On January 25, Tonkon Torp business immigration lawyers Alan Perkins, Turid Owren, Melina LaMorticella, and Melany Savitt hosted their Annual Immigration Update for employers. The lawyers presented the latest developments in business immigration, discussing how employers can best attract and retain talent from abroad in the current political and economic climate.
The attorneys began the briefing discussing international travel with updates on visa applications and processing delays, the status of COVID-19 entry requirements, and new programs being used to facilitate entry to the U.S. for foreign nationals and U.S. citizens. The program continued with an overview of temporary visa categories and recent changes to each, including visas for business visitors, L-1 intracompany transferees, H-1B specialty occupation and treaty professionals, treaty traders and investors, individuals of extraordinary ability, students, healthcare professionals, and other visa types. The attorneys also noted how remote or hybrid work settings factor into visa requirements. Turning to the topic of permanent residence, they reviewed options and processes for individuals, which include labor certification (PERM), permanent residence alternatives to PERM such as extraordinary ability and national interest waivers, STEM initiatives, and options for healthcare professionals.
The briefing wrapped with a look at additional recent developments with the expansion of premium processing, proposed fee increases, and Form I-9 and worksite enforcement updates.
Tonkon Torp’s Business Immigration Practice Group counsels businesses on the full suite of immigration options and compliance matters relating to employment of foreign national employees.
