United States Visa and Immigration News

 2 April 2021

US to begin processing worker visas suspended under Trump

• The Biden administration will resume issuing visas to overseas workers after allowing a Trump-era ban to expire on 31st March 2021, in a further easing of coronavirus pandemic immigration restrictions.
  
  Former president Donald Trump banned new issuance of worker visas commonly used by multinational businesses last year in a bid to force companies to hire US workers as unemployment levels soared during the pandemic.
  
  The state department confirmed on Thursday that it would begin processing applications for the previously suspended visas, and asked people who had been rejected because of the presidential ban to reapply. 
  
  It added, however, that US embassies and consulates were only providing “mission-critical” visa services, which were being offered on a “post by post” basis.
  
    Trump’s visa ban affected a range of visas including categories J, which are used by au pairs, L and H-1B, which are widely used by technology companies. The ban was opposed by US business groups, which criticised it as harmful to the economy.
  
  

 1 March 2021

Biden Administration Revokes Trump-Era Immigrant Visa Ban

• On February 24, 2021, the Biden administration issued a proclamation immediately revoking the prior administration’s Proclamation 10014 of April 22, 2020, that blocked individuals from entering the United States on immigrant visas. Note that the proclamation provides relief to the ban on immigrant visas only. The Trump administration’s ban on certain nonimmigrant visa categories, such as H-1B, J-1, and L-1 visas, still remains in effect and is currently set to expire on March 31, 2021.
  
  The Biden administration indicated that the “immigrant visa ban” does not advance U.S. interests and, in fact, “harms industries in the United States that utilize talent from around the world” and prevents immigrants from realizing “their dreams in the United States.” The immigrant visa ban was set to expire on March 31, 2021.
  
  The proclamation further directs the secretary of state, the secretary of labor, and the secretary of homeland security to “review any regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, and any other similar agency actions developed pursuant to Proclamation 10014 and, as appropriate, issue revised guidance consistent with” its revocation, as necessary.
  
  The revocation will allow a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad to issue an immigrant visa to eligible individuals. Note, however, that many consulates and embassies are closed or operating on limited capacity due to COVID-19.
  
  

 06 February 2021

H-1B Visa Registration In US For 2022 To Begin In March 2021

• The registration process for the H-1B visa application for the next fiscal year will begin on March 9 and the successful applicants through a computerised draw of lots would be notified by March 31, a federal agency has announced.
  
  The notification by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Friday came a day after US President Joe Biden's administration announced that it will continue with the traditional lottery system to issue the much sought-after work visa to foreign professionals.
  
  The USCIS announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2022 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 9 and run through noon March 25.
  
  The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.
  
  During the registration period, prospective petitioners and representatives will be able to fill out petitioner and beneficiary information and submit their registrations, the USCS said.
  
  The agency said if it receives enough registrations by March 25, it will randomly select registrations and send selection notifications by March 31.
  
  The successful applicants would be able to join their new jobs in the US on October 1, when the American fiscal year starts.
  
  As mandated by the Congress, USCIS can issue a maximum of 65,000 H-1B visas in a year. It can also issue another 20,000 H-1B visas to foreign students who have completed higher studies from a US university in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.
  
  Incoming US President Joe Biden has previously indicated that he will undo many of Mr Trump's orders, but his transition team has not yet commented on whether or when the pandemic-related visa ban will be lifted.
  
  

 02 January 2021

Ban on J-1 and H-1B Work Visas extended for Further 3 Months

• US President Donald Trump has extended a ban on some foreign work visas, including the J1, until the end of March.
  
  The outgoing President added an extra three months to the ban to protect American jobs during the pandemic.
  
  The suspension of nonimmigrant visas to the US had initially been due to expire on December 31st following an executive order made in June.
  
  The ban covers visas popular with Irish people seeking to work in the US, such as the J1 and H-1B.
  
  In 2019, 3,000 people here took part in the J1 summer programme, which allows third-level students to work in the US legally for up to four months.
  
  Additionally, many students choose to undertake the J1 'graduate visa' programme which allows them to work in the States for a year up to 12 months after they graduate.
  
  Incoming US President Joe Biden has previously indicated that he will undo many of Mr Trump's orders, but his transition team has not yet commented on whether or when the pandemic-related visa ban will be lifted.
  
  

 29 November 2020

Indians travelling to US for business or pleasure exempt from proposed visa bonds

• The Trump administration has introduced via a ‘temporary final rule’ a visa-bond pilot program where applications from certain countries travelling to the US for business or as tourists will have to furnish a bond, it's denomination can be as high as $ 15,000.
  
