An overview of a specialty occupation.

                

           TheH1B status is for foreign workers who will hold specialty occupations. A specialty occupation is one which "requires the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge to fully perform the occupation AND which requires the attainment of a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific specialty as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United states." Thus, there are two requirements: First, the employer must demonstrate a need for someone in a specialty occupation as the minimum capability to perform the job; and second, the foreign national must have the required degree, or its equivalent, in a subject closely related to the position. Under the regulations, the need for a person in a specialty occupation can be shown by one of the following:

a) A bachelor's or higher degree is normally the minimum requirement for entry into the particular position;

b) The degree requirement is common in the industry in parallel positions among similar organizations, or the position is so complex or unique that only an individual with a degree can perform it;

c) The employer normally requires the degree for the position; or

d) The nature of the duties is so specialized and complex that knowledge required to perform them is usually obtained through a bachelor's level or higher education.

            Certain occupations have no trouble meeting this definition since specialty occupations are deemed to include "professions." The term "profession" shall include but not be limited to architects, engineers, lawyers, physicians, surgeons and teachers in elementary or secondary schools, colleges, academies or seminaries. These occupations would easily qualify for H-1B status. Additionally, the CIS now recognizes computer systems analyst, computer engineers, and certain management positions as specialty occupations.

Do you really need a foreign education consultant?

                If you are aspiring for higher education abroad, If you are not going to let the borders step in between you and your dreams. Then these questions have crossed your mind at least once. Do I really need a foreign education consultant? And what exactly they do? We are going to answer both questions briefly.

                First, you don’t really NEED a foreign education consultant but having one can save you from a lot of hassles, provided that he is genuine and well known. With foreign education reaching all times high there are many fraud consultants looking for preys, beware, getting such foreign consultant can get you in many legal  troubles. But a well-known and reputed consultant can provide you with the expert guidance, they play a crucial role in the whole process by helping you in,

·         Choosing the right university/destination.

·         Choosing the course.

·         Basic information about “each & every” university.

·         Getting hold of “valuable” scholarships.

·         The highly complex Visa process.

·         Transition to the foreign culture.

                A good foreign education consultant will not only help you accomplish your dream but also see to it that it heads in the right direction.   

                 About the author - PROVE (Professional Registry Of Verified Employees) is a new labor oriented service promoted by National Organization for Software and Technology Professionals (NOSTOPS). PROVE the open registry helps fill in the gap information that the Indian Knowledge worker heading abroad face when it comes to knowing their Rights, with Employment verification and agreement, and Visa policy updates.

Who can work in the United States?

          The United States welcomes thousands of foreign workers in multiple occupations or employment categories every year. All foreign workers must get an official permission to work legally in the United States. Each employment category for admission has different requirements, conditions and authorized periods of stay. It is crucial that you stick to the terms of your application or petition for admission and visa. Any violation can result in removal or denial of re-entry into the United States.

Temporary (Non-immigrant) Worker.

         Temporary worker is an individual seeking to enter the United States temporarily for a specific purpose. Nonimmigrants enter the United States for a temporary period of time, and once in the United States, are restricted to the activity or reason for which their nonimmigrant visa was issued.

Permanent (Immigrant) Worker.

          A permanent worker is an individual who is authorized to live and work permanently in the United States.

Students and Exchange Visitors.

          Students and exchange visitors may, under certain circumstances, be allowed to work in the United States. They must obtain permission from an authorized official at their school. The authorized official is known as a Designed School Official (DSO) for students and the Responsible Officer (RO) for exchange visitors.

Temporary Visitors for Business.

           To visit the United States for business purposes you will need to obtain a visa as a temporary visitor for business (B-1 visa), unless you qualify for admission without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program. For more information on the topics above, select the category related to your situation to the left.

            About the author - PROVE (Professional Registry Of Verified Employees) is a new labor oriented service promoted by National Organization for Software and Technology Professionals (NOSTOPS). PROVE the open registry helps fill in the gap information that the Indian Knowledge worker heading abroad face when it comes to knowing their Rights, with Employment verification and agreement, and Visa policy updates.

Problems our Indian working class faces while going abroad.

India receives the highest amount of remittances in the world, it received US $66.30 billion in the year 2014-15. It is one of the main reasons that India could survive the recession that saw many big economies collapse. The biggest share we receive is from the Gulf countries, where the majority of the remittance comes from the low skilled or unskilled labor workers. Despite their invaluable contributions to our country, many Indian migrant workers continue to face exploitative working conditions, forced labor, non-payment of wages and other forms of human rights abuse that sometimes plunge them into slavery-like conditions. Let’s take a look at the hassles our working class employees faces,

- Deception by visa brokers and recruiting agents:

         They are victims of various forms of deception and trickery at the recruitment stage. These include excess charges for visas and other travel documents, processing of fake travel documents without informing the workers of their illegitimate status, recruitment for non-existent jobs, misrepresenting the job and working conditions, providing falsely inflated loans that lead to situations of bonded labor. We have heard countless stories of migrant workers landing in the wrong country and being stranded there, being jailed for having the wrong documents, finding their salary or work conditions are not what they were promised. This is compounded by:

- Lack of awareness of pre-departure training:

         Lack of authentic and timely information relating to overseas employment, recruitment agencies and immigration procedures makes workers dependent on intermediaries and vulnerable to exploitation. And,

- Lack of access to remedies:

         The power differential between workers and recruiting agents makes it difficult for workers who face abuse to secure justice. Enforcement mechanisms are not strong enough and complaints registered rarely lead to convictions.

