13 companies barred from applying for H-1B visa

Like past two years, this year too US Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency that processes H-1B applications, reached the cap for H-1B work visas for 2016 within the first five days.

The huge number of applications show the massive demand for these visas. But it's increasingly getting tougher to get a work visa each year. For, these visas are often blamed for rising unemployment in the US.

Past many years have also seen bills being introduced in the US that attempt to penalise -- in some way or the other -- the companies using these visas.

There has also been a rise in the rejection rate of H-1B visa applications filed by companies. Below is the list of companies that have been debarred/disqualified from applying for H-1B visa.

1. Advanced Professional Marketing Inc

June 01,2015

 

 

 

 

 

 Address: 229 East 21st Street, New York, NY 10010

Employer willful violator: Yes

Debarment period: 8/1/2014 to 7/31/2015

2. Amreli Technology Solutions LLC

June 01,2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address: 17530 NE Union Hill Rd. Redmond, WA 98052

Employer willful violator: Yes

Debarment period: 1/31/2014 to 1/30/2016

3. ASAP America, LLC d/b/a ASAP America

June 01,2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address: 1501 US Highway 441

 

Employer willful violator: Yes

Debarment period: 7/31/2013 to 7/30/2015

4. digiBlitz Technologies Pvt Ltd

June 01,2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address: 3976 University Drive Suite 350Fairfax, VA 20300

Employer willful violator: NO

Debarment period: 10/1/2014 to 9/30/2015

5. DTP, LLC d/b/a Digital Transaction Processing

June 01,2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address: 16000 Christensen Road, Suite 130, Seattle, WA 98188

Employer willful violator: YES

Debarment period: 12/10/2013 to 12/9/2015

6. Gunderson Sweetwater

June 01,2015

 

 

Address: 8410 W. Thomas Road, Bldg. 4, Suite 138, Phoenix, AZ 85037

Employer willful violator: YES

Debarment period: 10/1/2014 to 9/30/2016

7. Jai Mataji, LLC

June 01,2015

Address: 1206 Piedmount Hwy., Cedartown, GA 30125

Employer willful violator: YES

Debarment period: 10/29/2013 to 10/28/2015

8. Life Nutritionales LLC

June 01,2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address: 1501 US Highway 441, North, Suite 1706, The Villages, FL 32159

Employer willful violator: YES

Debarment period: 7/31/2013 to 7/30/2015

9. Marathon Health Care Corporation

June 01,2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address: 443 Winthrop Street, Basement, Unit 4B Brooklyn, NY 11203

Employer willful violator: NO

Debarment period: 9/1/2014 to 6/31/2015

10. RMJM Group Inc

June 01,2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address: 132 W. 31st Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10001

Employer willful violator: YES

Debarment period: 10/1/2014 to 9/30/2016

11. Rudell & Associates, Inc

June 01,2015

 

 

 

 

 

Address: 11-11 40th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101

Employer willful violator: YES

Debarment period: 10/29/2013 to 10/28/2015

12. Supreme Tech Solutions, LLC (Krios Technology Group LLC)

June 01,2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address: 8306-B Old Courthouse Road, Vienna, VA 22182

Employer willful violator: YES

Debarment period: 12/31/2013 to 12/30/2015

13. Xcel Solutions Corp

June 01,2015

 

 

 

 

 

Address: 254 Route 34, Oakdale Plaza #3, Matawan, New Jersey 07747

Employer willful violator: YES

Debarment period: 10/1/2014 to 9/30/2016


Source: US Department of Labor website

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tech/slideshow/13-companies-barred-from-applying-for-h-1b-visa/itslideshowviewall/47497353.cms

Indian child denied SA visa

Cape Town - A group of tourists from India became the first reported casualties of the new unabridged birth certificate requirements, Western Cape MEC for Economic Opportunities Alan Winde said on Monday.

“I received the correspondence from an India-based tour operator on Friday, who said that a group of 45 people are likely to cancel their trip because one of the children travelling in the party had not been granted a visa,” Winde said in a statement.

The Indian consulate had raised concern because in their country, the details of both parents were endorsed in a child’s passport, which Winde said rendered the passport as “an equivalent document” to an unabridged birth certificate.

“The tour operator stated that all its tour groups spend nine nights in the Western Cape. Research by the tourist industry indicated that the average spend per international tourist is around R5 000; hence the visa refusal may cost the Western Cape economy well over R200 000.

“There are more than 200 000 people employed in formal jobs in the tourism sector in the Western Cape, these jobs are now under serious threat”, Winde said.

He added that the Western Cape Government’s Red Tape Reduction Unit was continuing its research into the impact of the visa regulations.

