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it has “received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year 2027.” The H-1B visa is granted to those recruited by U.S. firms to fill specialty occupations, mainly in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) or medicine, who are highly educated. This is the first cycle of applications since a major overhaul of procedures and increased costs for applicants and their prospective employers went into effect. In addition to a $100,000 fee the administration has applied (that is being challenged in courts), the new application process favors those with higher education
under a new weighted criteria and is no longer a true lottery. Employers must also meet higher wage requirements to ensure the H1-B workers are not undercutting the salaries of otherwise qualified U.S. citizens. exchange visitors on F-1 and J-1 visas will no longer be allowed to stay in the U.S. past a new four- year limit, according to a July 17 rule finalized by the Department of Homeland Security . Previously, visitors under these visas could stay in the U.S. legally as long as their studies lasted. There is a program being developed to allow such visa holders to apply to extend their stay beyond the four- year limit. Separately, certain foreign students and educational While F-1 and J-1 visa-holders can be employed (and wages exempted from U.S. Social Security taxes), their employment generally must be related to their studies and be on-campus, unless USCIS specifically grants an exception for off-campus work. Foreign Worker Update The Trump Administration’s efforts to curtail temporary protected status (TPS) to those in the country from Haiti and Syria were upheld
The H-1B visa is granted to those recruited by U.S. firms to fill specialty occupations, mainly in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) or medicine, who are highly educated.
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GLOBAL PAYROLL MAGAZINE ISSUE 26
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