Category Archives: Immigration News

Current US immigration and visa news and developments

Top 100 Jobs in US for Foreigners with Average Salaries

Immigration News, , ,

Recently we have tried to educate foreigners seeking work and permanent residency in the US as well as locals about the statistics surrounding Immigration including top visa sponsor company salaries, green card statistics, companies that sponsor green cards, locations in the US where foreigners are working, etc.

Today we want to look at the average salaries in 2013 for the various jobs certified by the Department of Labour via the ETA-9035e form. This is the form used mainly for the E-3 Visa, H-1B Visa, L-1 Visa and O-1 visa.

Below is the average salaries for the various professions around the US for foreigners. These LCA’s are for new, renewal, transfer and cap exempt visas. Typically about 3x as many LCAs are issued by the Department of Labor than visas issued. As you can see these are dominated by IT professions at the top where there is so much demand for foreign talent. Finance and Marketing are also in high demand as well reflecting where employers are finding it easier to find qualified foreign talent relative to the US local candidate supply.

These profession categories can be very broad and crossover with others in terms of job type and level. Ultimately it can provide a great directional idea about what jobs are available in the US for foreigners where employers are willing to sponsor and what the general salary level could be. It also should be noted that the salary levels for the same job will vary wildly depending on your location with places like New York City and the San Francisco Bay Area recording higher levels.

Occupation LCAs Certified Avg. Salary
Computer Systems Analysts 67,443 $74,078
Computer Programmers 53,266 $65,792
Software Developers, Applications 47,901 $91,715
Computer Occupations, All Other 22,088 $73,711
Software Developers, Systems Software 12,182 $100,581
Management Analysts 9,483 $85,290
Accountants and Auditors 9,087 $61,348
Financial Analysts 8,503 $94,609
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists 6,909 $58,207
Mechanical Engineers 6,549 $76,987
Network and Computer Systems Administrators* 6,258 $72,580
Electrical Engineers 5,511 $86,407
Physicians and Surgeons, All Other 5,370 $136,316
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer 5,090 $94,563
Database Administrators 4,883 $74,455
Operations Research Analysts 4,780 $85,060
Physical Therapists 4,247 $66,745
Computer and Information Systems Managers 4,246 $121,560
Biochemists and Biophysicists 4,120 $53,850
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists 4,066 $59,481
Industrial Engineers 3,459 $80,324
Civil Engineers 2,682 $74,164
Marketing Managers 2,666 $116,571
Biological Scientists, All Other 2,447 $53,445
Internists, General 2,336 $180,020
Computer Software Engineers, Applications 2,233 $93,304
Chemists 2,148 $61,326
Graphic Designers 2,125 $54,147
Business Operations Specialists, All Other* 2,061 $58,038
Statisticians 2,042 $81,602
Financial Managers 2,039 $133,916
General and Operations Managers 2,032 $116,293
Pharmacists 1,955 $115,519
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Care 1,709 $47,634
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Educati 1,686 $46,549
Information Security Analysts, Web Developers, and 1,537 $74,136
Sales Engineers 1,502 $93,632
Managers, All Other 1,469 $101,356
Biological Technicians 1,441 $39,394
Chemical Engineers 1,435 $87,313
Commercial and Industrial Designers 1,391 $59,219
Architectural and Engineering Managers 1,345 $133,936
Engineers, All Other 1,320 $74,565
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary 1,295 $129,245
Lawyers 1,259 $151,704
Public Relations Specialists 1,210 $50,774
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists 1,143 $52,115
Sales Managers 1,142 $103,611
Computer Hardware Engineers 1,129 $98,334
Occupational Therapists 1,082 $70,389
Medical and Health Services Managers 1,069 $75,567
Computer and Information Research Scientists 1,046 $106,513
Logisticians 1,039 $70,566
Physicists 1,023 $75,755
Family and General Practitioners 986 $174,800
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval 964 $60,149
Computer Support Specialists 956 $58,207
Materials Engineers 936 $82,492
Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Spe 929 $52,694
Chief Executives 899 $216,227
Business Teachers, Postsecondary 858 $115,783
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postseco 831 $61,273
Biomedical Engineers 822 $74,010
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary 815 $80,261
Computer Software Engineers, Systems Software 803 $100,138
Life Scientists, All Other 795 $52,284
Materials Scientists 761 $68,147
Economists 752 $104,304
Dentists, General 728 $123,397
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary 722 $65,050
Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners, All 719 $67,631
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers 716 $101,528
Microbiologists 685 $54,923
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, Al 648 $65,107
Multimedia Artists and Animators 613 $78,210
Software Quality Assurance Engineers and Testers 611 $82,230
Instructional Coordinators 569 $51,289
Budget Analysts 568 $58,584
Registered Nurses 565 $64,259
Pediatricians, General 562 $151,010
Architectural and Civil Drafters 561 $47,361
Teachers and Instructors, All Other 558 $40,885
Actuaries 554 $92,003
Cost Estimators 554 $65,680
Fashion Designers 551 $69,944
Food Scientists and Technologists 549 $62,395
Credit Analysts 546 $74,193
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/ 545 $44,898
Advertising and Promotions Managers 528 $98,842
Soil and Plant Scientists 527 $54,003
Purchasing Managers 502 $89,533
Industrial Production Managers 497 $100,925
Petroleum Engineers 488 $122,990
Coaches and Scouts 486 $40,456
Environmental Engineers 464 $73,802
Editors 454 $55,674
Speech-Language Pathologists 451 $69,197
Special Education Teachers, Preschool, Kindergarte 426 $52,079
Veterinarians 420 $75,066
Social Science Research Assistants 419 $44,552

