Latest news with #USCitizenshipandImmigrationServices
Economic Times
a day ago
- Business
- Economic Times
H-1B visa second lottery: US hits FY2026 H-1B visa cap; only exempt petitions to be accepted now
iStock The United States has reached the limit for H-1B visa petitions for the 2026 fiscal year. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Thursday confirmed that it has received enough applications to fill both the 65,000 visas under the regular cap and the 20,000 slots reserved for applicants with US advanced degrees.A total of 120,141 registrations were selected during the initial round from 118,660 unique beneficiaries. Only those selected are now eligible to file a full H-1B petition for FY2026. USCIS has closed the cap intake and will now only accept cap-exempt petitions. USCIS also confirmed a significant drop in the number of registrations this year. The agency received 343,981 eligible registrations for FY2026—down 26.9% from 470,342 the previous year. There was also a sharp decline in multiple registrations per beneficiary, falling to 7,828 from 47,314 in FY2025. The average number of registrations per beneficiary decreased to 1.01 this year from 1.06 last year. About 57,600 unique employers participated in this cycle, slightly up from 52,700 in FY2025. The number of eligible unique beneficiaries also dropped sharply to approximately 339,000 from 442,000 last year. This chart shows registration and selection numbers for fiscal years 2021-26: Cap Fiscal Year Total Registrations Eligible Registrations* Eligible Registrations for Beneficiaries with No Other Eligible Registrations Eligible Registrations for Beneficiaries with Multiple Eligible Registrations Selected Registrations 2021 274,237 269,424 241,299 28,125 124,415 2022 308,613 301,447 211,304 90,143 131,924 2023 483,927 474,421 309,241 165,180 127,600 2024 780,884 758,994 350,103 408,891 188,400 2025 479,953 470,342 423,028 47,314 135,137 2026 358,737 343,981 336,153 7,828 120,141 * The number of eligible registrations does not include duplicate entries, registrations withdrawn by the employer before the deadline, those rejected due to invalid passport or travel document details, or submissions with unsuccessful payment transactions. Those under cap-exempt categories can still apply However, USCIS clarified that it will still process petitions that fall under cap-exempt categories. These include petitions for current H-1B workers who have already been counted under previous years' caps and retain their cap will continue to be accepted in the following cases: To extend the stay of an H-1B worker in the US To change the terms of their employment To allow a worker to change employers To enable concurrent employment in an additional H-1B role Electronic registration, fraud checks, and attestation rules To submit a petition for a cap-subject H-1B visa, employers must first complete an electronic registration and pay a non-refundable fee per applicant. Each registration must include accurate passport or travel document details. This process aims to reduce paperwork and streamline selection. USCIS reiterated that any duplicate registration, invalid passport entry, or false attestation disqualifies the registration. Every petitioner must attest that the job offer is legitimate and that no collusion exists with other entities to increase selection chances. Registrants who violate these rules risk denial, revocation, or even criminal referral.'If we find that this attestation was not true and correct, we will find the registration to not be properly submitted,' USCIS said. The agency has carried out investigations based on past violations and will continue to do so for FY2025 and H-1B program allows US companies to hire foreign workers in specialised roles such as IT, engineering, healthcare, and finance. The current cap cycle does not affect those already counted under previous years' caps. USCIS will continue accepting petitions for these workers in cases of extensions, employer changes, or concurrent roles. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. What's keeping real retail investors out of the Nvidia rally Instagram and YouTube make billions off creators. Should they pay up for their mental health? Markets need to see more than profits from Oyo The hybrid vs. EV rivalry: Why Maruti and Mahindra pull in different directions. What's best? Stock Radar: Why is CDSL looking an attractive buy at current levels? Check target & stop loss for long positions Get ready for volatility with the big, better & experienced. 7 large-caps from different sectors with an upside potential of up to 39% Buy, Sell or Hold: Motilal Oswal sees over 20% upside in Tech Mahindra; YES Securities maintains add call on ICICI Lombard Weekly Top Picks: These stocks scored 10 on 10 on Stock Reports Plus
Economic Times
a day ago
- Business
- Economic Times
US raises immigration fees for select categories starting July 22
Agencies Starting July 22, 2025, the US immigration agency will start charging new, mandatory fees for certain immigration forms. Anyone who sends forms after August 21, 2025, without paying the correct amount, will have their application rejected, according to a new official notice from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).These changes come under a new law called H.R. 1, passed by the US government to help pay for the costs of handling immigration requests. The fees will apply in addition to the existing charges, and cannot be waived or reduced, even if applicants are low-income. Immigrants applying for asylum, work permits, and protection under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will now have to pay extra fees every year or at different stages of their application. These new charges are non-negotiable and are separate from regular USCIS fees. What's Changing: A Simple Breakdown Asylum Application Fee – ₹8,300 (approx $100): For the first time, those applying for asylum through Form I-589 must pay a fee