June 2025 Visa Bulletin: Modest Forward Movement for EB-2 and EB-3; USCIS to Use Final Action Dates

Published: May 13, 2025

Quick Snapshot in June 2025

• China EB-2 advances two months; China EB-3 progresses three weeks.
• India’s EB Final Action Dates: No movement across all employment-based categories.
• Rest of the World (ROW):
• EB-2: Moves forward by nearly four months.
• EB-3: Gains five weeks.
• USCIS confirms it will use the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based filings in June 2025.
• Family-Based F2A remains mostly current but still reflects backlogs for Mexico.
• EB-4 Category is fully unavailable due to statutory caps, having reached its annual limit for FY 2025.
• DV-2025 numbers are tightening as September 30 approaches—file immediately if eligible. With the DV-2025 numbers tightening, many applicants waiting for their turn should file immediately if eligible.
• New SIV rules could affect former U.S. Government employees abroad.

What’s Changing in June 2025?

The U.S. Department of State has released its June 2025 Visa Bulletin, reflecting small but meaningful improvements in some employment-based green card categories, following updated procedures. Below is a breakdown of the movement and what it means for adjustment of status (I-485) applicants. These changes are part of a revised process aimed at improving the predictability and efficiency of visa issuance.

Understanding the Visa Bulletin Charts

Each monthly Visa Bulletin features two key charts:

• Final Action Dates: When a green card can actually be approved.
• Dates for Filing: When you can submit your Form I-485, even if a green card can’t yet be issued. The Dates for Filing chart is crucial for determining when applicants can start filing applications for adjustment of status.

For June 2025, USCIS will follow the Final Action Dates chart for all employment-based categories. Understanding these charts is essential for navigating the application process efficiently.

🔗 USCIS Visa Bulletin Page

Employment-Based Final Action Dates: June 2025

This chart determines who is eligible to be granted a green card this month based on the availability of visa numbers.

EB Category	All Other Countries	China (PRC)	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB-1 – Priority Workers	Current	Nov 8, 2022	Feb 15, 2022	Current	Current
EB-2 – Advanced Degrees / Exceptional Ability	Oct 15, 2023	Dec 1, 2020	Jan 1, 2013	Oct 15, 2023	Oct 15, 2023
EB-3 – Professionals / Skilled Workers	Feb 8, 2023	Nov 22, 2020	Apr 15, 2013	Feb 8, 2023	Feb 8, 2023

The Employment-Based Final Action Dates chart outlines the availability of employment based preference visas for June 2025.

Key Visa Movement Insights

• EB-1: No movement. Remains current for most countries; backlog persists for China and India.
• EB-2:
  • China advances two months (Oct 2020 → Dec 2020)
  • ROW sees a leap of over three months (June 2023 → Oct 2023)
  • India remains frozen at Jan 1, 2013
• EB-3:
  • China moves ahead by three weeks (Nov 1 → Nov 22, 2020)
  • ROW progresses five weeks (Jan 1, 2023 → Feb 8, 2023)
  • India remains stalled at Apr 15, 2013

These movements are influenced by the processes used for determining visa availability, which consider various factors such as demand and statutory limits.

Dates for Filing: EB Chart (June 2025)

Although USCIS is not using this chart in June, it reflects future trends in visa demand. Although USCIS is not using this chart in June, it provides valuable insights for applicants planning to start filing applications in the near future.

EB Category	All Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB-1	Current	Jan 1, 2023	Apr 15, 2022	Current	Current
EB-2	Nov 15, 2023	Jan 1, 2021	Feb 1, 2013	Nov 15, 2023	Nov 15, 2023
EB-3	Mar 1, 2023	Dec 22, 2020	Jun 8, 2013	Mar 1, 2023	Mar 1, 2023

This chart helps applicants waiting for their turn to understand future trends in visa demand.

Trend Analysis: Limited Movement Despite Q4 Start

Why aren’t we seeing stronger forward momentum?

June marks the beginning of the final quarter in the federal fiscal year (which ends September 30). Historically, the Department of State sometimes adjusts cutoff dates quarterly to increase green card issuance volume before year-end. However, June’s Bulletin showed:

• Minimal movement in oversubscribed categories like EB-2 and EB-3 for India is partly due to reaching the annual limit for these visa numbers.
• No change in EB-1, even though demand had raised expectations for progress, indicates a tight control over the allocation of visa numbers.
• Potential constraints from increased demand or administrative delays.

Legal Insight: What This Means for You

• If your priority date is earlier than the Final Action Date listed for your category and country, you may file or receive approval for a green card.
• USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) plays a crucial role in determining when applicants can file or receive approval for a green card.
• If you missed the cutoff, you must wait for future bulletins and monitor monthly.
• USCIS’s continued reliance on Final Action Dates makes it harder for applicants to benefit from the more generous Dates for Filing in some categories.

Looking Ahead

• This marks the fifth consecutive month USCIS has opted for the more restrictive Final Action Date approach, following a revised process aimed at better managing visa demand.
• Unless visa demand decreases or DOS takes proactive steps in July–September, many long-waiting applicants (especially from India) may see little change.
• Applicants in ROW, Mexico, and the Philippines have more favorable outlooks this summer.

EB-4: Special Immigrants

🔴 All countries: Unavailable

As announced by the Department of State in February 2025, the FY 2025 cap for EB-4 has already been reached. The category will remain closed through September 30, 2025, which means unauthorized for any new applications until the next fiscal year and reopen with the next fiscal year on October 1, 2025.

EB-5: Immigrant Investor Program

Category	China	India	All Other Countries
Unreserved (C5, T5, etc.)	Jan 22, 2014	May 1, 2019	Current
Set-Aside: Rural (20%)	Current	Current	Current
Set-Aside: High Unemployment (10%)	Current	Current	Current
Set-Aside: Infrastructure (2%)	Current	Current	Current

💡 Set-aside categories remain fully current for all nations, making this an attractive window for investors. The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program remains an attractive option for those seeking employment based preference visas, with set-aside categories fully current for all nations.

Overview: What is the Visa Bulletin?

Each month, the U.S. Department of State releases the Visa Bulletin to provide guidance on:

• Final Action Dates: When green cards can be issued.
• Dates for Filing: When applicants can submit their visa or adjustment applications.

The Visa Bulletin outlines immigrant visa availability based on priority dates and chargeability areas.

This helps individuals track when they can take action based on their visa category and priority date.

Understanding chargeability areas is crucial for applicants to determine their place in line for visa processing.

👉 Check USCIS Updates for Adjustment Filing Use

Family-Sponsored Green Card Availability

Statutory Limits and Rules

• Annual family-sponsored green card cap: 226,000. The annual limit for family-sponsored green cards is set at 226,000.
• Per-country limit: 7% of total (25,620 visas)
• Dependent area cap: 2% (7,320 visas)
• Oversubscribed Countries: China (mainland), India, Mexico, Philippines

Spouses and children of principal applicants may share the same preference category and priority date under INA Section 203(d).

These rules ensure a fair distribution of visas among applicants seeking to become permanent residents.

Family-Based Final Action Dates (Chart A)

Preference	All Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	08JUN16	08JUN16	08JUN16	22APR05	15JUL12
F2A	01JAN22	01JAN22	01JAN22	15MAY21	01JAN22
F2B	22SEP16	22SEP16	22SEP16	01JAN06	08FEB12
F3	22JUN11	22JUN11	22JUN11	15JAN01	22SEP03
F4	01JAN08	01JAN08	15JUN06	15MAR01	01JUN05

The F2B category, for example, is for unmarried adult children of LPRs who are 21 years of age or older.

Note: F2A is partially exempt from country limits for Mexico.

Family-Based Dates for Filing (Chart B)

Preference	All Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1	01SEP17	01SEP17	01SEP17	01APR06	22APR15
F2A	01FEB25	01FEB25	01FEB25	01FEB25	01FEB25
F2B	01JAN17	01JAN17	01JAN17	01APR07	01OCT13
F3	22JUL12	22JUL12	22JUL12	15JUN01	22SEP04
F4	01JUN08	01JUN08	01DEC06	30APR01	01JAN08

This chart helps applicants determine the appropriate time for filing applications for adjustment of status.

Employment-Based Green Card Availability

Employment-Based Preference Allocations

• Total Employment-Based Cap: 140,000/year. The annual limit for employment-based green cards is 140,000.
• Per Category Share:
• EB-1, EB-2, EB-3: ~28.6% each. Each category receives a specific share of the total visa numbers available.
• EB-4 (Special Immigrants): 7.1%
• EB-5 (Investors): 7.1%, with 32% set aside for:
• Rural Areas: 20%
• High Unemployment: 10%
• Infrastructure: 2%

Employment-Based Final Action Dates (Chart A)

Preference	All Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB-1	C	08NOV22	15FEB22	C	C
EB-2	15OCT23	01DEC20	01JAN13	15OCT23	15OCT23
EB-3	08FEB23	22NOV20	15APR13	08FEB23	08FEB23
Other Workers	22JUN21	01APR17	15APR13	22JUN21	22JUN21
EB-4	U	U	U	U	U
EB-5 (Unreserved)	C	22JAN14	01MAY19	C	C

U = Unavailable

The Employment-Based Final Action Dates chart outlines the availability of employment based preference visas for June 2025.

