The U.S. Department of State (DOS) Visa Bulletin provides vital information to those seeking to file an immigrant visa petition. Each month, a bulletin is made available to the public via the Travel.State.Gov website. It summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during that month for “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications.” This serves as an…
In this blog we address the following question: What happens to the time H-1B holders spend outside the U.S. while working for U.S. employers and still within the maximum six-year stay limitation? You may have wondered this yourself. If you travel abroad for vacation, business, or family matters during your six-year stay in the U.S., how is…
The H-1B visa restrictions have been top-of-mind for most foreign nationals seeking employment opportunities in the U.S. Cooperation between India and the U.S., along with an upcoming expiration date of the Trump-era H-1B visa ban, is bringing some good news for work visa hopefuls. India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan, has stated…
Subject to certain exceptions, an H-1B visa holder may be allowed to work in the U.S. for an initial period of three years. This status may be extended for an additional three years, but it generally cannot go beyond a total of six years. Once the six years are up, the individual cannot seek an H-1B visa extension or be re-admitted to the U.S. on H-1B unless they have resided outside the U.S….
On Friday, March 12, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it may reopen, and possibly reconsider, previously revoked or denied H-1B petitions (Form I-129). Who is Eligible? To be eligible for consideration, a motion to reopen and/or reconsider a denied H-1B petition must: Be filed before the end of the validity period requested…
Starting in 2020, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) started a new process employers must go through to apply for H-1B cap visa petitions. The electronic H-1B registration process is a preliminary step an employer must complete now (deadline March 25) before they can file H-1B visa petitions on behalf of foreign nationals with specialized…
The electronic H-1B registration process is a preliminary step an employer must complete now (deadline March 25) before they can file H-1B visa petitions on behalf of foreign nationals with specialized degrees (also known as “requested workers”) who have never had H-1B status. To register, you must have a myUSCIS account. Here’s a quick guide…
Secretary of State Antony Blinken has temporarily expanded the ability of consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for individuals wishing to renew a nonimmigrant visa. The visa must be in the same classification and category. This is not the first instance of such an expansion. 48 Months is the Magic Number Originally, only applicants whose visa had expired within the last…
Getting engaged is an exciting time, full of possibility and joy. Congratulations on finding the person who makes your heart sing! But while you are sharing the happy news with family and friends, don’t forget about an important process to help you bring your fiancé(e) to the U.S. for your big day. If you are…
The short answer is “yes.” Acquiring a green card makes you a lawful U.S. permanent resident, as such, you automatically assume all the tax responsibilities of a U.S. tax resident. The federal government requires all tax-eligible U.S. citizens to declare their worldwide income sources to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) every year. You must claim…