Published by Admin on March 26th, 2012 in US immigration
US Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Long Island, New York City hosted a forum 20 March 2012 to raise awareness about visas available to immigrants who have been victims of human trafficking or domestic violence or suffered some other form of abuse.
Scott Whelan, of the USCIS’s office of policy and strategy, detailed the various options available to help immigrants:
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Published by Admin on March 22nd, 2012 in US immigration
The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry is pushing for the US to ease B-1/B-2 visit visa requirements for United Arab Emirates nationals to make it easier for them to visit the US. Hamad Buamim, director-general of Dubai Chamber, stated that such a move would allow the two countries to become better trading partners.
“Though many things have developed well, we still have room to develop even further,” said Buamim. “By positively addressing such issues, we will be able to take the US-UAE business ties to the next level. It is about time the US recognises the UAE as part of the visa waiver programme which will give UAE citizens preferential treatment like many other “friendly” nations.
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Published by Admin on March 9th, 2012 in US immigration
US Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. is hoping that easier US visit visa regulations will lead to closer US-Poland relations. The congressman is hoping that there will be a policy change to allow Polish nationals to be added to the US Immigration’s Visa Waiver Program.
The bill, entitled the Enhanced Security and Reform Act is also backed by Representative Mike Quigley, along with five other co-sponsors of the bill.
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Published by Admin on February 29th, 2012 in US immigration
A US immigration official announced this week that the US is looking at ways to keep more foreign-born high-tech entrepreneurs in the country. Members of California’s Silicon Valley start-up community met with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service Director Alejandro Mayorkas for an informational meeting to officially launch its “Entrepreneurs in Residence” program.
The event was held on the campus of the NASA Ames Research Center. It focused on addressing a recurring tech industry complaint that student immigrants who could stay and set up companies that benefit the US economy are instead leaving and setting up businesses in their home countries. Immigrants and tech companies say this is because the US immigration process is too difficult.
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Published by Admin on February 9th, 2012 in US immigration
The US Consulate General in Nigeria has announced that Nigerian applicants applying for US visas in Lagos, Nigeria will benefit from shorter visa processing times.
According to US Consular Chief Carl Cockburn, the normal 120 days processing time for approval of Non-Immigrant US visas has now been reduced to 60 days at the Lagos US Consulate General. This is because the US Consulate has expanded their facilities to accept online applications and receives assistance from other US embassies and missions. Applicants can apply for visas online but they must make an appointment for an interview and need to submit their supporting documentation before their visa can be approved.
Cockburn stated that over 100,000 Nigerians apply for US Non-Immigrant visas yearly and added, “More than half of the applicants last year were issued entry visas.”
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Published by Admin on February 2nd, 2012 in US immigration
The United States-India Educational Foundation and US immigration officials advised students wishing to study in the US should apply early for the US visas so they have time to prepare properly for their interview.
Jessica Pfleiderer, Vice Consul of the Consulate General of the US, stressed the need for coming well prepared to the US visa interview.
“Applying early for US visa is the key to ensure a hassle free process for the students, who want to study in the United States,” said Pfleiderer about the immigration process. She also added that the peak season for US student visa applications is from April to July. Therefore, if the applicants apply early, they will have more time to prepare for the interview.
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Published by Admin on January 25th, 2012 in US immigration
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced last week that there have been five more countries added to the list of eligible nationals who can participate in the H-2A and H-2B programs in 2012. This brings the lists total to 58 countries. The list of Countries will be reviewed again one year from the date of publication
The H-2A and H-2B programs allow US employers to bring foreign workers to the US in order to fill temporary agricultural jobs and temporary non-agricultural jobs. USCIS generally may only approve H-2A and H-2B petitions for nationals of countries that are designated as eligible to participate in the programs. USCIS may also approve H-2A and H-2B petitions for nationals of countries not on the list if it is determined to be in the interest of the US; this is taken on a case by case basis.
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Published by Admin on January 23rd, 2012 in US immigration
US President Obama announced yesterday that “America is open for business” and detailed a new approach the country is planning to take in order to make it easier for foreign visitors from certain Countries to travel to the US in an effort to boost tourism and create jobs.
“I want America to be the top tourist destination in the world,” said Obama who announced the news at Walt Disney World in Florida, a huge tourist attraction for millions of people each year. “The more folks who visit America, the more Americans we get back to work. It is that simple.”
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Published by Admin on January 18th, 2012 in US immigration
With this month marking the two year anniversary of Haiti’s massive earthquake, members of the US Congress along with Haitian-American community leaders are urging the Obama administration to expedite US visas for more Haitians to live and work in the US.
Specifically, they are asking to fast-track visas for tens of thousands of Haitians whose applications have already been approved but could take many more years for a visa to be issued. This is due to a cap on the number of visas that the US grants each year.
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Published by Admin on January 17th, 2012 in US immigration
The US Travel Association is pushing Congress to pass new legislation to ease US visitor visa restrictions in the hope that tourism to the US will increase. International visitors are expected to spend more than $152 billion in the year 2012, but tourists could offer an even larger boost to the US economy if the current bill before Congress passes so that it is easier to obtain visitor visas.
The bill is designed to stimulate international tourism to the US; Supporters believe it will help the US economy and create more jobs. The proposed overhaul of the US visa system has been endorsed by the National Retail Federation, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, and Walt Disney Parks and Resorts.
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