VISA2US Blog

Since the program was implemented by the US Congress in 1990, the EB-2 National Interest Waiver visa has consistently remained one of the most sought-after but challenging ways for foreign nationals to enter the country. This document is solely for those with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities who can demonstrate that giving them the waiver in exchange for their abilities and knowledge would be in the “national interest” of the US. What qualifies as “of interest” to the country doesn’t always stay the same, though, and with so many changes on the horizon, the trends and predictions of the future of National Interest Waivers are possibly changing, as we’ll discuss here.

The USCIS policy memo has adjusted the language of several EB1A regulatory criteria, in some cases rendering these criteria more readily applicable to our clients.

Foreign workers under the H-1B visa umbrella enjoy the added perk of bringing their spouses and eligible children to the United States. While employed in this category, they have up to six years to live and work in America. During this period, it’s common for children to “age out” of the visa’s eligibility requirements. What happens when your child gets to this point, and is there any way you can keep them in the US with you? We have the details here.

When you’re trying to obtain an H-1B visa, you must abide by specific beginning and ending dates, and these aren’t always optimal. This can be particularly concerning when you’re a student finishing your university program with a gap between your last day of school and your first day at your new job. Since this is relatively common, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has a process in place to streamline your H-1B petition and allow you to remain in the US with a cap gap extension.

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.

While many foreign workers envision the United States as their ultimate workplace, there are many other countries ready to embrace immigrants and nonimmigrants with easier immigration policies. One of these nations is Canada, and the new H-1B immigration rules established in June 2023 are creating ripple effects felt throughout the world. How do these changes affect you? Read on to find out.

The National Interest Waiver (NIW) is a valuable opportunity for foreign nationals who wish to work and reside in the United States without enduring the traditional route of employer sponsorship. An NIW allows certain qualified foreigners to bypass the standard Labor Certification requirement in obtaining a green card. It is designed for those who possess exceptional ability in their field and whose work benefits the nation's interests. Unfortunately, misconceptions surrounding the waiver often lead to confusion and unrealistic expectations. This blog post will debunk six common myths to help you understand whether you qualify for an NIW.

If you’ve paid attention to the immigration scene in the United States recently, you’ve heard about the mass layoffs in the tech industry over the past year. As mega-corporations dealt with the long-term fallout of the pandemic, a somewhat unexpected result was the need to reduce jobs significantly, to the tune of tens of thousands of H-1B visa beneficiaries. These visa holders faced the serious threat of losing their status if they didn’t find a new job before the end of their grace period. Against the odds, 90% of visa holders were able to successfully navigate this challenge. How did they make this happen, and what can you learn from it as an H-1B visa employer or employee? Read on to find out.

The Visa Bulletin is the go-to resource for millions of people as they wait for progress on their Green Card and other legal documents. Although it’s an essential part of the process, it can be challenging to understand this bulletin when you’re new to the system or if you simply want to know about your specific country and visa category. Here, we’ve summarized the highlights of the July 2023 visa bulletin to let you know if your work visa is on the move, stagnant, or possibly retrogressed.

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.