VISA2US Blog

Our blog is a source of latest immigration news, policy updates and trends for thousands of readers every month.

This One Was Avoided, But What Impact Would a Government Shutdown Have on Immigration?

November 1, 2023
It seems like navigating a potential government shutdown is a regular part of fiscal year changes anymore. While this year’s was avoided with a last-minute deal between the two parties, conflicting values in the US government point toward an actual shutdown sooner rather than later. What would happen to the immigration system if the Democrats and Republicans can’t agree on how to fund spending? Each agency has a contingency plan in place, and we’ll explain them here.

Major Changes to the Green Card Program Are Necessary

October 9, 2023
The topic of green cards and the long wait to obtain one has been part of ongoing legislation for years. In certain countries, individuals have waited years and, in some cases, over a decade to receive their green card. As of the Visa Bulletin’s release of October 1, 2023, there are some major changes on the horizon, but do these help or hinder the green card program? Keep reading to find out.

Do You Have an Opinion on E-Verify? DHS Wants to Hear From You

August 24, 2023
The United States immigration program regulations aren’t set in stone. In fact, they undergo revision regularly, with the current focus on a proposed pilot program designed to determine the future of E-Verify as mandatory or optional. Currently, some states require employers to use this remote system to verify employment eligibility. But those that don’t still need a way to verify documents. The Department of Homeland Security has suggested remote I-9 document inspections for employers with 500 or fewer workers. If you are interested in expressing your thoughts on this proposal, you have until October 2, 2023, to do so. Keep reading to find out how this works.

New Fields of Study for STEM OPT Degrees Added

August 17, 2023
Foreign nationals enter the United States every year for various reasons, including work, tourism, and education. The visa they use to gain entry into the US depends on the reason for their visit. For international students, this is typically the F-1 status. However, only certain fields of study qualify for extensions that also permit work authorization. According to the latest updates from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), there are eight new fields that fall under the STEM OPT degree and qualify for the two-year work authorization extension. We’ll break those fields down here.

Latest Info From USCIS on Premium Processing

August 9, 2023
Premium processing is an optional part of filing certain forms as part of your immigrant or nonimmigrant petition. Although it’s not essential, this feature is often beneficial for those who need their forms adjudicated quickly. Through the expedited processing of your case, you may be able to push your application ahead of others. However, the categories that allow premium processing are limited and frequently changing. USCIS’s latest adjustment to this feature was announced in June 2023, and we have the information that you need to know here.

What is the Visa Bulletin, and Why Do You Need to Read It?

June 26, 2023
The path of a foreign national to a green card is full of navigating new terms, agencies, and websites. There are hundreds of potentially helpful resources, but they aren’t all necessary for your situation. However, if you’re considering applying for a green card or you already have applied, you should pay attention to the Visa Bulletin. This resource is issued monthly by the Department of State. Here, we’ll explain what information is covered within the Bulletin and why you need to read it.

Changes to Premium Processing in 2023

June 8, 2023
Changes to how the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services department handles premium processing have begun, and the latest round began on April 3, 2023. These adjustments directly affect students in certain F-1 categories and those petitioning for nonimmigrant foreign worker visas. This blog explains how you may be affected by the new regulations for premium processing.

EB-2 Retrogressions Are in the News. Is Your Country One of Them?

May 24, 2023
Occasionally in the immigration visa world, there is more demand from a particular country than the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services expected. When that happens, a retrogression may occur. In those circumstances, the State Department pushes back the final action dates for the EB-2, moving them backward instead of the typical forward momentum. This retrogression was recently announced in the USCIS May 2023 Visa bulletin as necessary to keep the number of immigrant visas under the FY 2023 limit.

Reviewing the Public Charge of Inadmissibility Policy

June 8, 2022
In this blog, we review the public charge of inadmissibility ruling, and the key differences between the Trump era rule that was discontinued from the current 1999 rule in effect today.

USCIS Adds New Categories for Premium Processing Eligibility

June 2, 2022
The USCIS will be expanding premium processing for select multinational executives as well as NIW applicant self-petitioners.

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