Update on TN Visa Delay in Mexico Obtaining a TN visa in Mexico has been streamlined over the past couple of years to only 3 US Consulates – Mexico City, Guadalahara, and Ciudad Juarez. Updates can be found on the Mission Mexico website page. As such, the processing times have been deteriorating, resulting now in… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Business Immigration
Trump H-1B Rules Reversed Under Biden
On day one, President Biden reversed two H-1B rules recently issued by the Trump Administration that have stymied H-1B employers and employees. Trump H-1B Regulations – What Are They? The Trump Administration issued 2 new H-1B rules in the past few months. The first, “Strengthening the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification Program,” narrowly amends a regulation… Read more »
Lost My H-1B Job? What are My Rights and Options?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I received several questions from H-1B workers who are losing their jobs. The H-1B non-immigrant work visa allows foreign workers to temporarily work in the U.S. in specialty fields such as IT, architecture, engineering, mathematics, science, and medicine. While many advantages to H-1B status, one drawback is that your rights to… Read more »
I Am In H Status and Am Terminated, Furloughed, or Wage Reduced: H-1B and H-2B Life after Covid-19
Covid-19 has turned the US labor market into a bloodbath – but it’s even worse for those foreign persons who work here temporarily on visas like the H-1B (professional) or H-2B (seasonal workers). First, try to get the employer to give the H worker time to change into a different status before the effective termination… Read more »
Recap of H-1B Season 2019-20
On August 15, 2019, United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) formally announced the return of all rejected H-1B cases who lost in the H-1B lottery this fiscal year. The lottery was completed on 11th April 2019. Here’s a quick recap of the H-1B Season 2019-20: More petitions were filed 201,011 foreign nationals put in… Read more »
USCIS Expands Interviews – Will Slow USCIS Denver Processing Times
USCIS today confirmed reports from Politco.com and NBC News that it would be expanding interviews to employment-based permanent resident (aka “green card”) applicants and others who file their applications in the US. Currently, employment-based applicants are generally waived of an interview, which normally does take place for family-based applicants. This will likely slow down processing times…. Read more »
USCIS Announced that All H-1B Rejections for FY2016-17 Processed
Well, another disappointing H-1B season as I had NOT ONE client win the H-1B lottery this fiscal year. It made me realize that I actually had been lucky over the past 5 years since the lottery process has been really competitive with one or more clients winning – but not this year. The H-1B gods… Read more »
I Obtained my E-2 Visa Now What?
For those foreign nationals, who have received an E-2 visa overseas and entered the US, figuring out the logistics of living here can be a little daunting. Without a social security number and credit history in the US, it can be difficult renting an apartment or house, or even getting business insurance. Without proof of… Read more »
USCIS H-1B Cap Random Selection Process Completed for FY 2017
It is H-1B Cap Season again. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) just held lotteries on April 9 for both the standard and advanced degree H-1B visa caps for fiscal year (FY) 2017, with a work start date of October 1, 2016. Employers filed roughly 236,000 petitions for H-1B guest worker visas, setting a new record…. Read more »
U.S. Nursing Shortage and the Importance of Foreign Nurses
Our visa system is monitored through the Visa Bulletin, issued each month. The bulletin reports which visa category for which countries can proceed through the visa process to completion. Those who do not have a current priority date must wait until their visa becomes what is called “current.” The dramatic reduction in wait times for… Read more »
Colorado Impact Investing Helps Entrepreneurs Build Local Businesses, Healthy Communities
Starting a business is the dream of many Americans and many Coloradoans. Colorado’s natural beauty and healthy lifestyle attracts many people from out-of-state and out-of-country. Nearly 2/3 of the state’s residents were born outside Colorado, while nearly 1 in 10 Coloradans is foreign-born. Many of those who have come to call Colorado home want to… Read more »
Immigrants and Entrepreneurship in the US
U.S. immigrants have an impressive record of starting businesses in this country that benefit the economy as a whole—a trend that flies in the face of immigration opponents who argue that newcomers to this country stifle job opportunities for those already living here. Denver recently celebrated all things startup business-related at the fourth annual Denver… Read more »
Congressional Bill Provides Permanent Residence Path for E-2 Visa Holders
A bill introduced in the House of Representatives would allow certain foreign nationals on E-2 visas to apply for permanent residence in the United States. Under current U.S. immigration law, E-2 Treaty Investor visas are issued for two-year periods and may be extended for an additional two-year increment indefinitely. E-2 holders whose visa status expires… Read more »
I am a small business owner, how do I hire a foreign national on a temporary basis?
Hiring a foreign national on a temporary basis is something many small business owners do. There are advantages and disadvantages to making that choice, of course, since it’s a bit of a different process than hiring someone who is a citizen of the US. In order to hire a foreign national, it’s important to understand… Read more »
New Rule Will Permit Thousands to File I-485s Beginning Oct. 1
A new rule will allow family and employment-based Green Card applicants to apply for a change of immigration status earlier than previously possible. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), in coordination with the Department of State (DOS), announced on September 9 a change in the process for determining visa availability for immigrants seeking “adjustment of… Read more »