May 2009 Visa Bulletin India Dates - EB3 Unavailable
Why did EB3 become unavailable so early May Bulletin?
This is unexpected and is reported by all immigration lawyers that they have NOT seen such thing happened so early in all of their career.
Shusterman writes :
This is the earliest that the category has become unavailable in my 33 years of practicing immigration law
And it should be noted that USCIS would not stop sending RFEs for all pending i-485 cases even though the EB3 category becomes unavailable. So expect RFEs sent to your employer during these visa numbers "unavailable" times too.
All the best for those who are waiting for dates to become current.
Labels: 2009, GreenCard, H1-B, Immigration, India
written by Kalyan @ 8:25 PM,
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Huge Drop in H1-B Visa Applications
After first week of opening visa applications, USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) reports that it received only 42,000 H!-B visa applications from foreigners for high skill jobs in US. The total available visas are 65000. Last year the cap of 65K is reached within few days.For year 2008 USCIS received 163,000 H1-B applications.
The fall of economy and no signs of recovery may be the reasons for drop in demand for US work visas. The companies who took government bail out money is restricted not to hire foreign workers in H1-B visas. This may be one of the causes that is effecting in the reduction of H1-B visa applicants.
But advanced degree quota of 20,000 visas are filled up fast. These work visas are for students who completed MS or other graduate degrees in US.
Source : Economic Times , PTINews
Labels: 2009, GreenCard, H1-B, Immigration, India
written by Kalyan @ 8:20 PM,
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US Senators seeking H1-B visa review of 25 MNCs
Two US senators - Richard Durbin (Democrat-Illinois) and Charles Grassley (Republican-Iowa) are asking 25 MNCs of how they have used H1-B visas. Their major concern is that H1-Bs are used to outsource American jobs. Replacement of American workers is unjustified and needs much bigger oversight. The H1-B quota increase is highly opposed as Unemployment rate hit the lowest since 1983.
Their letter of inquiry had been sent to the following 25 MNC companies—Infosys Technologies Ltd., Wipro Limited, Satyam Computer Services Ltd., Cognizant Tech Solutions, Microsoft Corp., Tata Consultancy Services Ltd., Patni Computer Systems Inc., US Technology Resources Llc., I-Flex Solutions Inc., Intel Corp., Accenture Llp., Cisco Systems Inc., Ernst & Young Llp., Larsen & Toubro Infotech Ltd., Deloitte & Touche Llp., Google Inc., Mphasis Corp., University of Illinois at Chicago, American Unit Inc., Jsmn International Inc., Objectwin Technology Inc., Deloitte Consulting, Prince Georges County Public Schools, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Motorola Inc.
Source : High US Jobless rate prompts Visa review
Labels: Immigration, India
written by Kalyan @ 8:14 PM,
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Two Indians in US Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball team
Labels: Immigration, India
written by Kalyan @ 12:06 PM,
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Greencards to those who buys US houses - A proposal
How many potential foreigners are there who can invest in US houses -
Merrill Lynch estimates that in 2007 there were 10.1 million individuals in the world, 7.1 million outside the U.S., with at least $1 million in financial assets that totaled $29 trillion. If new immigrants bought the 2.4 million excess houses at today's $184,000 median price with funds from abroad, they would bring untold billions. The immigrants would also buy consumer goods, pay taxes, and start many new businesses.
Does this solution work or create more immigration problems ?
Isn't this the same model that financial brains invented in housing boom times to achieve the current painful recession. Grouping all the houses as mortgage backed securities and selling it to the investors (either foreign or local). Everyone is happy when house prices increased and when their value fell, the century old investment banks (Bear & Stearns, Lehman Brothers) disappeared from the papers.
Labels: Immigration, India
written by Kalyan @ 10:13 PM,
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How to Extend H1-B beyond 6 years if PERM is not filed ?
Yes you can says this news. Basically get away from H1-B status and remain in other status say H1-B or a student visa like F1. File PERM and then wait for a year and get back to H1-B visa status where an eligibility extension is possible.
But make sure the changing status to other visa types is not a time taking process otherwise one would go out of status after six years.