“We are examining the tourist arrivals information over a three-year period. We will analyse the data in conjunction with incidents such as the implementation of the new visa regulations in May last year, Ebola and other significant events to determine how they have impacted international travel,” said Winde.

“The provincial government remains committed in its fight to ensure that the country’s immigration regime does not damage the economy and cause job losses through unnecessarily onerous requirements.”

These findings will be forwarded to the office of Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba. Winde called on national government to provide clarity on the status of the visa regulations review.

Winde said: “On Friday, Minister Jeff Radebe reiterated President Jacob Zuma’s statement that a review of the regulations would be taking place, but to date no such process has been initiated. We need clarity on whether and when this review will be going ahead.” 

Source: http://www.iol.co.za/news/politics/indian-child-denied-sa-visa-1.1866160#.VWzRx0ahooI

Passport exit immigration checks now in force at UK borders and ports

Passport exit immigration checks now in force at UK borders and ports:
A new scheme is being phased in at UK border crossings, so that UK immigration can collect data on all passengers leaving the country. The information is obtained by staff working for airlines, ferry companies, etc who record details of every traveller leaving on a commercial flight, or by sea or by rail. The data collected is then passed on to the Home Office.


A new scheme is being phased in at UK border crossings, so that UK immigration can collect data on all passengers leaving the country. The information is obtained by staff working for airlines, ferry companies, etc who record details of every traveller leaving on a commercial flight, or by sea or by rail. The data collected is then passed on to the Home Office.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "The government wants the checks to identify individuals who are in the UK illegally. This means that passport and travel details will be transmitted to the Home Office.

The information will then be collated and added to Home Office data, where it can be accessed if the government needs it. All data will be processed in line with the Data Protection Act 1998, the Human Rights Act 1998 and the common law duty of confidentiality."
Exit checks part of increased UK Immigration enforcement

The government says it has launched the scheme under the 2014 Immigration Act, mainly to monitor immigration and gather data. It's also in place they say to boost national security; ministers say that it enables police and spies to track the activity of known criminals and terrorists across the world.

Security and UK Immigration Minister, James Brokenshire said: "It is important that we have an immigration system that is fair, tackles illegal immigration and cracks down on those who attempt to cheat the system by remaining in the country when they have no right to do so. Exit checks will give us crucial information that confirms a person's exit from the UK."

In an interview with BBC breakfast, former Independent Chief Inspector of UK Borders and Immigration, John Vine, said: "It will allow the government, for the first time in a long time, to obtain information about who is left in Britain."

Up until recently it's not been possible for the government to know who's overstayed their visa and who's remained in the country, and they've not known who's here and who's left."

Mr Vine when Chief Inspector for Immigration was responsible for producing reports which caused a considerable amount of embarrassment to the Home Office and the Government. Many have suggested that he resigned from his position because of disagreements with the Government.
Ferry and Channel Tunnel passengers affected the most

Those travelling by ferry or the Channel Tunnel from Dover will be affected most by the new checks as they have to wait to have their passports scanned before continuing on their journey. Airports will be least affected because airlines will provide information from travel documents in advance, so that hopefully passengers will not notice any increased delay due to the new system of checks.

School coach parties made up of British or European children below the age of 16 will be exempt from the checks. For people travelling between Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man an alternative system will be put in place.

Alternative arrangements will also be put in place for travellers journeying on small non-scheduled flights or using non-commercial pleasure boats.
Phased introduction of new UK Immigration Exit Check System

For the first month, to minimise disruption, only 25% of passport holders will have their details fully verified in order to ensure they are genuine. After one month, verification checks will rise to 50% and by mid-June it is intended that 100% of those travelling out of the UK will be checked.

Eurotunnel, which is responsible for operating and maintaining the Channel Tunnel, said 100% of travellers would come under the new verification checks system immediately; they feel they are ready to do this having already spent £2.5 million on new systems, and on employing 50 new staff.
UK borders will come to a standstill

John Keefe, Eurotunnel's Public Affairs Directors, warned that UK borders will grind to a halt in the near future because traveller numbers will grow.

He said: "We'll see a 20-25% rise in the number of travellers using the Eurotunnel over the next five years, and a 30% rise in truck traffic. However, the Government's approach to managing the borders will bring them to a standstill - we need smarter technology."

Tier 2 Visa Changes and other UK immigration changes from 6 April

Tier 2 Visa Changes and other UK immigration changes from 6 April;
Major UK immigration changes took effect on 6 April 2015 with the Tier 2 visa category set for substantial changes. The most significant change is the introduction of an NHS surcharge for most UK visa applicants.