Immigration Forms List & Filing Costs

Immigration News, , , ,

There is such a massive array of Immigration forms that relate to Immigration and particularly the Departments of the USCIS (United States Customs & Immigration Service), DHS (Department of Homeland Security), DOS (Department of State) and DOL (Department of Labor). Because of both the complex and costly nature of US Immigration and the large array of US visas, this becomes another part of the process.

So from the official USCIS website we are listing all the immigration forms and their filing costs as they stand now (and they do change and get replace a lot surprisingly). One form that is free to file and is noticeably absent from this list is the ETA-9035(e) which can be filed electronically to get an approved Labor Certification Application (LCA) which is needed for the H-1B visa, E-3 visa, O-1 visa, etc.

Form Number What is the Form For? Filing Fee
AR-11 Change of Address $0
AR-11 SR Alien’s Change of Address Card $0
EOIR-29 Notice of Appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals from a Decision of an Immigration Officer $110
G-28 Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative $0
G-28I Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney in Matters Outside the Geographical Confines of the United States $0
G-325 Biographic Information $0
G-325A Biographic Information $0
G-325B Biographic Information $0
G-325C Biographic Information $0
G-639 Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act Request $0
G-845 Verification Request (SAVE agencies) $0
G-845 Supplement Document Verification Request Supplement $0
G-884 Return of Original Documents $0
G-1041 Genealogy Index Search Request $20
G-1041A Genealogy Records Request The fee for a copy from microfilm is $20 per request. The fee for a copy of a hard copy file is $35 per request.
G-1145 E-Notification of Application/Petition Acceptance $0
I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification $0
I-90 Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card The fee is $450, which includes a $365 form fee and $85 biometric services fee. There are several exceptions; see the table under “Special Instructions” for more detail.
I-102 Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document $330
I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker $325
I-129CW Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker $325 (base filing fee)
I-129F Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) $340. (There is no fee for petitions for K-3 status based on an immigrant petition filed by the same U.S. citizen.)
I-129S Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition
I-130 Petition for Alien Relative $420
I-131 Application for Travel Document
I-134 Affidavit of Support $0
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker $580
I-191 Application for Advance Permission to Return to Unrelinquished Domicile $585
I-192 Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant $585
I-193 Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa $585
I-212 Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the United States After Deportation or Removal $585. No biometric fee is required.
I-243 Application for Removal $0
I-290B Notice of Appeal or Motion $630
I-360 Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant $405
I-361 Affidavit of Financial Support and Intent to Petition for Legal Custody for Public Law 97-359 Amerasian $0
I-363 Request to Enforce Affidavit of Financial Support and Intent to Petition for Legal Custody for P.L. 97-359 Amerasian $0
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status $985. (Add $85 biometric fee for a total of $1070, where applicable. See the form instructions for payment details.) You must make your check payable to Department of Homeland Security.
I-485 Supplement A Supplement A to Form I-485 $1,000
I-485 Supplement B NACARA Supplement to Form I-485 Instructions N/A
I-485 Supplement C Instructions for I-485, Supplement C, HRIFA See Form I-485
I-485 Supplement E Instructions for I-485, Supplement E $0
I-508 Waiver of Rights, Privileges, Exemptions and Immunities (Under Section 247(b) of the INA) $0
I-508F Waiver of Rights, Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities $0
I-526 Immigrant Petition by Alien Entrepreneur $1,500
I-539 Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
I-539, Supplement A For persons seeking V nonimmigrant status while in the United States or extension of V status N/A
I-566 Interagency Record of Request — A, G or NATO Dependent Employment Authorization or Change/Adjustment to/from A, G or NATO Status $0
