Happy Schools Blog

H1B Visa 2024 Lottery – USCIS Expecting 1 Million Registrations?

February 24, 2023

The Million Dollar question – Would the number of H1B Visa registrations for FY 2024 reach 1 Million Registrations? OR Due to Mass Tech Layoffs, is there a possibility that…

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Early Action Admission Deadline, Timeline and List of EA Colleges

June 16, 2022

Early Action or EA allows you to apply early for colleges without a binding contract. Early Action = Early admission decision. Well, it’s not as fast as Early Decision (ED),…

Early Decision College: Complete List by State (& Growing)

June 14, 2022

The decision to pick just one college for an Early Decision (ED) deadline is not an easy task when it comes to a price tag of $250,000 to $300,000 for…

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Salary Negotiation Tips: How Not to Negotiate Your Salary & Job Offer

June 1, 2022

Salary Negotiation can be tricky for most OPT, STEM OPT students, even for H1B Visa or H4 visa holders. About five years back, I was helping a recent graduate on…

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Interview with Wahida from Bangladesh – Masters Degree Student – UT Permian Basin

February 23, 2022

Why did Wahida end up with her husband at the University of Texas Permian Basin for her Masters’ degree from Bangladesh? When you decide to study abroad, one of the…

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How to File Taxes for F1, OPT, STEM & H1B Visa Holders + Non-Residents via Sprintax [2022]

February 17, 2022

Are you on F1, J1, OPT, STEM, or recently changed status to H1B and have questions about filing non-resident taxes for 2022? Wondering if you can use TurboTax to file…

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Interview with Professor Anveeksh Koneru – Mechanical Engineering – University of Texas Permian Basin

November 3, 2021

“I wish someone had told this earlier in life.” As an international student studying in the USA, you could use a mentor to guide you. So consider this interview as…

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Interview with Sara Antic from Serbia – University of Texas Permian Basin

October 28, 2021

I have to admit – Sara Antic is the first guest I interviewed who plays a college sport in the USA. Sara plays for the Women’s Volleyball Team at The…

Visa Stamping in Belize as Third Country National Due Since US Consulates Are Closed in India – Interview With Neha

May 23, 2021

Neha recently got her F1 Visa stamping approved since she couldn’t travel to India for stamping.  She’s part of the F1 Visa Facebook Group. She had shared her F1 interview experience…

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MobSquad – A Simpler Way to Relocate to Canada and Continue to Work with U.S. Employer

May 7, 2021

MobSquad is a Canadian scaleup that helps foreign-born U.S. workers with expiring visas (H-1B) or work authorization (OPT, SEM OPT) move to Canada and continue to work with their U.S….

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Interview with Guilliana from University of Texas Permian Basin – Graduate Student

March 2, 2021

I want to introduce Guilliana from Peru. She’s studying MBA at the University of Texas at Permian Basin with Graduate Studies Scholarship.  Graduate Studies Scholarship gave her an In-State Tuition…

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Entry Level – Wage Level 1 – Chances of Selection Salary Based H1B Lottery Process?

January 7, 2021

Did you read about the news H1B Visa lottery selection process based on Salary and Prevailing Wage Level? Read: New H1B Selection Process Based on Salary – Effective from March…

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New H1B Selection Process Based on Salary – Effective from March 2021

January 7, 2021

USCIS is about to Publish the Final Rule on Jan 8, 2020, that modifies how H1B Visa will be selected. Current Selection Process: Random Selection from Registration New Selection Process:…

Class of 2025 - Early Decision and Early Action Results

Class of 2025 – Early Decision and Early Action Results

December 22, 2020

Early Decision and Early Action (Single Choice and Restrictive) colleges and universities have announced their admission results for 2025. The number of applications received by the college for Early Decision…

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15 Foreign Students Arrested by ICE for OPT Fraud – 1100 Could be Deported – Operation OPTical Illusion

October 21, 2020

Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced today that they had arrested 15 Foreign Students for OPT-related fraud due to Operation OPTical Illusion. Quick Summary About ICE Arrests Phase 1 of the…

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EB2 to EB3 Downgrade and Rapid Forward Movement Explained Based on October 2020 Visa Bulletin

October 9, 2020

I hope to answer the following questions about EB2 to EB3 downgrade and Rapid forward movement from the October 2020 Visa Bulletin. How will Visa Numbers be allocated for EB4,…

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New H1B Visa Wage Level Rule == Higher Salary? (17 to 45th Percentile)