  However, as the overstay rate for Indians travelling on B1/B2 visas (business and tourist visas) is not high, Indians are excluded from having to furnish such a bond under the pilot program.
  
  During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, nearly 12.26 lakh Indians who had visited US on these two visas were expected to depart, or in other words the authorised period of their visa tenure expired within this fiscal year. Only 13,203 overstayed which resulted in India’s overstay rate of 1.08% - much below the 10% which the Trump administration is focussed on targeting.
  
  The pilot program will run up to June 24, 2021, during which period consular officers may require visa applicants falling within the scope of this program to furnish a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 as a condition of visa issuance. The amount of the bond will be determined by the consular officer based on the circumstances of the visa applicant.
  
  

 4 October 2020

Countries which Are Welcoming United States Tourists Back, in October 2020

• Once one of the world’s most powerful travel documents, the might of the US passport has shriveled during the Covid-19 pandemic. With US coronavirus cases around the 7.4 million mark, many nations continue to view America with trepidation.
  
  The European Union has omitted the United States from its list of countries whose tourists may visit. Americans still can’t vacation in their neighbor to the north, Canada, nor head to many Asian favorites such as Japan.
  
  While most US travelers are staying close to home with short-distance car trips, some still want to go abroad. For those people, there are still popular vacation options such as Mexico, Ireland and South Korea. And the list has been slowly growing.
  
  Whether travel to “open” international destinations is responsible or advisable is up to you. It’s worth noting that since the pandemic is ongoing, anything can change at any time.
  
  The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US State Department provide Covid-19 risk assessments by country. The vast majority on the CDC website are deemed “high risk.” The State Department categorizes most nations as Level 3, or “reconsider travel.”
  
  It is still possible for US passport holders to go for a vacation to the following countries: Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Aruba, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Bermuda, Brazil, Cambodia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Dubai, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, French Polynesia, Ghana, Grenada, Haiti, Honduras, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, The Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, North macedonia, Panema, Rwanda, Serbia, St Barts, St Lucia, St Maarten, St Vincent & the Grenadines, South Korea, Tanzinia, Turkey, Turks & Caicos, United Kingdom, Zambia.
  
  

 15 August 2020

US Embassy, Consulates to process visa applications of Indian students from 17 August 2020

• Amidst the clouds of uncertainty over Indian students aspiring for higher education abroad, the US Embassy and Consulates in India, including the Hyderabad Consulate, will begin processing student and academic exchange visitor visa applications on a limited basis from August 17.
  
  As per the announcement made on the official US Embassy in India website, emergency student and exchange visitor appointment requests received prior to August 12 will be processed first and public appointments will be taken up later. Appointments will be refreshed as per the availability, generally two weeks in advance, said the official announcement.
  
  In a tweet, the US Consulate General, Hyderabad said, “Student visas are a high priority, and we will make every effort to assist applicants in a timely fashion, while keeping our customers and staff safe". However, it further added that due to very limited appointment availability, all requests may not be accommodated in time for the start of the fall semester. "We will try to handle requests based on when we receive them and when classes will start. We ask for your patience during this time," it added.
  
  Apart from Hyderabad, the consular sections at the US Embassy in New Delhi and Consulates in Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata will also commence processing of these applications.
  
  

 1 June 2020

USCIS to resume premium processing for H-1B visas

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it will resume premium processing for certain visa categories starting 1st June, 2020.
  
  For H-1B visas, the agency will offer premium processing from 8 th June for petitions that are pending adjudication and are cap exempt. This would include visa extension requests for petitions that have been included in the annual quota earlier. All other Form I-129 petitions (non H-1B petitions) for nonimmigrant classifications eligible for premium processing filed before June 8 that are pending adjudication.
  
  On March 20th, the USCIS had announced that it a temporary suspension of premium processing for Form I-129 and I-140 petitions because of closures on account of Covid-19. Under this, the agency would process the application within 14 days, making it easier for companies to plan how to deploy their employees once the visa comes through.
  
  The agency said that premium procession for cap-subject petitions for FY21 would be available effective 22 nd June. This would also include petitions for change of status for F-1 non-immigrant status. However, all dates are subject to change as the USCIS continues to take on more premium processing requests.
  
  

 3 April 2020

Immigrant Doctors on H1-B Visas say visa limitations prevent them from assisting with COVID-19 patients

• At a time when America’s health care system is being strained to the breaking point and states are summoning medical professionals into emergency service, many immigrant physicians say their hands are tied by U.S. visa restrictions that remain in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  
  Speaking with VOA from Logan, West Virginia, Indian-born Dr. Rama Krishna Yalamanchili said immigrant doctors are being trained in the United States and stand ready to do more to help during America’s time of urgent need, but many are legally constrained.
  
