VISA2US Blog

Part of the visa application process includes verifying your identity. For initial visas like the H-1B category and for green cards, that includes a biometrics screening. While it might sound like advanced artificial intelligence, this is simply an appointment during which the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) collects a record of your fingerprints and takes a picture of you to cross-reference the information with the FBI database and the Department of Homeland Security. Provided you don’t have a criminal record or any run-ins with the immigration department, this is a simple step. What should you know before you go to prepare for your biometrics appointment? We’ll give you the details here.

The H-1B visa is highly sought after, partly because it allows the beneficiary to bring their dependents with them to the United States. The document permits the holder to work and live in the US for three years, with an optional three-year extension. But during that time, minors grow up and are no longer dependents. When that happens, they must obtain their own visas, such as the F1 student visa. If your child is in the transition period where they’re going to need a visa of their own to stay with you in the States, read on to find out what their options are and if transferring to an F1 status from your H-1B dependency is possible.

The United States government is constantly striving to protect its national workers while also bringing in skilled workers to help bolster the economy. One form of legislation designed to assist in this goal is the POWER Act, short for Protect Our Workers from Exploitation and Retaliation (POWER) Act. This legislation expands relief coverage for workers who suffer serious labor violations, provided they cooperate with the worker protection agencies involved in their case. Since H-1B visas are the predominant work category, anyone with this document should know about the POWER Act.

The demand for US Citizenship and Immigration Services to deplete its backlog of applications has reached the ears of the government, and a solution may be at hand. Recently, USCIS began staffing a new virtual service center where humanitarian immigration applications will be processed. These applications include visas for individuals and families of domestic violence and crimes, and removing them from the general caseload will speed up urgent applications and reduce wait time for others.

For decades, hundreds of thousands of families have entered the US under work visas like the H-1B, which allows the holder to bring their dependent spouse and children. The H-1B permits the beneficiaries and their families to remain in the US for three years, with an optional three-year extension. But what happens to those minors who outgrow their dependent category during that time? Without a visa, they might be deported. However, the Dream Act of 2023 could change that.

If you’re trying to get to or stay in the United States, but you’re not a citizen, you’ll need documentation that permits this action. But this document varies for each person. Two of the most common types of legal authority that do this are the H-1B visa and the Green Card. They’re often used in the same context but perform different roles. Understanding the two helps you determine which one is right for you and your family.

The denial rate for H-1B transfers has steadily risen over the past few years. If you want to avoid having yours denied, or you’ve submitted it, and it already was, read this guide. We’ll show you the most common reasons for rejections and how to overcome them and get your transfer approved or find alternatives.

Green card processing times vary from 12-20 months or even longer. 

The USCIS online N-400 application is an efficient means for applying for U.S. citizenship. This blog details some of the most important considerations for this online filing procedure.

If the USCIS denies your naturalization application, you can file an N-336 to request a hearing on your decision. Hearings provide non-citizen applicants a chance to explain why the initial decision should be reversed.