H1B, J1, F1, Visa News – 2024-02-07
Welcome to the weekly news summary related to green card self-petition. This news page tries to capture immigration news that is relevant to self-petition applicants. It tries to gather broad immigration topics that may be of interest to self-petition EB1A, and EB2-NIW applicants. Hope you enjoy the news. All news sources are acknowledged. If you need additional details follow the source link.
News Articles
- USCIS Updates Guidance on Late Extensions and Change of Status Requests for Nonimmigrants
- DHS Announces Changes to H1B Registration System to Enhance Fairness and Integrity
- Can I self-petition for an EB1A green card?
- US Launches Pilot Program for In-Country Visa Renewal for Indian H1B Workers
- What are the benefits of obtaining an NIW?
- USCIS to Increase Fees for Certain Immigration and Naturalization Requests for First Time in Seven Years
- US Announces Significant Increase in Visa Fees for H-1B, L-1, and EB-5 Categories
- Major Overhaul Announced for US H1B Visa Lottery System; Beneficiary-Centric Selection Process Introduced
- US Agency Announces Redesigned H-1B Visa Application Process for Fiscal Year 2025 to Curb Fraud
USCIS Updates Guidance on Late Extensions and Change of Status Requests for Nonimmigrants
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its guidance on late extensions of stay and change of status requests for certain nonimmigrants. The USCIS may excuse a late request if the delay is due to extraordinary circumstances, such as a strike, labor dispute, or a government shutdown that prevents the acquisition of a necessary Labor Condition Application. While it is usually the responsibility of the nonimmigrant to comply with filing deadlines, exceptions can be made in extraordinary circumstances. Those needing specific advice are advised to consult with a U.S. immigration attorney.
Date: 2024/02/05
DHS Announces Changes to H1B Registration System to Enhance Fairness and Integrity
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is set to publish a final rule on February 2, 2024, to improve the H1B registration system’s fairness and integrity. The adjustments mean that the number of H1B registrations for a foreign national will not affect their chances in the H1B lottery. The rule also introduces start date flexibility and other modifications. It will be implemented for the fiscal year 2025 H1B registration, running from March 6-22, 2024. The foreign national will be limited to a single entry in the lottery system, tied to their passport or travel document. The final rule also alters the requested start date of the petition and increases the registration filing fee to $215 from April 2024.
Date: 2024/01/31
Can I self-petition for an EB1A green card?
Yes, anyone who meets the USCIS criteria can self-petition for an EB1A green card. This means that individuals with extraordinary abilities have the privilege to apply for U.S. permanent residency without relying on a specific job offer or employer sponsorship. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for PhDs, advanced degree holders, freelancers, entrepreneurs, or those who wish to explore various professional opportunities in the U.S. You can find more details on the application process on our website. You can also make use of examples approved petitions from our DIY packets.
Date: 2024/02/07
US Launches Pilot Program for In-Country Visa Renewal for Indian H1B Workers
The US Department of State has launched a pilot program to allow in-country visa renewal for H1B workers from India, a move that could benefit many Indian nationals working in the US. The program, announced during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US, will accept 20,000 participants over five weeks. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is also introducing a new process for most applicants to pay for certain benefit request forms by mail or remotely, which will save time and money. However, emergency advance parole requests still require an in-person appointment. The program is seen as a positive step in simplifying and improving immigration processes for the Indian community in the US.
Date: 2024/02/04
What are the benefits of obtaining an NIW?
Obtaining a National Interest Waiver (NIW) under the EB2 category has several benefits. First, it allows you to bypass the labor certification process, which can be lengthy and complex. Second, it gives you the freedom to change jobs or employers without affecting your immigration process, as long as you continue to work in your field of expertise. Third, it often results in a faster green card process compared to other employment-based categories. Fourth, it allows you to self-petition, meaning you don’t need an employer to sponsor your application. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with advanced degrees, as it allows them to leverage their specialized skills and knowledge to contribute to the U.S. national interest, without being tied to a specific employer or job offer. It provides them with greater flexibility and independence in their career and immigration journey.
Date: 2024/02/07
USCIS to Increase Fees for Certain Immigration and Naturalization Requests for First Time in Seven Years
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is set to increase the cost of some immigration and naturalization requests for the first time in over seven years, beginning in April. The new fees will apply to employment-based visas, work authorizations, permanent residency applications, and naturalization applications. However, some fees, such as those for replacing permanent resident cards, will slightly decrease. The revenue from the new fees will be used to improve customer service and manage backlogs. USCIS is also offering a $50 discount for online submissions and reduced fees for certain Employment Authorization Document applications. The changes follow a year-long review and over 5,400 public comments.
Date: 2024/02/02
US Announces Significant Increase in Visa Fees for H-1B, L-1, and EB-5 Categories
The US has announced a significant increase in visa fees for categories such as H-1B, L-1, and EB-5, which are highly sought by Indians. This is the first fee rise since 2016 and will take effect on April 1, 2024. The new H-1B application visa cost will rise from $460 to $780, while the H1B registration fee will increase from $10 to $215. The cost of EB-5 visas, also known as investment visas, will increase from $3,675 to $11,160, while L-1 visas will increase from $460 to $1,385. The Department of Homeland Security’s federal announcement states that the changes will benefit both the government and petitioners/applicants for immigration benefits in several ways, including reduced administrative burdens and fee processing errors.
Date: 2024/02/02
Major Overhaul Announced for US H1B Visa Lottery System; Beneficiary-Centric Selection Process Introduced
The US has announced a major overhaul of its H1B speciality occupation visa lottery system, popular among Indian IT professionals, to reduce fraud and streamline the registration process. The new system includes a beneficiary-centric selection process for registrations by employers, meaning H1B visa applications will now be counted and accepted based on individual applicants, regardless of the number of applications they submit. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) also launched a pilot programme to renew H1B visas domestically, which is expected to benefit thousands of Indian tech professionals. The initial registration period for the fiscal 2025 H1B cap will open on March 6 and run through March 22.
Date: 2024/02/01
US Agency Announces Redesigned H-1B Visa Application Process for Fiscal Year 2025 to Curb Fraud
The US federal agency announced that the H-1B visa application submission procedure for fiscal year 2025 will begin on March 6. This coincides with a significant redesign of the annual lottery for this specialty employment visa. The H-1B visa allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring theoretical or technical expertise. The new system will require applicants to provide valid passport information and will count applications based on individual applicants, even if they file multiple applications. The new rules aim to strengthen the integrity of the H-1B registration process and reduce potential fraud. The final rule also formalizes the agency’s authority to reject or cancel H-1B petitions in cases of fraudulent attestation.
Date: 2024/02/01
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