  “I am on a H-1B visa [for workers in specialized fields]. ... I am authorized to work at a specific hospital and in a specific job,” Yalamanchili said. “Even in my hospital, I can’t work anywhere except in the specific job I got.”
  
  Yalamanchili is one of thousands of foreign doctors who are working in the U.S. on temporary visas. He specializes in internal medicine. His contract gives him 10 days off after working 15 straight days.
  
  “During my time off, I want to be able to help in areas in need,” he said.
  
  Professionals like Yalamanchili can change jobs while living in the U.S. only if they apply to transfer their visas. But U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency responsible for adjudicating visa requests, temporarily cut back on services and closed offices to the public until May 3.
  
  

 13 February 2020

US-India Trade Relations

• Trade between the United States and India has grown steadily ever since India’s economy began to take off in the mid-1990s and its information technology sector shot to prominence in the early 2000s. From 1999 to 2018, trade in goods and services between the two countries surged from $16 billion to $142 billion. India is now the United States’ eighth-largest trading partner in goods and services and is among the world’s largest economies. India’s trade with the United States now resembles, in terms of volume, U.S. trade with South Korea ($167 billion in 2018) or France ($129 billion).
  
  But as trade between Washington and New Delhi has increased, so too have tensions. U.S. and Indian officials have disagreed for years on tariffs and foreign investment limitations, but also on other complicated issues, particularly within agricultural trade. Concern for intellectual property rights has preoccupied the United States for thirty years, while issues concerning medical devices and the fast-growing digital economy have more recently emerged. On top of this, the US administration has exacerbated tensions by creating new dilemmas, including a focus on bilateral trade deficits and the application of fresh tariffs, prompting retaliation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
  
  

 3 January 2020

Countries where Americans can Travel Visa-Free

• The USA passport is actually one of the most powerful passports in the world, according to the Henley Passport Index, which current ranks the US in 6th place in terms of ‘travel freedom’. The States currently shares their 6th place spot with Canada, The UK, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Greece and Ireland.
  
  So what countries are in the 1st place spots? Singapore and Japan are currently tied for the most powerful passport in the world. Don’t get too jealous America… they only get access to a handful of extra countries Visa-free, 6 more to be exact.
  
  Since Americans can travel to 184 countries without having to pre-apply for a Visa, it means travelling abroad is much easier, cheaper, and more accessible.
  
  Visa's can be expensive, be very difficult to qualify for and can take a lot of time depending on what country you are trying to enter, so having automatic ‘visa-free’ entry is a blessing.
  
  Please note: Even if a American passport is given visa-free access to a specific country, there are still rules on how long a visitor can stay.
  
  6 Months or MORE Visa Free:
  
  Albania – 1 year
  
  Antigua and Barbuda – 6 months
  
  Armenia – 180 days
  
  Bahamas – 8 months
  
  Barbados – 6 months
  
  Belize – 180 days
  
  Bermuda – 6 months
  
  Canada – 6 months
  
  Cayman Islands – 6 months
  
  Central African Republic – 180 days
  
  Dominica – 6 months
  
  Georgia – 1 year
  
  Gibraltar – 180 days
  
  Jamaica – 6 months
  
  Mexico – 180 days
  
  Montserrat – 6 months
  
  Panama – 180 days
  
  Peru – 183 days
  
  United Kingdom – 6 months
  
  

 3 December 2019

Who Are America’s Undocumented Immigrants? You Might Not Recognize Them

• Nearly half of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants now in the country did not trek through the desert or wade across the Rio Grande to enter the country; they flew in with a visa, passed inspection at the airport — and stayed.
  
  Of the roughly 3.5 million undocumented immigrants who entered the country between 2010 and 2017, 65 percent arrived with full permission stamped into their passports, according to new figures compiled by the Center for Migration Studies, a nonpartisan think tank. During that period, more overstayers arrived from India than from any other country.
  
  Overstayers represent about 46 percent of the 10.7 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, according to the migration center’s data. This is not necessarily because of a huge jump in the number of people overstaying their visas; rather, their proportion of the undocumented population has soared amid a huge decline in border crossings since 2000.
  
  The largest number of overstayers — about 1 million — hail from Mexico, a neighboring country with a long history of commercial and family ties and substantial flows of people across the border. But the picture is changing. Between 2010 and 2017, 330,000 Indians overstayed their visas, more than from any other country. Large numbers of people from China, Venezuela, the Philippines, Brazil and Colombia also overstayed.
  
