As employers began to register for the Fiscal Year 2024 H-1B cap on March 1, 2023, it is reported that the demand by US employers for high-skilled foreign workers on temporary work visas is expected to reach a new high for the third year in a row. At the same time eligible applicants register for the visa lottery, some current H-1B visa holders in the IT industry are faced with the prospect of having to leave the homes they have created in the US after losing their jobs.
Read moreCanada's Immigration Evolution
Increased Denial Rates for H-1B and L-1s
H-1B denial rates in the US are reaching high levels compared to previous years, and L-1 visa applicants are facing challenges with renewals at the US/Canada border, according to recent reports. Data released through the H-1B Employer Data Hub from US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) shows that denial rates for initial H-1B petitions between FY 2010 and FY 2015 never exceeded eight percent, and today the rate is three to four times higher at thirty-two percent, analysis from The National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) shows.
Read moreThe Mercury News: “H-1B: U.S. employers say Canada’s immigration policies better, as tech booms north of border”
Canada’s more favorable immigration policies are attracting tech talent away from the US, according to a report by Envoy, which helps companies navigate the immigration and visa application process. In 2017 Toronto, North America’s fastest growing tech hub, added more tech jobs than the Bay Area, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. combined, and Ottawa, the nation’s capital, has more than 1,700 tech companies.
Read moreUS Passport Cards Q&A
Summertime is fast approaching and soon it will be time for, that’s right, vacation! Although many Americans will travel domestically this summer, some will set off for international destinations abroad or even to our northern neighbors in Canada or—despite the heat—head south to Mexico. For those traveling outside the US, it’s an excellent time now to check if your passport needs renewed, or to apply for your first one. Those applying for passports will see that there are actually two “passports” you can apply for: a US passport book and a US passport card. Wait, what’s a passport card? you may wonder. And what’s the difference between the two? And which one do I need? I have so many questions! It’s okay, let’s discuss.
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