As a foreign national, working in the United States may be an end goal, or a means to an end. No matter what your reasons are for wanting to invest in a US business and/or work for that business, there are requirements that have to be followed to ensure your time in the US is… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Business Immigration
Top 25 Technology Start-Ups in the Denver/Boulder Area
If you’re looking for a place to start up a technology company, the Denver/Boulder area is a prime location to consider. Many tech companies have gotten their start there recently. Some of these startup companies are completely focused on technology, while others have found ways to make the power of the Internet work for them based on what they want… Read more »
How Do I Work in the US as an Artist, Athlete, or Entertainer?
Individuals with unique skills as an artist, athlete, or entertainer may qualify for short-term O, P, or H visas to the United States. Read on to learn about the different visa options available to persons of unique talents who wish to further their professional goals in the U.S. Anyone with specific questions about visas for… Read more »
Business Visas for Foreign Nationals
Q+A: I am a foreign national, what business visa do I need to start a US based business? As a foreign national wanting to start a business in the United States in an area popular for startups such as Denver, Colorado, you will want to make sure you have the right visa. Without the proper… Read more »
What is the National Interest Waiver Green Card?
The “National Interest Waiver” or “NIW” is a rather underutlized approach to obtaining legal permanent residence in the United States. It is available to foreign nationals working in the US in various fields such as business, education, the arts, and sciences whose employment within the United States is in the “national interest” of the country… Read more »
Moving Work Locations – When Does It Affect An H-1B Petition?
In Matter of Simeio Solutions, LLC, decided April 9, 2015, USCIS’ Administrative Appeals Office held that, in addition to employers certifying a new Labor Condition Application (LCA) when an H-1B worker changes worksite locations, the US employer must now file an amended H-1B petition before placing an H-1B worker in the new worksite location. While… Read more »
What Happens When my H-1B 6-year Period Expires?
The coveted H-1B visa is actually capped to a total of 6 years. It is issued in a three-year increment so technically you can renew it for another three-year period. This is yet another frustrating problem with the H-1B visa in addition to getting one of the 85,000 visas per year. Over 175,000 applicants applied… Read more »
US Economy Demands an Expansion of the H-1B Visa
In order to attract and retain the best and the brightest young people from other countries and employ them here in the United States, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services issues the H-1B visa. Those that qualify for this visa must have “specialized knowledge” which usually equates to a baccalaureate degree. The degree must directly… Read more »
U.S. Stands to Gain from Proposed Regulation Change for H-1B Spouses
It has been nearly five months since the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced proposed regulations that would allow around 100,000 qualified H-4 spouses of H-1B visa holders to obtain a Social Security number and legally work in the United States. The public comments phase closed on July 11, 2014 and a final rule has… Read more »
High-Skilled Immigration and the U.S. Economy
The story of America, in large part, is a story of immigrant entrepreneurs building communities, businesses and entire new industries here. That story, however, has been twisted in recent years into one of immigrants as “job takers” who wrest opportunities away from native-born workers. A closer look shows that story to be fiction, particularly when… Read more »
Proposed Regulations to Assist High Skilled Workers Moderately Positive
On May 6, 2014, US Department of Homeland Security announced some proposed regulations that would ease some of the pain being experienced by highly educated/skilled foreign nationals in the United States. “The proposed rules announced today provide important support to U.S. businesses while also supporting economic growth here in the U.S.,” said Deputy Secretary Alejandro… Read more »
What is H-1B Cap Gap Coverage and Do I Qualify?
During H-1B cap season, it is important for F-1 students to understand how the “cap” impacts their ability to change status to H-1B in the US, to continue working on Optional Practical Training (OPT), and to stay in the US prior to H-1B status beginning. Fortunately, USCIS has provided a regulation to assist with these… Read more »
Mexican Nationals Applying for TN Have Process Streamlined
A final rule published February 10, 2014 by US Department of State eliminates the need for Mexican national TN applicants to petition for a TN in the United States first. This is a significant benefit because it allows the TN applicant to just apply directly to the Consulate and save time and money by bypassing… Read more »
Update on USCIS Site Visits to H-1B Employers
A Freedom of Information ACT (FOIA) request has resulted in the release of a confidential memo from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS). FDNS investigates a host of non-immigrant and immigrant visa applications. The memo, dated June 3, 2013, provides some insight as to how FDNS is… Read more »
F-1 OPT Students with STEM Degrees Have Extended OPT Option
Concerned about not obtaining an H-1B this next spring due to the cap? If you are an F-1 student with post-completion OPT (Optional Practical Training), you should be aware of the option to extend your F-1/OPT if necessary. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implemented exciting changes to the OPT program in 2008, to make… Read more »