ImmigrationDirect Blog: Your Trusted Source for US Immigration

The H1B category is used by US employers to bring foreign professional workers temporarily to the US. This visa classification is reserved for specialty occupations, which means that the occupation must require the theoretical and practical application of specialized knowledge. The government restricts the number of H1B visas that can be issued by the USCIS […]

The R1 visa is issued to foreign nationals with a religious occupation who want to come to US to work on a temporary basis for a non-profit religious organization. R1 Visa From Outside of the US If the potential employee is abroad, the US employer has to file Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, with […]

National Interest Waivers are only for immigrants of exceptional ability applying in the second employment-based preference in sciences, arts, or business. Through the National Interest Waiver, you can apply for an immigrant visa with no job offer from a US employer and no labor certification.   There is no National Interest Waiver for an immigrant […]

Through the Selective Service System, the US maintains information on those potentially subject to military conscription. Men aged between 18 and 25 and living in the US are required to register with Selective Service. Per immigration laws, a man has to register within 30 days of his 18th birthday. Though late registrations are accepted, it […]

H1 Visa Transfer:  Yes, You Can Change Employers The H1B Program U.S. businesses use the H1B program to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields, such as scientists, engineers, or computer programmers. FY 2013 H1B Cap Count  Cap Type  Cap Amount  Cap Eligible Petitions   Date of Last […]

American citizens and permanent residents can now apply for Green Cards for their same-sex spouses. On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that section 3 of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) violated the Constitution. Section 3 of DOMA was a law that denied federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples. It […]

A refugee or asylee can apply for permanent resident status (Green Card) in the United States after one year of being granted asylum or refugee status. You have to file Form I-485, which registers Permanent Residence and changes the status of asylee to a permanent resident of the US. To qualify for a permanent resident […]

There are a few things that must be taken in to consideration when thinking about how long it takes to get a U.S. passport. Some people must sign their application in person at a passport agency, such as a city clerk’s office or post office. This will apply to you if you are in the […]