Immigration Blog
Our blog is a source of latest immigration news, policy updates and trends for thousands of readers every month.
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.
What to Do When Your H-1B Visa's PERM Request is Denied
When it comes to American immigration, the H-1B visa is one of the most popular options for foreign-born workers looking to gain entry into the United States. Companies in the US can sponsor foreign nationals on an H-1B visa. The initial visa is good for three years, with an option to extend it for three more years. But what if you want to become a permanent resident in the US? There is a path from an H-1B visa to a green card. Read on to find out how it works and what to do if your PERM request is denied.
USCIS Predicts 2023's Immigration Processes
Since the pandemic, the process of obtaining a visa or green card has been significantly delayed. Some of these delays were unavoidable as a global shutdown forced everyone to stay home, regardless of the expiration date on one’s visa. However, other delays since the reopening of government offices were due to changing legislation, increases in applications, and outdated technology. 2022 brought with it the need for massive adjustments in USCIS’s processes, and as 2023 begins, the immigration specialists predict we’ll be seeing some much-needed improvements.
How the New Accreditation Terms Affect the H-1B Master's Cap
The H-1B and certain other categories of visas are designed to bring skilled workers into the United States to fill specialty job positions. However, these workers must meet strict requirements, such as a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university. Those applying for an advanced degree exemption typically have a bachelor’s and a master’s or beyond that must qualify as accredited. Hopeful H-1B petitioners need to verify that their institutions are from an accrediting agency, but recent changes in the US Department of Education have dropped an important one. The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) is no longer recognized, meaning substantial impacts for H-1B and certain F-1 student visa holders.
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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.
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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.
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