The U.S. Department of State recently announced expanded screening and vetting that may include an “online presence review” for certain visa applicants. For H-1B applicants (and in some cases H-4 dependents applying with them), this is a reminder to review your public online footprint before your visa interview.
The...
Employers that use the H-1B program may be seeing a new enforcement environment take shape. A recent report describes a more proactive posture from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), including the use of an initiative described as “Project Firewall” and an increased willingness to open investigations beyond those triggered by individual complaints.
Healthcare systems across the United States continue to experience major staffing shortages, affecting hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, rural health centers, and emergency departments. Retirements, burnout, training limitations, and uneven distribution of providers are driving a nationwide workforce crisis. Immigration policy now plays an increasingly important role in determining how quickly health...
When a U.S. employer ends the employment of a foreign worker in H-1B, H-1B1, or E-3 status, the process must be handled carefully. Unlike most work categories, these visa classifications come with specific compliance steps that must be completed to end the employer’s legal and wage obligations.
If those...
The H-1B visa lottery for Fiscal Year 2026 remains one of the most critical opportunities for U.S. employers to bring skilled foreign talent into the workforce. Despite the introduction of a new $100,000 H-1B petition fee for certain filings, the H-1B program is still very much alive—and understanding who is affected by the fee...
In a recent Fox News interview, former President Donald Trump stated that the United States continues to rely on highly skilled professionals to fill gaps in specialized fields, noting that certain roles require expertise that is not readily available in the domestic labor pool. His comments referenced the importance of foreign talent...
Entrepreneurs and professionals often ask whether it’s possible to apply for an H-1B visa without a traditional employer. The short answer is yes — in certain circumstances, a foreign national can form a U.S. company and have that business petition for their own H-1B visa.
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) recently introduced a new review step for applicants under the B-1 in lieu of H-1B category. U.S. embassies and consulates must now send these applications to the Department of State’s Visa Office in Washington, D.C. for secondary examination before a visa is issued. This added oversight reflects the government’s increasing caution...
In the ever-changing world of immigration and employment law, recent developments continue to shape how employers manage their global workforce. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has clarified that the newly proposed $100,000 H-1B fee will not apply to foreign nationals already in the U.S. seeking a change of status. This...
The U.S. immigration community is closely watching as USCIS begins implementing the controversial $100,000 H-1B petition fee, even while a major lawsuit filed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce seeks to block the rule before next year’s H-1B lottery.
Background: The Legal ChallengeLate last...
