Navigating F-1 to H-1B: Tax Residency and Payroll Traps
October 1 H-1B start dates change tax residency and payroll: FICA exemption ends, Social Security and Medicare withholding…
ESPP and Stock Options: When Salary Becomes Capital Gains
Equity pay shifts tax character across stages: ESPP discounts and NSO bargain elements taxable as ordinary income at…
India–U.S. Tax Reporting: A Practical Guide to Avoid Double Taxation
Differences in residency rules and tax years can cause double taxation for Indians in the U.S. The DTAA…
DHS Ending EAD Extensions Oct 30, 2025: Which Visas Are Affected
Starting October 30, 2025, most automatic EAD extensions end. File renewals up to 180 days early to reduce…
Tax Checklist for F-1/OPT Students with Indian Bank Accounts
F-1 students usually remain nonresident aliens for five years and must file Form 8843; earning U.S. income requires…
DUI Could Put OPT Extensions and H-1B Processing in Limbo
A DUI arrest can freeze OPT extensions, slow or block H-1B processing, and risk visa refusal or revocation.…
US OPT Students Face Tax Changes, FICA Exemption on the Line
Two pending bills—the OPT Fair Tax Act and Dignity Act of 2025—would end FICA exemption for OPT, making…
UK Graduate Route: Key Features, Eligibility, and Post-Study Options
The Graduate Route lets international graduates work in the UK for two years (three for PhD) without sponsorship.…
H-1B Revocation Triggers F-1 Auto-Termination: A Cautionary Case
An August 29, 2025 employer-filed H-1B revocation led to SEVIS auto-termination, ending a recent graduate's OPT and F-1…
H-1B Fee Hike and F-1 Admission Cap Proposal Announced
A US$100,000 fee will apply to H-1B filings made abroad after late September 2025, while in‑U.S. change-of-status petitions…
Top Immigration Stories of 2025: Global Visa and Policy Roundup
2025 saw the U.S. impose a $100,000 one-time fee on new overseas H-1B filings with in-country exemptions, plus…
F-1 to H-1B Change of Status: No $100,000 Fee for In-US Filings
The $100,000 surcharge applies mainly to H‑1B petitions filed from abroad, effective Sept 21, 2025. F‑1 students in…
Amazon’s 2025 HR Cuts: Stakes for H-1B, OPT, and Global Talent
Amazon’s 2025 cuts target HR/PXT, risking 1,500–2,000 roles as it shifts to AI and cloud. H‑1B holders have…
New H-1B Surcharge Threatens Indian Students’ Path from OPT to H-1B
A $100,000 nonrefundable H-1B surcharge effective September 21, 2025, threatens OPT-to-H-1B conversions by raising employer costs. Caps remain…