International students working in the United States under Optional Practical Training (OPT) often focus on maintaining employment and preparing for future visa opportunities such as the H-1B. However, one overlooked area that can create serious immigration risks is how employment history is presented—especially on public platforms like LinkedIn and other online profiles.
Category: H-1B Visa
DOL Proposes Significant Increase in Prevailing Wages for H-1B and PERM Cases: What Employers Need to Know
Recent developments from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) may significantly impact employers sponsoring foreign workers. A newly proposed rule aims to increase prevailing wage levels for both H-1B petitions and PERM-based green card applications, potentially raising labor costs for many employers.
If implemented, this rule could change how...
H-1B Selected but Denied? What to Do After an RFE or Petition Denial
Being selected in the H-1B lottery is a major milestone. However, selection alone does not guarantee approval. Many H-1B petitions receive Requests for Evidence (RFEs), and in some cases, petitions are ultimately denied.
When this happens, both employers and employees are often left asking: what are the next steps?
Hired an Employee but Missed the H-1B Cap? What to Do If OPT Is Expiring Soon
Hiring international talent can be a valuable investment for U.S. employers. However, a common challenge arises when an employer hires a new employee working on Optional Practical Training (OPT), only to realize that the H-1B cap season has already passed or the employee was not selected in the lottery.
From H-1B to Canada PR: Can You Move to Canada and Return to the U.S. Later?
For skilled professionals on H-1B status, the U.S. green card backlog — particularly in EB-2 and EB-3 for Indian and Chinese nationals — can stretch for decades. As a result, many individuals are exploring Canada’s Express Entry system as a parallel path: obtaining Canadian permanent residence more quickly, building long-term stability, and...
H-1B Lottery Not Selected? Work Visa Options Beyond the H-1B Cap
Each year, USCIS receives far more H-1B registrations than the limited number of cap-subject visas available, making the lottery highly competitive for employers and foreign national professionals alike. As a result, many qualified candidates are not selected.
For that reason, it is important for both employers and H-1B candidates...
New H-1B Form I-129 Changes: Why Wage Level Selection Now Matters More Than Ever
Recent updates to the H-1B process are adding a new layer of complexity for employers and applicants. With a revised Form I-129 and changes tied to the H-1B lottery system, wage level selection is becoming a critical factor—not just at filing, but at the very beginning of the process.
Employers...
ABCs of H-1Bs (This Is Part 6 of a 7-Part Series): The H-1B Cap Was Reached; Do I Still Have a Chance of Getting an H-1B Visa?
During the initial H-1B registration period, prospective petitioners or their authorized representatives must electronically submit a separate registration naming each alien for whom they seek to file an H-1B cap-subject petition. If a sufficient number of registrations are received, USCIS will randomly select the number of registrations projected as needed to reach the...
New H-1B Policies Could Make Healthcare Hiring Even More Difficult
Hospitals, clinics, and academic medical centers across the United States already face significant workforce shortages. Recent changes to the H-1B visa program may make recruiting international medical professionals even more challenging.
A combination of new government policies—including a substantial payment requirement for certain H-1B filings, increased scrutiny during adjudications,...
ABCs of H-1Bs (This Is Part 5 of a 7-Part Series): Does My Master’s Degree Qualify for the H-1B Master’s Cap?
Many F-1 visa holders, particularly those who are engaged in OPT change their immigration status to become professional and specialty workers (H-1B workers). The H-1B cap is the Congressionally mandated limit on the number of individuals who may be granted H-1B status during each fiscal year. Most foreign nationals seeking H-1B nonimmigrant...