
The Department of Homeland Security has published a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM or the Rule) entitled “Modernizing H-1B Requirements, Providing Flexibility in the F-1 Program, and Program Improvements Affecting Other...more
On October 23, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued its long-anticipated notice of proposed rulemaking on modernizing the H-1B program. The purpose is to amend regulations governing H–1B specialty occupation...more
On October 23, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to amend its current regulations to modernize the H-1B visa program. DHS will accept public comments until...more
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may require employers to file amended H-1B visa petitions when relocating employees to new locations and did not fail to follow or otherwise circumvent rulemaking requirements...more
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently made an announcement that they will begin accepting registrations for the upcoming 2022 H-1B fiscal year starting on March 9, 2021 at 12 p.m. ET and ending on...more
On December 1, 2020, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued a decision overturning two recent Interim Final Rules promulgated by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and U.S. Department of...more
- 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
The current administration’s course on immigration ushered in heightened standards for obtaining immigration benefits, restructuring visa allocations through executive orders and renewed and continues to emphasize immigration...more
On Thursday, October 8, 2020, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published an interim final rule (IFR) that revised the definition of the term “specialty occupation” and placed additional restrictions on...more
The “Strengthening the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification Program” rule has been submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review and could be published by the end of the year – or earlier....more
USCIS announced that it will continue the current suspension of premium processing service for H-1B cap-subject petitions through an estimated date of February 19, 2019. In addition, as of September 11, 2018, USCIS will...more
Historically, H-1B visas have been the U.S. employment visa of choice due to their flexibility for professionals to work in “specialty occupations.” Lately, however, for those employers and prospective employees who are...more
For an ever-increasing number of U.S. employers, the start of another calendar year also means H-1B season has arrived. However, given the competitive nature of the H-1B program, many employers are turning to an alternative...more
April 1, 2015, is the first day U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will accept H-1B cap-subject petitions for next year's allotment of visas for foreign national professionals in specialty occupations. ...more
Employers who wish to hire foreign workers in a “specialty occupation” this year should start the process now in order to submit their petitions on April 1, the first day that U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS)...more