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…
SSN vs ITIN for Non-Residents: Eligibility and Processing Times
Choose SSN if authorized to work; choose ITIN if you must file U.S. taxes but aren’t SSN-eligible. SSN…
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…
Applying for an SSN as an F-1 Student or H-1B Worker
F-1 students (with CPT/OPT or on-campus jobs) and H-1B employees must apply in person with Form SS-5 and…
Trump Softens Notion of Talent Gap as H-1B Crackdown Tightens
The September 19, 2025 proclamation (effective September 21) adds a $100,000 fee for many new H-1B petitions and…
Trump H-1B Fee Could Curb Hiring at Pitt, BNY Mellon, UPMC
Starting September 21, 2025, new H-1B petitions will incur a $100,000 employer surcharge for 12 months. Existing H-1B…
Nikki Haley’s son calls for H-1B ban, immigration halt, loyalty to US
Nalin Haley called in November 2025 for banning new H-1B visas and pausing immigration, citing young Americans’ job…
H-1B Status Update Delays Deny US Driver’s License: DMV Verification
A valid H-1B holder was denied a license because the federal SAVE database had not updated. After multiple…
BOG to Address H-1B Concerns Next Year, Textbook Transparency
Florida’s Board will review H-1B hiring next in January 2026 following the governor’s order, with internal coordination underway;…
Mid-Cap IT Firms Less Affected by $100K H-1B Fee, Renewals Exempt
Effective September 21, 2025, a $100,000 fee applies to new H-1B petitions only, leaving renewals untouched. Mid-cap IT…
K-Visa as H-1B Alternative: Indian Tech Talent Eyes China
The K Visa, launched October 1, 2025, offers a no-cap, sponsorship-free five-year route for STEM talent, drawing interest…
Trump Administration Targets H-1B Employers over $15M Wage Scam
In September 2025 the Labor Department began Project Firewall, opening 175 probes into an alleged $15 million H-1B…
H-1B Policy Missteps: Trump’s $100k Fee and $208k Salary
A new $100,000 H-1B filing fee effective September 21, 2025, plus a proposed $208,000 salary floor, has drawn…
H-1B Reform Can Fuel America’s AI and Chip Future Through Merit
2025 saw bipartisan legislation proposing merit-based H-1B selection and stronger wage protections while an executive $100,000 fee risked…