Latest Immigration News USACanada

March 6, 2024 Update: H-1B lottery now open! The initial registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap opened at 12PM Eastern Time on March 6, 2024, and will run through 12 PM Eastern Time on March 22, 2024. Learn how to apply here. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will increase fees for employer petitions and sponsorship […]

February 2024 Update: See the chart below for updated increases for certain visas and adjustment of status in 2024. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is gearing up for substantial modifications to its fee structure. The recent update from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) reveals that the Office of Information and Regulatory […]

The immigration environment in the United States is expected to undergo changes in 2024, including adjustments to processing delays, policy changes, and modifications to visa requirements. Here’s a little peek at what the upcoming year holds in store. Visa Changes and Updates Visa Categories 2024 may witness updates to various visa categories. The Biden administration […]

The processing times for U.S. passports have significantly reduced, now at their quickest pace since before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This positive development translates to a faster path for international travel for those holding U.S. passports. What Are the Processing Time Changes for US Passports? Effective December 18, 2023, the updated processing times […]

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Labor (DOL) have issued a temporary rule providing an extra 64,716 H-2B visas for the fiscal year 2024, beyond the annual cap of 66,000. This addresses the demand for temporary nonagricultural workers in industries such as hospitality and landscaping. The move aims to fulfill […]

If you’re in the U.S. on a temporary visa, you might be thinking about when to apply for a green card. Waiting for potentially shorter processing times or more favorable immigration policies is understandable, but delaying your application comes with risks. Let’s explore the downsides of postponing your immigration process. Increased Wait Times Putting off […]

Later in the year, the U.S. Department of State will initiate a pilot program that enables H-1B work visa holders to renew their visas within the United States, eliminating the need for them to travel to their home countries. For a considerable time, the H-1B visa category has served as the primary avenue for skilled […]

Following Israel’s admittance to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the start of visa-free travel for short-term visits to the United States for qualified Israeli residents and nationals. Beginning October 19, 2023, eligible Israeli citizens and nationalities can begin applying for travel authorization to the United States via the U.S. […]

The Biden administration is announcing the provision of temporary legal status to hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans currently residing in the United States. This move promptly allows them to seek employment opportunities. This decision comes as the administration faces an increasing influx of individuals escaping Venezuela and other regions, with their sights set on reaching […]

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is an automated system that assists in determining eligibility to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security risk. Upon completion of an ESTA application, a traveler is notified of his or her eligibility to […]

According to U.S. State Department officials, it appears that the United States is poised to grant the highest number of student visas in a single year since fiscal 2016. The count of visas issued in fiscal 2023 has now surpassed 392,000. To provide context, in fiscal 2016, a total of 471,728 F1 visas were issued. […]

On May 11th, 2023, the Biden administration removed the COVID-19 vaccine requirement for entering international air travelers. “As we continue to monitor the evolving state of COVID-19 and the emergence of virus variants, we have the tools to detect and respond to the potential emergence of a variant of high consequence,” stated President Joe Biden […]

Under the terms of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the TN visa category allows citizens of Canada and Mexico to temporarily work in the United States in a number of designated professions. TN visas for Canadians were introduced as part of the NAFTA agreement, which was signed in 1994. As long as the […]

Recently, VisaPlace hosted a Facebook Live with Fadi Manawi, a US attorney with VisaPlace Legal, and Marianella Mansour, the Partner and Director of Sales and Marketing at Joorney Business Plans. They discuss the importance of business plans in US business visa applications and the key components that are needed for a successful business plan. Marianella […]

On January 30th, President Joe Biden’s administration announced that COVID-19 emergency declarations will be lifted on May 11, nearly three years after the US imposed broad pandemic measures to halt the spread of the virus. The COVID-19 national emergency and public health emergency (PHE) were declared by then-President Donald Trump in 2020. Biden has continually […]