Latest news with #USCitizenshipandImmigrationServices
TAG 91.1
2 hours ago
- Health
- TAG 91.1
More than 17,500 Afghans hosted by UAE resettled
The UAE has hosted 17,619 Afghan evacuees since August 2021, providing shelter and support at the Emirates Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi, following the withdrawal of international forces from Afghanistan. This initiative, conducted in coordination with international partners, was part of a broader humanitarian effort to assist the Afghan people during a time of crisis. Emirates Humanitarian City served as a key transit hub for evacuees prior to their resettlement in 21 countries. The total cost of the programme reached AED 1.384 billion, with particular focus on meeting the needs of children, women and the elderly through a wide range of high-quality services. In addition to hosting evacuees, the UAE facilitated the evacuation of more than 41,000 individuals from Afghanistan, including Afghan nationals and foreign residents. During their temporary stay, Afghan evacuees were provided with services such as healthcare, shelter, food, logistical support and diplomatic facilitation. Financial assistance was extended to help families rebuild their lives upon resettlement. To streamline the relocation process, the Emirates Humanitarian City housed 17 embassy offices and representatives from several international organisations, including the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Healthcare formed a cornerstone of the UAE's support. Over 254,000 medical services were delivered, including 34,923 COVID-19 vaccinations. More than 303 newborns received care and over 303 surgeries were successfully performed - with three critical cases treated abroad. Education and vocational development were also prioritised. Over 3,764 Afghan nationals benefitted from educational programmes, including around 800 children enrolled in nurseries and schools. The UAE also organised 39 educational and skills development courses, aiding 2,589 individuals in preparing for their futures. The Emirates Humanitarian City was equipped with outdoor courtyards, recreational spaces and dedicated facilities for women, children and the elderly, alongside a preventive healthcare centre. As one of the top donor countries to Afghanistan, the UAE has provided AED 740 million in humanitarian aid over the past three years. This includes an air bridge delivering hundreds of tonnes of food and relief supplies, benefiting over one million Afghans - especially women, children and the elderly. The UAE also established 10 maternity and women's healthcare centres across seven provinces and provided crucial medical support during the pandemic.
CNN
11 hours ago
- Business
- CNN
Work visas for the United States: price, requirements, duration, and how to apply
With the tougher immigration rhetoric and the new measures announced by US President Donald Trump in his second term, uncertainty is growing among those who want to work in the United States. Despite the restrictive environment, the country continues to offer several legal avenues for foreign nationals to work temporarily or in specialized positions. From agricultural jobs to executive positions, there are dozens of types of work visas—with different requirements, terms, and conditions—that allow people to work legally. Here we explain the most common ones, how to apply for them, and how much they cost. This type of visa is for specialized workers—highly qualified professionals in fields including engineering, technology, medicine, and higher education. H-1B1: for specialized workers from Chile and Singapore. H-1B2: for specialists who will work on projects for the Department of Defense's Cooperative Research and Development program. H-1B3: for fashion models of distinguished merit and ability. Applicants must have the educational qualifications, training, or experience in the chosen specialty. Eligibility criteria vary depending on the type of H-1B visa and can be found on the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. Once Form I-129 has been filed by the employer and approved by USCIS, the applicant must apply for an H-1B visa through the US Department of State at a US embassy or consulate. Individuals on the H-1B visa may be admitted for a period of up to three years. Their stay may be extended, but generally not for more than six years. The visa application fee is at least $190. Each year, the United States grants thousands of H-2 visas to workers with or without experience (non-professional and non-degree workers) to work temporarily in the country. This category is divided into two types: H-2A for agricultural workers and H-2B for non-agricultural workers. In 2025, the US government authorized 64,716 supplemental H-2B visas for employers who certify that they will face irreparable harm if they do not hire all the requested workers. Of the total, 44,716 are for returning workers and 20,000 are for citizens of Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Haiti. Additionally, as of November 8, 2024, Belize was officially included on the list of eligible countries for the H-2A and H-2B programs, according to a joint statement from the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State. Applicants must be citizens of one of the eligible countries; see details here: H-2A for agricultural workers H-2B for non-agricultural workers Temporary jobs available in the United States are posted on the Department of Labor website. Interested individuals can visit the site and search by occupation, industry, employer name, location, start date, or type of work, whether agricultural or non-agricultural. Those interested in these vacancies should call the phone number, write to the email address, or visit the website indicated under 'Recruitment Information' to request more information and/or apply for the available vacancy. Once an employer has approved their Form I-129, potential workers located outside the US must apply for an H-2A or H-2B visa (after USCIS approves their Form I-129) with the Department of State at a US embassy or consulate. Finally, they must apply for admission to the US at a US port of entry. A new rule went into