USCIS Increases Period of Stay for TN Visas to 3 Years
In an October 14^th press release the USCIS has announced that it will now permit an increase in the maximum period of time a TN professional worker is granted on their visa to 3 years. Previously, a TN visa holder was granted a maximum of 1 year on their visa, with extensions permissible. The new 3 year time frame is applicable to both applicants seeking initial admission, and those seeking extensions of stay. The USCIS has allowed this increase with the hopes of easing the administrative burdens and costs on TN workers. The increase will also serve to assist US employers by increasing the amount of time TN visa holders will be able to work for that employer before having to seek an extension of status. The new rule also applies to dependents of TN holders on TD visas.

For full press release see: http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=21a144880ccfc110VgnVCM1000004718190aRCRD&vgnextchannel=68439c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD

President Bush Expands Visa Waiver Program to New Countries
President Bush recently announced the expansion of the Visa Waiver Program to seven new countries. He stated, "I'm pleased to stand with the representatives of seven countries -- the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, and South Korea -- that have met the requirements to be admitted to the United States Visa Waiver Program. Soon the citizens of these nations will be able to travel to the United States for business or tourism without a visa." In addition, President Bush mentioned several other countries working on obtaining visa waiver program eligibility, including Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Malta, Poland, and Romania.

For full press release see: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/10/20081017-5.html

E-Commerce Highlights H-1b Issue
In a recent E-Commerce news article, written by Jim Offner and entitled “America’s Vexing High-Tech Immigration Problem”, the issue of the shortage of H-1B visas is once again highlighted. Offner writes, “Immigration is becoming as nettlesome to high-tech companies as it has long been in the agriculture and construction business. Although technology firms don’t reach into the same labor pool as do ag conglomerates or building contractors, their problems are converging. The challenge, advocates of immigration reform say, is a lack of government responsiveness to their need for brain power.” Offner goes on to write that this year’s presidential candidates support adjusting the H-1B cap, with McCain supporting a cap that fluctuates in response to market conditions; and Obama supporting a temporary increase “as a stopgap” move pending comprehensive immigration reform. Despite these promising stances, Offner feels that changes are unlikely to happen soon stating, “there’s no telling when the issue will reach the front burner.”

For full article see E-Commerce Times here: http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/Americas-Vexing-High-Tech-Immigration-Problem-64850.html

INSZoom Receives ISO 27001 Certification
INSZoom recently received ISO 27001 certification from TUV SUD, on of the world’s leading independent testing and assessment services firm. ISO 27001 certification is the leading international standard for measuring information security management systems. With this certification INSZoom is regarded as providing the highest level of data security and practices unmatched in the immigration technology field. HLG is, and has been using the INSZoom software for a number of years to assist in maintaining, tracking, and completing immigration cases for its clients.
http://www.inszoom.com