New NHS Health Surcharge and other Application fees

For concise and recent immigration information watch our news.
Major UK immigration changes took effect on 6 April 2015 with the Tier 2 visa category set for substantial changes. The most significant change is the introduction of an NHS surcharge for most UK visa applicants.
New NHS Health Surcharge and other Application fees

From 6 April 2015 UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) increased visa application fees across the board. The Government fees for Tier 2 visa and sponsorship applications can be accessed here.
From April 6 there will also be an NHS surcharge applicable to immigrants in many visa categories. Non-EEA migrants entering the UK for a period over six months and those currently in the country seeking to extend their stay will be subjected to the new NHS surcharge scheme.
The surcharge is a £200 annual fee per person (£150 for students) and the amount is payable when lodging an application.

There are a number of exemptions from the NHS health surcharge. Those that do not have to pay the surcharge include nationals of the EU and nationals of Australia and New Zealand, migrants applying under the Tier 2 intra company transfer category and those applying for indefinite leave to remain.
Visitors, inclusive of those coming to Britain with a business visit visa visiting for a period of six months or less will also be exempt from the surcharge. However, they would be required to pay 150% of the cost of any treatment received from the NHS.

Tier 2 Visa Minimum salary thresholds
The salary threshold is increased annually and thresholds relating to individual occupations, as outlined in the Codes of Practice, have also increased in the majority of cases. The key revised income thresholds are as follows:
Minimum salary threshold for all Tier 2 General employees increased from £20,500 to £20,800. In practice many occupations will have a higher salary threshold anyway.
Minimum salary threshold for those whose jobs that are exempt from being advertised on Jobcentre plus will increase from £71,600 to £72,500
High earner threshold changed from £153,500 to £155,300
For Tier 2 ICT employees whose jobs who come under Short Term Staff, Skills Transfer or Graduate Training category the minimum salary threshold was increased from £24,500 to £24,800
For Tier 2 ICT employees who come under the "Long Term Staff" category the minimum salary threshold increased from £41,000 to £41,500
Tier 2 Visa Restricted Certificate of Sponsorship Changes
If you are applying to employ someone from abroad you need to apply for what is called a Restricted certificate of sponsorship (RCos) as part of the Tier 2 visa application. If you do not currently have any Restricted Cos you will need to apply for these and wait for the monthly allocation. Every application is scored in accordance with the UK's Points Based System.
Restricted certificates are issued to:
Tier 2 (General) workers who are currently abroad and will have a salary less than £153,500 per year
The family members (dependants) of someone in the UK who was last granted a Tier 4 visa
Application of restricted certificates must be done through the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). You will be given access to this if you are a company that has been granted a Tier 2 sponsorship licence.
Sponsors should be clear that any new Tier 2 visa applications will be assessed based on any changes to the immigration rules that came into effect on April 6. Sponsors will need to submit RCoS applications bearing in mind the new minimum salary thresholds and the new Codes of Practice.
Tier 2 Cooling-off period
Prior to the changes, a foreigner arriving in Britain on a Tier 2 Visa and who either leaves the country upon completion of an assignment or whose visa expires without the possibility of renewal, would have to wait 12 months to apply for a new Tier 2 Visa, known as the 'cooling-off period'.
However, new legislation from April 6 means greater flexibility for UK businesses; Companies are permitted to bring in a foreign national more than once per year on short assignments of less than three months, without being required to come under the 12-month cooling-off period.
UK Shortage occupation list
Occupations included on the shortage occupation list are exempt from the Resident Labour Market Test.
One shortage occupation list covers the whole of the UK, plus Scotland, with the addition of paramedics applied to the UK list. Changes to these lists, as specified by gov.uk, include:
Changes to graduate occupations in the health sector for both the UK and Scotland list, including the addition of paramedics to the UK list;
Changes to the existing entry on the UK list for overhead lines workers in the energy industry; and
The re-classification of some existing entries.

 

UAE, the first Arab country without visa in the Schengen area

smaller_text larger_text

UAE citizens can now travel in 34 European countries, including the Schengen area, without a visa after the states became the first in the Arab world to strike such a deal with European governments.

The visa exemption applies for no more ‘than 90 days over a period of six months.
European citizens traveling to the UAE will have reciprocal rights.
Israel is the only other Middle East country to qualify for such a scheme.
The proposal to grant visa-free Schengen UAE had been approved by the European Parliament last June with 523 of 577 votes.

Source: http://www.euronews.com/2015/05/07/uae-the-first-arab-country-without-visa-in-the-schengen-area/