Posts Tagged ‘H-1B’

The H-1B Cap Watch Begins

Tuesday, April 21st, 2009

Today, USCIS provided an updated cap count stating that, as of last Friday, 44,000 of the 65,000 available H-1B petitions (and 20,000 petitions claiming the additional 20,000 Master’s Degree exemptions) have been received.  Based on comparison of today’s announcement with yesterday’s that 43,000 petitions were received as of April 13, it appears that, for the moment, anyway, H-1B availability may continue into the summer for the first time in several years.

Those of us with years of experience in the immigration field will recall the frustrations of advising clients during this “cap watch” – employers need to understand that the cap could be reached at any time, so hiring decisions need to be accelerated and petitions need to be prepared quickly.

Fortunately, it also means that employers can make hiring decisions for the next few weeks without the worry that their petitions will be rejected for lack of available H-1Bs.

Share/Save/Bookmark

DOL’s iCERT Portal Now Available for LCAs

Wednesday, April 15th, 2009

As I metioned previously, DOL is revising the electronic system through which Labor Condition Applications for H-1B workers are submitted.  Employers will have to register and have their existence verified through the iCERT portal before being able to file LCAs after May 15.

The iCERT portal is available here for employers to register, even if they do not have an immediate need for an LCA.  While the system is optional until May 15, it will become mandatory as of May 15, and it would be best for employers to be registered now so as to avoid delays the next time an LCA needs to be filed.

The iCERT portal will also become the site through which PERM applications are filed, but not until at least September of this year.

Share/Save/Bookmark

(Even) More on H-1B Demand

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

USCIS has released its first report on H-1B numbers for FY2010.  USCIS reports that it  received approximately 45,000 petitions toward the “basic” allotment of 65,000 H-1B petitions, and that it received almost 20,000 petitions toward the “U.S. Master’s” cap of 20,000.

Fortunately, the statute provides that the “Master’s cap” is 20,000 extra visas, and it is only the extra visas that are limited to holders of U.S. Master’s degrees.  A holder of a U.S. Master’s degree is also eligible for an H-1B petition in the basic quota of 65,000.  If the U.S. Master’s cap is exhausted but the “basic” cap is still available, the H petitions for U.S. Master’s degree holders will still be processed, but counted toward the 65,000 “basic” cap.

Share/Save/Bookmark

USCIS Announces H-1B Cap Not Hit Yet

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

Today USCIS issued an emailed press release indicating that it would continue to accept H-1B petitions subject to the 2010 cap, meaning that they do not think they received enough petitions to meet the caps yet.

We do not yet know how many petitions USCIS received, nor how long the remainder of the 85,000 H-1B “slots” will last, but will continue to monitor the situation.

Share/Save/Bookmark

New Guidance Issued for Employers on Application of the Employ American Workers Act

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

The Federal Reserve recently issued guidance in the form of an FAQ for employers who accept funds under Section 13 of the Federal Reserve Act (FRA) as part of the Employ American Workers Act.

Although the government has published a list of TARP recipients, no such comprehensive list of FRA Section 13 recipients exists. However, in its new guidance, the government explains which entities are considered to be recipients of Section 13 funds. The determination depends upon the type of borrowing arrangement between the entity and the Federal Reserve. Interestingly, the guidance explains that once a recipient has paid back the funds received under Section 13, they are no longer subject to the H-1B additional attestation requirements.

Employers that receive funding under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) or FRA Section 13  funding will be required to take additional steps when filing H-1B temporary worker petitions with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. Specifically, these employers will be required to make attestations as part of the H-1B application that they took good faith steps to recruit U.S. workers for the position for which the H-1B worker is sought and that no U.S. worker was displaced by the H-1B worker in an equivalent position.

Share/Save/Bookmark

Guidance for Students transitioning to H status

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has a helpful new fact sheet for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose Optional Practical Training will expire before October 1, 2009, and employers filing H-1B petitions today on behalf of those students.  The guidance explains the “cap gap” in employment authorization as well as how to get the benefit of the rule.

(more…)

Share/Save/Bookmark

So how does the H “lottery” actually work?

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

This year, there is a realistic possibility that the number of H-1B petitions submitted in the first week of the filing period will be less than the total number available for the year. Last year, the government amended the H regulations to modify the “lottery” system for those years where enough applications are received at the very start of the filing season to exhaust the numbers. (more…)

Share/Save/Bookmark

       
Copyright © 2012 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP. All rights reserved. Review our disclaimer.
Disclosure: Law firm web sites such as this one are considered 'Attorney Advertising' by the State Bar of New York.