  Many undocumented Asians — including a large number from India — have settled like the Ohs in and around Sunnyvale, about 50 miles southeast of San Francisco, according to the Center for Migration Studies analysis.
  
  Apple, LinkedIn and other tech titans in the area employ many whom the companies have sponsored for legal work visas or permanent residency in the United States.
  
  Some of them stay on as independent programming contractors after their visas have expired or after leaving a company that sponsored them for a visa.
  
  But they are only part of the story. Many undocumented Indians here in Sunnyvale have low-skilled service jobs, catering to their well-heeled brethren who frequent the Indian supermarkets, eateries and clothing shops that line El Camino Real, the main commercial corridor.
  
  

 6 November 2019

Polish Citizens to Travel Visa-Free to US From 11 November 2019

• Poles will be able to travel to the US visa free from November 11, the Polish press has reported.
  
  Speaking in a joint press conference with US Ambassador to Poland Georgette Mosbacher, Polish President Andrzej Duda said that Poland’s accession to the United States Visa Waiver Programme was a major step and praised Donald Trump, his US counterpart, for taking the decision to facilitate visa-free travel.
  
  Poland was granted accession to the US visa-free travel scheme after its visa refusal rate to the US dropped below three per cent (to 2.8 per cent) in September.
  
  Just three European Union countries now remain outside of the visa waiver programme: Bulgaria, Croatia and Romania.
  
  

 15 October 2019

US Courts block new immigration restrictions

• Federal judges in three states blocked stricter regulations for non-citizens seeking to immigrate to the US.
  
  Non-citizens applying for a tourist, student, or work visa may face difficulties if they are over 62 years of age, young yet uneducated or un- or under-employed, or suffer from an illness which may impair their future ability to work or study.
  
  Individuals who may request federal aid for food or housing may also be rejected, the report claimed.
  
  The August regulations in question were "enforcing this longstanding law to prevent aliens from depending on public benefit programs," an August 12 statement from the White House said. "The Immigration and Nationality Act makes clear that those seeking to come to the United States cannot be a public charge."
  
  "For many years, this clear legal requirement went largely unenforced, imposing vast burdens on American taxpayers. Now, public charge law will finally be utilized. Self-sufficiency has long been a basic principle of our Nation’s immigration laws that has enjoyed widespread support.
  
  "Public charge has been a part of United States immigration law for more than 100 years as a ground of inadmissibility. Congress passed and President Bill Clinton signed two bipartisan bills in 1996 to help stop aliens from exploiting public benefits. This included the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act.
  
  "As Congress made clear at the time, it is our national policy that aliens should 'not depend on public resources to meet their needs.'"
  
  An October 4 release by the White House emphasized that another set of new restrictions- which discussed an applicant's ability to present a health care plan - will "not affect the entry of aliens entering the United States through means other than immigrant visas, including lawful permanent residents.
  
  

 21 June 2019

H-1B visas benefits India and Silicon Valley

• India and the United States are risking a fight over trade and technology. Both sides have applied new tariffs, and the Trump administration has raised objections over barriers American companies face.
  
  Now, there's reportedly a new threat hanging over the relationship — the United States may be looking to hit India where it hurts by slashing the number of visas available to its skilled workers.
  
  The Trump administration has told India it is considering capping the number of H-1B visas granted to some countries, Reuters reported Thursday, citing three sources with knowledge of the matter. The cap would apply to countries that force foreign companies to store data locally, according to Reuters.
  
  "We have not heard anything officially from the US government on this matter," Raveesh Kumar, the spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs, told reporters.
  
  The US State Department denied considering a cap on the number of H-1B visas.
  
  "The Trump Administration has no plans to place caps on H-1B work visas for nations that force foreign companies to store data locally," a State Department spokesperson told CNN.
  
  US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is due to arrive in New Delhi next week, the first visit by a high-ranking American official since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his second term in office following a comprehensive election win last month.
  
  Pompeo "looks forward to his trip to New Delhi next week to advance our strategic partnership," the spokesperson added.
  