October 6, 2020

You should know by now about the New H1B Visa Wage Level Rule that will go into effect on Oct 8, 2020. I’m sure you want to know how much…

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Visa Bulletin October 2020 – Analysis, Predictions – Good & Great News

September 24, 2020

October 2020 Visa Bulletin has Good News and Great News! Let’s look at the Good News First. Employment-Based Green Card applicants – EB1, EB2, EB3 were waiting, hoping for all…

Interview with Mandy from Argo Visa - Former Visa Officer (+ Student Visa Interview Tips)

Interview with Mandy from Argo Visa – Former Visa Officer (+ Student Visa Interview Tips)

August 12, 2020

Have you ever wondered why Visa officers, after issuing 214(b) rejection, don’t give you the actual reasons for denial? If they give you the “Real Reason” for denial, wouldn’t that…

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Reports – USCIS Completes Second H1B Visa Lottery

August 11, 2020

Update August 14, 2020 – Reports Indicate that USCIS completed H1B Visa Second Lottery. Did you get Registration Selection Notification from the Second H1B Visa Lottery? Please post an update…

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340 Harvard University Freshman Have Taken Gap Year

August 9, 2020

More than 20% of Harvard first-year students are deferring the admission. That’s roughly 340 freshman students. In this article, we will look at Harvard University Cornell University Yale University William College…

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Yay! F1 Students Rule Rescinded by Government

July 14, 2020

Proposed F1 Visa students rule for Fall 2020 is Rescinded (canceled) by the government. The timeline: July 6, 2020 – F1 Visa Rule Proposed – New Guidelines July 7, 2020…

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US Green Card Process Steps and Stages for EB1, EB2 and EB3

July 10, 2020

In this article (and video), you can learn about the Green Card Process and various steps involved for EB1, EB2, and EB3 category. You may be applying for Green Card…

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FAQ’s Published by ICE for F1, M1 Visa – Clarity Required for SEVIS Record Status

July 7, 2020

Today (July 7, 2020), ICE published FAQs to clarify further the New Proposed Changes for F1 and M1 Students for Fall 2020 Semester. Update – July 8, 2020 – 10:40…

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New F1 Visa Student Rules Proposed – Pack Your Bags and Leave if Your School is 100% Online!

July 6, 2020

Breaking News – SEVP modifies temporary exemptions for nonimmigrant students taking online courses during the fall 2020 semester. Here’s the official press release. Temporary Exemption that was announced earlier in the…

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A Loophole in the Travel Ban is Now Closed – See the Details of Amendment

June 30, 2020

President Trump made changes to the Travel Ban Executive order he signed on April 22, 2020. It’s a minor change but closes a loophole (I would say) from the original…

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Details of H1B Visa Travel Ban Executive Order – Matrix & Key Takeaways

June 20, 2020

Travel Ban Executive Order affects the H1B, H4, L1A, L1B, L2, J1, J2 Visa categories. You probably know that by know. Here are key takeaways from the Executive Order. If…

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USCIS Cancels 10-Year Old H1B Visa Memo – Impact & Analysis

June 18, 2020

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is rescinding (canceling, revoking) two policy memos regarding the processing of certain H1B Visa petitions effective immediately. What is a USCIS Policy Memo? The Immigration…

U.S. Visa is Revoked Email from U.S Consulate Are Not Fake!

June 9, 2020

Several students on F1 Visa on OPT or STEM OPT have received an email from U.S. Consulate about Notice of Visa Revocation. Here’s are some of the screenshots from members…

Impact of COVID-19 on College Admissions for High School Students (+ Strategies)

June 7, 2020

So, what’s happening in the College Admissions landscape due to COVID-19? I’m talking about the impact of Coranavirus for High School students in the USA. I would say- A lot! Now,…

USCIS Resumes Premium Processing from June 1, 2020

May 29, 2020

USCIS announced today that it will resume Premium Processing in three phases starting June 8, 2020. USCIS timeline of Premium Processing Suspension Mar 16, 2020  – H1B Visa 2021 Premium…

Immigration Suspension Executive Order is Signed – Quick Summary & Analysis

April 22, 2020

April 22, 2020 – 7:19 PM – President Trump signed the Executive Order to suspend the issuance of an immigrant visa for 60 days, but it includes exceptions. For now,…

Green Card Issuance To Be SUSPENDED for 60 Days – H1B, OPT – No Impact

April 20, 2020

Now we have clarity about the Immigration Suspension. Here’s what President Trump said today during the White House briefing “I will be issuing a temporary suspension of immigration into the…

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About 900 H1B Visa Registrations Denied as Duplicate Entires

April 14, 2020

Information sourced from AILA Doc. No. 20033136 AILA followed up with USCIS for additional clarification and information regarding the H-1B registration duplicate submission issue that members have been reporting. USCIS…

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Day 1 CPT University – Is it Legal But Unethical?

