H1B, J1, F1, Visa News – 2024-03-13
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
-
- April 2024 Visa Bulletin: Updated Cutoff Dates and Predictions Released by U.S. Department of State
- US Lawmakers Advocate for Green Card and H-1B Visa Reforms at Tech Immigration Summit
- Growing Concern over Immigration among American Voters and Recent Changes in U.S. Immigration Policies
- Changes to the H-1B Visa Lottery Registration Process for FY 2025
- What is the priority date for NIW applicants?
- Can my spouse work while we are waiting for the EB1A to be approved?
April 2024 Visa Bulletin: Updated Cutoff Dates and Predictions Released by U.S. Department of State
The U.S. Department of State has released the April 2024 Visa Bulletin, which includes updates on cutoff dates for various categories of visas for different countries, and predictions for future movement. The EB1 India cutoff date has been moved to March 1, 2021, and for China, it is September 1, 2022. In the EB2 category, India’s cutoff date is April 15, 2012, and China’s is February 1, 2020. The EB3 cutoff for India is August 15, 2012, while for China it remains at September 1, 2020. The EB4 cutoff dates have been advanced to November 1, 2020, but the EB4 program for certain religious workers could become unavailable after March 22, 2024, if not extended by Congress. The EB5 cutoff for China and India remains unchanged.
Date: 2024/03/11
US Lawmakers Advocate for Green Card and H-1B Visa Reforms at Tech Immigration Summit
At the recent ‘Tech Immigration Summit’ in the US Capitol, lawmakers from both parties highlighted the need to address the Green Card backlog and H-1B visa issues impacting Indian professionals. They advocated for the removal of the 7% country cap for issuing Green Cards to foreign guest workers in specialized categories. Without this, the waiting period for Indian immigrants could exceed 20 years, and even 70 years in some cases. The summit, hosted by the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora (FIIDS), also emphasized the importance of a rational immigration policy. Lawmakers argued that the current system is broken and that reforms are needed to retain a skilled workforce, support economic growth, and create more American jobs.
Date: 2024/03/13
Growing Concern over Immigration among American Voters and Recent Changes in U.S. Immigration Policies
A new poll by Gallup reveals that 28% of American voters consider immigration as the most important issue, a rise from 20% in January 2024. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced changes to the H-1B lottery registration process, including the requirement of valid passport information and the creation of a new shared account for employers and their prospective H-1B employees. Foreign-born religious workers face long wait times for green cards due to a backlog in the EB-4 “Special Immigrants” category. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State is working to reduce visa wait times for Indian applicants, with the exception of the B-1/B-2 tourist visa category for first-time visitors.
Date: 2024/03/09
Changes to the H-1B Visa Lottery Registration Process for FY 2025
The H-1B lottery registration for FY 2025 opens on March 6th at 12PM EST. The process has changed this year, with the lottery being used when demand exceeds the annual cap of 85,000 visas. Employers now register prospective H-1B employees electronically during a designated period. Three key points to note are: the registration period runs from 12PM ET on March 6, 2024, to 12PM ET on March 22, 2024; all prospective H-1B applicants must have a valid passport or travel document for the electronic registration process; and all employers and prospective H-1B employees must have a shared “myUSCIS organizational account” to participate in the H-1B electronic registration process.
Date: 2024/03/07
What is the priority date for NIW applicants?
The priority date for National Interest Waiver (NIW) applicants is the date when your immigrant petition is filed with USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services). For NIW applicants, this is the date when Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, is received by USCIS. The priority date is crucial as it determines your place in line for an immigrant visa. In the EB2-NIW category, it can significantly influence the timeline of your green card process. For individuals with an advanced degree, understanding the priority date is important because the demand for EB2 category visas often exceeds the supply, leading to a backlog. Therefore, even though the NIW waives the job offer and labor certification, you still have to wait until a visa number is available based on your priority date.
Date: 2024/03/13
Can my spouse work while we are waiting for the EB1A to be approved?
Yes, your spouse can work while waiting for the EB1A approval. This is beneficial to those with advanced degrees as it allows their spouses to contribute financially during the potentially lengthy approval process. Once you file your I-485 form (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), your spouse can apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) using form I-765. The EAD is a work permit that allows your spouse to work in the U.S. while your green card application is being processed. It’s important to note that the EAD is not automatically granted and must be approved, which can take several months. Therefore, it’s advisable for your spouse to apply for the EAD as soon as you file your I-485 form to avoid any potential work disruption.
Date: 2024/03/13
Disclaimer: The summarized content on this webpage is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and may not be applicable to specific situations or circumstances. Always consult the original source links for comprehensive information. This website assumes no liability for any errors.