Demand for H-1B visa petitions increased slightly, but continued to be relatively light as compared to recent years. As of June 18, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reported that it has received approximately 22,900 H-1B petitions counting toward the annual 65,000 “cap” (see www.uscis.gov/h-1b_count). This means approximately 4,000 petitions have been filed over the past four weeks. USCIS also has received 9,700 petitions for individuals with advanced degrees counting toward the 20,000 advanced U.S. degree or “Master’s Cap.” Thousands of H-1B visas thus remain available under the Fiscal Year 2011 (FY 2011) quota. Persons currently employed as F-1 students or J-1 trainees and persons outside of the United States commonly require new, cap-subject H-1Bs. Each year on April 1, USCIS begins accepting new H-1B petitions to be counted against the annual H-1B quota for the next government fiscal year which begins on October 1.
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TCN Visa Processing in Canada “Extremely Limited” Over the Summer
U.S. visa processing posts in Canada are urging third-country national (TCN) applicants to seek appointments at other U.S. Embassies and Consulates, such as those located in the applicants’ home countries. A TCN is an individual who applies for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in a country where the individual is not a citizen or national.
New H-1B Petitions May Be Filed on March 31, 2009
The filing period for “new” H-1B petitions to be counted against the annual H-1B quota (the “H-1B cap”) begins on Tuesday, March 31, 2009. Thus, employers are encouraged to begin identifying current and future employees who will need H-1B visa status to be legally employed. Persons currently employed as F-1 students or J-1 trainees and persons outside of the United States commonly require new, cap-subject H-1Bs. March 31 is the initial filing date for petitions seeking H-1B status with an effective date of October 1, 2009.
Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Releases Reopening Guidelines
On May 8, 2020, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) published a series of general and industry-specific guidelines to assist businesses with reopening under Governor Tony Evers’s “Badger Bounce Back” plan. Guidelines are available for many industries, including agriculture, construction, entertainment/amusement, gym and fitness centers, hair and nail salons, hospitality/lodging, manufacturing, professional services, public facilities, restaurants, retail, transportation, outdoor gatherings, outdoor recreation, and warehouse/wholesale trades.