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H-1B Cap Update as of 6/18
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS) released H-1B cap numbers as of June
18, receiving 22,900 toward the
65,000 cap-subject H-1B petitions and 9,700
towards the 20,000 H-1B Master's category.
Thus, H-1B cap numbers remain available, and
there is still time to submit your FY2011 H-1B
visa application for foreign national applicants
beginning employment on October 1, 2010 or
later.
Read full story.
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The USCIS’ Redesign of
E-Verify
Earlier this month, the U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services (USCIS) re-designed
E-Verify, an employment verification program
that instantly determines the work authorization
of a U.S. employee by matching Form I-9 data
with government databases. While federal
contractors and sub-contractors are required to
use E-Verify, employers use of the
controversial E-Verify program is optional
(depending on state legislation) -- over 1,400
new employers currently join every week.
The enhancements of the re-design are meant
to improve its usability, efficiency and
accuracy.
Learn more about E-Verify and Form I-9 or to
determine your E-Verify options contact your
immigration services provider.
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USCIS Looking to Increase
Immigration Fees
Every two years the United States Center for
Immigration Services (USCIS) completes a
comprehensive fee review to assess whether they
are covering their costs in providing
immigration services and benefits. With
the last comprehensive fee review in 2007, the
USCIS conducted another comprehensive review in
2009, which has resulted in a proposal to
increase fees. While there are some
exceptions, to compensate for the gap between
the cost of immigration services and the revenue
being brought in, the USCIS is proposing an
overall 10% fee increase for the average
application and petition fees.
On June 11, 2010 the USCIS entered into a
required 45 day public comment period to gather
public opinion and feedback on the fee proposal.
After this period, the USCIS will consider the
collected feedback and make a final decision on
the fee proposal. Should you have any
questions on how the fee increase may affect
you, please contact your legal services
provider.
Read full story.
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DHS Eliminates I-94W Paper
Form for Visa Waiver Program
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security
announced at the end of May that it will be
eliminating the paper Form I-94W,
arrival/departure document, for participants of
the Visa Waiver Program, a program that enables
nationals of participating countries to travel
to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days
or less without obtaining a visa. The U.S.
Customs and Border Protection will be removing
the paper I-94W requirements for U.S.-bound
flights on a rolling basis over the next several
months. To prepare for this change, VWP
travelers should submit ESTA applications as
soon as they have begun making travel plans.
Read full story.
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July 2010 Visa
Bulletin
Indian nationals in the second employment-based
preference category finally received the good
news that they have long been waiting for - the
U.S. Department of State's ("DOS") July 2010
Visa Bulletin shows a gigantic leap forward of 8
months after months of stagnation. This,
along with the DOS's revised year-end
projections, makes this bulletin one of the most
informative and welcome bulletins so far this
year.
Read full story. |
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Immigration Streamlined
for Highly Qualified Specialists in Russia
Russia will introduce a
streamlined immigration process for highly
skilled workers to attract more foreign national
talent to Russia. As of July 1st, the
flow of immigrants into Russia will be divided
into two categories: ordinary guest workers and
highly qualified specialists (exempt from
Russia's work permit quota and employment permit
regimes). Defined as foreign nationals with
considerable achievements in their field and an
annual income exceeding $2 million rubles
(approximately 65 000 USD/ 53 000 EUR), highly
qualified specialists will be able to secure
work permits faster and easier. Further, highly
skilled foreign nationals will have special
privileges, such as paying the same tax rates as
Native Russians.
If you are a Russian employer, employing
highly skilled critical talent has just gotten
easier with this new legislation by reducing the
red tape, speeding up the processing time (from
three to six months to fourteen business days)
and special benefits offer. If you have any
questions regarding the immigration changes in
Russia, please contact your immigration services
provider.
Read full story.
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The VISANOW Voice is published
monthly by VISANOW.
VISANOW leads the way in
Global Immigration
and
Employment Eligibility
services. Our patented process has redefined the
way immigration services are delivered and consistently
provides faster responses, allows greater access
to information and saves time and money. Since 1998,
VISANOW has combined superior client support and
innovative technology designed to simplify the immigration
process for thousands of corporations and their
foreign employees. For more information, please
visit
www.visanow.com.
Any legal analysis or comments
contained herein have been provided by American
Services Network, P.C. and do not constitute the
provisions of legal services and, therefore, should
not be relied upon as legal advice. If you believe
that any of the information contained in this newsletter
relates to your immigration status or to your company's
immigration issues, you should consult your immigration
legal services provider.
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