effect on January 17, 2025, strengthening protections for H-2A and H-2B workers and granting greater flexibility in their employment. USCIS also began requiring exclusive use of the updated Form I-129. The maximum period of stay for both visas is three years. H-2 visas are granted for a period of one year, although two extensions of up to one year each may be requested. The extension request must be submitted before the expiration date, and workers may remain in the US during the extension process. After a three-year stay, H-2 visa holders must depart the US for a period of three uninterrupted months before applying for readmission under the same visa type. The visa application fee is $190. In 2025, Congress passed legislation authorizing an additional fee called the Visa Integrity Fee. Although not yet officially implemented, the legislation stipulates that the fee would be $250, which would bring the total cost to $440 if it goes into effect. Since January 17, new rules modernizing the H-1B and H-2B visa programs have taken effect. Key changes include the mandatory use of an updated version of Form I-129 and greater flexibility for H-1B visa applicants, who can now change employers or immigration status more easily. For the H-2B visa, the annual quota has been expanded to a maximum of 120,000 permits, and worker protections have been strengthened, including mechanisms for reporting labor abuses. TN visas were created under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Qualified Mexican and Canadian citizens can apply for admission to the United States as nonimmigrants to perform temporary work. To apply for a TN visa, you must be a citizen of Mexico or Canada, demonstrate professional proficiency in one of the professions established by NAFTA, have a prearranged full- or part-time job offer from a US employer, and meet the education and work experience requirements for the profession. Mexican citizens who wish to apply for a TN visa must complete DS-160 form online, print the application confirmation page, and attend an interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in Mexico. For the interview, the applicant must bring a valid passport, confirmation of the DS-160 form, receipt of payment of the application fee, a job offer letter or contract in the United States, and documentation demonstrating that they meet the minimum education and/or work experience requirements. Up to three years. However, there is no specific limit on the total period a foreign national may remain on a TN visa as long as they continue their employment relationship. The visa application fee is $185. The O-1 visa is for individuals who have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who can demonstrate extraordinary achievements in the motion picture or media industry and have been recognized for those achievements. There are two subcategories for O-1 visas: O-1A: Individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics. O-1B: Individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievements in the motion picture or television industry. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stipulates that to qualify for an O-1 visa, the beneficiary must demonstrate extraordinary ability recognized nationally or internationally. There is a list of documentation that the applicant must submit, which USCIS lists on its website. A US employer or agent must submit Form I-129, the contract between the petitioner and the beneficiary, the itinerary, and evidence to demonstrate the beneficiary's eligibility. USCIS will determine the time necessary to complete the activity for which the beneficiary was requested. New petitions involving new events or an event that is materially different from the event included in the initial petition may be approved for up to three years. The visa application fee is $190.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Green Card holders must always carry these documents or face penalty, US warns
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills Green Card (Form I-551): This is the official identification for lawful permanent residents. It contains the individual's photo, Alien Registration Number (A-number), visa category, and expiration date. It serves as proof of the right to live and work permanently in the US. Alien Registration Number (A-Number): A unique 7–9 digit identifier assigned by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It is used to track immigration records and starts with the letter 'A'. Employment Authorization Document (Form I-766): Commonly known as a work permit, this document is issued to non-citizens temporarily allowed to work in the US. It includes the A-number, photo, and validity period. Arrival-Departure Record (Form I-94): This document shows a non-citizen's entry into the U.S. and their authorised stay duration. It may also include the A-number, especially for certain visa holders. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a fresh reminder to all green card holders , stating they must carry proof of their legal immigration status at all times. The agency warned that not doing so could lead to a misdemeanor charge and fines if stopped by federal law enforcement.'This is a legal requirement. Failing to carry your alien registration proof can result in penalties,' CBP said in the notice released on the rule is not new, the renewed advisory reflects a continued strict enforcement stance. Green card holders, also known as lawful permanent residents, are reminded that their legal status does not protect them from penalties or deportation if they violate US US immigration law, most non-citizens over the age of 14 who remain in the country for more than 30 days are legally required to carry their alien registration documents. These include:Immigration officials clarified that lawful permanent residents can face deportation if they break laws or fail to comply with immigration requirements. The CBP reminder emphasises that legal presence does not guarantee immunity from warning comes amid a broader tightening of immigration enforcement measures and follows a pattern of increased scrutiny of green card holders by federal authorities.
