VISA2US Blog

The National Interest Waiver (NIW) is a top-tier under the Employment-Based Second Preference (EB-2) visa category. It permits the holder to live and work in the United States without a job sponsor. Qualifying for this coveted document is challenging as the applicant must prove that they are highly skilled or have an exceptional ability that makes them of particular national interest. As with all immigration regulations, the requirements and benefits of the NIW adapt to the needs of society, and recent changes may benefit spouses under an H-4 visa should they seek work. We’ll explain those and the other must-know details here.

The United States offers several avenues for foreign nationals to work and live within its borders. One such option is the National Interest Waiver (NIW.) The NIW can open doors to exciting opportunities in the U.S. However, it is a complex process that requires a thorough understanding in order to successfully secure a visa. This blog post addresses some frequent questions about the NIW and provides valuable tips for a successful application. Our FAQ format will answer your most pressing questions and provide clarity on whether this option is suitable for you.

The United States government understands that there are brilliant minds in other countries, and sometimes, employers in America need to hire outside of the border to fill specialty positions. When that happens, the H-1B visa is an ideal category that potential employers can petition their chosen beneficiaries for. Foreign workers want this coveted visa because it gives them the opportunity to apply for a Permanent Residence card, otherwise known as a Green Card. Delays are part of the process for applicants, but recently, these backlogs have become more time-consuming than usual. What’s going on at USCIS and the Department of Labor to cause these delays? We’ll explain here.

The National Interest Waiver program benefits those wishing to enter the United States without a sponsored job offer. Once there, they can take the Green Card path to permanent residency — provided it’s in the nation’s best interest to approve this waiver. However, recent changes make this challenging process a little more accessible to certain categories of people. What are these adaptations, and will they benefit you? Read on to find out.

Immigration news is full of optimistic changes on the horizon as US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) continues to revamp its systems and processes. The latest regulations involved requests for rate increases. Should those requests go through, USCIS has big plans for the funds. Regardless of the budget, though, the agency released its goals for FY 2023-2026 in its Strategic Plan. This plan is essentially a roadmap of milestones and targets that will take USCIS to its ultimate goals to strengthen its workforce and aid the country overall. A summary of the plan is found here.

Thousands of US companies employ H-1B visa holders every year. It’s a system designed to ensure the success of the country’s economy. But when your business is deemed “H-1B dependent,” you must follow particular immigration rules and regulations that are much stricter than the average H-1B employer. If USCIS or your lawyer has labeled you in this category (or close to it), keep these requirements in mind as you go through your daily routines.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) is the government agency responsible for processing visa applications for foreign nationals. It can be a challenging and time-consuming process. The process became even more difficult during the COVID-19 pandemic.

H-1B visas are in high demand. The annual cap on these visas is fairly low, at just 85,000 per year. The government holds lotteries to determine which applications would be processed and which would have to wait until next year. It isn’t easy, but if your circumstances qualify you for an H-1B visa and you meet all other criteria, it’s possible. Read on to take a look at the probability that you could get one.

The U.S. government permits employers to hire foreign workers to fill specialized occupations — provided they offer at least a prevailing wage to the employee. But who determines what the prevailing wage is, and why is this such an important factor? Read on to find out.

Putting together an H-1B petition letter is vital in the visa process. The letter is the first thing read by the person reviewing your petition, and it can make or break whether they proceed with examining the documentation you send along with your petition. Since this step must be completed so that everything necessary is included in the letter, we’ve created a sample template for you to use.