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Let's face it: navigating the H-1B Visa lottery can be overwhelming. Between the yearly updates, legal jargon, and complicated application requirements, it's no surprise that both employers and potential employees find themselves lost in a sea of confusing information. For this very reason, thousands of applications are denied every year. With the 2025-26 H-1B Visa cap-filing season right around the corner, this guide aims to demystify the H1-B visa lottery process, breaking down every step in a way anyone can follow, hopefully increasing your chances of a successful application. This guide covers the H-1B Visa Cap Lottery Process, eligibility &…
One of the most significant parts of getting a green card in the U.S. is waiting for your priority date to be current. For those who have invested the time, effort, and money into an immigrant visa, questions arise such as "How long will it take for my date to be current?" and "Can I speed this process up?" We provide regular monthly updates on the most recent visa bulletin, analyze the date movements, and predict upcoming months to help answer these questions. This month, we'll go over the February 2025 visa bulletin. (more…)
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a final rule titled "Modernizing H-1B Requirements, Providing Flexibility in the F-1 Program, and Program Improvements Affecting Other Nonimmigrant Workers." This rule, scheduled for official publication on December 18, 2024, will take effect on January 17, 2025. What DHS Officials Are Saying “These improvements to the program provide employers with greater flexibility to hire global talent, boost our economic competitiveness, and allow highly skilled workers to continue to advance American innovation,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “The H-1B program was created by Congress in 1990, and there’s no question…
Effective December 9, 2024, the Department of State (DOS) has made significant updates to the J-1 Exchange Visitors Skills List. This list plays a crucial role in determining whether J-1 visa holders must return to their home countries for two years after their program ends, as mandated by Section 212(e) of the amended Immigration and Nationality Act. Here’s what you need to know: Key Takeaways: Impact on J-1 Visitors J-1 visitors who were admitted in J status or obtained J status before December 9, 2024, are no longer subject to the two-year foreign residence requirement if their home country is…
With Donald Trump winning the 2024 presidential election and set to take office again in January 2025, it's natural to wonder how his previous immigration policies might shape the future. His first term was marked by strict immigration measures affecting both legal immigrants and those without documentation. Here's a look at how his administration’s past actions could signal what's ahead. Looking Back: H-1B Visa Program Revisions Increased Scrutiny and Restrictions During his previous term, the H-1B visa program faced tougher rules. The definition of a "specialty occupation" became more stringent, leading to more denials and hurdles for applicants. This meant…
What is Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery? The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced the submission dates for the 2026 Diversity Visa Green Card lottery. Electronic entry submission begins at noon on October 2, 2024 and closes at 12PM EST on November 5, 2024. All submissions must be made through the electronic system and those submitted past November 5th will not be accepted. There is no fee to enter but individuals selected and scheduled for an interview need to pay the visa application fee before appearing before the consular officer. The results of the (FY) 2026 lottery are expected to…
USCIS has introduced important clarifications that make it easier for individuals to qualify for the EB-1A Extraordinary Ability and other high-skilled visa categories. These updates bring more flexibility to the evaluation of key criteria, expanding the type of evidence applicants can use to prove their extraordinary achievements. 1. Team Awards Now Recognized USCIS now counts team awards as evidence of excellence under the criterion for lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes. This change is especially important for those in fields like research, sports, or the arts, where awards are often given to teams. Applicants must demonstrate how their contribution was…
In the 2024-25 H-1B season, we saw many visa petitions from candidates who are currently on F-1 status and working in the U.S. under the optional practical training (OPT) program. A large portion of these F-1 visa holders rely on the OPT cap-gap rule to continue their employment after the OPT expires on April 1st (or for as long as the H-1B petition is not denied or rejected by USCIS). With that said, the OPT cap-gap rule only extends your employment authorization until September 30th which means some H-1B candidates might be at risk of being in a period of…