This chart determines who is eligible to be granted a green card this month based on the availability of visa numbers.

Employment-Based Dates for Filing (Chart B)

Preference	All Other Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB-1	C	01JAN23	15APR22	C	C
EB-2	15NOV23	01JAN21	01FEB13	15NOV23	15NOV23
EB-3	01MAR23	22DEC20	08JUN13	01MAR23	01MAR23
Other Workers	22JUL21	01JAN18	08JUN13	22JUL21	22JUL21
EB-4	01FEB21	01FEB21	01FEB21	01FEB21	01FEB21
EB-5 (Unreserved)	C	01OCT16	01APR22	C	C

This chart helps applicants determine the appropriate time for filing applications for adjustment of status.

Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery: June & July 2025 Cut-offs

The DV program provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas per year, but for FY2025, the number is effectively reduced to about 52,000 due to allocations under NACARA and the 2024 NDAA.

The DV program provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas per year, reflecting the overall immigrant visa availability.

June 2025 DV Cut-Offs

Region	General Cut-off	Exceptions
Africa	42,500	Algeria (42,250), Egypt (36,250), Morocco (30,000)
Asia	8,250	Iran, Nepal (8,000)
Europe	17,500	Russia (17,450), Uzbekistan (10,250)
North America	20	N/A
Oceania	1,550	N/A
South America/Caribbean	2,300	N/A

These cut-offs indicate the maximum visa numbers available for each region in June 2025.

July 2025 DV Cut-Offs

Region	General Cut-off	Exceptions
Africa	45,000	Algeria (44,950), Egypt (40,000), Morocco (34,500)
Asia	9,000	Iran, Nepal (8,950)
Europe	19,000	Russia (18,950), Uzbekistan (12,000)
North America	20	N/A
Oceania	1,650	N/A
South America/Caribbean	2,450	N/A

These cut-offs indicate the maximum visa numbers available for each region in July 2025.

Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) – New NDAA Provisions

The FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act introduced changes for U.S. government employees abroad and their families. This does not affect Afghan/Iraqi SIVs under SQ/SI. Impacted individuals should consult the consular section where Form DS-1884 was filed for updated guidance.

Impacted individuals should consult the consular section at U.S. embassies abroad where Form DS-1884 was filed for updated guidance.

When to File Your I-485 Adjustment of Status Application (June 2025)

If you are waiting to adjust your status to become a U.S. permanent resident through a family-sponsored or employment-based preference visa, this monthly guide helps you understand whether your priority date is current—and if you can submit Form I-485.

This monthly guide helps you understand the application process and whether your priority date is current.

Step-by-Step: How to Use This Bulletin

1. Identify your visa type:
   • Look at either the Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based preference chart.
2. Find your chargeability area (country of birth):
   • Look across the columns in the chart for the country that matches your place of birth.
3. Check your priority date:
   • This is the date USCIS received your petition or, if applicable, when your PERM labor certification was accepted by the Department of Labor.
4. Compare dates:
   • If your priority date is earlier than the listed filing date—or the chart shows “C” for current—you may submit your I-485 application (if otherwise eligible).
   • A “U” means the category is currently unavailable.

👉 Check USCIS Visa Bulletin Updates

Filing Chart: Family-Sponsored Preference (June 2025)

Use this chart to determine when you can file your I-485 for family-sponsored green cards:

Family Category	All Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
F1 – Unmarried adult children of U.S. citizens	01SEP17	01SEP17	01SEP17	01APR06	22APR15
F2A – Spouses & children of LPRs	01FEB25	01FEB25	01FEB25	01FEB25	01FEB25
F2B – Unmarried adult children of LPRs	01JAN17	01JAN17	01JAN17	01APR07	01OCT13
F3 – Married children of U.S. citizens	22JUL12	22JUL12	22JUL12	15JUN01	22SEP04
F4 – Siblings of U.S. citizens	01JUN08	01JUN08	01DEC06	30APR01	01JAN08

This chart helps applicants determine the appropriate time for filing applications for adjustment of status.

🔎 Visual Insight: The chart below highlights the disparity between visa processing times by category and country:

Final Action Dates: Employment-Based Adjustment (June 2025)

These dates indicate when a green card can be issued. This chart determines who is eligible to be granted a green card this month based on the availability of visa numbers:

Employment Category	All Countries	China	India	Mexico	Philippines
EB-1 – Priority workers	C	08NOV22	15FEB22	C	C
EB-2 – Advanced degrees / exceptional ability	15OCT23	01DEC20	01JAN13	15OCT23	15OCT23
EB-3 – Skilled workers / professionals	08FEB23	22NOV20	15APR13	08FEB23	08FEB23
Other Workers	22JUN21	01APR17	15APR13	22JUN21	22JUN21
EB-4 – Special immigrants	U	U	U	U	U
Certain Religious Workers	U	U	U	U	U
EB-5 Unreserved	C	22JAN14	01MAY19	C	C
EB-5 Set Asides – Rural, High Unemployment, Infrastructure	C	C	C	C	C

“C” = Current (you may file if otherwise eligible) “U” = Unavailable

The Final Action Dates chart outlines the availability of employment based preference visas for June 2025.

About the Visa Bulletin System

The Department of State (DOS) releases a monthly Visa Bulletin, which determines green card eligibility by tracking:

• Total visas available
• Backlogs by category
• Demand for each preference classification

Since 2015, USCIS and DOS have collaborated to:

• Issue all green cards authorized by Congress
• Provide more predictability for green card applicants
• Improve how visa demand is calculated

Learn more:
📘 Modernizing and Streamlining Legal Immigration Report (PDF)

Two Key Charts in Every Bulletin

1. Final Action Dates – When green cards can be approved.
2. Dates for Filing – When applicants can submit I-485 (adjustment of status) applications.

USCIS will announce each month which chart to follow on its Visa Bulletin Updates Page.

How USCIS Determines Visa Availability

USCIS and DOS consider:

• Remaining visa supply for the fiscal year
• Pending green card applications at both USCIS and consulates
• Drop-off rates (due to abandonment, denial, or withdrawal)

This data allows USCIS to forecast cutoff dates and ensure the maximum number of visas are issued each year.

GENERAL VISA BULLETIN FAQs

What is a priority date?
It’s the date your green card petition was first filed. This determines your place in line.

How long will I wait?
That depends on your country and visa category. The Visa Bulletin can’t predict exact timing but helps identify patterns.

Why does my date go backward?
That’s called retrogression—it happens when demand exceeds supply. Your spot may temporarily move backward until numbers reset.

What is the purpose of the Visa Bulletin?
The Visa Bulletin, published monthly by the U.S. Department of State, provides updated information on green card availability. It shows cut-off dates for each immigrant visa category and country of chargeability, determining when applicants can move forward with their green card process.

What are “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing”?
Final Action Dates indicate when a green card can be issued. Dates for Filing determine when a person can file their adjustment of status application. USCIS announces monthly which chart it will use for family-based and employment-based applicants.

What is a priority date?
A priority date is the date when a green card petition (Form I-130 or I-140) or labor certification was filed. It establishes the applicant’s place in line for green card processing.

How do I find my priority date?
Your priority date is typically printed on your I-797 Notice of Action or listed on your labor certification. You may also consult with your attorney or sponsoring employer.

What does it mean if my priority date is “current”?
If your priority date is earlier than the listed cut-off date—or if the category is marked “C” (current)—you may file your application (if using the Dates for Filing chart) or your green card may be approved (if using the Final Action Dates chart).

What does “U” mean on the Visa Bulletin?
“U” means the category is “Unauthorized” or “Unavailable.” No immigrant visas are available in that category for the month.

What is retrogression, and why does it happen?
Retrogression is when a previously current priority date moves backward. It occurs when visa demand exceeds the supply for a given category or country.

How often does the Visa Bulletin change?
The Visa Bulletin is issued monthly, usually around the 10th to 15th of each month.

What is the difference between USCIS and the Department of State when it comes to the Visa Bulletin?
The Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin. USCIS decides which chart (Final Action or Filing Dates) applicants in the U.S. must follow to file Form I-485.

JUNE 2025 VISA BULLETIN-SPECIFIC FAQs

What changed in the family-based categories in the June 2025 Visa Bulletin?
Most family-based categories remained unchanged. The only notable change was in the F-4 category (siblings of U.S. citizens) for India, which advanced by two months.

Which chart should I use in June 2025 for adjustment of status filing?
In June 2025, USCIS designated the Dates for Filing chart for family-sponsored applicants and the Final Action Dates chart for employment-based applicants.

Did the EB-1 category move at all in June 2025?
No. The EB-1 Final Action Dates remained unchanged. India is still at February 15, 2022, and China is at November 8, 2022. All other countries remain current.

What is the most significant movement in the June 2025 Visa Bulletin?
The largest advancement occurred in the EB-2 category for Mexico, the Philippines, and All Other Areas, which moved forward by nearly four months.

