General Nonimmigrant Visa

USCIS Updates FY 2010 H-1B and H-2B Count (Updated 12/17/09)

As of December 15, 2009, approximately 64,200 H-1B cap-subject petitions had been filed. USCIS has approved sufficient H-1B petitions for aliens with advanced degrees to meet the exemption of 20,000 from the fiscal year 2010 cap. Any H-1B petitions filed on behalf of an alien with an advanced degree will now count toward the general H-1B cap of 65,000.

Proposal for Increase of Nonimmigrant Visa Application Fees

On December 14, 2009, the Department of State published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to increase the nonimmigrant visa application processing fees, also called the Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee, and Border Crossing Card (BCC) fees. The proposed rule also establishes a tiered structure with separate fees for different visa categories. 

Deployment of DS-160 worldwide

Nonimmigrant visa application to be available via web-based by April 30, 2010.

DOS Bureau of Consular Affairs announced that it will deploy the DS-160 fully web-based nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application form worldwide. Complete global usage of DS-160 for all NIVS except K’s is expected by 04/30/10. DS-160 replaces the Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF).

How to apply for visitors visa?

Question details

My mother in law would like to visit me and her grand daughter and i would like to get her a visitor visa what do i need to get that and how do i get one?

She needs to contact the US consulate closest to where she lives. Normally, they will be able to tell her what she needs to bring and what the procedure is. This information should also be available on consular web site. Most consulates also respond to e-mail enquiries.

USCIS Clarifies Requirements For Agents Filing as Petitioners For the O and P Visa Classification

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued guidance on October 7, 2009  to clarify for performing arts associations and their members the regulatory requirements for agents who file as petitioners for the O and P visa classification.

O and P visas apply to non-immigrants with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics, or in the motion picture and television field.  O and P petitions may only be filed by a U.S. employer, a U.S. agent, or a foreign employer through a U.S. agent. 

H1 6th Yr - Labor Approved - NO I-140

Question details

My Bank(!) has filed for my GC last year (Aug) and we got PERM Labor approved as of Feb'09. However, with everything going on with Banks and Economy in general, my new employer (who has taken over my previous employer Bank) has decided to not file for I-140. My 6th Year H1 is going to expire on May 2010. I explored few other companies where I can join and if they can start my GC. I was told by many of them that they will not apply for Labor as we don't have enough time left now to get my Labor approved and file I-140.
Is there any option left for me?

Getting an I-140 filed is your best bet. If you end up leaving USA, see if you can get a job that can get you an L-1, which then leads to an EB1 green card (usually takes about a year only to complete).

Travel during 90 days of OPT without Job

Question details

My OPT started on September 16th, 2009 and I don't have job or job offer yet. But I need to travel outside the USA for 1 week. I talked to the International Adviser of my University and she told me its fine to travel no problem. I don't still feel safe. Can anybody answer whether I will be allowed to enter or not? I have other documents.

This is what ICE says:
2.O.

USCIS Establishes Transitional Worker Program for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)

This program allows eligible employers to petition for Non-Resident Workers in CNMI.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register that creates a Transitional Worker visa classification in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The CNMI-Only Transitional Worker Program is one of several initiatives that implements the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (CNRA), which expands U.S. immigration law in the CNMI.