USCIS Update – USCIS Extends H1B FY 2024 H-1B Cap Registration
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USCIS Update – USCIS Extends H1B FY 2024 H-1B Cap Registration

On March 17, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) extended the FY 2024 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period from Friday, March 17, 2023, at Noon EST until Monday, March 20, 2023, at 5 pm EST. 

What are the US Work Visa Options for Nurses?
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What are the US Work Visa Options for Nurses?

As with many medical professions, there is a substantial demand for registered nurses in the United States. Many employers look to foreign-trained nurses to fill this demand. There are several potential US work visa options for foreign nurses. These include TN visa status for citizens of Mexican and Canadian, E-3 visas for citizens of Australia, and H-1B visas for other foreign nationals. We cover these visa options and US permanent residence for Nurses here. 

USCIS Update – FY 2024 H-1B Visa Lottery Registration Now Open!
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USCIS Update – FY 2024 H-1B Visa Lottery Registration Now Open!

The initial registration period for the 2024 H-1B Visa cap will open today, March 1st, at noon EST and run through noon EST on March 17, 2023. During this period, prospective petitioners and representatives can complete and submit their registrations using the USCIS online H-1B registration system.

USCIS Update – Options for Nonimmigrant Workers Following Termination of Employment
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USCIS Update – Options for Nonimmigrant Workers Following Termination of Employment

On December 19, 2022, USCIS published a new resource containing options that are available for nonimmigrant workers that have lost their employment. We review the options provided by USCIS for nonimmigrant workers that have lost their jobs here. 

I lost my job while on an H1B Visa, do I have to go through the H1B lottery again?
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I lost my job while on an H1B Visa, do I have to go through the H1B lottery again?

If you have worked under CAP subject H1B Visa status, at one point in time you were granted H1B status through the H1B lottery. Once you are granted  H1B status through the lottery, it is not always necessary to re-enter the H1B lottery to accept new employment. In this article, we discuss whether or not you must go through the H1B visa lottery again after the loss of employment.

I was laid off or fired while on an H1B visa, now what?
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I was laid off or fired while on an H1B visa, now what?

Depending on the circumstances, an H1B Visa holder that loses their employment or fails to renew before it expires might be eligible for a grace period allowing them to remain in the US while they take action to preserve their legal status. But there are a lot of rules to consider, and breaking the rules could mean “unlawful presence.” We discuss being laid off or fired while on an H1B visa and what to do here.

As an employer, what do I need to know about H1B Visa extensions and renewals?
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As an employer, what do I need to know about H1B Visa extensions and renewals?

The initial term for an H1B Visa is up to 3 years. After the initial 3-year term, an H1B visa may be extended or renewed for one additional 3-year term for a maximum stay of 6 years in H1B visa status. an extension of H1B visa status is obtained the same way as the initial H1B visa, by filing Form I-129 Petition for Alien Worker with USCIS.  We review the H-1B Visa extension and renewal process here. 

As a Canadian citizen, do I need a J1 waiver for an H1B visa?
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As a Canadian citizen, do I need a J1 waiver for an H1B visa?

Canadian citizens on J-1 visas who receive graduate medical education or training in the United States are subject to a two-year home residency requirement. In general, the home residency requirement requires you to return to your home country for at least two years after completion of your J-1 program. If you cannot meet the two-year home residency requirement, you must apply for a waiver before you can obtain an H-1B visa. Learn more about how the two-year home residency requirement applies to Canadian citizens.