U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today updates for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 H-1B cap season. This announcement includes provisions from the H-1B Registration final rule (Improving the H-1B Selection Process and Program Integrity), the dates for the initial H-1B registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap, and the online...
Category: H-1B Visa
ABCs OF H-1Bs (THIS IS PART III OF AN VIII PART SERIES): WHAT H-1B EMPLOYERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE LCA TO AVOID POTENTIAL DOL COMPLIANCE PITFALLS.
The H-1B visa program permits a United States employer (“employer”) to temporarily employ nonimmigrants to fill specialized jobs in the United States. The Immigration and Nationality Act (the “INA” or the “Act”) requires that an employer pay an H-1B worker the higher of the actual wage or the local prevailing wage, in...
How to Apply for and Hire with the H-1B Visa: A Guide for Applicants and Employers
Understanding the Requirements for H-1B Visa Sponsorship
In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the H-1B visa, an integral aspect of U.S. immigration that holds significant importance for professionals across the globe. This information is especially pertinent for companies considering sponsorship and individuals aspiring to work in the United...
Upcoming Changes to U.S. Visa Application Fees: A Significant Update Since 2016
The White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs is currently reviewing a rule that would revise visa application fees for the first time since 2016. This rule focuses on immigrants and temporary foreign workers. In the draft regulations released last year, there were proposals for a 40% increase in fees across...
Navigating the New Landscape: USCIS Enhancements for H-1B Cap Season FY 2025
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is set to implement significant enhancements to the H-1B visa application process for FY 2025. These updates are strategically designed to enhance the customer experience and streamline the submission process. They will have a considerable impact on companies, legal representatives, and applicants. The introduction of...
Streamlining H-1B Petitions: USCIS Unveils Online Filing for FY 2025 and Enhanced Organizational Accounts
In February, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will launch online organizational accounts and make Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, available for online filing for H-1B petitioners for fiscal year (FY) 2025.
What You Need to Know
All legal representative account holders and all organizations with an H-1B registrant account, as well as new users, will experience new...
ABC’s OF H-1Bs (THIS IS PART 2 OF AN 7 PART SERIES). HOW MUCH DO PROSPECTIVE H-1B EMPLOYERS NEED TO PAY TO H-1B EMPLOYEES AND WHY THE FEDERALLY MANDATED PREVAILING WAGE IS SO IMPORTANT.
Employers who seek to hire an H-1B nonimmigrant in a specialty occupation must first make a filing with the Department of Labor (DOL) and obtain a Labor Condition Application (LCA). The LCA, among other things, must specify the number of workers sought, the occupational classification in which...
Navigating the FY 2025 H-1B Cap Exemption: A Guide for Healthcare Employers
As we edge closer to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, healthcare employers should gear up for the H-1B visa cap season. However, there's a silver lining for many in the healthcare sector: the possibility of being exempt from the H-1B cap. This exemption could be a game-changer for healthcare systems and hospitals...
ABC’s OF H-1Bs (THIS IS PART 1 OF AN 7 PART SERIES) H-1B FILING SEASON GETS INTO FULL-SWING FOR H-1B EMPLOYERS AND PROSPECTIVE H-1B EMPLOYEES.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on Dec 6, 2019, announced a requirement for employers seeking to file H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption, to first electronically register and pay the associated $10.00 H-1B registration fee before filing a petition. USCIS will open an initial registration period for...
New Pilot Program for Domestic H-1B Visa Renewals: A Step Towards Reducing Global Visa Wait Times
The U.S. Department of State has recently announced an exciting pilot program aimed at assessing the feasibility of domestic visa renewals for certain nonimmigrant visa categories. This innovative approach, starting January 29, 2024, and concluding on April 1, 2024, could significantly impact global visa wait times.
Who is Eligible?