Immigration Blog
Our blog is a source of latest immigration news, policy updates and trends for thousands of readers every month.
2023's Stamping Process Changes for H-1B Holders
Getting the notice from USCIS that your H-1B visa petition was approved is exciting! All that hard work and stress has paid off, and you’re almost on your way to your new career in the United States. But there’s one more important hurdle to get through before you’re officially a US nonimmigrant working and living in the country: the visa stamping process. What does this process involve, and how have the changes in 2023 affected it? Read on to find out!
Can You Become a US Citizen With an H-1B Visa?
Thousands of people worldwide begin becoming United States citizens every year. There are two paths to this goal. One may become a citizen by being born in the US or through naturalization. The first is obvious, but the second method requires careful planning and knowledge of immigration law. When you know what you’re doing and meet the qualifications, you can use an H-1B visa to start your journey to American citizenship.
How to Stay in Compliance as an H-1B Dependent Employer
Thousands of US companies employ H-1B visa holders every year. It’s a system designed to ensure the success of the country’s economy. But when your business is deemed “H-1B dependent,” you must follow particular immigration rules and regulations that are much stricter than the average H-1B employer. If USCIS or your lawyer has labeled you in this category (or close to it), keep these requirements in mind as you go through your daily routines.
What Computer Programmers Need to Know About H-1B Visas
When you’re a resident of a foreign country, and you want to come to the United States, there are multiple options you can use. However, if your goal is to work in the US temporarily, the best avenue is an H-1B visa. This program is designed for US-based employers to obtain skilled help to fill specialty positions, such as computer programming. You must meet specific requirements as a computer programmer aiming for an H-1B visa, and we’ll explain those, as well as how to obtain the visa, here.
The Merit-Based Immigration Legislation and How it Impacts the H-1B Program
Since their inception, the H-1B visa and Green Card programs have used certain factors, such as birthplace and workforce skills, to determine which immigrants enter the United States. Now, with the merit-based immigration legislation changes in the Equal Access to Green Cards for Legal Employment Act, these factors have substantially shifted. How does that affect your H-1B visa search? Read on to find out.
Top H-1B Visa Questions & Answers
The H-1B visa program has been in place for decades. Since its inception, it has stayed somewhat consistent, but the ongoing changes in the world, particularly since COVID, along with the increasing cost of living, have forced many new policies. Here are some of the Frequently Asked Questions about the latest guidelines, along with their answers.
Will the Per-Country Cap on Green Cards Change in 2023?
The H-1B visa and Green Card program have existed for decades as a way to bring nonimmigrants and immigrants into the United States. The policies behind the programs have shifted as problems and gaps become visible. Still, overall, the goal is to help bring skilled workers into the US and benefit the economies, as well as the individuals. One of the policies under scrutiny currently is the per-country cap on green cards, which limits how many families are approved for a Green Card based on birthplace. Will this policy continue in 2023, or will new legislation revamp this factor?
How Passport Approval Delays May Impact Your H-1B
Entering a foreign country like the United States as a non-citizen isn’t a simple task. Each individual needs documentation that proves they have permission from the originating country, such as a visa. But they also need proof of identity accepted as authentic worldwide, and that’s where passports come into play. However, if you’re planning to travel across borders any time soon, you should know that passport approval timeframes are currently significantly delayed. This could affect your H-1B travel, as we’ll explain here.
2023's Visa Approvals Are at Pre-Pandemic Levels
Before COVID, H-1B levels were significantly higher than the availability of visas. But when the embassies and consulates were shut down, and international borders were limited, so were the visa requests and approvals. This has affected US businesses relying on specialized workers to fill vacancies, but the good news is around the corner. Reports from the Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Visa Issuance organization show that these numbers are almost back to normal.
Why H-1B Visas are the "Family-Friendly" Way to Get Into the US
No one wants to leave their families behind when they move to a different country, even if the move is temporary. Yet, many work visas are for the individual document holder only. That’s why the H-1B category is such a coveted visa: it allows the holder, their spouse, and any dependent children to come with them and stay for the length of the visa’s terms. But beyond that, there are other benefits to the H-1B visa that make it the “family-friendly” way to get into the US, as we’ll discuss here.
Our Services
H-1B Visa
The H-1B visa provides the opportunity for foreign professionals to work in the United States. It allows employers to hire qualified foreign workers in the U.S.
O-1 Visa
An O-1 visa is designed to allow foreigners at the very top of the arts, sciences, sports, education, business, motion picture or television industries entry into the United States.
Contact Us
Email
Phone
Address
600 Stewart Street Suite 400, Seattle, Washington 98101, USA (Plaza 600 Building)