USA Visa Resources

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released new guidance to clarify the eligibility requirements for the O-1B visa. This visa category is designed for individuals demonstrating extraordinary ability in the arts, or extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industries.  The updated guidance includes expanded examples of acceptable evidence…

The L-1 visa category, also known as the intracompany transfer visa, allows multinational companies to transfer qualified employees to their U.S. branches or affiliates. This visa is commonly used for executives, managers, and employees with specialized knowledge. However, recent policy guidance issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration…

The H-2B visa program provides a path for U.S. employers to source temporary non-agricultural workers when there is a shortage of domestic labor. The annual cap for H-2B visas is typically 66,000 per fiscal year (FY). For FY 2023, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) made an additional 16,500 H-2B visas available specifically for workers who previously…

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant expansion of its premium processing service. This expedited option now extends to applicants seeking to change their status to F-1, F-2, M-1, M-2, J-1, or J-2 nonimmigrant visas, categories typically used by international students, their dependents, and exchange visitors. Premium processing offers guaranteed…

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a significant overhaul of the H-1B visa program, aiming to streamline the application process, enhance its fairness and effectiveness, and attract highly skilled foreign workers to the United States. The proposed changes, outlined in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published…

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released new policy guidance clarifying how they determine whether an exchange visitor (J-visa holder) has fulfilled the 2-year foreign residence requirement. This requirement applies to certain J-visa categories and mandates that the visa holder return to their home country for two…

The world of visa and immigration is constantly evolving, and a recent announcement from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has brought significant updates to the forefront, specifically regarding the Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Alien Investor. Form I-526 is a critical document for foreign nationals seeking to immigrate to the United States through the EB-5 Immigrant…

The U.S. Department of State Diversity Visa Lottery (DV Lottery) presents a potential pathway to permanent residency in the United States for individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates. The DV-2025 program will award up to 55,000 diversity visas. Online registration for the DV-2025 lottery opens on October 4, 2023,…

In anticipation of the 2024 election, Donald Trump has unveiled a stringent immigration plan, signaling a return to hardline policies that could significantly reshape immigration access in the United States. This announcement, strategically timed, highlights immigration as a central issue in Trump's campaign, aiming to mobilize support among his base.  The proposed plan, outlines…

Immigration has been a fundamental part of the United States' history and identity. The constant influx of people from diverse backgrounds has shaped the nation's culture, economy, and global standing. In recent years, the trends surrounding U.S. immigration have been evolving, influenced by shifting global dynamics, economic factors, and policy changes.