USCIS Reaches FY 2020 H-1B Regular Cap
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has received a sufficient number of petitions projected as needed to reach the 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap for fiscal year 2020. USCIS said it will next determine if the agency has received a sufficient number of petitions to meet the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap.
The agency will reject and return filing fees for all unselected cap-subject petitions that are not prohibited multiple filings. USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions that are otherwise exempt from the cap.
Details: USCIS news alert, https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-reaches-fy-2020-h-1b-regular-cap
***
USCIS Launches Data Hub on H-1B Employers
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has launched an H-1B Employer Data Hub to provide information on employers petitioning for H-1B workers. The data hub will allow the public to search for H-1B petitioners by fiscal year (back to FY 2009), NAICS code, employer name, city, state, or zip code.
The new hub gives the public the ability to calculate approval and denial rates and to review which employers are using the H-1B program.
Details: USCIS news alert, https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/uscis-launches-h-1b-employer-data-hub; H-1B Employer Data Hub, https://www.uscis.gov/h-1b-data-hub; data broken down by fiscal year, https://www.uscis.gov/tools/reports-studies/h-1b-employer-data-hub-files; summary and description, https://www.uscis.gov/tools/reports-studies/understanding-our-h-1b-employer-data-hub.
***
U.S. Embassy in Israel to Accept E-2 Visa Applications Based on Investment
The U.S. Embassy Jerusalem, Tel Aviv Branch, has confirmed that E-2 visa applications based on investment will be accepted beginning May 1, 2019. The Israel-America Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the first U.S. and Israel Treaty Investor Seminar immediately following a convocation, with participation from the U.S. Consul, Tel Aviv Branch, and Director of the Israel Population and Immigration Authority.
This development resulted from a reciprocal agreement under which Israelis and Americans will be able to invest in the other country and obtain a visa based on the investment.
Details: U.S. Embassy announcement, https://il.usembassy.gov/israelis-now-eligible-for-u-sinvestor-visa/; U.S. Embassy Jerusalem application requirements, https://il.usembassy.gov/visas/visas-for-treaty-traders/; Israeli news report, https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/a27e46_f5584e8f80e9444e9d0684452e80a07e.pdf
Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided as a public service and not intended to establish an attorney client relationship. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk.