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H-1B: Person in Specialty Occupation
This nonimmigrant classification applies to people who wish to perform services in a specialty occupation, services of exceptional merit and ability relating to a Department of Defense (DOD) cooperative research and development project, or services as a fashion model of distinguished merit or ability.
H-3 Visa Trainees
General Information
An H-3 classification applies to an alien who is coming temporarily to the United States:
(1) As a trainee, other than to receive graduate medical education or training, or training provided primarily at or by an academic or vocational institution, or
(2) As a participant in a special education exchange visitor program which provides for practical training and experience in the education of children with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.
Nonimmigrant Visas
H-4 Visa Spouse & Children
Family members of the H-1B foreign worker are admitted to the United States in the H-4 category. Qualifying family members include only the spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old. H-4 dependents are admitted for the same period of time for which the H-1B foreign worker is admitted. H-4 dependents may alternatively be admitted in other nonimmigrant categories for which they qualify. H-4 dependents may undertake studies while remaining in the H-4 category, however, they may not engage in any form of employment.
H Visa Processing times & status checks
Processing Times
- USCIS Service Center Processing Times
- California Service Center
- Nebraska Service Center
- Texas service Center
- Vermont Service Center
Nonimmigrant Visas
H-2 Visa - Temporary Workers
The H-2B visa category is used by U.S. employers to temporarily employ skilled or unskilled foreign nationals in nonagricultural positions for which the employer has a temporary need and for which qualified U.S. workers are unavailable. The company must plan to employ the foreign nationals for a temporary period and the employer’s need for the skills of the foreign nationals must also be temporary. In addition, the employer must seek a “labor certification” from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) certifying that:
Guestbook Entry for Sriram, United States
USCIS Provides Third Gender Option on Form N-400
Release Date:
04/01/2024
USCIS has revised Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, to provide a third gender option, “X,” defined as “Another Gender Identity.” USCIS is also updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual accordingly to account for this form revision and other forthcoming form revisions that will add a third gender option; see the Policy Alert (PDF, 344.77 KB).
Notice of FY 2025 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Selection Process Completion and Cap Season Reminders
Release Date:
04/01/2024
H-1B Initial Electronic Registration Selection Process Completed
DOL Releases FY2011 PERM Statistics
Please see the attachment to view the PERM Statistics.
USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
Form I-929, Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant
04/01/2024 06:16 PM EDT
New Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) 2010 Updated
In January 2010 the BLS Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) was updated. This year the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) began issuing prevailing wages using the new SOC occupations and a few transitional occupations. The OFLC iCERT system and FLC Data Center incorporated this data as of July 5, 2011. To read the full text, please click here.
CRS Report On Temporary Protected Status: Current Immigration Policy and Issues
Please check the attachment to view CRS report on "Temporary Protected Status: Current Immigration Policy and Issues".
DOL Posted New H-2A FAQ
The Department has posted a new Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) to assist employers and others regarding the H-2A program. The FAQ is available here on the FAQs page of the OFLC website under the H-2A heading.
DOL Posted FAQ to Assist Employers and Others Regarding the H-2B Program
The Department has posted a new Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) to assist employers and others regarding the H-2B program.
Please check attachment.
Guestbook Entry for Mohammed Yaseen, United States
March 30, 2024, Rajiv in QnA session on behalf of students, young professionals
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
SUBSCRIBE to Immigration.com YouTube Channel for further updates.
mmigration.com, Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna PC, US Immigration Attorney
Attention: University of Northern Virginia Students
- On July 28, 2011, pursuant to a review of University of Northern Virginia’s (UNVA) certification, an SEVP representative served school officials at UNVA with a Notice of Intent to Withdraw (NOIW) the school’s SEVP-certification and SEVIS access.
Please see http://www.ice.gov/sevis/UNVA/ for details.
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Nonimmigrant Visas
Agency
Glossary
USCIS Publishes Tips On Filing H-2A Petitions
Please check the attachment.
USCIS Announces New Guidance on Form I-693 Validity Period
Release Date:
04/04/2024
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced (PDF, 317.28 KB) that any Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, that was properly completed and signed by a civil surgeon on or after Nov. 1, 2023, does not expire and can be used indefinitely as evidence to show that the applicant is not inadmissible on health-related grounds.
Staying outside the US on Re-Entry Permit Validity, Usage, and Multiple Entries for Green Card Holders
Background Context
Applied for I131, ReEntry Permit for my parents, who hold GC
Receipt Notice: 12/27/2022
Biometrics: Jan 2023
Left US: March 1, 2023
Approval Notice received: 03/07/2024 with validity from 02/29/2024 to 02/27/2026
Question
While the intention is to be back in the US as soon as possible, can parents stay outside US till 02/27/2026 or do they need to be back before Feb 25, 2025 (as it would be two years by then since they left)?
Can the re-entry permit be used for multiple entries, or is it just for one-time use?
One can stay outside the US for the entire validity period of the re-entry permit, and yes, they can use it for multiple entries during that time.
Unemployment Benefits for H-1, H-4 + EAD Holders with Previous H-1B Employment
Can someone in H4 + EAD status receive unemployment benefits if they only worked on H1b status? Would receiving such benefits be considered a public charge or have any other negative impact down the road?
Unemployment benefits in the US vary by state and can be complex. If you are an H1B visa holder who has been laid off, you may be eligible for benefits during your 60-day grace period, but it's important to confirm with your state's unemployment office. Regardless of your visa situation, it's important to remember that unemployment benefits are considered an earned benefit funded by your employer's contributions, so there's no public charge concern. Always check with your state's unemployment office for specific requirements and the application process.