Client Payment Portal

Visa Bulletin for January 2023 Reports on Availability in the Employment First Category for China and India, Unavailability of Religious Workers Category

Jan 9, 2023 | Human Resources Services

The Department of State’s (DOS) Visa Bulletin for January includes an update on visa availability in the employment first category for China and India. The bulletin states that it has become necessary to establish employment first preference final action and application filing dates for China and India, effective in January, to hold number use within the maximum allowed under the fiscal year 2023 annual limit. Applicants from China and India are subject to a final action date of 01FEB22 and an application filing date of 01JUN22.

“This situation will be continually monitored, and any necessary adjustments will be made accordingly,” the bulletin states.

HR Professionals are invited to attend the Jan. 18 “Chatting with Charlie” webinar, where WR’s Director of Visa Consulting Charlie Oppenheim and Partner Charina Garcia and Senior Associate Laura Bloniarz will give an in-depth look at the January and upcoming February Visa Bulletin. Registration is complimentary, but space is limited so those interested are encouraged to register now!

Details:

Related Posts:

USCIS Increases H-1B Premium Processing Fee to $2,805, Alongside Fee Increases for Other Case Types

** Update and Clarification for H-4 and L-2: DHS Increases Premium Processing Fees ** Despite the information provided by USCIS in its December 27, 2023 press release, Form I-539 Applications for a change or extension of stay for H-4 and L-2 dependents are not eligible for Premium Processing. However, if such applications are submitted together with the principal H-1B or L-1 beneficiary’s I-129 Petition, USCIS will review the Form I-539 as soon as possible after reviewing the Form I-129 which, when a Form I-129 is filed via Premium Processing, means that the Form I-539 for dependents will likely be adjudicated (approval, denial, RFE, NOID or referred for an investigation) within the premium processing timeframe. Original Post from 12/27/2023 In a recent update, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a final rule to adjust premium processing fees to account for inflation, with the changes set to take effect on February 26, 2024. The premium processing fees were initially established under the USCIS Stabilization Act, which granted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the authority to periodically adjust these fees. After maintaining these fees at the same level for three years, USCIS has decided to implement adjustments based on […]

Read More

WR Immigration Podcast: Chatting with Charlie January 2023 Webinar

In this podcast, WR Immigration Director of Visa Consulting Charlie Oppenheim, Partner Charina Garcia and Senior Associate Laura Bloniarz unpack the February Visa Bulletin, provide updated predictions and analyze trends.

Read More