The Compass Immigration News to help Employers, Families and Individuals navigate the legal system to successfully achieve their immigration goals.
Ten Things You Must Know Before Applying for a B-1/B-2 Visitor’s Visa
Below are ten issues you must consider before you apply for a Visitor’s Visa at a US consulate (or request admission if a Canadian citizen). This list is not every conceivable topic that the US Consulate thinks is important, but we know you will be unlikely to obtain the B-1/B-2 Visa if these ten issues […]
Happy People Make Happy Employees
It is rare to discuss happiness and the US immigration process together, but those are today’s topics. Let’s focus on the most common immigration case in the employment setting: the H-1. Most employers (below a certain size) retain attorneys to “represent the company”. They then leave the H-4 dependents to fend for themselves. As a […]
Stop Filing All Those H-1s!
Smart companies/most companies file Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) for more than one location. That way, a new H-1 petition, etc., is not required if an employee transfers permanently to a new location. The clearest example is a company with ten locations in the US. When the original H-1 package is filed, all ten locations (and […]
Obtaining a PERM/Labor Certification for an Entry-Level Employee (Part 2)
In our last email we discussed qualifying an entry-level employee for a labor certification. We discussed the specialization of companies which result in the employee gaining skill sets and the employer offering a position which requires those skill sets. One immediate hurdle to this strategy is the rule that experience gained with the petitioning company […]
Obtaining a PERM/Labor Certification for an EntryLevel Employee
Today’s issue is obtaining a PERM/Labor Certification for an entry-level employee, Part I. Although this looks daunting, it is actually straightforward in the normal course of career progression. Robert graduates from Faber College with a master’s degree in accounting. He is hired by ABC Accountants, LLC, and begins his accounting career. For the purposes of […]
Department of State Starts Pilot Program for a Limited Few to Obtain H-1 Visas in the U.S.
The Department of State has announced a pilot program to resume domestic visa renewals for qualified H-1B non-immigrant visa applicants who meet certain requirements. In short, this pilot program allows certain H-1 employees to obtain a new H-1 visa without having to leave the US and go to a US consulate. But note that the […]
An Explanation of the Visa Bulletin and How the Dates Go Back!
In some cases, a person can be waiting patiently on their Priority Date on the monthly Visa Bulletin but suddenly the next month’s Bulletin shows that current dates have moved back! This does not happen often but it does happen enough that it is important to understand how it happens and what it means to […]
A Reminder from USCIS About New I-9 Forms
USCIS has issued a reminder that the new I-9 form issued on August 1, 2023 will be the only version accepted after November 1, 2023. This applies to new-hires/referrals only. Countdown to Nov. 1 is ON! – Make Sure You’re Using the 08/01/2023 Form I-9 Starting Nov. 1, you can only use Form I-9, Employment Eligibility […]
The Department of State (DOS) Announces the Start of the Annual Green Card Lottery
If you are interested in this lottery, please see the information below from the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Note that only natives of “low immigration” countries are eligible so check the chart below for countries that are not eligible. What is the Diversity Visa Lottery? The Diversity Immigrant Visa program—a.k.a. the green card lottery—is a […]