The site lists all other possible visa categories that a person can use to move away from H1-B :
B-1 or B-2 (temporary visitors), E-1 and E-2 (owners or workers with trade or investor visas), F-1 (students), H-3 (trainees), J-1 (international exchange visitors), L visas and more. Of course, not all of these categories will be available to all aliens, and even when available, they may not necessarily authorize employment.
Have you been in this situation and Are ther any other alternatives than moving away from H1-B status? Please share with us
Labels: Immigration
written by Kalyan @ 1:08 AM,
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Greencard typo costs driver's license
As per Indian state rules , she applied for driving license that's where her application was denied because of a typo in her green card. This case highlights how important are the names on identification cards like - Greencard. For Karla it took almost a year to resolve this issue with the DMV.
Make sure all your names (including the long Indian family names) are correct on Greencards. Otherwise we very know how crippled the working person in US is without a valid driving license.
Related posts : Wrong name on EAD , 485 , Advance Parole documents
Labels: GreenCard, Immigration, tips
written by Kalyan @ 10:40 PM,
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GreenCard Holders fingerprinted from January 18 2009 at Port of Entry
From 2003 to till date, US-VISIT took the information from non-immigrant visa holders like H1-B, B1, F1 visa types. But from January 18 2009 - DHS (Department Of Homeland Security) is making it mandatory for even permanent residents (or Green Card holders) to be fingerprinted and photographed at the border. Persons paroled into the US meaning I485 applicants like ones holding Advance Paroles have to submit fingerprints. Privacy groups are raising concerns with the whole technology right from its inception in 2003.
Here is DHS News release - Expansion of US-VISIT to other non-US citizens categories-
Additional non‑U.S. citizens required to provide biometrics are:
* Lawful permanent residents of the United States (LPRs);
* Persons entering the United States who seek admission on immigrant visas;
* Persons entering the United States who seek admission as refugees and asylees;
* Canadian citizens who are currently required to obtain a Form I-94, Arrival / Departure Document upon entry or require a waiver of inadmissibility to enter the United States (This excludes most Canadian citizens entering the United States for purposes of shopping, visiting friends and family, vacation or short business trips);
* Persons paroled into the United States; and
* Persons applying for admission under the Guam Visa Waiver Program.
Labels: GreenCard, H1-B, i485, Immigration
written by Kalyan @ 1:40 AM,
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January 2009 Visa Bulletin India dates
Obama is electing US border state Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano to head Homeland Security department. Also the immigration is in top 10 list of Obama administration. So we may see some progress when Obama official starts office on january 20 2009.
Visa bulletin can be found here.
Note : E1, E2, E3 dates are employment based categories-
Related posts :
> USA Immigration Greencard Reform Proposals
Labels: Immigration, India, visa bulletin
written by Kalyan @ 2:38 AM,
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H1B, Offshoring - Top 2008 IT trend
Two different contradicting stories on H1-Bs are highlighted in ZdNet article - 1) High wage IT jobs moving to low wage countries like India 2) US employers finding shortage of IT professions to hire in US.
There has been reports that employers are abusing H1-B system by hiring foreign workers at low wages though US workers are available for same position.
Besides H1-B, Other trends include, 1) IT is surviving the current financial crisis, 3) Go virtual and mobile office to realize cost savings for employers. 4) "Green IT" theme picking up slowly. 5) PCs become efficient and cheaper.
Labels: Immigration, India, Technology
written by Kalyan @ 12:06 AM,
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Pentagon hiring foreign doctors & nurses on visas
What specialty skills Pentagon is looking for ? All nursing specialists and for doctors - neuro surgeons, family practitioners, dermatologists and some other specialties. The department is looking to focus on foreign nationals who has foreign language skills and can speak multiple languages.
Currently 29000 non US citizens are in US military who automatically gets Green card for serving in military.
Labels: Deals, Immigration, India, Nurse, Visa
written by Kalyan @ 8:31 PM,
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Immigration ranked #8 priority for Obama Administration
Immigration reform is #8 of the list. Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano name has been mentioned as probable DHS (Department of Homeland Security) head. Napolitano is a strong advocate of increasing H-1B visas and for "immigration reforms" this is good which may boost the discussions and eventually may get good visibility in the following list.