  

  H-1B签证使印度和硅谷受益

  印度和美国正在冒着对贸易和技术的斗争的风险。双方都采用了新的关税，特朗普政府对美国公司面临的障碍提出异议。
  
  据报道，现在有一种新的威胁笼罩在这种关系上 - 美国可能希望通过减少技术工人可获得的签证数量来打击印度。
  
  据路透社周四报道，特朗普政府已经告知印度正在考虑限制向一些国家发放的H-1B签证数量，并引用了三位了解此事的消息来源。据路透社报道，上限将适用于迫使外国公司在当地存储数据的国家。
  
  印度外交部发言人拉韦什 库马尔周四对记者说：“我们还没有就此事正式听取美国政府的任何消息。”
  
  美国国务院否认考虑限制H-1B签证的数量。
  
  美国国务院发言人告诉美国有线电视新闻网：“特朗普政府没有计划为迫使外国公司在当地存储数据的国家设置H-1B工作签证上限。”
  
  美国国务卿迈克·庞培将于下周抵达新德里，这是印度总理纳伦德拉·莫迪上个月在全面竞选胜利后开始第二个任期以来首次访问新德里。
  
  发言人补充说，Pompeo“期待他下周访问新德里以推进我们的战略伙伴关系”。
  
  

 3 May 2019

Domestic Migration in the US - Americans are Moving South to Florida

• A recent Census Bureau report on migration that took a look at a handful of data sets covering different aspects of where Americans are moving reinforced the trend of Americans moving south. The report noted that in 2018, about 1.2 million people moved to the South from one of the other three regions of the US, while just 714,000 moved out of the South, for a net gain of about 512,000.
  
  According to that report, Florida had the most people moving in among the states, with about 566,000 people moving to the state in 2017. The Bureau noted that the Empire State was the biggest source of new Floridians, with about 64,000 New Yorkers moving to the Sunshine state in that year.
  
  

  美国的国内移民 - 美国人正在向南迁移到佛罗里达州

  最近一次人口普查局关于移民的报告，其中涉及了一些数据集，涵盖了美国人移动的不同方面，加强了美国人向南移动的趋势。该报告指出，在2018年，约有120万人从美国其他三个地区之一移居南方，而只有714,000人迁出南方，净收益约为512,000。
  
  根据该报告，佛罗里达州的人口最多，2017年约有566,000人迁入该州。该局指出帝国州是新佛罗里达人的最大来源，约有64,000名纽约人搬到了该州。那年阳光之州。
  
  

 25 March 2019

H-1B visa extensions are getting tougher!

• India may soon be staring at a large number of US-based expats returning to the country, as the rate of refusal of H-1B visa extensions goes up. According to reports, H-1B visa applications are undergoing greater scrutiny in the recent past, which has led to an increase in the number of requests for evidence (RFEs).
  
  By filing an RFE, US visa authorities can seek additional information before they make a formal judgment on an application for the H1-B visa. When asked for this information, applicants must provide adequate evidence to establish the position as a speciality occupation, a prerequisite of the H-1B visa. An RFE can significantly slow down a visa process, thus increasing time and money spent on the application. If the visa authorities are not satisfied with the additional information, it can lead to a rejection of the extension.
  
  According to data released by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), 60% of H1-B cases were issued RFEs in the first quarter of 2019. Worst hit are IT consultancy companies, which have seen higher denial rates for visa applications. USCIS denied 80% of Capgemini’s H-1B visa applications, as compared to a 1% denial rate for US-based non-consultancy companies such as Apple, Facebook and Amazon.
  
  

  H-1B签证延期越来越严厉！

  由于H-1B签证延期的拒绝率上升，印度可能很快就会盯着返回该国的大量美国外籍人士。据报道，H-1B签证申请近期受到更严格的审查，导致证据请求（RFE）数量增加。
  
  通过提交RFE，美国签证机构可以在对H1-B签证申请作出正式判决之前寻求更多信息。当被要求提供这些信息时，申请人必须提供足够的证据证明这一职位是H-1B签证的先决条件。 RFE可以显着减慢签证流程，从而增加了在申请上花费的时间和金钱。如果签证机构对附加信息不满意，可能会导致拒绝延期。
  
  根据美国公民及移民服务局（USCIS）发布的数据，在2019年第一季度，60％的H1-B病例是RFE。最严重的是IT咨询公司，其签证申请的拒绝率更高。美国公民及移民服务局否认80％的凯捷H-1B签证申请，而美国非咨询公司如苹果，Facebook和亚马逊的拒签率为1％。
  
  

 10 February 2019

More legal Immigration is needed in US

• According to US President Donald Trump’s speech on Wednesday, as there are more companies moving back to the US, more additional workers are needed.
  
  While the US government has cut legal immigration by granting fewer visas and approving fewers refugees, Trump remarked that he would like to see more legal immigration as US companies need workers to run the factories and plants. Also, he called for immigrants to move to US legally in the largest numbers ever and mentioned “We need people.”
  