Is EB-4 available in June 2025?
No. EB-4 is unavailable for all countries. The annual visa cap was reached in February 2025. This category will reopen in October 2025 when the new fiscal year begins.

Did the EB-5 category change in June 2025?
No. The EB-5 category remains current for most countries. The unreserved subcategory remains at May 1, 2019 for India and January 22, 2014 for China. All EB-5 set-aside categories (Rural, High Unemployment, and Infrastructure) remain current for all countries.

Why does India show no forward movement in EB-2 and EB-3?
India’s backlogs are due to consistently high demand. Its EB-2 and EB-3 cut-off dates have remained stuck at January 1, 2013 and April 15, 2013, respectively.

How much did China advance in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories?
China’s EB-2 cut-off date moved ahead by two months to December 1, 2020. EB-3 advanced by about three weeks to November 22, 2020.

Which EB categories showed any advancement in June 2025?
EB-2, EB-3, and EB-3 Other Worker categories showed movement for all countries except India. EB-1, EB-4, and EB-5 were either unchanged or unavailable.

Can I file my I-485 if my date is current in the Dates for Filing chart, but USCIS is using the Final Action Dates chart?
No. You can only file your I-485 when USCIS authorizes the use of the Dates for Filing chart. In June 2025, for employment-based applicants, USCIS is using the Final Action Dates chart.

STRATEGIC AND ADVANCED QUESTIONS

If I’m outside the U.S., does the Visa Bulletin still apply to me?
Yes. For consular processing abroad, the Final Action Dates chart determines when you can proceed to a visa interview and potentially receive an immigrant visa.

Can priority dates ever move backward again in the coming months?
Yes. If the demand suddenly exceeds expectations, or USCIS needs to slow issuance to stay within visa limits, retrogression may occur even late in the fiscal year.

When does the visa cap reset?
The annual immigrant visa limits reset at the start of the fiscal year on October 1 each year.

What are set-aside categories in EB-5 and why are they important?
EB-5 set-asides reserve portions of the total EB-5 visa allotment for rural, high-unemployment, and infrastructure investments. These subcategories remain current, offering a faster route to permanent residency.

How can I improve my position if my category is heavily backlogged?
You may consider alternative immigration paths such as the EB-5 Investor Program, National Interest Waiver (NIW), or pursuing a family-based petition if eligible.

What should I do if my priority date is close to becoming current?
You should ensure all documents are ready, maintain eligibility, and consult with an immigration attorney to file as soon as your date is current.

Why You Should Consult Immigration Attorney Richard Herman Today

Understanding the June 2025 Visa Bulletin isn’t just about reading charts—it’s about knowing what to do next. Whether your priority date just became current, is rapidly approaching, or remains stuck in a frustrating backlog, this is a critical moment to make informed decisions that could shape your immigration future.

That’s where Attorney Richard Herman and his nationally recognized legal team come in. With over 30 years of experience guiding individuals, families, professionals, and investors through every type of visa challenge, Richard Herman provides more than legal representation—he offers strategy, clarity, and peace of mind.

If you’re:

• Unsure how the latest Visa Bulletin affects your case,
• Facing delays or retrogression in your employment- or family-based category,
• Considering alternatives like EB-5 investment visas, NIWs, or family sponsorship,
• Or simply need help filing your I-485 before your window closes,

Now is the time to speak with a trusted advocate who understands both the legal nuances and the human urgency behind every green card application.

Don’t navigate this alone. Contact Richard Herman for a personalized consultation and let a veteran immigration attorney help you move forward with confidence.

👉Schedule your consultation with Richard Herman today

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Next Steps and Resources

Visa Bulletin Page on USCIS.gov – Check which chart to use when filing.

State Department Travel Website – Embassy visa processing updates

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A Trusted Voice for Today’s Most Urgent Immigration Stories

When it comes to reporting on U.S. immigration—especially in the context of the 2024 election cycle and Donald Trump’s policies—journalists need more than quotes. They need a seasoned, media-savvy expert who can quickly provide depth, context, and compelling commentary. Additionally, they should be informed about how they can review or change their cookie preferences and settings at any time.

Immigration attorneyRichard Herman is that expert. With decades of experience, national recognition, and a sharp understanding of how immigration intersects with politics, civil rights, employment, and media narratives, Herman is a go-to source for reporters seeking accurate and articulate insights. His expertise also extends to enhancing and providing valuable content through his services.

If you’re working on a media request immigration #journorequest, here’s why you should consider reaching out to Richard Herman.

What Makes Richard Herman a Top-Tier Immigration Source for Media

• Over 30 Years of Experience: Richard Herman has practiced immigration law for over three decades, handling high-stakes cases from business immigration to deportation defense.
• National Media Contributor: He’s been featured on NPR, and in major publications like The New York Times and Forbes.
• Author and Speaker: Co-author ofImmigrant, Inc., Herman speaks frequently about immigration reform, economic growth, and immigrant entrepreneurship.
• Client Diversity: He’s worked with international students, Fortune 500 companies, undocumented workers, and criminal defendants facing immigration consequences.
• Public Education Focus: He has a unique ability to break down complex legal issues in a way that audiences—and editors—understand and trust.

Key Topics Reporters Can Explore with Richard Herman

< Trump and Immigration Enforcement>As Trump threatens sweeping immigration crackdowns in a possible second term, Herman can unpack:

• How new executive actions might resemble or expand past policies
• Legal limitations and constitutional challenges
• What communities and advocates can expect
• Personal experiences of people affected by these policies and demographic insights related to immigration

People often share their stories and quotes about contemplating or undergoing relocation, emphasizing the growing openness among people to moving abroad. Additionally, it is crucial for individuals to be specific in their requests to receive the correct records quickly and efficiently, whether those requests are made online or by mail.

< Trump and Deportation>With Trump signaling mass deportations using the National Guard or ICE raids, Richard Herman can explain:

• How such efforts would conflict with existing legal norms
• The logistical and humanitarian consequences
• What rights immigrants still have—even under aggressive policies

< Employment-Based Immigration (H-1B and Beyond)>As H-1B policies evolve under both Trump and Biden, Herman can speak on:

• 2025 updates under the H-1B Modernization Rule
• Trends in high-skilled immigration and layoffs in tech
• Options for workers after job termination Read more on H-1B worker options after termination

< Immigration and the First Amendment>From border searches of journalists to social media surveillance of visa applicants, Herman brings crucial insight into:

• The free speech rights of immigrants
• Legal challenges to CBP and DHS digital surveillance
• Religious and political expression at the border

< Immigration and Civil Rights>Journalists covering racial profiling, due process, and equal protection issues should talk to Herman about:

• How immigration enforcement disproportionately targets communities of color
• The erosion of civil liberties in ICE detention centers
• Key litigation challenging unconstitutional immigration laws

< Travel and Immigration>Whether it’s the Muslim Ban redux or expedited removals at airports, Herman can speak to:

• How past and current administrations reshape immigration at borders
• What non-citizens should know before flying
• Risks of CBP searches and secondary inspections Know Your Rights at the Border (ACLU)

< International Students and U.S. Immigration>With Trump pushing to restrict F-1 visas and Optional Practical Training (OPT), Herman provides:

• Analysis on how policy affects U.S. competitiveness
• Legal risks and overstays for international students
• Strategies for transitioning to H-1B or green cards

< Criminal Immigration (Crimmigration)>Herman is one of the few attorneys able to clearly explain how criminal charges affect immigration, including:

• Deportable vs. inadmissible offenses
• The weaponization of “public safety” rhetoric
• Immigrant legal defenses under INA 212 and 237

Media-Savvy. Deadline-Ready. Clear on Camera. Interview Ready.

Richard Herman understands the media’s needs:

• Concise quotes for fast turnarounds
• Depth for features and investigative pieces
• Appeal to TV, podcast, print, and digital formats. Hear full conversations with various guests on our podcast episodes about migrating to Australia.

Whether you’re filing a #journorequest or planning a long-form investigative series, Herman offers both authority and accessibility. We encourage you to share your personal experiences, such as the UK spouse visa application process, to foster a community of storytelling and information gathering.

Clickable Resources for Reporters

Here’s a curated list of high-value resources Richard Herman can speak to or help you interpret:

• Trump’s 2025 Immigration Agenda (Heritage Foundation)
• ACLU on Immigration Enforcement
  Covers ICE and CBP abuses, immigrant detention, and advocacy for immigrant rights.
• AILA: American Immigration Lawyers Association
  A national association of over 15,000 attorneys and law professors who practice and teach immigration law.
• USCIS: Employment-Based Immigration
  Official resource for employment-based green card eligibility and processes.
• TRAC Immigration Data
  Provides authoritative, nonpartisan data on immigration enforcement, court trends, and agency performance.
• Human Rights Watch: U.S. Deportation Reports
  Investigates and documents the human impact of U.S. deportation policies.

