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Foreign national travelers renewing U.S. visas may now encounter a new challenge following a recent change to the visa interview waiver process.

Whenever a foreign national enters or returns to the U.S., the individual must carry a valid passport, proof of status in the U.S. (e.g., nonimmigrant petition approval notice in many cases), and a valid U.S. visa for the corresponding status. Such visas are obtained at U.S. Consulates operated by the U.S. Department of State (DOS). For those individuals renewing their visas, there has been an option to bypass an in-person interview. This option is now facing...

For non-profit organizations involved in research activities, hiring foreign workers under the H-1B visa category can be a viable path to access specialized skills and expertise. However, navigating the complexities of H-1B regulations is essential to ensure compliance and maximize the chances of a successful application. Below are some of the considerations non-profit employers must keep in mind to qualify under the definition of 8 CFR 214.2 (h) (19) (iii) (C).

The H-1B visa allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. To qualify for H-1B sponsorship, the position must be a specialty occupation. This typically means...

What is administrative processing?

In order for many individuals to enter the U.S., they will first need to obtain an actual visa from the U.S. consulate outside of the U.S. by their home. In addition to ensuring that an individual meets all of the legal requirements for the specific visa sought, consular officers have discretion to require additional security clearances before approving visa applications. When additional time is needed, the consular office will place an application in a process referenced as “administrative processing,” which is often code for more security clearance. Should your application be subject to this security clearance...

Understanding Cap-Exempt H-1B Employers: What You Need to Know

The H-1B visa program is a popular route for foreign professionals to work in the United States, but it comes with an annual cap limiting the number of visas available. However, not all H-1B employers are subject to this cap and there are options to avoid it.

What is a Cap-Exempt H-1B Employer?

In the H-1B visa program, there are two types of employers: cap-subject and cap-exempt. Cap-subject employers must compete for a limited number of H-1B visas each fiscal year, which are typically allocated through a lottery system. The annual...

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reported movement in the numbers of O-1A (work visas for individuals of extraordinary ability) and EB-2 (permanent residency for accomplished individuals in areas of national interest) visa applications and approvals since Biden administration guidance was released in early 2022, along with an overall increase in applications for national interest waivers, although the approval rate for the latter declined. The approval rate for both O-1A and EB-2 applications remained at 90 percent or above in fiscal years (FYs) 2018 through 2023. Below are highlights.

O-1A Visas: Applications and Approvals Increased

According to reports...

Each year, there is a limited number of H-1B Specialty Occupation visas available for employers offering jobs to professionals in the United States. In order for one to qualify for an H-1B visa, there must be a US employer; a specialty occupation job offer, i.e., one where the job duties cannot be performed by someone without a degree in a specific field of study; an offered wage that meets the Department of Labor requirements; and a qualified employee.

Due to the popularity of this visa, each fiscal year, USCIS has been running out of visas and therefore has had to...