Movement on H.R. 3012, Bill to Remove Per Country Quota for Green Cards
Legislation to Eliminate Annual Per-Country H-1B Limits Passes One Hurdle
Legislation to Eliminate Annual Per-Country H-1B Limits Passes One Hurdle
The U.S. State Department is launching a pilot program to pre-screen E-1/E-2 visa applicants at consular posts in Canada. Kentucky Consular Center officials will contact the E-1/E-2 applicant's U.S. employer to verify information about the application, including the legitimacy of the company and the investment. This prescreening aims to assist consular officers to focus on the individual applicant's qualifications. The State Department hopes to implement the pilot around the world at consular posts that process E visa applications.
The U.S. Department of Labor has released PERM statistics for the first eight months of the fiscal year that began last October. Of the 43,100 applications it processed, 27,600 (64%) were certified, 83% were for H-1B and H-1B1 visas, 44% were for IT-related fields, and 55% were for applicants from India. The minimum education requirement was an advanced degree for 51% of those certified, and a bachelor degree for 39%. The Department certified more applications in the last two months than in either of the prior three-month periods.
Israeli investors will soon be able to apply for the E-2 visa, which allows holders to live and work in the U.S. for an extended period of time while overseeing a major investment in the United States. Legislation to allow Israelis to apply for these visas was approved in Congress in May 31 and signed by the President this month. The legislation requires that similarly situated United States nationals must be eligible for similar nonimmigrant status in Israel. Therefore, visa applications will be accepted once Israel confirms that it will issue similar visas to U.S. citizens.
Hi there,
I had my N-400 interview in Portland, Oregon this afternoon. At the end, the officer printed the N-652 form and checked two boxes: a) you passed the tests of English and U.S. history and government; and b) Congratulations! Your application has been recommended for approval.
The interview was smooth and quick. I had 2 tickets for speeding, which I had included in my N-400 application. He said it was good I had included them because I got a citation (ticket), but that they're only interested in violations that involve arrests.
The process was very smooth and lasted for 3 full minutes. USCIS officer was professional and friendly and started the interview right on time. He asked me to take the oath first and then reviewed the application. Then he asked me to write a simple sentense, went through history & civics questions (all from the list of 100 USCIS has on its website) and once I answered first six correctly told me that I passed the exam and the application is approved. He said I will get oath notice in 1 - 2 months.