Fresh Takes and Original Angles on Key Topics

What makes Herman stand out isn’t just his legal expertise. It’s his ability to bring fresh insight to repetitive narratives. Here are some unique angles he offers:

• “The Quiet Deportation Pipeline”: How visa denials and silent orders of removal are rising under the radar.
• “Digital Border Walls”: Examining CBP’s expanded use of algorithms and facial recognition.
• “Immigration as Infrastructure”: Arguing that international students, workers, and families are essential to U.S. resilience and growth.
• “Civil Liberties in Immigration Court“: The erosion of due process in proceedings with no public defenders and limited access to evidence.

Interactive Graphs and Visuals

Below are sample visuals you can adapt or request Richard Herman to comment on:

<Deportations Under Trump vs. Biden (2017–2024)>
[Bar Chart]

• Trump Year 1: 256,000
• Biden Year 1: 186,000
• Trump Year 3: 267,000
• Biden Year 3: 142,000

<Top 5 Countries Affected by U.S. Deportations (2023)>
[Pie Chart]

• Mexico
• Guatemala
• Honduras
• El Salvador
• Haiti

<H-1B Petitions Approved

Fiscal Year	Initial Employment Approvals	Continuing Employment Approvals	Total Approvals
2018	93,615	238,743	332,358
2019	138,297	249,476	388,403
2020	122,886	303,824	426,710
2021	123,414	283,657	407,071
2022	132,429	309,614	442,043
2023	118,948	267,370	386,318

Source: H-1B Visa – Wikipedia

Top Companies Receiving H-1B Approvals in 2024

In fiscal year 2024, several companies stood out for having the highest number of approved H-1B petitions. The table below lists these companies along with the number of approvals they received:​

Company	Number of H-1B Approvals
Amazon	9,265
Infosys	8,140
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)	5,274
Cognizant	6,321
Google	5,364
Meta	4,844
Microsoft	4,725
HCL America	2,953
Wipro	1,634
Tech Mahindra	1,199

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How to Contact Richard Herman for Commentary

Website: https://www.lawfirm4immigrants.com/
Email: richardtmherman@gmail.com

Cell: 216-375-0231
LinkedIn: Richard Herman – LinkedIn
Twitter/X: @ImmigrantInc

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Sample Media Request Pitches That Work

• “Hi, looking for a knowledgeable immigration attorney to discuss Trump’s plan for mass deportations and how it compares to his first term. Deadline EOD. #journorequest”
• “Seeking expert on immigration and the First Amendment—especially related to international students and digital surveillance.”
• “Need quick quote for story on H-1B layoffs and status expiration. Can you help? #mediarequest”

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Final Takeaway: Reach Out Early and Often

In an era of volatile immigration policy, disinformation, and global migration crises, journalists need experts who can cut through the noise. Richard Herman delivers just that.

If your pitch or post includes media request immigration #journorequest, don’t miss the opportunity to elevate your reporting with a trusted, articulate, and nationally recognized voice.

Can I Get a Green Card By Marrying a Green Card Holder?

Trump 2025: Disaster for H1B Visa Holders, Their Spouse and Employer

H1B for Consultant: Requirements, Data, Processing

If you are about to apply for an H1B visa as a consultant, then knowing basic information and familiarizing yourself with the application process will help you navigate the waters of the US legal and immigration system much more easily.

Knowing what the H1B visa is and who it is destined for is the first step in aiming at obtaining a positive outcome. It is a non-immigrant visa type, used by U.S based companies or employers that offer specialty occupation vacancies to foreign nationals and wish to bring them to the United States.

However, there are certain employer-employee standards and requirements that must be satisfied in order to qualify for the H1B visa and of course, the job vacancy itself must be listed among the specialty occupations, in this case, consultants are included. Keep reading to find out more details.

H1B visa for Consultant entry requirements

Applying for an H1B visa as a consultant involves several procedures and requirements, which we have listed below. First of all, having a valid consultancy job offer that meets the specialty occupation standards from a U.S based employer who is willing to sponsor your application is the most essential eligibility requirement, as well as having at least a bachelor’s degree in consultancy.

Afterward, your employer will have to file for a Labor Condition Application from the Department of  Labor which will include and state all of their contract terms with you as the employee. Your employer will also have to demonstrate that he did not find any qualified U.S. applicants for the job and that you have the needed skills and expertise to perform the job duties. Then, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services will conduct a random lottery to select the applications that will be going on to processing.

Then, if they select your application, that will allow your employer to move on to the next step by officially filing a petition starting April 1st of that year. Then, if the petition is approved, you can choose one of the following:

• Either wait for your employment start date which is October 1st. Then, your status will be automatically adjusted to H-1B. In this case, this would be the ideal option if you are already in the United States but have a different non-immigrant visa type.
• If you are outside of the U.S. borders, then the next step would be to go to a U.S. consulate or embassy for the purpose of obtaining a visa stamp and entering the country under an H-1B status.

Consultant H1B Sponsorship Data

Year	Approval Rate	Denial Rate
2022	99.76%	0.24%
2021	99.78%	0.22%
2020	100.00%	0.00%
2019	99.89%	0.11%
2018	99.40%	0.60%
2017	99.18%	0.82%
2016	99.43%	0.57%
2015	98.96%	1.04%

Average prevailing wages and top employers for Consultant in the U.S

For most of small business consulting firms consultants get paid on average a salary ranging between $65,000 and $70,000. While Senior consultants earn an average salary of $112,000-$120,000. On the other hand, for top hiring firms average salaries for consultants are between $80,000 and $149,500.

Company Name	Average Median Salary for H1B Visa for Consultant
Deloittensulting	$96,576
Wipro	$84,019
The Boston Consulting Group	$179,747
Genpact	$85,793
Sonata Software North America	$73,474
Latentview Analytics	$116,316
IBM	$114,229
L.e.k. Consulting	$165,000
Bain &	$166,750
Headstrong Services	$95,276

However, as of early 2023, H1B visa sponsors such as Deloittensulting, Wipro, The Boston Consulting Group, Genpact, and Sonata Software North America are successively ranked as the top 5 hiring parties applying for Labor Condition Applications. 

Top-hiring Cities for Consultants in the United States

The top-hiring and highest-paying consulting firms in the US are mainly located in New York, San Francisco, and Boston, take a look at the following table for detailed insight.

Rank	City	Average Salary
1	New York, NY	$135,381
2	San Francisco, CA	$153,056
3	Seattle, WA	$137,843
4	San Jose, CA	$147,643
5	Austin, TX	$117,909
6	Chicago, IL	$111,267
7	Sunnyvale, CA	$154,276
8	Atlanta, GA	$105,984
9	Mountain View, CA	$162,028
10	Houston, TX	$105,542
11	Irving, TX	$105,663

H1B visa for Consultant Basic Processing Information

Processing time for an H1B visa varies depending on the service center in which it is being processed.

• Regular H1B visa processing; takes from 1 to 6 months. But it also depends on the service center. The California and Nebraska Service Centers usually take 2.5 to 4.5 months for processing H1B visas, The Vermont Service Center takes around 12 to 15 months to do so.
• Premium H1B visa processing; Specifically destined for employers who do not want to wait for a long period of time. With Premium processing, the petition will be processed within 15 days of the submission date.
• Expedited H1B visa processing: Expedited processing requires certain criteria such as the following: 
• In case there is a severe financial loss to the US employer or foreign employee;
• There is an emergency situation;
• For humanitarian reasons;
• The petition is filed from a US Nonprofit Organization that will benefit the cultural and social interests of the US;
• In Case the petition is from a US government entity due to national interest from the US Department of Defense;
• In case there was an error from the USCIS.
• In case the petition is of compelling interest to USCIS.

H1B Visa Fees

Type of fee	Amount in $	Paid for by
Registration Fee	$10	Employer
Premium Processing Fee (optional)	$2,500	Employer or  Employee
Public Law 114-113 Fee	$4,000	Employer
Basic Filing Fee	$460	Employer
USCIS Anti-Fraud Fee	$500	Employer
ACWIA Education and Training Fee	$750 (less than 25 employees)$1,500 (more than 25 employees)	Employer
Attorney Fee	Variable	Employer

Get Help From Herman Legal Group

If you are a consultant and about to apply for an H1B visa in the United States and are looking for legal guidance, contact Herman Legal Group. We are an award-winning immigration law firm, founded in 1995, and experienced in all areas of immigration: family, employment, investor, deportation defense, and citizenship.

Sit down with attorney Richard Herman or one of the lawyers at Herman Legal Group to get experienced immigration help and let them analyze the facts to come up with the best legal strategy for your situation at your convenience.

You can schedule a personal consultation with Attorney Richard Herman by calling 1-216-696-6170, or by booking online.  Consultations can be conducted via Zoom, Skype, Whatsapp, Facetime, phone, or in-office. We are looking forward to helping you! 

Project Manager H1B Visa Approval, Requirements, Processing

H1B visas are non-immigrant visa types used mostly by employers or businesses within the United States who want to bring workers from foreign countries to occupy job vacancies that requires specialized skills and proficiency. 

This includes all specialty occupations performers, among which project managers, they usually require certain conditions such as a high level of education mainly a bachelor’s degree in a field directly related to the job position which is in this case is project management, as well as other criteria that involve the applicants skills and expertise.