of $100. Why it matters: This form was previously free. Now, applicants must also pay a $100 annual fee each year while their case is still pending. This form was previously free. Now, applicants must also pay a each year while their case is still pending. How it works: USCIS will personally notify each applicant when their yearly fee is due. Work Permit (EAD) Fees – Up to ₹45,800 (approx $550): People applying for a work permit related to asylum, parole, or TPS using Form I-765 must now pay: $550 for first-time applicants $275 for renewals If applying after getting extended parole (Form I-131): Only $275 applies Translation: A work permit, officially known as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), allows immigrants to legally work in the US while their case is pending. TPS Registration – Now ₹41,700 (approx $500): The registration cost for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) using Form I-821 has gone up from $50 to $500. TPS is a program that allows people from certain countries affected by war or disaster to live and work in the US for a temporary period. Special Immigrant Juvenile Fee – ₹20,800 (approx $250): Children who are abused, abandoned, or neglected and applying for a special visa under Form I-360 must now pay $250. These minors fall under a category called Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) and are seeking protection under US law. What Happens If You Don't Pay on Time?If your asylum case has been pending for over a year (filed after October 1, 2024), USCIS will send you a personal letter asking for the Annual Asylum Fee (AAF). You will need to pay this every year on the anniversary of your original application, as long as your case remains pending. Validity of Work Permits is Also Changing: Parolees (temporary permission to stay in the US): Can only get work permits valid for one year or until their parole ends, whichever is shorter. Can only get work permits valid for one year or until their parole ends, whichever is shorter. TPS Applicants: Work permits are valid for up to one year or until TPS ends, whichever comes first. Important: These New Fees Do Not Replace the Old Ones You still have to pay the existing USCIS fees listed under 8 CFR Part 106. These new fees from H.R. 1 are additional and must be paid separately. If you qualify for a fee waiver on existing charges, you can still submit Form I-912, but you cannot waive the new H.R. 1 fees—everyone has to pay them. More Fees to Come Not all fee changes under H.R. 1 have been announced yet. USCIS will share more updates later about increased charges for: Form I-131: Used to request permission to travel while your immigration case is in process. Used to request permission to travel while your immigration case is in process. Form I-102: Used to replace lost or incorrect travel records (I-94 document). (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. What's keeping real retail investors out of the Nvidia rally Instagram and YouTube make billions off creators. Should they pay up for their mental health? Markets need to see more than profits from Oyo The hybrid vs. EV rivalry: Why Maruti and Mahindra pull in different directions. What's best? Stock Radar: Why is CDSL looking an attractive buy at current levels? Check target & stop loss for long positions Get ready for volatility with the big, better & experienced. 7 large-caps from different sectors with an upside potential of up to 39% Buy, Sell or Hold: Motilal Oswal sees over 20% upside in Tech Mahindra; YES Securities maintains add call on ICICI Lombard Weekly Top Picks: These stocks scored 10 on 10 on Stock Reports Plus
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
H-1B cap limit for 2026 already reached: What does this mean for Indians?
USCIS announced that it reached the H-1B cap for FY 2026. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced on July 18 that it received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa US advanced degree exemption, known as the master's cap, for fiscal year 2026. The agency said it will continue to accept and process petitions that are otherwise exempt from the cap. "Petitions filed for current H-1B workers who have been counted previously against the cap, and who still retain their cap number, are exempt from the FY 2026 H-1B cap," USCIS said. What does this mean? The announcement means no newcap-subject H-1B petitions will be accepted. The next registration will open in March 2026 for FY 2027. The H-1B visa program allows US companies to hire foreign workers in special occupations requiring specific knowledge like engineering or healthcare. But of late, the program has become highly controversial as American workers complained that they are losing their jobs to people from India and China who are getting paid less. Every year, Congress sets a cap for the H-1b and for FY 2026, the cap was 85,000, including 65,000 regular visas and 20,000 reserved for applicants with advanced degrees from US institutions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Which petitions are not affected by the cap Extension of the amount of time a current H-1B worker may remain in the United States. Changing the terms of employment for current H-1B workers Allowing current H-1B workers to change employers Allowing current H-1B workers to work concurrently in additional H-1B positions. The registration began in March, followed by lottery selection. The petition filing window was open between April 1 to July 1. Petitions must show an employment start date of no earlier than October 1, 2025, and no more than six months from the petition receipt date to be accepted.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Major visa fraud busted: Indian-origin Chandrakant Lala Patel arrested for bribing cops to write fake robbery reports; got migrants U visas
