US visa news

The mandatory part of getting an US visa or green card is to keep you updated with the US visa news. From the year 2000, 5000 green card lottery is issued under the NACARA or Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act which has reduced the number of visas in the open category to 50, 000. Further many of the countries who were eligible for diversity visa earlier have fallen into the category of ineligible countries. Some of the countries which have gained independence recently will also be added in the list. So it is essential that you are aware of the latest US visa news to ensure smooth functioning of visa applications.

There are also regional restrictions as well as regional quotas. The regional limits are determined by the formula specified in section 203 (c) of the INA or Immigration and nationality Act. These are carried on by the USCIS or United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

In the year 2000, former American president Bill Clinton signed an act named the ‘American Competitiveness in the 21st century’ for bringing a series of changes to suit the changing trends in the immigration pattern of the US. Under this act, the fee for H-1 B visa has increased to $1110 from $610.

If an alien who has got his/her I-140 petition approved but not able to apply for the adjustment of status I-485 due to per country limitations, then he/she can extend his/her non immigrant visa. Further a person is allowed to extend his H-1B visa beyond the six year limitation if 365 days or more have passed since the filing of labor petition or immigrant petition I-140. The extension is allowed in one year increments.

You can also change your employers (after filing an adjustment of status petition), if your new job is similar to the old one listed in the original labor certification and if more than 180 days have passed and BCIS adjudication has not occurred.

The latest news in the US visa news is the closing of the Diversity visa program of 2009 by noon, 12:00 pm EST on Sunday, December 2, 2007. All the selected candidates will be sent appointment letters between May and July regarding from the Kentucky Consular Center.

You must also be aware of the US visa news regarding the new laws and acts that have been passed lately.