L-1 Visa
Immigration Reform Bill Introduced in Senate (Part 2 of 3)
In Part 1 of this Article, we provided you with an overview of the Immigration Reform Bill that was introduced in the Senate on April 17, 2013 and familiarized you with some of the key provisions for those who are present in the Unites States in an unlawful status. This article will highlight some of…
Read MoreImmigration Reform Bill Introduced in Senate (Part 1 of 3)
On April 17, 2013, Senators introduced a long-awaited and sweeping immigration overhaul bill, known as the “Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013” that addresses backlogs in legal immigration, undocumented immigrants, and border security. This 844-page bill is the result of weeks of negotiations amongst the Senate’s “Gang of Eight” – four…
Read MoreMay 2013 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 India Remains Unchanged
U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the May 2013 Visa Bulletin which is the eighth Visa Bulletin for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013. The cutoff dates for Employment-Based second preference (EB-2) India remains in effect at September 1, 2004. The worldwide Employment-Based third preference (EB-3) category moved forward 5 months to December 1, 2007…
Read MoreMarch 2013 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 India Remains Unchanged (DOS Prediction)
U.S. Department of State (DOS) has just released the March 2013 Visa Bulletin which is the sixth Visa Bulletin for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013. The cutoff dates for Employment-Based second preference (EB-2) India once again continues to disappoint at September 1, 2004. In this bulletin, DOS has indicated that there is unlikely to be…
Read MoreUpdating DS-160 after Submission
All nonimmigrant visa applicants, with the exception of those applying for K visa, must use online DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form. A successful submission of the DS-160 creates confirmation page with a unique barcode that the visa applicant must take with her/him to the visa interview. Issues arise where the visa applicant, after submitting her/his…
Read MoreDecember 2012 Visa Bulletin: Predictions for Fiscal Year 2013
On November 7th, U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued the December 2012 Visa Bulletin. Cutoff dates for Employment-Based second preference (EB-2) India remains at September 1, 2004 and for Employment-Based third preference (EB-3) India moved one week to November 1, 2002. In a recently meeting, Mr. Charles Oppenheim, the Chief of the DOS Immigrant Visa…
Read MoreDriver’s License, SSA, and other Issues for Noncitizens and Naturalized Citizens
SAVE (Systems Alien Verification for Entitlements) is an inter-governmental information services program which verifies the immigration status of a noncitizen or a naturalized citizen, helping to ensure that only entitled applicants receive federal, state, or local benefits, such as a driver’s license, Social Security Number, housing assistance, Medicaid, or other public benefits. Any participating benefit…
Read More30/60 day rule: Employer’s Obligation to Pay H-1B Worker
At this time of the year, we receive many queries from employers about their obligation to pay H-1B workers who are either entering the US for the first time in H-1B status or are changing status to H-1B. Predominantly these queries are from employers for whom the H-1B beneficiary has entered into employment with them…
Read MoreForm I-94 Information for Foreign Travelers: CBP Update
Custom and Border Patrol (CBP) is exploring automating the Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record to allow for the electronic management of the data. This has resulted in delays in processing the travel information into the I-94 database. Hence, CBP is advising foreign visitors entering the U.S., who need to prove their legal status to employers, schools/universities…
Read MoreIRS provides Interim ITIN FAQS
An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (or ITIN) is a tax processing number that Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issues to foreign nationals who do not otherwise qualify for Social Security Numbers (SSNs) but have federal tax filing/reporting requirements. Some such beneficiaries of ITIN include but are not limited to: foreign investors, foreign students, spouses and children…
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