Here is top 18 list -
* FISCAL STIMULUS
* EDUCATED WORKFORCE
* ECONOMIC VISION
* COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY/ENVIRO POLICY:
* LONG-TERM TAX POLICY
* CORPORATE TAX RATE
* DEFINE VALUE, REFORM PAYMENT
* EXPAND IMMIGRATION OPPORTUNITIES: Expand Visa and Greencard
programs to allow talented foreign nationals who have studied in
the U.S. to remain in the U.S. and to allow talent recruitment
abroad.
* NEW TRADE AGENDA
* TORT REFORM
* REGULATORY OVERHAUL
* FIGHT OBESITY
* ELECTRIC CARS
* UNIVERSAL HEALTH INSURANCE
* DECARBONIZE POWER SECTOR
* ENERGY EFFICIENCY
* BUILD HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE
* BUY ILLIQUID ASSETS
Labels: Barack Obama, H-1B visa, Homeland Security Department, Immigration, India, Janet Napolitano
written by Kalyan @ 2:27 AM,
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USA Immigration Greencard Reform Proposals
The main proposals of this bill are :
> The Z visa - Eight years illegal immigrants in US can apply for Greencard by paying $2000 fine.
> Point system - The Canadian point system is mimicked to replace current EB1, EB2, EB3 based employment based green card. We know how much painful the current system is that it is taking 11 to 16 years for a computer engineer from India to get greencard for skilled workers.Points are awarded based on the level of education (Graduate or High school), work experience, English language skills, family connections, and job offer. The current perm labor certification process would be eliminated.
> Guest worker program - A two years "Y" visa for illegal workers.
Related posts : If you want to know the painful greencard process and wait times. Look at this previous post - USA immigration flowchart for greencard
Labels: Immigration, India
written by Kalyan @ 10:28 PM,
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December 2008 Visa Bulletin EB2, EB3 dates unchanged
The only surprise is that this months bulletin is released little early of the month. This kinds of gives idea that probably USCIS is having good prediction of numbers and we may not see any significant changes going into next year.
Now that elections are over we should see some long pending bills may get some breathing air
Visa bulletin can be found here
Labels: eb-2, eb-3, GreenCard, Immigration, USCIS, visa bulletin
written by Kalyan @ 8:34 PM,
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H1-B visas - McCain ranks better than Obama on policies
H1-B visas policy McCain is graded B+ when Obama got a C. The issue is the small number of H1-B quotas (65,000) making it difficult for US companies to hire skilled workers from outside of US.
Here is how two candidates fared on this issue -
McCain - He is in favor to expand the number of H1-B visas and he want to retain the top notch foreign skilled workers graduated in US schools.
Obama - Only a temporary increase and he is critical of highly skilled immigrants taking away American jobs. Only a stopgap measure until the industry requirements are met.
Labels: 2008 Elections, H1-B, Immigration, McCain, Obama
written by Kalyan @ 11:58 PM,
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Can Person on EAD start a business in US ?
Here is great discussion from a post by stevesmith155 in Hacker News. Few options that seems possible from comments are -
1) Use o-1 visa - Something similar to EB1 and who qulifies as extroadinary people.
2) Set up a company in India and use B1 visas for visits to US and basically forgo green card in us
I feel if the guy is married the other option would be to incorporate a company name on spouse name as spouse should have got EAD.
Labels: EAD, Entrepreneurship, Immigration
written by Kalyan @ 10:45 PM,
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November 2008 Visa Bulletin EB2, EB3 dates advanced by just two months
Here is Mumbai consulate's November 2008 visa bulletin dates:
| Category | India | Most Other Countries |
| F1 | 1 May 2002 | 1 May 2002 |
| FX | 15 July 2001 | 15 July 2001 |
| F2A | 8 Februrary 2004 | 8 February 2004 |
| F2B | 15 January 2000 | 15 January 2000 |
| F3 | 1 July 2000 | 1 July 2000 |
| F4 | 22 July 1997 | 15 November 1997 |
| E1 | Current | Current |
| E2 | 1 June 2003 | Current |
| E3 | 1 October 2001 | 1 May 2005 |
| EW | 15 Janurary 2003 | 15 Janurary 2003 |
| E4 | Current | Current |
| E4-Religious | Current | Current |
Predictions were that EB2 and EB3 dates will advance significantly as the October month gives some idea to USCIS where they stand on visa numbers. Looks like USCIS is still unclear of visa number predictions for November 2008 as they advanced to 2 months.
