Category: News

H-1B status is a non-immigrant visa category in the United States that allows employers to hire foreign workers in specialized occupations, typically requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher. It enables foreign professionals to work temporarily in the U.S. for the sponsoring employer and is often used in fields such as technology, science, engineering, and healthcare. […]

The US Department of State is launching a pilot program that will allow H1B visa holders to renew their visas in the US, eliminating the need to travel abroad for an in-person visa interview. The program will begin in January 2024 and is limited to 20,000 H1B visa holders. This is a positive change that […]

U.S. Consulates all over the world such as India, Australia, South Korea, Japan, and others have recently switched to a new visa appointment scheduling system. Previously, consulates used U.S. Traveldocs. Now, some are starting to use a new appointment scheduling system called U.S. Visa Scheduling.  Unfortunately, the change in platforms has caused some issues for […]

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that certain applicants who have filed for a renewal of Employment Authorization qualify for an automatic 180-day extension. In other words, noncitizens who have already filed to renew their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) will automatically get 180 more days added to their expiring EAD. This policy change […]

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently proposed to amend its regulations governing H-1B specialty occupation workers to modernize and improve the efficiency of the H-1B program, add benefits and flexibilities, and improve integrity measures. Some of the proposed provisions would narrowly impact other nonimmigrant classifications, including: E-3, F-1, H-2, H-3, L-1, O, P, […]

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the United States is positioning itself to be a global leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) development, guided by the “Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.” This ambitious order not only sets a clear path for the responsible development of AI but […]

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) recently announced that a stateside renewal program is returning for H-1B visas after almost 20 years. The stateside visa renewal program will allow certain H-1B visa holders to renew their visas without having to leave the United States.  Overview of the Stateside Pilot Program The stateside visa renewal program […]

On September 26, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it designated Israel as country eligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).  The VWP is operated by the DHS and the State Department. The VWP permits citizens from 41 designated countries to travel to the United States – without a visa […]

The L-1 nonimmigrant visa classification allows qualifying U.S. employers to temporarily transfer employees from related foreign offices to locations within the United States. It plays a pivotal role in facilitating the smooth exchange of talent within international organizations. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently issued policy guidance on L-1 intracompany transferee petitions in […]

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently issued an important policy update regarding the 2-year foreign residence requirement for nonimmigrant exchange visitors holding J-1 visas. This update brings welcome clarity to various aspects of the J-1 visa program. Understanding the J-1 Nonimmigrant Classification The J-1 visa is designed for exchange visitors who come to […]