The H-2B non-agricultural temporary worker program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary non-agricultural jobs. There is a cap limit of 33,000 for the first half of the fiscal year and 33,000 for the second half for a total of 66,000 per year.…
Articles Posted in nonimmigrant visas
Public Law 111-230 H-1B, L-1 Additional Fees Have Expired
USCIS is alerting applicants that certain H-1B and L-1 petitions filed on or after October 1, 2015, should not include the additional Public Law filing fee that was previously required by Section 402 of Public Law 111-230, as amended by Public Law 111-347 (for certain H-1B and L-1 petitions). The…
USCIS Reopened H-2B Cap for the Second Half of FY2015
On Friday, June 5th, the USCIS reopened the H-2B cap for the second half of the fiscal year (FY) 2015. They originally closed the H-2B cap on Thursday, March 26, 2015 announcing that the cap had been reached. USCIS will accept Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, requesting new…
USCIS Publishes Filing Guidance for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have published two web pages with guidance for H-4 dependent spouses on their web site. This information can be used to help those who are eligible and want to apply for employment authorization under the Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses final…
Employment Authorization for Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses Final Rule is now in Effect!
USCIS has begun accepting employment authorization (EAD) applications from certain H-4 dependent spouses as of Tuesday, May 26, 2015 – qualified H-4 nonimmigrants should start the process as soon as possible. Once USCIS approves Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and the H-4 dependent spouse receives the physical Employment Authorization…
Reminder – DHS Extends Eligibility for EAD to Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses – 5/26/15
Reminder: USCIS will begin accepting employment authorization (EAD) applications from certain H-4 dependent spouses on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 – qualified H-4 nonimmigrants should start the process as soon as possible. Please note that EAD applications CANNOT be filed until May 26th. USCIS Director León Rodríguez announced on Tuesday, February…
USCIS Temporarily Suspends Premium Processing for Extension of Stay H-1B Petitions
USCIS announced that they will temporarily suspend premium processing for all H-1B Extension of Stay petitions as of Tuesday, May 26, 2015. This suspension will last until Monday, July 27, 2015. During this temporary suspension period, petitioners will not be able to file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service,…
Reminder – DHS Extends Eligibility for EAD to Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses – 5/26/15
Reminder: USCIS will begin accepting employment authorization (EAD) applications from certain H-4 dependent spouses on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 – qualified H-4 nonimmigrants should start the process as soon as possible. Please note that EAD applications CANNOT be filed until May 26th. USCIS Director León Rodríguez announced on Tuesday, February…
USCIS Reaches H-2B Cap for Fiscal Year 2015
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the congressionally mandated H-2B cap for fiscal year (FY) 2015 was reached on Thursday, March 26, 2015. The H-2B non-agricultural temporary worker program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary non-agricultural jobs. There is…
USCIS Resumes H-2B Adjudications – Premium Processing Remains Suspended!
On Tuesday, March 17th, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) resumed adjudication of H-2B Visa petitions! They announced that they would continue the suspension on H-2B premium processing until further notice. Premium Processing is a service which for an added cost can be used to expedite processing of certain employment-based…