          These are some of the major problems that are faced by the working class employees while they are going abroad.

New changes in the Ireland’s employment process.

     

  Several changes have been made in the Ireland’s employment process, benefitting the people looking to pursue a job in Ireland. Apart from making the process online, immediate changes are made to the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List (HSEOL) and the Ineligible Categories of Employment List (ICEL) allowing Irish sponsoring companies to employ more foreign nationals. Further, the requirements for Trainees under Intra-Company Transfers have also been relaxed. So,

What are the Changes?

Employment Permits Online System (EPOS) moves forward.

The Department of Jobs, Enterprise, and Innovation (DJEI) announced last week that it will be assisting employers by making the Employment Permits process easier and faster for their foreign workers. In September, the DJEI will roll out its new Employment Permits Online System (EPOS), which will provide intuitive online application completion and filing, document submission, and fee payment for Employment Permits in Ireland. This much-anticipated improvement should result in a more convenient process with a faster turn-around time for applicants.

Relaxed Requirement for ICT Trainees

In the final noteworthy part of last week’s announcement, the DJEI reduced the minimum employment period for Trainees under the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Permit scheme from six months to one month. Now foreign national trainees only employed with their foreign employer for one month are eligible for assignments at the company’s branch or affiliate in Ireland. These changes to the HSEOL and ICEL lists and to the ICT trainee regulations are effective immediately, and the details will be incorporated into the new EPOS online application process and the accompanying amended forms due out in early September.

Additions to occupation lists.

Also to support employers experiencing labour shortages, the DJEI has made immediate additions to the HSEOL list, which determines whether an applicant holds an occupation eligible for a Critical Skills Employment Permit. The DJEI also made adjustments to the ICEL list of occupations ineligible for employment permits.

The following occupations have been added to the HSEO

·         Paramedics

·         Respiratory physiologists

·         Tax consultants specializing in non-EEA taxes

·         Accountants working in the multinational corporation (MNC) global audit services.          

        These changes are extremely positive and are welcomed by the international community of overseas workers. 

American Work permit – Official Rules & Regulations of American Work Visa

Wage Requirement and the Prevailing Wage Rate Information

The prevailing wage rate is defined as the average wage paid to similarly employed workers in the requested occupation in the area of intended employment.

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) requires that the hiring of a foreign worker will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of US workers working in the occupation in the area of intended employment. One of the major ways of ensuring this is by the regulatory requirement that the wages offered on labor certification applications must be the prevailing wage rate for the occupational classification in area of employment.

The requirement to pay prevailing wages, as a minimum, is true of virtually all employment based visa programs – permanent and temporary. However, in certain programs, such as H1B (temporary specialty occupations), the employer is required to pay the prevailing wage or the actual wage paid by the firm to worker with similar skills and qualifications, whichever is higher.     

To read more download American Work permit – Official Rules & Regulations of American Work Visa          

American Work Permit - Official Rules & Regulations of American Work Visa

The H1B Visa is the most common type of visa used by American employers to obtain employment authorization for foreign workers. The H1B is very popular because it enables American employers to hire educated and or experienced foreign workers to come work in the United States. In the computer and high tech sectors the H1B sectors is an essential business tool. The H1B is particularly desirable because the American employer can obtain the H1B without establishing that there is shortage of qualified American workers.

Although the H1B is a non-immigrant visa, it permits its holder to possess “dual intent”, that H1B holders are permitted to possess dual intent is very advantageous. The right to dual intent enables H1B holders to apply for immigrant visas without validating their H1B non-immigrant visa. Indeed many H1B holders ultimately are able to obtain permanent Resident status or Green Card through their employment in the United States. Ordinarily non-immigrant visa applicants and visa holders are expected to have non-immigrant intent and must establish that they will return to their home country upon expiration of their non-immigrant visa such as in the case of a student (F1) visa.

 To read more download American Work permit – Official Rules & Regulations of American Work Visa

American Work permit – Official Rules & Regulations of American Work Visa

Provisions made under the American Competitive Act for the H1B temporary worker

The Immigration Act of 1990 imposed the 6-year rule. H1B status is valid for a maximum of six years. As with every rule there are certain exceptions. Changing from H to L status at the end of the 6^th year cannot extend the 6 years. It may, however, be possible to change to L status earlier.

Ability to start work upon filing the H1B petition

Prior to October 17, 2000, an H1B beneficiary was not allowed to work until the CIS had approved the H1B petition. Under ACTA, a person who is already in H1B status is allowed to accept new employment and start working for the new employer immediately upon filing the H1B petition as long as the person satisfies all of the following three criteria:

1] Has been lawfully admitted to the U.S.,

2] Filed a non-frivolous H1B or other non-immigrant petition which is pending for new employment; and

3] Has never been employed without authorization in the U.S. before the filing of the H1B petition.

To read more download American Work permit – Official Rules & Regulations of American Work Visa