Indian-origin businessman Chandrakant Lala Patel arrested in Louisiana for scheming massive visa fraud. An Indian-origin businessman in Louisiana, Chandrakant Patel, was arrested by the feds as a major immigration fraud that was going on for a decade was busted. Three current or former Louisiana police chiefs were also charged as they aided Patel in running the racket where immigrants got a U visa through staged and fake robbery -- as they became crime victims. The investigation started as "an unusual concentration of armed robberies" was reported by people who were not from Louisiana, US Attorney Alexander C Van Hook said. These robberies never took place but there were police reports as cops were paid $5000 for each name they provided falsified reports for. Those charged are the Oakdale police chief, Chad Doyle, Forest Hill police chief, Glynn Dixon, former Glenmora police chief Tebo Onishea, Michael 'Freck' Slaney, a marshal in Oakdale, and Chandrakant 'Lala' Patel, an Oakdale businessman. "If convicted, the defendants each face a sentence of up to five years in prison on the conspiracy charge; up to 10 years on the visa fraud charges; and up to 20 years on the mail fraud charge. Patel faces up to 10 years on the bribery charge. In addition, they could be ordered to pay a fine of up to $250,000 on each count," the US Citizenship and Immigration Services said. What was the visa fraud? Patel is the owner of a Louisiana Subway and is well known among immigrants. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo People seeking to stay in the US after their valid visa period had expired reached out to Patel, who would then contact the cops and pay them to get false reports of armed robberies naming the migrants as victims. To apply for a U visa, aliens need a police report of the crime and certification and attestation of USCIS Form I-918B supporting documents. This category visa is meant for victims of crime, and aliens are eligible for a U visa if they meet certain criteria.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
US green card delays worsen for Indians as immigration backlog hits 11.3 mn
Indians, already dealing with years-long waits for a US green card, must now prepare for even longer delays. This is because the United States is currently sitting on an immigration backlog of 11.3 million pending cases—the highest ever recorded—after a fresh surge of 1.6 million new cases in the second quarter of financial year 2025, covering January to March. The numbers come from the first major dataset published by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) since Donald Trump returned to the White House. While the number of applications continued to rise, USCIS processed only 2.7 million cases during the quarter, down from 3.3 million in the same period last year. Even compared to the previous quarter alone, case completions fell by 12 per cent. 'There is zero per cent chance that processing times will speed up at any time under the Trump administration,' Charles Kuck, founding partner at Kuck Baxter Immigration in Atlanta told Business Standard. 'The consular processing is grinding to a halt and USCIS is intentionally slow walking almost all cases (except naturalisation and marriage cases),' he added. Kuck also claimed that Trump adviser Stephen Miller had 'clearly ordered USCIS' to drag out cases to reduce the number of legal immigrants entering the US. Green card forms caught in delays This backlog is not just a number—it's already affecting key immigration forms used by green card applicants and workers: Form I-90 (green card replacement): Average wait time jumped from 0.8 months to over 8 months in just one quarter, a 938 per cent rise. Form I-765 (employment authorisation): Pending initial applications climbed 87 per cent. Total pending forms, including renewals and reissues, now exceed 2 million, up from 1.2 million. Net backlog for I-765s—cases outside normal processing times, rose nearly 181 per cent. Form I-765 is especially important for green card applicants as it lets them work legally in the US while their permanent residency is under process. Delays in issuing these employment authorisation documents (EADs) can leave applicants unable to work or facing employment gaps. Renewals are also being affected, putting continuing employment at risk even for those already in the system. Form I-90, on the other hand, is for current green card holders who need a replacement due to expiry, loss or damage. 'Backlogs can significantly delay approvals for both initial petitions and extensions, creating uncertainty for employers and foreign workers alike. In some cases, visa holders may be forced to pause travel or employment plans while awaiting adjudication,' Michael Wildes, managing partner at WILDES & WEINBERG PC told Business Standard. 'Indian green card applicants, already facing long wait times due to per-country limits, may see even further delays in adjudication of adjustment of status or consular interviews,' he said. 'These delays can affect work authorisation renewals and create added stress for families waiting to reunite.' Why is the backlog growing? Kuck believes the delays are deliberate. 'It's not a funding issue,' he said. Instead, he pointed to reduced staffing and an intentional slowdown. Wildes explained that the pile-up is 'largely driven by insufficient staffing, outdated processing systems, and inconsistent policy shifts that strain agency resources.' He added that growing application volumes and tight budgets were making the situation worse. What should applicants expect now? 'Be prepared for LONG delays at USCIS and the consulate. Make sure you are prepared for consular and USCIS interviews, and always bring a lawyer with you,' said Kuck. He urged green card seekers to hire experienced immigration counsel. 'Get a good lawyer who will tell you the truth. Listen to your lawyer,' he said. Wildes added, 'Unless there is a meaningful increase in staffing, technological efficiency, or congressional support, delays are likely to persist. Recent performance suggests systemic issues that won't be fixed overnight.'