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
H-1B visa 2026 cap reached; Entries decline 27% under new USCIS rules
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially closed the H-1B visa lottery for fiscal year 2026, saying it has received enough petitions to fill both the 65,000 regular cap and the additional 20,000 visas reserved for candidates with US master's degrees. The announcement, made on Friday, confirms that the selection process for the annual H-1B lottery is complete. This visa category allows US employers to hire foreign professionals in specialised roles requiring at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent, and it remains a popular route for Indian tech workers. In its latest statement, USCIS said it would continue to accept petitions that are 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,' the agency said. What this means for employers Now that the cap has been reached, no new H-1B cap-subject petitions will be accepted for FY2026. However, employers may still file petitions for the following: Extensions for current H-1B workers Changes to employment terms Employer transfers Concurrent employment requests These provisions remain open for individuals who have already been counted against a previous year's cap. Fewer registrations, tighter system This year saw a drop in H-1B registrations, following changes introduced by USCIS to restrict duplicate filings. For FY2026, the agency said it received 343,981 eligible registrations, down from 470,342 in FY2025 — a 26.9 per cent decline. In contrast, FY2024 had seen a peak of over 780,000. Of the 2026 pool, 7,828 were beneficiaries with multiple eligible registrations. But only 120,141 were selected. 'Overall, we saw an average of 1.01 registrations per beneficiary this year for FY 2026, compared to 1.06 for FY 2025,' USCIS said. 'This means that, on average, each beneficiary only had approximately one registration submitted on their behalf.' The number of employers remained stable at around 57,600. One candidate, one chance The drop in filings comes after USCIS introduced a new beneficiary-centric selection process for FY2026. Under the revised system, each candidate could only be considered once in the lottery, even if multiple employers submitted registrations for them. 'The decline in H-1B visa registrations this year doesn't necessarily reflect a lack of appetite — it's more about a correction in the system,' Varun Singh, managing director of XIPHIAS Immigration told Business Standard. 'Last year, the unusually high number of registrations raised concerns about misuse — with multiple applications being filed for the same candidate to game the lottery.' He said the updated system now offers 'a more accurate picture of genuine demand.' Costlier and tougher for firms The new lottery process is not the only factor affecting applications. Rising costs and a stricter immigration environment have also contributed to the fall in numbers. In January, USCIS increased the H-1B registration fee from $10 to $215. 'This fee hike is not a small jump, especially for startups and smaller firms,' Mamta Shekhawat, founder of told Business Standard. 'Many are now more selective, only filing for niche or project-critical roles.' Policy changes such as the revival of the Catch-and-Revoke rule, which voids visas of individuals found to have violated US law even once, have added to employer caution. Tech layoffs add pressure Layoffs across the tech sector have also affected H-1B filings. Between 2024 and 2025, over 260,000 tech jobs were cut globally. As of May 2025, more than 52,000 workers had been impacted across 123 companies. According to Bloomberg, April alone saw 23,468 employees laid off by 19 companies — up sharply from 8,834 layoffs in March. Intel said it would cut 20 per cent of its workforce, while Meta let go of nearly 100 employees. Google laid off hundreds in its platforms and devices division. Indian tech firms were affected too, with Gupshup laying off 200 staff and Cars24 also announcing job cuts. Despite the drop in registrations, demand continues to exceed availability. For FY2026, more than 343,000 eligible registrations were filed for only 85,000 slots. 'The US is still a top destination for Indian talent,' said Singh. 'What's changing is the intent to bring more transparency and fairness into the H-1B process — which in the long term, actually helps both employers and employees.'
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
H-1B visa applications closed for 2026 fiscal year; understanding H-1B visa and its benefits
In a recent update, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that the department has put a cap for the H-1B visa program for the fiscal year 2026 after having received enough petitions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now USCIS in its official statement has confirmed that they have reached the 65,000 visa regular cap. As of now, the agency admitted that it will go on to process petitions that are exempt from the cap. These includes: Present H-1B workers in the U.S. can continue their work and apply to extend their stay. Not only this, the visa holders can request to switch to their job terms or change to choose a new employer. The other exception is some workers can even be allowed to work for more than one employer at the same time under H-1B. On this note, let's have a look at what is H-1B Visa is and the benefits it brings to the holders: What is the H-1B visa? To understand in simple words, the H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa which allows US employers to hire workers from foreign nations in specialty knowledge or skills. It could be in the field of engineering, IT, healthcare, and research. The visa program is run by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For those who don't know, it is among the most sought-after visas for skilled professionals from across the globe. Now every year in the month of March, employers submit electronic registrations for potential candidates but if applications exceed the cap, USCIS conducts a lottery to select applications. Qualifications needed Those who wish to qualify for an H-1B visa, the applicant must hold at least a bachelor's degree or its equivalent in related fields. On the other hand, the U.S. employer must show that the job is a 'specialty occupation' that requires such a degree. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now What is the cap? The USCIS has put a cap of 65,000 on new H-1B visas for the fiscal year 2026. Benefits of holding H-1B Visa One of the prime benefits of holding the H-1B visa is that the document allows professionals to live and work in the U.S. for up to three years. They can also extend the visa to a maximum of six years in some cases. H-1B holders can also apply for permanent residency/green card if their employer sponsors them. The H-1B holders are also allowed to bring their immediate family members, which includes spouse and kids under 21, to the U.S. on H-4 dependent visas. In special cases, spouses (dependent visa) are also allowed to work in the U.S. While the window for new H-1B applications for fiscal year 2026 has closed, new applicants will have to wait for 2027 for the registration process to begin.