  

  美国需要更多合法移民

  根据美国总统唐纳德特朗普周三的讲话，随着越来越多的公司搬回美国，美国需要更多的工人。
  
  虽然美国政府通过减少签证和减少批准难民签证数量来削减合法移民，特朗普表示他希望看到更多的合法移民，因为美国公司需要工人来管理工厂。此外，他呼吁移民可以合法地移居美国，并强调“我们需要更多的人力资源。”
  
  

 4 December 2018

US Signed a new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada

• According to US, the new trade agreement has advanced protections for businesses’ and workers’ interests, it will be the most modern, up-to-date and balanced deal. The new trade agreement called “United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA)” will replace the previous “North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)”.
  
  Under the USMCA, it provides incentive to auto sector in using high-wage manufacturing labor. Autoworkers in US can be benefited from the new deal. Moreover, USMCA also take fair trade of agriculture products into account. The US believe USMCA can bring benefit to US businesses and workers, also help to reinforce transparency and stability in its currency.
  
  

  美国与墨西哥和加拿大签署了新的贸易协定

  据美国称，新的贸易协议为企业和工人的利益提供了更好的保护，这将会是最新和最平等的交易。新的贸易协定称为“美国 - 墨西哥 - 加拿大协议（USMCA）”将会取代之前的“北美自由贸易协定（NAFTA）”。
  
  根据USMCA协议，它鼓励汽车行业使用高工资劳动力。美国汽车制造业的工人可以从新协议中受益。此外，USMCA还包括了农产品的公平贸易协议。美国认为USMCA可以为美国企业和工人带来利益，也有助于加强其货币的透明度和稳定性。
  
  

 29 October 2018

Skilled immigrants support US economy

• The Harvard Business School professor William Kerr published a new book namely “The Gift of Global Talent: How Migration Shapes Business, Economy & Society”, suggested why the US government should welcome more skilled immigrants.
  
  Skilled immigrants produce lots of economic output which supported the US technology industry by writing softwares, designing products and starting business in US.
  
  Skilled immigrants also act as a complement to the native workers by exchanging ideas with the locals.
  
  

  技术移民为美国经济提供支持

  哈佛商学院教授威廉克尔出版了一本新书“全球人才的礼物：移民如何塑造商业，经济和社会”，指出美国政府应该欢迎更多技术移民。
  
  技术移民为美国产生了大量的经济产出，他们通过编写软件，设计产品和在美国开展业务来支持美国科技产业的发展。
  
  技术移民也能通过与当地人交流思想，与本地工人充当互补的作用。
  
  

 30 September 2018

The growth rates of housing prices slow down in 20 US cities

• The growth rates of housing prices in July increased at the slowest rate in 10 months, it shows that the increasing mortgage rate is now being a more significant factor for potential house buyer. The slow down of growth rate also indicate that the demand for housing is increasing against the limitation of affordability.
  
  For potential buyers, especially young buyers or first-time purchaser, although the growth rate of housing prices are still outpacing growth of wage, the prices may be more affordable now and they can get further relief as the appreciation of housing prices slow down.
  
  

  美国20个城市的房价增速放缓

  7月份房价增长率为10个月以来的最低水平，这表明抵押贷款利率的上升对潜在买家来说是一个重要的考虑因素。增长速度的放缓亦表明虽然买家的负担能力有限，但住房需求依然增加。
  
  对于潜在买家来说，特别是年轻买家或首次购买者，虽然房价增长率仍超过工资增长，随着房价增速放缓，现在房价相对较为便宜，潜在买家的经济压力及限制可以得到进一步缓解。
  
  

 1 September 2018

US Consumer confidence in August hits record high

• According to Conference Board report released on 28, US consumer confidence has been increased by 4.3%, from 127.9 in July to 133.4 in August, which also hit record high since Oct 2000.
  
  The surging US economy and consumer confidence help boosting sales of retailers. Target and Walmart, two of the largest retailers reported that, their sales growths in the recent quarter reached record highs not seen in at least a decade.
  
  Walmart recorded an increase of 4.5% in sales last week , while Target reported an increase of 6.5%. Moreover, foot traffic to Target stores grew by 6.4%, which is the highest rate since 2008, indicating a surging US economy in this year.
  
  

  美国8月消费者信心指数创新高

  根据美国经济咨商会28日公布的报告，美国消费者信心指数从7月的127.9上升至8月的133.4，增幅为4.3％，创下了自2000年10月以来的新高。
  
  飙升的美国经济和消费者信心有利于零售商的销售额。其中两家美国最大的零售商Target和沃尔玛表示，在最近一个季度，他们的销售额增长达到了十年以来的最高纪录。
  
  沃尔玛上周的销售额增长了4.5％，而Target则增长了6.5％。此外，Target商店的客流量增长了6.4％，这是自2008年以来的最高纪录，表明美国今年的经济有上升趋势。
  
  

 25 July 2018

US Justice Department released report on cyber-security operations and strategy on foreign actors

• US Justice Department released a 156-page report regarding the cyber-security operations and strategy on foreign actors that influenced U.S. elections. The report focuses on several kinds of cyber-threats, it also mentions about what the Justice Department and intelligence agencies have done to alleviate the threats.
  