April 14, 2020

It’s the time of the year where people are looking for Day 1 CPT Colleges and Universities. April and May is the time of the year, where there are passionate,…

H1B Visa 2021 Receipt Numbers & H1B Visa Processing Will Be Delayed

April 13, 2020

USCIS announced a delay in Data Entry and Receipt Number Generation for H1B Visa 2021. This delay is also expected to impact the H1B Visa Processing time. According to USCIS,…

This is How Your H1B Visa Lottery Selection Notice Looks (Screenshots)

March 28, 2020

H1B Visa Registration System lottery is complete. The H1B Visa Lottery Results is Ready. Employers and Authorized Representative will be notified of Selection status before March 31, 2020. If the…

Total H1B Visa Cap Count 2021 and Lottery Results – 275,000+

March 27, 2020

Finally, the H1B Visa 2021 Lottery is Completed. USCIS announced that the H1B Visa 2021 Electronic Registration Process is Complete in a News Alert. Just recently USIS announced additional statistics –…

Coronovirus Updates for F1, OPT & H1B Visa Holders

March 18, 2020

Coronavirus Pandemic is having a devastating impact on a personal level. F1 students in the USA who are attending school are in no man’s land when schools and dorms close…

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News Flash: All H1B & I-140 Premium Processing is Suspended (incl H1B 2021)

March 16, 2020

USCIS suspends all Premium Processing. Mar 16, 2020  – H1B Visa 2021 Premium Processing is Suspended Mar 20, 2020 – All H1B and I-140 Premium Processing is Suspended due to…

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News: All Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visa Appointments Cancelled in India, Dropbox Works

March 13, 2020

Breaking News – All immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments in the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India is Cancelled until further notice. Last Updated: Mar 15 – 2 PM EST The…

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GRE Score 315 – Strategies + My Daily & Weekly Test Prep Plan

January 28, 2020

Rizwana recently took the GRE Test, and she scored 315. That’s well above the average score of 301. Here’s a quick summary: GRE Score: 315 GRE Test Prep Time: 3…

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List of US Immigration Terms, Acronyms with Explanation

January 27, 2020

Non-Immigrant in the USA will run into several immigration terms that you may not understand. Here is a list of standard US immigration terms you will come across as an…

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Warning for Cap-Gap for OPT & STEM OPT vs New FY 2021 H1B Process

January 24, 2020

Warning: Talk to your Immigration Attorney about the impact of New H1B Visa Lottery Registration and How it impacts your OPT or STEM OPT Cap-Gap.  You are used to reading…

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New H1B Visa 2021 Process vs Old Lottery [Visual Guide]

January 22, 2020

New H1B Visa 2021 season and Pre-Registration for Cap-Subject H1B Visa Quota will open from March 1, 2020. New H1B Visa Registration System = New Process and Deadlines.  USCIS is…

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Sneak Peek Into H1B Visa Registration Tool [with Screenshots]

January 20, 2020

Are you wondering how this brand new H1B Visa registration tool looks? What information is entered by the employers about the H1B Visa applicants? Are there any checks implemented to…

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H1B Visa 2021 Lottery Registration, Timeline, Dates of New H1B Visa Proceess

January 17, 2020

H1B Visa 2021 season starts on March 1, 2020 (not April 1, 2020). This H1B 2021 season is going to be a bumpy ride! New lottery registration process = Unanswered…

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The Best Feature of H1B Visa Pre-Registration Tool is the Reserve Pool (+ 5 FAQ’s)

December 12, 2019

Dear H1B Visa Applicant: Welcome to Part 1 of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about the brand new H1B Visa Pre-Registration Tool and new H1B Visa Lottery process. If you…

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11 FAQ’s About H1B Visa Lottery Registration Tool (with a Solution to Stop Multiple Filings)

December 11, 2019

An end of H1B Visa era! New H1B Visa Registration Tool will be used to avoid the H1B Visa lottery madness from March 2020 (for H1B Visa Fiscal Year 2021)….

Top 20 Responses for “This Best Thing You Learned as a Student in the USA” Are Going Viral

November 27, 2019

The benefits of Studying abroad come with a package of learning opportunities. So, I wanted to know, “The one best thing student’s learned in the USA as a student.” After…