USCIS released the weekly FY2011 information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1. As of April 27, 2010, USCIS has received approximately 16,500 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap (a weekly increase of 475). Similarly, as of April 27, there were 6,900 H-1B visas filed subject to the U.S. Masters cap [...]
Late spring and early summer are generally busy period for recent foreign college graduates as far as employment immigration is concerned. On one hand, foreign college graduates are either applying for their initial term OPT, their 17-month STEM extensions (if they qualify) or their H-1B work visas. Our office fields many questions from prospective or [...]
USCIS released the weekly FY2011 information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1. As of April 22, 2010, USCIS has received approximately 16,025 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap (a weekly increase of 2,425). Similarly, as of April 22, there were 6,739 H-1B visas filed subject to the U.S. Masters cap [...]
USCIS released the second “official” FY2011 information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1. As of April 15, 2010, USCIS has received approximately 13,600 H-1B petitions counting toward the 65,000 cap (a weekly increase of only 100). Similarly, as of April 15, there were 5,800 H-1B visas filed subject to the U.S. [...]
The H-1B season is well underway. Yesterday we reported on the Vermont Service Center's H-1B FY2011 numbers as of April 5. Today, USCIS released the first "official" FY2011 information on the numbers of cap-subject H-1Bs filed since April 1 for both the Vermont and California Service Centers. As of April 8, 2010, USCIS has received [...]
The Vermont Service Center (VSC) of USCIS has released the first "semi-official" Fiscal Year 2011 H-1B numbers. As of close of business on Monday, April 5th, VSC has received a total of 9,525 cap-subject H-1B petitions. Of those, 6,791 were "regular H-1B cap" and 2,734 were "master's cap" petitions. Note that this information is for [...]
Generally, the U.S. Department of State likes to process visas at the consulate located at the applicant's home country. Howevre, U.S. consulates in Mexico and Canada have the practice of allowing third-country nationals (TCN) to apply for a U.S. visa stamp in addition to their home country. However, recent AILA interactions with the Department of [...]
As many of our clients and readers know, the H-1B program allows stay in the U.S. on H or L status of up to six years. Time spent abroad during this period may be "recaptured" and added towards the six years of H-1B time. However, many foreign nationals who are not eligible to extend their [...]
We have written extensively over the past two months on the January 8, 2010 Neufeld Memorandum (the "Neufeld Memo") changing the H-1B adjudication standards for H-1B employers engaged in 3rd party placement or employee-owners. We have also written about AILA's efforts to rescind the Neufeld Memo. In a letter dated March 19, 2010 addressed to [...]
USCIS published a notice in the Federal Register with proposed changes to Form I-129 which is used for H-1B, L-1, TN, among other visa type filings. Please see the DRAFT proposed Form I-129 (and draft instructions). The proposed changes are significant and are likely to impact most, if not all, employers who file Form I-129. [...]