  The report states the efforts paid to counter negative foreign influence operations towards US, especially influences that are related to elections.
  
  For task force related to cyber digital, Justice Department plans to better inform the victims of cyber targeting. As FBI and US Attorneys’ officials are spread out across the US, it allows them to inform individuals and companies with ease. Also, New criminal statues are needed to prosecute these crimes. It is necessary to set up criminal statutes for crimes targeting foreign operations and spreading misinformation in the aim of affecting public opinion.
  
  

  美国司法部发布了有关网络安全运营和针对外国行为的战略报告

  美国司法部发布了一份长达156页的报告，内容涉及网络安全运营及针对外国影响美国大选的战略。该报告侧重于几种网络威胁，还提到了司法部和情报机构为减轻以上威胁所做的工作。
  
  该报告指出了为打击对美国有负面影响的外国行动所做的努力，特别是与选举有关的。
  
  对于网络安全相关方面，司法部计划更好地为网络瞄准的受害者提供信息。由于FBI和美国律师的官员分散在美国各地，因此可以让他们更方便地通知个人和公司。此外，美国需要新的刑事犯罪条例来起诉这些罪行。美国有必要为以影响舆论为目的而传播错误信息，以及外国的犯罪行为及行动制定刑事法规。
  
  
  
  

 10 June 2018

US Trade gap fell to a seven-month low record

• According to Commerce Department’s latest report, due to US export rose to a record high and increase in shipments of industrial materials and soybeans, the US trade deficit in April fell to a seven-month low record.
  
  Trade gap is the smallest since September 2017, which is narrowed 2.1% to $46.2billion in April 2018. While trade gap in March is $47.2billion.
  
  In April, exports of goods and services rose 0.3%, exports of industrial supplies and materials also reached record high. At the same time, imports of goods and services, and consumer goods dropped.
  
  However, economist suggested that, US consumers’ preferences on exotic foreign goods remain unchanged; many US companies also prefer foreign goods in their production of products.
  
  A senior economist at Wells Fargo Securities in Charlotte suggested that US economy is showing a faster progress in growth in the second quarter, although it is not on a stable footing. Besides, he also suggested that attention should be paid to trade tensions, as it is still a threat to US economy and might derail the growth.
  
  

  美国贸易差距降至7个月以来最低

  根据美国商务部的最新报告，由于美国出口量上升至历史新高以及工业原料和大豆出口量增加，4月份美国贸易差距降至7个月以来的最低纪录。
  
  2018年4月的贸易差距是自2017年9月以来最低的纪录，缩小2.1％至462亿美元。 3月份的贸易差距为472亿美元。
  
  在4月，商品和服务的出口量增长0.3％，工业物资和材料出口也创历史新高。与此同时，商品和服务以及消费品的进口量下降。
  
  然而，经济学家认为，美国消费者对国外的外地商品偏好保持不变，而且，许多美国公司在生产产品也偏向使用外地商品。
  
  富国银行夏洛特富国证券的一位高级经济学家表示，美国经济在第二季度的增长表现出较快的增长，尽管它并不稳定。此外，他还表示，应该关注贸易紧张局势，因为它仍然是对美国经济的威胁，并可能会破坏经济增长。
  
  

 15 May 2018

US Job Opening Reached Highest Record Since 2000

• According to the monthly Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey released by the US Labor Department, in March, there is an increase in number of workers quit their jobs voluntarily. This reveals that the confidence in the labor market increases, and is believed that the wage rate can be boosted this year.
  
  The number of job opening in March hits record high, it is the highest job opening numbers since the data series started in 2000.
  
  The increase in quit rate can become a upward pressure on wage. Most of the workers who voluntarily quit and change their jobs can receive higher level of wage after change, this shows that there are greater wage growth for workers to switch job.
  
  Skills mismatch and lack of qualified workers are also causes that lead to growth of job opening. US businesses are trying to employ qualified workers in the market, the labor market is now getting hotter.
  