Therefore, in order to apply for an H1b visa, project managers must meet the eligibility requirements and the job vacancy itself must fulfill the specialty occupation standards that are imposed by U.S law. Keep reading for more details.

H1B Visa for Project Manager entry Requirements

To be eligible to apply for an H1B visa as a project manager, the minimum educational level acceptable has to be a bachelor’s degree in the field of project management, as well as an employer-employee relationship with a U.S. employer who is filing the petition for your visa.

Which means that in addition to having a valid job offer in a field directly related to project management it must  also meet the specialty occupation standards, which include the following conditions listed below: 

1. The minimum entry level to the H1B visa programs is having a bachelor’s degree, higher, or its equivalent similarly used by other workers hired to fulfill the same job position that you are applying for in the United States.

In this case it is worth knowing that when evaluating a foreign degree, the U.S rules and regulations allow the consideration of the applicant’s experience, by substituting 3 years of progressive and relevant experience in that specific field, in this case project management as an equivalent of one year of college. 

1. Having a valid job offer with a trustworthy employer in the U.S that fully understands his role and duties in bringing you to the United States, including payment of all application fees and providing you with a sustainable wage commonly paid to US workers occupying the same job position as you, meaning the same wage paid in the area of employment. 
2. Your employer must apply for a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the Department of Labor, this certification includes the terms and conditions of their contract with you as a new project management employee. 
3. Your employer has to demonstrate that he did not find any qualified U.S applicants for the job.
4. You must have the needed skills and expertise to perform the job duties.

The above mentioned are some of the requirements that must be fulfilled in order to be eligible and qualify for an H1B visa for project managers. 

Project Manager H1B Sponsorship Data

Year	Approval Rate	Denial Rate
2022	99.85%	0.15%
2021	99.51%	0.49%
2020	99.92%	0.08%
2019	98.90%	1.10%
2018	99.02%	0.98%
2017	99.14%	0.86%
2016	99.14%	0.86%
2015	98.72%	1.28%

Average prevailing wages and top employers for Project Manager in the U.S

Project Managers earn on average $94,874 in the United States. While the average additional cash compensation is estimated at $10,270, which makes the average total salary of Project Managers in the United States $105,144. More details are listed below.

Company Name	Average Median Salary for H1B visa for Project Manager
Consultadd	$93,185
Tata Consultancy Services	$99,634
Tech Mahindra	$95,659
Accenture	$120,567
IBM	$104,971
System Soft Technologies	$85,689
Compunnel Software Group	$104,076
Atos Syntel	$94,733
Adroit Associates	$80,129
Coforge F/K/A Niit Technologies	$93,643

Project Manager top-hiring Cities

The field of project management in the United States is subject to an estimated 7% growth between 2021 and 2031, with around 70,400 vacancies for project management in some of the top-hiring and highest paying cities in the US, including New York, San Francisco and Chicago, more details are listed below.

Rank	City	Average Salary
1	New York, NY	$126,408
2	San Francisco, CA	$142,808
3	Seattle, WA	$132,944
4	Chicago, IL	$105,061
5	Sunnyvale, CA	$145,710
6	San Jose, CA	$136,951
7	Atlanta, GA	$100,771
8	Houston, TX	$103,969
9	Austin, TX	$109,341
10	Charlotte, NC	$105,109
11	Mountain View, CA	$151,855

H1B visa for Project Manager Basic Processing Information

H1B visa processing usually approximately takes between six to nine months. California and Nebraska Service Centers take on average between 2.5 to 4 or 6 months, the Vermont Service Center however usually takes much longer to process H1B visas.

You can use your USCIS receipt number that is made up of 13 digits to find out where your application is being processed. You may also pay for premium processing which offers 15 day processing time if you wish to speed up the process.

H1B Visa Fees

H1B visa for project manager fees are paid for by the employer. The U.S law forbids the payment of H1B visa fee by the employee except for the premium processing fees which are optional. More details about the type and cost of each fee are listed below.

Type of fee	Amount in $	Paid for by
Registration Fee	$10	Employer
Premium Processing Fee (optional)	$2,500	Employer or  Employee
Public Law 114-113 Fee	$4,000	Employer
Basic Filing Fee	$460	Employer
USCIS Anti-Fraud Fee	$500	Employer
ACWIA Education and Training Fee	$750 (less than 25 employees)$1,500 (more than 25 employees)	Employer
Attorney Fee	Variable	Employer

Get Help From Herman Legal Group

If you are Thinking about applying for an H1B visa for project manager in the U.S, you will surely need the steady hand of an experienced immigration lawyer to navigate the rough waters of U.S. immigration law.

You can seek out professional counsel help from Herman Legal Group, a U.S. immigration law firm with over 25 years of experience in representing individuals, families and companies in all aspects of immigration law, in all 50 states and around the world.

Keep in mind that a consultation can help uncover the winning strategy and bring peace of mind. Schedule a personal consultation with Attorney Richard Herman by calling 1-216-696-6170, or by booking online.  Consultations can be conducted by Zoom, Skype, through the phone,  whatsapp, facetime, or in-office.

Unlocking the Secrets of the H1B for Developers

H1B visas for developers are non-immigrant temporary visas destined for foreign nationals, who are eligible to work in vacancies in their related field for US based employers, companies or institutions.

Both the foreign H1B visa applicant and his employer must satisfy the specialty occupations standards. These “standards” imposed by the Immigration and Nationality Act, section 101(a)(15)(H) allow foreign individuals to come to the U.S for the purpose of working under an H1B visa contract, the duration of stay is mainly three years, can be extended to six years afterwards, the applicant may need to reapply in case they want to lengthen their stay.

The minimum entry level for applying to an H1B visa is a bachelor’s degree, among other requirements which we will be stating below. Therefore, if you are a developer who just secured a new job with a U.S based employer and need more insight on everything related to the H1B visa, then you came to the right place! Keep reading for more details.

H1B Visa For Developer Entry Requirements

Like all of the specialty occupations, there are certain requirements that must be satisfied in order to qualify and be eligible for a position as a developer in the U.S through an H1B visa. 

The complex and challenging nature of a developer’s specialization which involve providing upgrades, bug fixes, testing, writing debugging and making other changes to programs and applications with the aim of improving the customer’s experience makes it a specialty occupation for which US based employers may hire foreign nationals and bring them to the United States, of course if other requirements are fulfilled, some of which include the following:

• The applicant has to be a holder of a bachelor’s degree as minimum entry level in a field directly related to developing, that degree should also be common in similar industries among other people who work as developers in the United States.
• The employer should file a labor condition with the Department of Labor. That labor condition will state the details, terms and conditions of  his work contract with the foreign developer.
• You must have the needed skills and expertise to perform the job duties.
• The employer should also demonstrate and prove that there were no qualified U.S applicants for the job.
• Your employer has to pay all the fees and charges of the H1B visa. However, you may pay the premium processing fees. 

These are some of the most pertinent rules and conditions imposed to any H1B visa contract between an employer and a foreign employee, you can find more details at the USCIS H1B eligibility criteria.

Developer H1B Sponsorship Data

H1B visas for Developers have a relatively high approval rate, the highest denial percentage for the last few years has been recorded in 2015 for an estimation of 0.78% denied petitions and 99.22% approved ones. Take a look at the following table for more details:

Year	Approval Rate	Denial Rate
2022	99.80%	0.20%
2021	99.95%	0.05%
2020	100.00%	0.00%
2019	99.78%	0.22%
2018	99.82%	0.18%
2017	99.65%	0.35%
2016	99.65%	0.35%
2015	99.22%	0.78%

Average prevailing wages and top employers for Developers in the U.S

The average income for developers in the United States was estimated at $110,140 per year making that $9,178 as a monthly wage. More specifically, the average income for Junior developers is around $69,354 per year for $5,779 each month. On the other hand, the average senior developer salary, on is estimated at $104,188 per year or $8,682 per month.

Company Name	Average Median Salary for Developers
Tata Consultancy Services	$93,736
Nagarro	$86,277
Proficient Business Systems	$89,427
Sap Labs	$121,080
SuccessFactors	$115,296
Concur Technologies	$113,513
Ariba	$118,804
Akuna Capital	$153,750
Flexton	$124,068
Health Care Service	$98,485

Developer Top-Hiring Cities

Developer field has witnessed an important growth during the last few years, in both the average salary and job volume and vacancies available within the United States. The areas that pay the highest salaries for developers include San Jose, San Francisco, Seattle, Wenatchee, and Oxnard. More details are shown below:

Rank	City	Average Salary
1	New York, NY	$135,381
2	San Francisco, CA	$153,056
3	Seattle, WA	$137,843
4	San Jose, CA	$147,643
5	Austin, TX	$117,909
6	Chicago, IL	$111,267
7	Sunnyvale, CA	$154,276
8	Atlanta, GA	$105,984
9	Mountain View, CA	$162,028
10	Houston, TX	$105,542
11	Irving, TX	$105,663

H1B visa for Developer Basic Processing Information

H1B visa processing time differs from the rest of the visa categories, mainly depending on the circumstances that involve the service center as well as the workload within that service center.

