USCIS Set to Increase Filing Fees
On May 4, 2016, USCIS issued a 60-day notice proposing an increase in filing fees for various applications. There has not been a fee increase since 2010. The schedule of proposed fees are as follows: Form I-129 (H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-2, P-1, TN, R-1): Current fee = $325 Proposed fee = $460 Form I-130 petitions for alien relatives: […]
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New STEM OPT Rules Starting May 2016
Beginning on May 10, 2016, F-1 students graduating with a U.S. bachelor’s or master’s degree in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) subject are eligible for 24-month OPT (Optional Practical Training). This is an increase from the duration, which provides for a 12-month initial OPT plus a 17-month extension. Applications submitted and approved prior to […]
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Applying for an H-1B Visa Before Graduation
H-1B petitions must be submitted to the USCIS on April 1st. In the very likely event that the number of applications exceeds the 65,000 (plus 20,000 U.S. master’s cap) quota, the USCIS will draw from all application received from April 1st through the first 5 business days. Many graduates will have completed the coursework towards […]
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How Early Should You Start Preparing an H-1B Visa Application?
Every April 1st, the USCIS begin accepting petitions from U.S. employers who are looking to sponsor a foreign employee for an H-1B visa. With only 65,000 visas available (plus an additional 20,000 for beneficiaries with U.S. master’s degrees), the quota will likely be filled within the first 5 business days after April 1st. That means […]
Read more →| Posted in Entrepreneurs, H-1B, Models, Nurses, OPT, Physical Therapists, Silicon Beach, Students, U.S. Immigration, Work Visa |
Guide to Applying for an H1B Visa in 2015
Wit the start of a new year comes the start of a new opportunity for U.S. employers to file H-1B visa petitions on behalf of foreign nationals in specialized occupations. We at Maximilian Law Inc. have written several posts over the past few years on various issues involving the H-1B visa. Below are links to […]
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Obama Announces Details on Immigration Executive Action
On November 20, 2014, President Barack Obama announced an Executive Action plan to overhaul and attempt to reform the broken U.S. immigration system. His plans include: Extending the validity period on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications from two years to three years Announcing a new plan called Deferred Action for Parental Accountability (DAPA). […]
Read more →| Posted in Advance Parole, Citizenship, DACA, Employment Authorization, Entrepreneurs, Executive Action, Green Card, Investors, L-1, Naturalization, OPT, Students, U.S. Immigration |