  根据美国劳工部每月发布的“就业机会和劳动力流动情况调查”，三月份员工自愿辞职的人数有所增加。这表明人们对劳动市场的信心增强，相信今年工资将会有所提高。
  
  3月份的就业职位空缺创历史新高，是自2000年开始数据纪录以来的最高纪录。
  
  自愿辞职率的提高可以成为工资上涨的压力，令工资水平上升。大多数自愿辞职或转职的员工在转职后可以获得更高的工资水平，这表明员工转职的工资增长率有上升趋势。
  
  技能不匹配和缺乏合资格员工也是导致职位空缺增长的原因。美国企业正试图在市场上聘用合适的员工，因此，劳动力市场现在变得越来越炽热。
  
  

 21 April 2018

Increase in H-1B visa Application reveals strong demand for high-skilled foreign talent

• According to National Foundation for American Policy’s report released in April 2018, compared with FY 2016, there is a significant 78% increase in the number of approved H-1B visa for initial employment in FY 2017. The top H-1B visa workers’ employers in FY 2017 are US technology companies, including Amazon (2,515 new visas), Microsoft (1,479), IBM (1,231)Intel (1,230) and Google (1,213). These technology companies are those that focus on research and development. The statistics also show that there is a strong demand for high-skilled talent in the US economy. Other than these large technology companies, emerging technology companies such as Telsa, Uber and General Motors, may also increase their demand for highly-skilled foreign workers and researchers. However, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services stated that, compared with the high H-1B visa application rate (190,000) in FY2018, the insufficient H-1B visa annual limit (8,500) cannot support the US economy size.
  
  根据美国国家政策基金会在2018年4月發佈的一項新研究表示， 2017年中獲得H-1B簽證的數量比2016年的數字大幅上升了78%。2017年度申請H-1B簽證的公司主要是美國知名科技公司，當中包括亞馬遜（2,515份申請），微軟（1,479），IBM（1,231），英特爾（1,230）以及谷歌（1,213）。這些都是大量投資於研究及開發的科技公司。研究表示，美國經濟體對於高技能及技術人員的需求仍然高企。另外，除了這些大型科技公司之外，如Telsa，優步(Uber)及通用汽車(General Motors)等新興技術公司對於外來的高技能及技術研究人員的需求亦有上升趨勢。美国公民及移民服务局表示，2018年度接收的H-1B签证申請高達190，000份。但是，H-1B签证的年度申請限额只得8,500份，並不足以支持美国的经济规模。
  
  

 4 April 2018

The US Metros with the highest number of H1-B Visa Approvals

• Lottery for the visas in the H-1B visa program, which is the largest temporary employment visa program highly regarded by the technology industry in the U.S., has already begun this year. Research showed that between 2010 and 2016 the majority of employers joining this temporary employment visa program located along the metropolitan areas on the East Coast and in Texas, with almost 30% in New York City. However, the allocation might be different this year as the Trump Administration tightens the control. The skilled immigrants’ entry and renewals of visas might be more difficult than before, ensuring the high standard of foreign skilled workers’ employment.
  
  

 14 March 2018

International Student Reductions

• US colleges are experiencing a downturn in incoming international students, attributed to a number of prominent changes. The escalating cost of college tuition, lengthened visa period, reduction in F-1 visa approvals are the main factors contributing to the difficult financial situation that some US universities have encountered. Nonetheless, they welcome overseas students with open arms as they add diversity to the classroom and motivate the advancement of science and technology.
  
  美国大学正在经历国际学生下滑的苦況，归因于一些显着的改变。 大学学费上涨，签证期延长，F-1签证批准减少是造成美国一些大学遇到困难的主要因素。 尽管如此，他们还是敞开怀抱欢迎海外学生，因为海外学生增加了课堂的多样性，并促进了科学技术的进步。
  
  

 7 March 2018

Indians prefer applying for US EB-5

• US EB-5 Investor Visa, known as the “golden visa”, has been gaining popularity over the past few years, owing to its comparatively simple requirements and transparent application process. Despite the fact that the Trump Administration intends to heighten the investment amount per applicant in the regulatory category, the "golden visa” probably remains a favourable migration option for many, attributed to the generous exemption from education or income requirements and an enhanced accessibility to the Green Card. For more details about US EB-5 Investor Visa and securing immigration eligibility , please feel free to contact us.
  
  由于其相对简单的要求和透明的申请流程，被称为“黄金签证”的美国EB-5投资者签证在过去几年中已经越来越受欢迎。 尽管特朗普主管部门打算提高每个申请人在监管类别中的投资金额，但“黄金签证”可能仍然是许多人的有利移民选择，这归因于对教育或收入要求的慷慨豁免，以及争取绿卡的高速保证。有关美国EB-5投资者签证和获取移民资格的更多详情，欢迎与我们联系。