WHAT IS THE H-1B & L-1 VISA REFORM ACT OF 2016?
A bipartisan bill known as the H-1B & L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2016 has recently been introduced to Congress and it is already turning heads and sparking debate. The purpose of the bill is to prevent firms from hiring additional H-1B visa employees if they already have more than 50 employees and more than 50% of […]
US COLLEGES USING LEGAL LOOPHOLE TO HELP STUDENTS GET VISAS
A number of U.S. colleges are using a legal ambiguity to help international entrepreneurs stay in America after graduating by hiring them upon graduation. While most foreign students would be required to compete for one of the United States’ 85,000 annual H-1B visas through its lottery system after graduation, federal rules state that employees of […]
DESPITE RATE HIKES, INDIA RECEIVES MAJORITY OF H-1B VISAS
Despite a hike in fees, India continues to receive a considerable share of the United States government’s H-1B visas. According to US Ambassador to India Richard Verma, who was present at the recent “The Future is Now: From COP21 to Reality” conference in Hyderabad, India receives roughly 70 percent of H-1B and L1 visas – […]
LOTTERY EXPECTED AGAIN THIS YEAR
The USCIS will start accepting H-1B petitions towards the FY 2017 Cap on April 1, 2016. The lead time required to plan and prepare new cases in time for the filing deadline makes it imperative that employers begin the planning process as soon as possible. In light of new regulations governing H-1B filings, it is […]
H-1B FY 2017 CAP – PLANNING FOR FILING OF FRESH PETITIONS
The USCIS will start accepting H-1B petitions towards the FY 2017 Cap on April 1, 2016.The lead time required to plan and prepare new cases in time for the filing deadline makesit imperative that employers begin the planning process as soon as possible.In light of new regulations governing H-1B filings, it is also critical that […]
H-1B FY 2017 CAP – PLANNING FOR FILING OF FRESH PETITIONS
The USCIS will start accepting H-1B petitions towards the FY 2017 Cap on April 1, 2016.The lead time required to plan and prepare new cases in time for the filing deadline makesit imperative that employers begin the planning process as soon as possible.In light of new regulations governing H-1B filings, it is also critical that […]
NEW FEES FOR H-1B AND L-1 VISAS
As has been widely reported in the media the Omnibus spending bill signed into law byPresident Barack Obama on December 18, 2015 contained a surprise for some companieswho are dependent on high-skilled foreign workers.The new law imposes significant additional fees for “dependent companies” with more than50 employees and with 50% or more of their employees […]
H-1B FY 2017 CAP – PLANNING FOR FILING OF FRESH PETITIONS
The USCIS will start accepting H-1B petitions towards the FY 2017 Cap on April 1, 2016. The lead time required to plan and prepare new cases in time for the filing deadline makes it imperative that employers begin the planning process as soon as possible. In light of new regulations governing H-1B filings, it is […]
H-1B VISA PETITION FILING DATE FAST APPROACHING
The FY 2015 H-1B Visa Filing Date is fast approaching. As the primary method for non-immigrant skilled workers to obtain a U.S. work authorization, H-1B visas are in high demand. The USCIS will begin receiving applications April 1, 2016. 65,000 regular visas for skilled workers and 20,000 H-1B visas for U.S. University Master’s degree holders […]
USCIS FINAL GUIDANCE ON FILING OF AMENDED H-1B PETITIONS POST AAO DECISION ON MATTER OF SIMEIO SOLUTIONS, LLC
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), on July 21, 2015, issuedFinal guidance on measures it has enacted on when an H-1B employer must file anamended or new H-1B petition following the precedent decision in the Matter of SimeioSolutions, LLC (decided on April 9, 2015).The USCIS argues that the AAO decision merely reaffirms existing […]