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News & EventsDOL Annual Adjustment of Penalties for D-1, H-1B, H-2A, and H-2B Visa Program Violations for 2024
On January 11, 2024. DOL issued final rule implementing the annual adjustment of certain penalties for inflation required by the Inflation Adjustment Act. Among the penalties affected are penalties for employer violations of the D-1, H-1B, H-2A, and H-2B visa...
USCIS Announces Cap Reached for Additional Returning Worker H-2B Visas for First Half of FY2024
Here is some breaking news about H-2b visas and the quota for them. USCIS announced that it has received enough petitions to reach the cap for the additional 20,716 H-2B visas made available for returning workers for the first half of FY2024 with start dates on...
Enhanced Visa Procedures: DOS Announces Expanded Interview Waiver in National Interest
On December 21, 2023, the Department of State (DOS) revealed a joint decision with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), announcing that, effective January 1, 2024, specific categories of interview waivers are now considered in the national interest. The expanded...
Understanding the J-1 Visa
The J-1 visa program stands as a potential pathway for certain foreign nationals who have gained a bachelor’s degree or higher abroad to possibly remain in the United States, or enter the U.S. for training or internships. Some countries have a two year foreign...
Department of State Announces Pilot Program for Domestic H-1B Visa Renewals
The Department of State has introduced a pilot program aimed at resuming domestic visa renewals for eligible H-1B non-immigrant visa applicants. This initiative is intended to streamline the visa renewal process and reduce worldwide visa wait times by shifting...
USCIS Issues Guidance on Establishing Ability to Pay for Certain Employment-Based Immigrant Visa Petitions
https://youtu.be/pp3DLGGYRss
Establishing an Employer’s Ability to Pay the Proffered Wage for Certain Employment-Based Immigrant Visa Petitions
This is an update from USCIS about the ability to pay issue in the I-140 context when an employer has a pending or approved I-140, the USCIS is only supposed to look at the employer's ability to pay the wage from the priority date (usually filing of a labor cert or...
Waive my Interview (other than Renewals) Criteria for skipping interview at US embassy in Japan
Today, we would like to give you some breaking news on the visa interview waivers at the US embassy and consulate in Japan. Waive My Interview (Other than Renewals) Beginning January 1, 2024, applicants for certain categories of visas may apply by mail without...
Important Announcement regarding increase in fees at USCIS
USCIS announced an increase in fees for PREMIUM PROCESSING to take effect on February 26th 2024. Any requests for premium processing must be filed with the new fee after the effective date or they will be denied. We reprint the article below. Release Date 12/27/2023...
USCIS Policy Guidance Empowers F and M Student Nonimmigrant Classifications in the U.S.
USCIS has recently issued comprehensive policy guidance for F and M student nonimmigrant categories in the United States, covering critical areas such as employment authorization, extensions, and reinstatement for students and their dependents. This move aims to...