On Dec. 21, 2023, the US Department of State (DOS) published a proposed rule, “Pilot Program To Resume Renewal of H-1B Nonimmigrant Visas in the United States for Certain Qualified Noncitizens.” It announced what has been long anticipated: a program to allow certain H-1B visa holders to renew their visas while they reside in the United States.Continue Reading H-1B visas for applicants present in the US to be renewed again
H-1B visa
New H-1B petitions for FY2022 again follow online registration and selection process, wage-based selection delayed
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) changed the H-1B lottery last year with the introduction of a requirement that employers first register their interest to file petitions for the fiscal year beginning October 1 in an online system. The lottery was conducted from the registrations instead of the full petitions, as had been done in previous years. Only those employers whose registrations were selected were able to file H-1B petitions with USCIS. This registration system will remain in place for 2021.
Continue Reading New H-1B petitions for FY2022 again follow online registration and selection process, wage-based selection delayed
H-1B registration for 2021 cap season dates announced
On Dec. 6, 2019, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the initial registration period for the H-1B cap season 2021 will begin on March 1, 2020 and end on March 20, 2020. Once selections have been announced, those selected will have 90 days to submit the petitions.
H-1B electronic registration requirement
On Jan.…
Employer alert: a new H-1B filing season brings hope and anxiety
It is again the time for U.S. employers to begin considering filing H-1B petitions for prospective new foreign national employees. These petitions can be submitted to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on or after April 1, 2016 for employment beginning no earlier than Oct. 1, 2016, the beginning of the government’s 2017 fiscal year. The H-1B visa category provides for the temporary employment of foreign nationals who will work in “specialty occupations,” or those jobs for which at least a bachelor’s degree in a particular field is required, such as engineers, teachers, accountants, and many professional information technology positions.. The problem is that there are only 85,000 H-1B visas available each year and we again expect, as in years past, for these numbers to be quickly claimed.
Continue Reading Employer alert: a new H-1B filing season brings hope and anxiety
USCIS Announces the H-1B Cap has been reached
This afternoon, the USCIS announced that it has received sufficient petitions for the H-1B visa to reach the statutory cap for Fiscal Year 2012.
Continue Reading USCIS Announces the H-1B Cap has been reached
New H-1B Pre-Filing Registration On the Horizon
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) announced a proposed rule that would require employers of H-1B workers to complete a pre-filing registration before submitting petitions for individuals subject to the annual H-1B cap.
Continue Reading New H-1B Pre-Filing Registration On the Horizon
USCIS to Start Mailing Rejection Notices for April 1, 2008 H-1B Filings
On June 12, 2008, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) informed the American Immigration Lawyers Association that the H-1B random selection process has been completed. USCIS completed the intake and receipt processes for all filings as of May 24, 2008 and began mailing rejection notices the week of June 9. Therefore, if an employer has not yet received a filing confirmation (Form I-797C Notice of Action), it likely means that the petition was not selected in the random process and that the rejection notice will be forthcoming.Continue Reading USCIS to Start Mailing Rejection Notices for April 1, 2008 H-1B Filings