On December 18, 2024, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a final rule titled "Modernizing H-1B Requirements, Providing Flexibility in the F-1 Program, and Program Improvements Affecting Other Nonimmigrant Workers." This rule (“new rule”), effective January 17, 2025,...
Starting January 18, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may no longer be required to process H-4 and L-2 dependent applications in tandem with their principal’s H-1B or L-1 visa petitions. This change would mark the end of a...
Generally, an H-1B visa allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in various specialty occupations. If an employee who is working on an H-1B requires a leave of absence from their employment, and the employer approves the leave, the...
On April 1, 2024, USCIS announced that it had received enough registrations for the FY 2025 H-1B cap for both the regular cap and the advanced degree exemption (U.S. Master’s cap). On April 30, 2024, USCIS shared the specific results...
It is that time of the year again where U.S. employers consider which of their current or prospective employees should be registered towards the FY2025 H-1B lottery occurring in March 2024. Unlike previous years, USCIS just announced a new beneficiary...
Certain H-1B non-immigrants will soon be eligible to apply for visa stamping within the U.S. On December 21, 2023 the U.S. Department of States (“DOS”) announced the anticipated pilot program to resume visa stamping within the United States for limited...
What is a USCIS FDNS Site Visit? A USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS) site visit is intended to ensure compliance with immigration regulations and verify information pertaining to the most recent immigration filing. These site visits can...
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a proposed amendment to the H-1B regulations on October 23, 2023. The changes are meant to modernize and add flexibility to the H-1B program. Alejandro N. Mayorkas, the Secretary of Homeland Security, introduced...