America


US quota for technical and specialist visas in 2013

by Ray Clancy on April 15, 2013

Some 66% of the US expat community believe life is more appealing

US quota for technical and specialist visas in 2013

The cap for H-1B visas in the United States, mostly used for foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise, in specialised fields such as science, engineering and computer programming, has already been reached for 2014.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said it is the first time since 2008 that the cap of 65,000 has been reached within the first week of the filing period. The visa allows successful applicants to work in the US for up to six years – Applicants are highly skilled with at least a bachelors degree. It has also received more than 20,000 H-1B petitions filed on behalf of persons exempt from the cap under the advanced degree exemption. [click to continue…]

{ 0 comments }

Thumbnail image for US experiences fall in applications from students in China

US experiences fall in applications from students in China

April 9, 2013 America

More students from India and Brazil are applying to study in the United States but there are fewer applications from China, a new report shows. Also, overall the number of applications from abroad is up just 1% in 2013 following a gain of 9% in 2012 and 11% in 2011, according to preliminary estimates reported [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for US tops poll of most desirable place to live

US tops poll of most desirable place to live

April 5, 2013 America

The United States is the most popular country in the world that people desire to move to with 138 million people, saying they would like to move there permanently, a new poll shows. Overall about 13% of the world’s adults, about 630 million people, dream about leaving the country where they were born and after [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Florida changes its international driving permit rule

Florida changes its international driving permit rule

April 4, 2013 America

Foreign licence holders no longer need to take an International Driving Permit to drive in Florida after a campaign led by UK driving organisations. The Governor of Florida has responded to pressure from the AA and other motoring and travel organisations by repealing the law requiring all drivers from outside the United States to hold [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for US work authorisation programme given a thumbs up by users

US work authorisation programme given a thumbs up by users

February 25, 2013 America

E-Verify, the free internet based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States, has been praised in a customer survey. More than 1,300 randomly selected employers across the nation who use E-Verify evaluated key programme aspects, including registration, the online tutorial, ease of use, technical assistance [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Florida introduces new driving permit law

Florida introduces new driving permit law

February 15, 2013 America

People moving to live and work in Florida may be unaware that they need an international driving permit, driving organisation the AA has warned. A new law in Florida means that foreign drivers must take an International Driving Permit if they want to drive but many are unaware of the rule that was introduced at [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Could US expats be entitled to tax refunds?

Could US expats be entitled to tax refunds?

February 13, 2013 America

Americans living abroad may believe that paying income taxes to their host country is enough but it could actually pay them to file a US tax return as well, according to expat tax experts. The US is one of the only nations in the world that requires its citizens to file taxes on money earned [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for New fee in the US for foreigners seeking permanent residence

New fee in the US for foreigners seeking permanent residence

January 31, 2013 America

Foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in the United States will be subject to a new immigration fee from tomorrow (Friday 01 February). The country’s Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin collecting the new fee of $165 immediately. It said that it has worked closely with the Department of State (DOS) to implement the new [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for New US rules for families seeking permanent residency visas

New US rules for families seeking permanent residency visas

January 10, 2013 America

The United States is introducing new rules in March to reduce the time US citizens are separate from family members who are in the process of obtaining visas to become permanent residents. The Department of Homeland Security has published a final rule in the Federal Register that will ease the immigration path for applications from [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for US authorities announce new immigration charge

US authorities announce new immigration charge

December 17, 2012 America

Foreign national seeking permanent residence in the United States will need to pay a new immigrant fee of $165 from February 2013. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin collecting the new fee as part of a programme to recover the cost of processing that is performed after immigrant visa holders receive their [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for US launches online resource centre for foreign entrepreneurs

US launches online resource centre for foreign entrepreneurs

November 29, 2012 America

A new online resource centre has been launched in the United States to provide foreign entrepreneurs who want to start a business in the country with the knowledge they need to navigate the immigration process. Called Entrepreneur Pathways, it is part of a bigger plan to encourage more entrepreneurs to start up.

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for American Dream diminished, global prosperity index suggests

American Dream diminished, global prosperity index suggests

November 5, 2012 America

On the eve of the general election in the United States those thinking about moving to the country may find it harder to fulfil their American Dream. The US is no longer the prosperous nation it once was and had dropped out of the top 10 of a global prosperity index for the first time. [...]

Read the full article →
Thumbnail image for Where you live can affect health and happiness, US research suggests

Where you live can affect health and happiness, US research suggests

October 18, 2012 America

Choosing carefully where to live when you move to the United States could affect how happy and healthy you are, research suggests. People who are satisfied with the city in which they live or feel that it is becoming a better place to live are less likely to report having experienced physical pain, having health [...]

Read the full article →