September 18, 2023
Yes, a church or religious organization can help a foreign national pursue permanent residence. Often this starts with an R-1 religious worker visa, which lets you work in a qualifying religious role in the U.S., and then the church can file the necessary petition (Form I-360) needed to eventually apply for a green card.
To qualify, you must be coming to the U.S. to work in a genuine religious vocation or occupation for a recognized denomination. This includes ministers, clergy, missionaries, or religious instructors, not non-religious staff. You must belong to the denomination for at least two years and have a job offer from the church.
August 16, 2023
To qualify for a U Visa, you must have been a victim of a qualifying crime, suffered substantial physical or mental harm because of it, have information about the crime, and be willing to assist law enforcement, as verified by a law enforcement certification. The crime must have occurred in the U.S. or violated U.S. law.
Yes. Certain family members may be eligible for U Visas if you qualify as the principal applicant. This can include spouses, children, and, depending on age, parents or siblings under specific conditions. Their eligibility depends on your approved U Visa status.
January 16, 2022
Yes. According to the blog, the denial rate for H-1B petitions dropped significantly, with approvals reaching around 96% in recent filings. This represents a marked decline in denials compared to earlier years, showing stronger approval trends for properly prepared petitions.
No. Even though the overall denial rate is lower, individual cases can still be denied or receive Requests for Evidence (RFEs) if supporting documentation is missing, incomplete, or does not meet USCIS requirements. Careful preparation and legal guidance improve your chances of approval.
January 14, 2022
Indian IT services firms such as Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, and Cognizant were among the top five H-1B visa recipients because they sponsor large numbers of skilled tech workers to work in the U.S. In FY2021, their overall denial rates were also low, helping more petitions get approved.
A lower H-1B denial rate means these companies are having greater success getting their visa petitions approved. This can make it easier for them to place Indian professionals in U.S. jobs and support business immigration strategies when filling specialized roles.
September 4, 2021
A group of US lawmakers wants to create a clearer path to lawful permanent residence for H-1B holders stuck in the employment-based green card backlog. They argue the current system limits access for high-skilled workers and slows economic growth by forcing talented professionals to remain on temporary visas for years.
Under today’s rules, employment-based green cards are capped by country, meaning applicants from countries like India and China face decades-long waits. This backlog leaves many H-1B workers in temporary status and uncertain about their long-term future in the US.
July 22, 2021
USCIS updated its policy so that when a dependent child of an H-1B holder applies to change status to an F-1 student visa, the F-1 status is effective the day the application is approved. This removes the old requirement to maintain a valid status up to 30 days before the student program start date, reducing the need for extra extensions.
Under the new rule, USCIS will grant the F-1 change of status effective immediately upon approval of the Form I-539, which prevents a “gap” between the old H-4 status and the new F-1 status. This eases the process for many children moving from dependent status to student status.