In addition to the fact that it involves multiple different government agencies for processing which may lengthen or shorten the procedures depending on the situation, that includes the Department of Labor (DOL) as well as the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  

The USCIS usually takes between 3 weeks to 11 months to review the eligibility criteria and determined whether the applicant should be granted an H1B visa or not.

However, the service center itself plays a very important role in determining the processing time. While the Vermont Service Center takes a long time to process H1B visas, the California and Nebraska Service Centers on the other hand process H1B visas for an average of 2.5 to 4.5 months.

If the petition is approved, then the H-1B visa will be issued. So preparing your application correctly and providing the necessary documentation since the beginning would be very helpful and will help you gain more time to your advantage.

Therefore it would be a good idea to consult with a specialized immigration attorney before applying.

H1B Visa Fees

Type of fee	Amount in $	Paid for by
Registration Fee	$10	Employer
Premium Processing Fee (optional)	$2,500	Employer or  Employee
Public Law 114-113 Fee	$4,000	Employer
Basic Filing Fee	$460	Employer
USCIS Anti-Fraud Fee	$500	Employer
ACWIA Education and Training Fee	$750 (less than 25 employees)$1,500 (more than 25 employees)	Employer
Attorney Fee	Variable	Employer

Get Help From Herman Legal Group

If you are a developer planning to apply for a job position in the United States through an H1B visa and Need help navigating the complex immigration laws and procedures?  We can help. 

Herman Legal Group, founded in 1995, By Attorney Richard Herman, a national speaker, advocate, and author. He co-authored the acclaimed book, “Immigrant, Inc.” serves clients in all 50 states and Canada, and throughout the world. 

Their team speaks over 12 languages, including  Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Serbian and Bulgarian. Schedule a consult with one of the experienced immigration lawyers at Herman Legal Group by calling 1-216-696-6170, or by booking online. 

Consultations can be conducted by Zoom, Skype, WhatsApp, Facetime, or In-office. 

H1B Visa For Assistant Professor

The H1B visa type is a non-immigrant visa category especially used by employers or businesses that are located in the United States and want to bring workers from foreign countries to occupy job vacancies that meet the specialty occupation standards.

All specialty occupations performers such as assistant professors are eligible for H1B visas, they usually require certain requirements such as a specific level of education mainly a bachelor’s degree in a field directly related to the job position, as well as other criteria that involve the applicants high skills and expertise.

Therefore, in order to apply for an H1b visa, the applicant must meet the eligibility requirements and the job vacancy itself must fulfill the specialty occupation standard that are imposed by the USCIS. We will be exploring more details in this article, keep reading to know more.

H1B Visa For Assistant Professor Entry Requirements

As mentioned above assistant professors are already defined as specialty occupations, however in order to be eligible to apply for an H1B visa for assistant professors, the following important requirements, among others, must be satisfied:

1. A bachelor’s degree, higher, or its equivalent, are normally the minimum entry level condition into the teaching position as an assistant professor.
2. The applicant must possess at least a bachelor’s degree or higher or its equivalent in a field that is related to the job position that they are applying for.
3. The applicant’s educational course must be the equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.

However, one thing that is worth knowing and keeping in mind is the fact that when evaluating a foreign degree, the U.S regulations allow the consideration of the applicant’s experience, by substituting 3 years of progressive and relevant experience in that specific field as an equivalent of one year of college.

• The foreign applicant must possess the necessary license in jurisdictions or institutions where it is demanded. However, in case the applicant is unable to provide the licensure before coming to the U.S. or obtaining a social security number, he or she can present proof from the licensing board documenting that he or she has met all of the requirements for the license but for status in the U.S. or a social security number.
• Before finally submitting the H1B petition at the USCIS, the employing party, in this case usually an institution will have to apply for and obtain a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the Department of Labor that included the terms and conditions of their contract with the new employee. Which also implies that by getting the Labor Condition Application, the employer guarantees, among other things, that:

They are responsible for paying the H1b applicant’s (assistant professor) wage. which have to be similar to the wages paid by other employers to employees working on the same positions in similar industries, therefore the same prevailing wage in the area of employment.

They will provide to the foreign assistant professor with working conditions that will not adversely affect the working conditions of U.S. assistant professors similarly employed in the area.

Assistant Professor H1B Sponsorship Data

Year	Approval Rate	Denial Rate
2022	99.8%	0.19%
2021	99.94%	0.06%
2020	99.98%	0.02%
2019	99.41%	0.59%
2018	98.77%	1.23%
2017	98.85%	1.15%
2016	98.72%	1.28%
2015	97.96%	2.04%

Average prevailing wages and top employers for Assistant Professor in the U.S

Even though the national U.S average salary for assistant professors in 2022 was estimated at $98,669. That estimation is subject to significant variations based on the location as well as the employing institute. Below are some of highest paying institutions for Assistant professors in the United States as well as their median average salaries.

Institution Name	Average Median Salary for H1B Assistant Professors
University Of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center	$150,822
The Pennsylvania State University	$99,333
The Univ. Of Ala. At Birmingham (Uab)	$216,001
Purdue University	$112,318
University Of Wisconsin-System	$122,976
University Of Alabama Health Services Foundation, Pc	$229,340
Board Of Regents Of The University Of Nebraska	$80,061
Rutgers, The State University Of New Jersey	$148,176
Emory University	$195,791
Medical University Of South Carolina	$175,878

Assistant Professor top-hiring Cities

There are many assistant professor vacancies in the U.S, a large number of highest paying institutions for those vacancies are located in the regions shown below.

Rank	City	Average Salary
1	New York, NY	$135,381
2	San Francisco , CA	$153,056
3	Seattle, WA	$137,843
4	San Jose, CA	$147,643
5	Austin, TX	$117,909
6	Chicago, IL	$111,267
7	Sunnyvale, CA	$154,276
8	Atlanta, GA	$105,984
9	Mountain View, CA	$162,028
10	Houston, TX	$105,542
11	Irving, TX	$105,663

H1B visa for Assistant Professor Basic Processing Information

H-1B petitions are much more complicated than other type of visas, that is mainly because they involve multiple different government agencies for processing, that includes the Department of Labor (DOL) as well as the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

All H-1B petitions for Boise State University are filed through the Center for Global Engagement (CGE). Keep reading for more details about the processing time-frame for an H1B application for assistant professors.

After successfully preparing all the required paperwork and submitting the application at the USCIS, it can take between 3 weeks to 11 months to review the eligibility criteria and determined whether the applicant should be granted an H1B visa or not.

That period of time depends on many circumstances such as the service center. The California and Nebraska Service Centers process H1B visas for an average of 2.5 to 4.5 months, while the Vermont Service Center takes much longer to process H1B visas.

For example during COVID-19 closures, the USCIS approved multiple H1B visa applications in the time-frame of 2 weeks. Within 90 days of being selected, the employers can then file their petitions at the USCIS for processing and pay the required filing fees and supporting documents. If the petition is approved, then the H-1B visa will be issued.

H1B Visa Fee

Type of fee	Amount in $	Paid for by
Registration Fee	$10	Employer
Premium Processing Fee (optional)	$2,500	Employer or Employee
Public Law 114-113 Fee	$4,000	Employer
Basic Filing Fee	$460	Employer
USCIS Anti-Fraud Fee	$500	Employer
ACWIA Education and Training Fee	· $750 (less than 25 employees)· $1,500 (more than 25 employees)	Employer
Attorney Fee	Variable	Employer

Get Help From Herman Legal Group

If you are considering applying for an H1B visa for assistant professor you need the steady hand of an experienced immigration lawyer to navigate the rough waters of U.S. immigration law. Seek out counsel help from Herman Legal Group, a U.S. immigration law firm with over 25 years of experience in representing individuals, families & companies in all aspects of immigration law, in all 50 states and around the world.

Keep in mind that a consultation can help uncover the winning strategy, schedule a personal consultation with Attorney Richard Herman by calling 1-216-696-6170, or by booking online. Consultations can be conducted by zoom, skype, whatsapp, facetime, or in-office.

H1B for Senior Software Engineer

The H1B visa which is a non-immigrant temporary work visa is initiated by a U.S based employer for the benefit of a foreign worker to occupy a job position that meets the specialty occupation standards.

Before initiating the H1B visa procedures for a foreigner the employer must prove that he was not able to find an American employee who is qualified enough to perform the work among other eligibility requirements. Some of these requirements involve the applicant having theoretical and practical knowledge as well as holding at least a bachelor’s or higher degree in the work field  or in a directly related field as a minimum entry level into the occupation.

H1B Visa for Senior Software Engineer Entry Requirements

The H1B visa cap plays a big role in granting these type of visas, as they are in high demand and currently the fiscal year cap is at 65,000. In addition to that, 20,000 extra visas are available for Masters Degree holders, so if you have a masters degree from a U.S institution then you are lucky!

Keep in mind that if your employer is an institution of higher education, a nonprofit organization connected to an institute of higher education, or a government research organization, then in your case the visa cap does not apply. If your specialization is subject to the U.S H1B visa cap, then you have to electronically register with the USCIS and enter the lottery, either by doing so yourself or through the help of an attorney. 

