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Shutdown Effects on Visa and Passport Processing Times and Recovery
Fee-funded passport and visa services are still operating during the shutdown; routine passport processing is 4–6 weeks. DOL suspensions of…
U.S. Tax Residency: Resident vs Nonresident Aliens Explained
IRS residency rules use the Green Card Test and Substantial Presence Test to classify taxpayers. Exemptions exist for F‑1/J‑1 students.…
Filing U.S. Taxes for NRIs and International Students: A Guide
International students (F-1, J-1, M-1) must file Form 8843 annually; those with U.S. income file Form 1040-NR. State returns may…
From F-1 to H-1B: A Practical Guide for U.S. Employment
New rules add a $100,000 fee for new H-1B petitions starting September 21, 2025, and shift selection toward higher wages…
H-1B Payroll and Tax Deductions: Real-World Case Studies Explained
H-1B hires often see lower take-home pay because mandatory federal, state, FICA taxes, and benefit elections reduce gross salaries. Employers…
F-1 FICA Tax Refund: Exemption Rules and How to Claim
F-1 students are generally exempt from FICA during their first five calendar years as nonresident aliens. If payroll withholds Social…
SSN vs ITIN for Non-Residents: Who Qualifies and Why It Matters
Choose SSN if authorized to work; choose ITIN if you must file U.S. taxes but aren’t SSN-eligible. SSN processing is…
Understanding the SSA, SSN, and Employee Benefits in the U.S.
The SSA issues SSNs that link wages to retirement, disability, and survivor benefits and support immigration checks. F-1 students need…