To confirm visa bulletin dates for November 2008, keep checking USCIS state visa bulletin -
I feel in November 2008 USCIS will get good idea of visa number predictions and so they can advance dates significantly for December 2008What do you think will happen to December 2008 visa bulletin dates ?
Labels: eb-2, eb-3, Immigration, USCIS, visa bulletin
written by Kalyan @ 11:33 AM,
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Diversity Visa online Lottery 2010 ends December 1 2008
Countries excluded from DV-2010 lottery visas are -- Natives of the following Asian countries are not eligible for this year’s diversity program: China (mainland-born), India, Pakistan, South Korea, Philippines, and Vietnam. Hong Kong S.A.R and Taiwan do qualify and are listed above. Macau S.A.R. also qualifies and is listed below (Europe).
Once the applicants get a lottery visa then at the visa interview a proof of high school education and two years of work experience in the past five years are required for person to qualify and get a GC through DV program.
In DV-2009 lottery Bangladesh got 6,023 PR visas through DV lottery from Asia geographic region followed by Nepal 1,891 and with Iran taking 1,689 visas.
Make sure you access only http://www.travel.state.gov for DV-2010 online applications. As there has been instances of con artists creating fake websites as written on travel.state.gov website.
Labels: GreenCard, Immigration, lottery, United States, visas
written by Kalyan @ 7:54 PM,
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Online Immigrant detention video game
The website has stories of Detainees with videos -- This is one video where one permanent resident seems to have asked a picture to be taken in front of a factory plant which landed himself in deep detention problems.
Labels: Breakthrough, Human rights, Immigration
written by Kalyan @ 1:03 AM,
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US Immigration flowchart for Greencard and Citizenship takes up to 16 years
Here are some of the (long waiting) routes :
Family Sponsorship:
Relative is a US citizen
a) Spouse or minor child -- Greencard - 3 to 5 years, Citizenship - 6 to 7 years
b) For all other family sponsorships -- Green card - 7 to 15 years (Married adult children) and 11 to 22 years (Siblings of US citizens), Citizenship -- 12 to 28 years
Relative is a Lawful Permanent Resident:
a) Spouse or minor child -- Green card - 6 years, Citizenship - 11 to 13 years
b) For all other family sponsorships -- Green card (only if they are single) - 9 to 14 years, Citizenship - 14 to 20 years
Skilled Immigrants:
a) Extremely genius or star athletes or investor with $1 million -- Green card - 5 to 6 years, Citizenship - 6 to 7 years
b) Skilled worker with college degree in specialty occupation (Computer engineers or nurses) -- Green card - 6 to 10 years, Citizenship - 11 to 16 years
If you are a computer engineer from India then it may take 11 to sweet 16 years to become a US citizen.
Here is the flowchart explanation from Reason of getting into long line with a fresh face only to get waited in the long lines of years and coming out with grown and aging beards.
Kudos to the Reason and Mike Flynn, Shikha Dalmia & Terry Colon for putting together this wonderful immigration chart that clears up all doubts that any one might have on the US immigrations process with caricatures of a Indian Singh or a Mexican.
Labels: GreenCard, H1-B, Immigration
written by Kalyan @ 3:20 PM,
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Lindsay and Samantha - Green Card won't get renewed if Palin becomes VP
Image by Rachel Kramer Bussel via FlickrSamantha Ronson girlfriend of actress Lindsay Lohan is a British native born in London, England now lives in US on green card. Both are ardent supporters of Obama and since Samantha can't vote she writes that if Palin comes into power her green card may not get renewed. Its not just techies that have problems but even star have green card renewal problems.From Samantha Ronson's myspace post:
Lindsay- "I have faith that this country will be all that it can be with the proper guidance. I really hope that all of you make your decisions based on the facts and what feels right to you in your heart-vote for obama!"
Samantha- "I love this country- however i wasn't born here and don't have the right to vote- so i beg of you all to really do your research and be educated when you cast your vote this coming november.... and if you're in doubt- vote for obama! Mainly because if she gets elected my green card probably won't get renewed!!!"
xoxo,
Lindsay and Samantha
Samantha Ronson and Lindsay Lohan are rumoured to be having a romatic relationship and that should get Samantha her citizenship if true. ( No idea what the laws are for same sex marriages and immigration policies)
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