• A  valid job offer matching the specialty occupation criteria, in this case a vacancy for the role of senior software engineer from a U.S. employer requiring knowledge Proof of at least a bachelor’s degree in this field.
• A Labor Conditions Approval (LCA) presented by your employer concerning the details, terms and conditions of your work contract.

• Form I-129 submitted by your employer. 
• Proof of a stable “employer-employee” relationship, meaning that the employer must pay a regular salary to the foreign worker. Usually by paying the prevailing wage, or the actual wage (whichever is higher) for the position of senior software engineer in the geographic area of the employment similar to other companies in the same industry, and receive the standard and basic employee benefits provided by the employer.

Senior Software Engineer H1B Sponsorship Data

H1B visa applications for senior software engineering job positions have had a relatively high approval rate between 2015 and 2022. With a highest denial rated of 1.38% for both 2015 and 2016. 

Year	Approval Rate	Denial Rate
2022	99.86%	0.14%
2021	99.81%	0.19%
2020	100.00%	0.00%
2019	99.60%	0.40%
2018	99.14%	0.86%
2017	99.04%	0.96%
2016	98.79%	1.21%
2015	98.44%	1.56%

Average prevailing wages and top employers for Senior Software Engineer in the U.S

The average salary of a senior software engineer in the U.S is estimated at 150$ with an additional cash compensation of $21,832 making a total of $172,642. However, that remains subject to variations depending the geographic location of the job as well as the employing company itself.

Company Name	Average Median Salary for H1B Senior Software Engineer
Wal-Mart Associates	$138,733
Bloomberg	$189,829
Uber Technologies	$183,632
Epam Systems	$117,100
Microsoft	$159,169
Intuit	$158,531
Capital One Services	$116,755
Globallogic	$120,633
Lowe’s Companies	$129,976
Salesforce.Com	$136,854

Senior Software Engineer top-hiring Cities

Some of the top-hiring areas in the United States for senior software engineers in no particular order, include California, Texas, Colorado as well as Massachusetts. Find out more details below!

Rank	City	Average Salary
1	New York, NY	$126,408
2	San Francisco, CA	$142,808
3	Seattle, WA	$132,944
4	Chicago, IL	$105,061
5	Sunnyvale, CA	$145,710
6	San Jose, CA	$136,951
7	Atlanta, GA	$100,771
8	Houston, TX	$103,969
9	Austin, TX	$109,341
10	Charlotte, NC	$105,109
11	Mountain View, CA	$151,855

H1B visa for Senior Software Engineer Basic Processing Information

In general the processing time of an H1B visa varies between 1 to 6  months but it can take more than that, up to one year depending on the circumstances as well as the service center. While the California and Nebraska Service Centers take on average between 2.5 to 4 or 6 months, the Vermont Service Center however usually takes much longer to process H1B visas and you can use your uscis receipt number that is made up of 13 digits to find out where your application is being processed.

You may use premium processing which offers 15 day processing time if you wish  to speed up the process.

H1B Visa Fee

H1B visa fees which are listed below, must be paid by the employer. The only exception which allows the employee himself to pay is the premium processing fee. Considering that it is optional and it grants the possibility of speeding up the visa processing procedures.

Type of fee	Amount in $	Paid for by
Registration Fee	$10	Employer
Premium Processing Fee (optional)	$2,500	Employer or  Employee
Public Law 114-113 Fee	$4,000	Employer
Basic Filing Fee	$460	Employer
USCIS Anti-Fraud Fee	$500	Employer
ACWIA Education and Training Fee	$750 (less than 25 employees)$1,500 (more than 25 employees)	Employer
Attorney Fee	Variable	Employer

Get Help From Herman Legal Group

If you are considering applying for an H1B visa for Senior Software Engineer and need help navigating complex immigration laws and procedures, we can help. Contact Herman Legal Group, a U.S. immigration law firm with over 26 years of experience in representing individuals, families and companies in all aspects of immigration law, in all 50 states and around the world. 

Schedule a personal consultation with Attorney Richard Herman by calling 1-216-696-6170, or by booking online. Consultations can be conducted by zoom, skype, whatsapp, facetime, or in-office. The team is friendly, professional and looks forward to helping you!

PERM Prevailing Wage Determination FAQs

So, you have successfully aced your interview with a US-based business – congratulations! Before you pack your things, get excited about working in the US, and plan your trips to many landmarks across the US, let us first tell you about the next steps in the procedure for your migration and citizenship in the US, specifically if you are coming through an EB-3 employment-based green card.

EB-3, or Employment Third Preference E-3, is an immigration program that allows eligible people to legally work and live in the US by procuring an employment-based green card. This program is also one of the fastest methods to obtain a US Green Card and become a lawful permanent resident of the United States.

Several steps are involved in obtaining an EB-3 employment-based green card, but none is more critical for the successful outcome than the Prevailing Wage Determination (PERM) process. In this detailed narrative, we will discuss several aspects of the PERM procedure in the EB-3 immigration program, which will help you prepare your case in the best possible way.

What is Prevailing Wage Determination?

The PERM (Prevailing Wage Determination) is a permanent labor certification program that protects the job rights and working conditions of a native US national. Whenever an employer operating in and a permanent US citizen decides to hire someone for a job from outside of the United States, they are first required to initiate a detailed recruiting process within the US to see if there is already a qualified US citizen available to do the work.

US employers/companies must do an intensive recruitment process that includes a variety of marketing sources and a time limit of at least a 30-day job posting. The business/employer must wait another 30 days for eligible candidates to respond to the job requirement.

Suppose, during this period, and the employer doesn’t find any eligible candidate within the United States. In that case, they can then file for an EB-3 employment-based visa and green card for the selected foreign individual and request the National Prevailing Wage Center (NPWC) for prevailing wage determination data, an official service with the US Department of Labor.

In some cases, employers can also get wage data from government-recognized sources such as the Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLCDC) website. However, a private wage survey is also eligible in some instances, but it is recommended to consult an immigration attorney to get a legally-accepted report before filing. Immigration attorneys at Herman Legal Group can provide crucial help in preparing a conducive petition for you.

The Department of Labor will then determine the wage paid for that specific skill in the region where the business is located. The PERM application processing time could be around 60 to 90 days, while the period for wage determination is between a few weeks to over two months.

For the application to process further, the employer must agree to pay that wage to the incoming foreign worker and need to provide surety of being financially capable of delivering that wage continually. The employer had to show evidence of bank statements and salary/pay slips of a similar workforce in their organization.

There is more information available on the prevailing wage process and methodologies at the US Department of Labor website here.

What Are the Employer Requirements for Getting a PERM Labor Certificate?

The PERM stands for Program Electronic Review Management System Labor Certification. It is an e-processing system – made by the US Department of Labor – to facilitate labor certification filing for an employment-based green card. More information on the enaction and a detailed description of this system can be found on the US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration website.

The requirements for an employer to get a PERM labor certification are varied. But the foremost of them is to ensure the USCIS that the admission of a foreign worker in the US will not, and must not, adversely affect the wages, working conditions, and job opportunities for the native US workforce.

To meet this end, it is the employer’s responsibility to file a PERM prevailing wage determination request to the Department of Labor, which will then be used to certify that the above stringent requirement is precisely met by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The USCIS will then facilitate an employment-based visa and green card for the foreign worker.

Apart from meeting the unavoidable requirement mentioned above, the employer must also have to follow these requirements to get a PERM labor certificate:

• The company/employer must not tailor job requirements based on the foreigner worker’s skill set.
• The company/employer must be financially capable to pay the prevailing wage or greater.
• The company/employer must successfully demonstrate that there are no qualified workers available for the job within the US.
• The company/employer must offer a full-time job.
• The company/employer must demonstrate that the position/wage of the foreign worker will not adversely affect the working conditions/wages of the native US workers.

Once these requirements are successfully met, the company/employer will become eligible to file an employment-based immigration petition to the USCIS on behalf of the foreign skill-worker.

What is the ‘Prevailing Wage Determination’ Validity Timeframe?

According to the official document on the DOL website, the validity period for a PERM prevailing wage determination is from 90 days to a year.

The determination report should be submitted as soon as received by the employer, within the validity period, along with the PERM recruitment file and Labor Certification to the USCIS.

One of our advanced guides on perm processing, timings, and costs can help you get a more in-depth look at the subject of validity and processing time for perm wage determination procedure over here.

What Are the Steps in the ‘PERM Labor Certificate’ Process?

The PERM process is a long and multi-faceted one. We will briefly lay out the entire procedure through which a US-based employer can successfully sponsor a foreign employee for employment-based immigration and green card. Here are the steps:

Filing the “prevailing wage determination request” to the US Department of Labor via Form ETA 9141.

The first step in obtaining a ‘PERM Labor Certificate’ is to file a “Prevailing Wage Determination” (PWD) request to the US Department of Labor on their official ‘FLAG System’ at the DOL website (https://flag.DOL.gov/). This step is done by the US-based company/employer on behalf of the foreign worker they are seeking to hire.

The US-based company/employer needs to use Form ETA 9141 to fill out this request. This request, and all the processing for almost all visa programs, are now processed electronically on DOL’s FLAG website since the June of 2019.

