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Posted By
Akula & Associates P.C.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced its plans to launch a pilot program to allow for domestic renewals of H and L nonimmigrant visas. This is a welcome announcement because it means holders of those visas who are already in the US would not be required to travel to a consulate abroad for visa renewals. The creation of such a program requires the State Department to set ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
What is Diversity Visa Lottery/Diversity Visa Program? The Diversity Immigrant Visa program (also known as the green card lottery) is a government lottery program provides individuals from counties with relatively lower levels of recent immigration to the U.S. and with specific education qualifications a chance to apply for an immigration visa and a green card. In general, the program makes 50,000 ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) today announced the forthcoming publication of a joint temporary final rule to make available an additional 20,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year (FY) 2022. These visas will be set aside for U.S. employers seeking to employ additional workers on or before March 31, 2022. This supplemental cap ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
In November 2021, USCIS conducted a third selection on previously submitted electronic registrations for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 H-1B. The petition filing period based on registrations selected on Nov. 19 will begin on Nov. 22, 2021, and close on Feb. 23, 2022. On Nov. 19, USCIS determined that they needed to select additional registrations to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2022 H-1B numerical ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
Department of State posts that process both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas are prioritizing immigrant visa applications. However, the volume and type of visa cases each post will process continues to depend on local conditions. U.S. embassies and consulates have implemented social distancing and other safety measures, which have reduced the number of applicants consular sections are able to ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
USCIS has received enough petitions for returning workers to reach the additional 22,000 H-2B visas made available under the FY 2021 H-2B supplemental visa temporary final rule. They will reject and return any cap-subject petitions for H-2B returning workers received after Aug. 13, along with any accompanying fees. USCIS began accepting additional H-2B petitions for returning workers on July 23 ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
The Department of State has posted the September 2021 Visa Bulletin. All family-based categories must use the Final Action Dates chart, which is showing current, meaning visas are readily available for this category. Applicants in all employment-based preference categories must also use the Final Action Date chart for filings in the month of September. The EB-2 category priority date has moved up ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
The Department of State posted the August 2021 Visa Bulletin. All family-based categories must use the Dates of Filing chart, except for the F2A category, spouses and children of permanent residents, who must use the Final Action chart which is showing current; meaning visas are readily available for this category. Applicants in all employment-based preference categories must use the Final Action ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
Presidential Proclamation 10052, which suspended entry of certain non-immigrants expired March 31, 2021. Now, many non-immigrants will be able to seek entry to the United States. The non-immigrant and previously revoked immigrant entry bans separated thousands of families, impeded the ability for businesses to hire and retain employees, and disrupted the U.S. economy. The COVID-19 global pandemic ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
If you have the right combination of skills, education, and experience, you could be eligible to live and work in the United States permanently. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has five set employment-based immigration visa preferences. The more qualifications and experience you have, the more likely you will qualify for a permanent visa. Our Dallas immigration attorneys have ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
The chances of winning a green card vary depending on the participant’s country. Each world region receives a certain number of green cards. For this reason, it is difficult to determine the chances of winning. In 2017, nearly 19 million people applied for the green card lottery, and only about 55,000 people were granted a visa. According to the Washington Post, fewer than one percent of ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
Family-based visas are many immigrants’ first step on their path to full United States citizenship. Current U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) may sponsor certain relatives to receive a green card or a family-based visa based on their family relationship. Learn more about family-based immigration and how to sponsor a relative who lives abroad for a green card or a family-based ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
Plan on coming to the United States? If so, you’ll need a visa unless you are from Canada or are entering under the Visa Waiver Program for less than 90 days. Whatever your temporary purpose in the U.S. might be, there are many visas available and one that probably suits your purpose. If you plan on coming temporarily for short-term business, vacation, or any other purpose, the good news is you ...
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Akula & Associates P.C.
Business owners seeking to bolster company resources do not have to rely solely on domestic banks or financiers and should consider foreign capital investments. In 1990, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) created the EB-5 visa program to stimulate new jobs and business growth through investments by foreign nationals. In return for contributing to the U.S. economy, investors can ...
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