Form ETA 9141 highlights such information to the DOL as:

• Minimum requirements for the job
• Job duties to be performed
• Worksite location
• Employer’s information

Based on this information, DOL studies and issues a prevailing wage determination (PWD) to the employer. This PWD report will include information about the minimum wage for the specific job in that specific location/region of the work site. The employer must have to agree to pay the prevailing or greater wage for the job described in that specific location/region.

However, PWDs may vary according to the geographic location of a company/employer in a specific region of the United States. For those who prefer to download and fill out the form ETA 9141 at their convenience, they can download the form from the official DOL library here. You can find more helpful material on the documentation of PERM in the official form section at the DOL website here.

Initiating an Intensive Local Recruitment Campaign

After filing the prevailing wage determination request with DOL, the next step is to initiate an intensive recruitment procedure for the vacant post. This step is crucial for obtaining the PERM certificate because it will ensure the DOL that no viable US worker is available to fill the vacant position. Thus, the DOL will then be liable to issue a PERM labor certificate to the employer.

Here is how the PERM job advertisement process works:

1. The company/employer is required to post the job ad with their State Workforce Agency (SWA). The job shall be placed on the actual State Workforce Agency portal where the employer/company is looking to fill the position.

2. The employer must have to post a job order in “good faith” recruitment, which means that the job order must be prepared in such a way as to attract any available US worker.

3. Along with posting the job advertisement with the State Workforce Agency, the company/employer must also place the job order in a major newspaper in the intended employment area/region. The job advertisement should be placed in two different Sunday editions of the paper.

4. The employer/company must also post the job offer internally. This includes posting the job offer on the physical premise of the worksite location, town hall, or union hall; specifically for those recruitments that are in rural or remote areas of the United States.

5. On top of these job posting requirements, the employer/company must utilize 3 additional methods for placing the job order. The following is the list of additional recruitment methods out of which 3 ways must have to be used:

• Using a local job fair/seminar event
• Posting on popular job search engines (e. g. Indeed.com)
• Placing the job advertisement in a trade or talent recruiting firm
• Placing the job offer on the local College/University campus
• Running the job advertisement on local radio or television channel

6.       All the job placements must be run actively for 30 days. After this period ends, the employer/company must wait another 30 days for an eligible US worker to respond to their job offer.

And that is how the PERM job advertisement step is done. However, since this step is utterly crucial for the success of your PERM initiative, and it involves a diversity of methods, it is highly recommended to consult an experienced immigration law firm to get you through. This will greatly help you to prepare a strong case for PERM certification.

Filing PERM application using Form ETA 9089 to the US Department of Labor

Once the combined two months period has been passed – 30 days with live job ad and 30 days response period – and the employer/company did not find any viable US worker for the job, the employer/company can now file the PERM application using Form ETA 9089. However, if the job position falls in the category of professional occupation, you can choose to have one of three recruitment mediums!

The form ETA 9089 is an application form to get permission to employ a non-US worker. This form is filled out by the sponsoring employee/company to the US Department of Labor (DOL) on behalf of the foreign worker they are going to hire. This step comes after the employer/company has obtained prevailing wage determination data and has ended the job advertisement phase.

The Form ETA 9089 highlights this information to the DOL:

• Foreign worker’s full legal name
• General employer bio-data (e. g. business name, Federal Employer Identification number, current employees, etc.)
• Employer’s point of contact information
• Agent or immigration attorney information
• Prevailing wage information
• Job opportunity information

The employer/company must submit the prevailing wage determination data along with the form ETA 9089. The employer/company can submit Form ETA 9089 either by mail or electronically at the DOL’s FLAG system online. However, the latter method is preferable by the DOL. The form can be downloaded from the official DOL website here, as well as being submitted online at the DOL’s website over here.

After the form and prevailing wage information is submitted successfully, it would take around 2 – 3 weeks before the application is either approved or declined. If the application is declined, the employer/company will be guided about the reason by the DOL.

If it is approved, the foreign worker will now become eligible to be hired as an employee by the US-based employer/company, and their employment will not adversely affect the working condition of the native US employees.

The approval of this step leads to the last step of the PERM process, which is to file the Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) to the USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services), along with the PERM Labor Certificate received from the Department of Labor (DOL).

Filing Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) to the USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) with PERM Labor Certificate from the Department of Labor (DOL)

After all the above steps are successfully passed, the final stage in the EB-3 Employment-Based Green Card procedure is the filing of Form I-140 to the USCIS, along with the PERM Labor Certificate obtained from the US Department of Labor.

This form is also filed by the US employer/company on behalf of the foreign worker they are hiring. The US employer/company is the petitioner while the foreign worker is the beneficiary. This form will enable the USCIS to issue a work visa to the beneficiary.

The pre-requisites for the submission of Form I-140 are as follows:

Proof of financial stability to provide the minimum prevailing wage (or greater) determined by the DOL in the prevailing wage determinations report. The employer/company may need to provide annual financial reports, audited financial statements, federal tax returns, and employees’ salary/pay slips for that specific job.

1. PERM Labor Certificate provided by the US Department of Labor.
2. A filing fee of $700 at the time of submission, either online or by check/money order at the regional USCIS Service Center.
3. A completely and accurately filled Form I-140. It is recommended to take help from a reliable immigration lawyer for accurate submission of the form.

Done! You have submitted your petition to the USCIS successfully. After receiving your documents, the USCIS will issue you a ‘Receipt Notice’ and assign a case number to your file. Now, you must wait for the approval of your case by the USCIS.

Although, it depends on the backlog of the USCIS in processing a case, as well as the case’s details; a general timeframe of either acceptance/declination is no more than 3 months.

Congratulations! As a US-based employer/company, you have done your part in sponsoring the foreign worker you wish to migrate to the US Now, once your case is approved, the remaining part will be done by the foreign worker through consular processing at a foreign US Consulate.

What are the Costs of the Entire PERM Procedure?

There is only one single filing fee (per applicant) of $700 when the employer/company submits Form I-140 to the USCIS. However, there are other PERM-related costs as well. If the employer/company hires a professional immigration attorney/firm to increase the chances of a successful process, they should consider a budget of somewhere around $2000 to $6000.

Form 9089 is filed completely free of any charge. However, the costs of job advertisements will fall on the employer/company. For 2 print advertisements in a major circular newspaper, especially the Sunday editions, a general cost average should be around $500 per ad. This is just an estimate because the prices may vary according to the paper and region where it is read.

Apart from the estimates above, any additional incidental costs or overheads may add up to the total expenditures. The role of an expert immigration law firm over here plays an important part as they can catch any loopholes in the entire procedure before the authorities do.

What are Some of the Common Errors to Avoid in the PERM Labor Certification Process?

Employers/companies sometimes do very simple mistakes in the PERM process which hinders the entire procedure, and often puts their cases to auditing by the DOL. However, audits can be caused by some factors like if you’ve hired someone from an employee referral program. That is why it is generally accepted that the major portion of a successful application lies on the US employer/company rather than the foreign worker.

To ensure successful PERM procedures, here are some of the common errors which US employers/companies must avoid in the process:

1.  Always double-check the ETA Form 9089 before filing. Even minor typographical errors, such as misspellings, can get your application declined – let alone incorrect information.

2.  A failure to respond to a simple questionnaire from the DOL can get your application denied. What happens is that when an employer/company submits form ETA 9089, DOL sends a quick and small questionnaire to the email address mentioned in the form. This is to check if the submission is done by a human and not by a bot; spammer, hacker, bot, etc. Not replying to this questionnaire within seven days can give a red flag to the DOL.

3.   Minimum requirements (qualification/work/experience/etc.) which the foreign worker’s academic and professional bio-data could not verify, or at the least does not stand in equivalence to the US standards, may get rejected. Being exact and verifiable in all aspects of the PERM process is the only way to approval.

4.  Practical experience matters! When processing the PERM job application, it is essential to highlight a quantifiable working experience of the foreign worker rather than the subjective. For example, if your selected foreign worker has tremendous knowledge of their skills, and that knowledge will bring lots of help to your work/product, it is not sufficient to reject a US native employee. Instead, if your selected foreign worker has practical accomplishments to show along with the advanced knowledge, that will pique the interest of the DOL.

5.  Placing advertisements on the wrong dates is another factor hindering the PERM process. If the employer/company has placed the first advertisement on the Sunday edition, the second one should be placed on the following Sunday. Putting both advertisements one after the other on subsequent days can decline your labor certification application.

While there are some other loopholes, the ones mentioned above are the most noticeable. It is always best in favor of the petitioner to double-check everything and avoid common mistakes that can ruin all the time, effort, and money. That is why getting help from an immigration lawyer by your side is recommended from the start till the end.

Let Herman Legal Group Be Your Assistant Throughout the Complex Legal Procedure of the PERM Permanent Employment Certification

The Herman Legal Group, founded in 1995, can help. The law firm is AV-Rated and has been awarded the “Best Law Firm” designation by US News & World Report. The firm serves clients nationwide and worldwide on all types of US immigration schemes/programs. Your perfectly optimized content goes here!