I-589 Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal $0 (Biometrics services may be required at no cost.)
I-600 Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative The filing fee for Form I-600 is $720. – There is no fee is you are filing based on an approved Form I-600A filed within the previous 18 months. – A biometric services fee of $85 is required for each adult age 18 or older living in the household where the child will reside unless previous fingerprint clearances are still valid or the individuals are eligible for a one-time, no-fee re-fingerprinting. Residents living abroad are exempt from USCIS biometric services fees. – A petitioner filing multiple petitions for orphans who are siblings must pay one set of petition and biometric services fees, if applicable. – A petitioner filing multiple petitions for orphans who are not siblings, must pay the form filing fees for each additional petition; however, only one set of biometric services fees is due if required.
I-600A Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition The filing fee for Form I-600A is $720. An additional biometric services fee of $85 is required for every adult age 18 or older living in the household where the child will reside. Residents living abroad are exempt from USCIS biometric services fees.
I-601 Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility $585
I-601A Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver The fee is $585. If you are younger than 79, you must also pay $85 for biometric services.
I-602 Application By Refugee For Waiver of Grounds of Excludability $0
I-612 Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement (under Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended) $585
I-643 Health and Human Services Statistical Data for Refugee/Asylee Adjusting Status $0
I-687 Application for Status as a Temporary Resident Under Section 245A of the Immigration and Nationality Act $1,130. (An $85 fee per applicant over 14 years of age for biometrics services may be required. See form instructions.)
I-690 Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility Under Sections 245A or 210 of the Immigration and Nationality Act $200
I-693 Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record $0. Note that USCIS does not regulate fees charged by civil surgeons for medical examinations. Fees may vary by physician.
I-694 Notice of Appeal of Decision Under Sections 245A or 210 of the Immigration and Nationality Act $755
I-698 Application to Adjust Status from Temporary to Permanent Resident (Under Section 245A of the INA) $1,020, regardless of when filed. (An $85 per applicant fee for biometrics may be required – unless under 14 years of age or older than 79 years of age.)
I-730 Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition No fee
I-751 Petition to Remove the Conditions of Residence $505. (Add $85 biometric fee for a total of $590, where applicable. See the form instructions for payment details.)
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization The filing fee for Form I-765 is $380. If you request consideration of deferred action for childhood arrivals, category (c)(33), you must also pay an $85 biometric services fee for a total of $465. There is no biometric services fee for any other employment category. Some filing types are fee exempt. See the form instructions for more information.
I-777 Application for Replacement of Northern Mariana Card $15
I-800 Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative No fee is required for the first Form I-800 filed for a child on the basis of an approved Form I-800A. If more than one Form I-800 is filed during the approval period for different children, the fee is $720 for the second and each subsequent Form I-800. However, if the children are siblings before the proposed adoption, no additional filing fee is required.
I-800A Application for Determination of Suitability to Adopt a Child from a Convention Country $720. (An $85 fee for biometrics is required for the applicant – and spouse, if any. Additionally, an $85 fee for biometrics is required for each person 18 years of age or older who is living with the applicant. See form instructions for additional details.)
I-817 Application for Family Unity Benefits $435. (An $85 per person fee for biometric services is required if you are 14 years of age or older.)
I-821 Application for Temporary Protected Status $50 for first time applicants. There is no application fee for re-registration. An $85 per person fee for biometric services may be required.
I-821D Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals The total fee for Forms I-821D, I-765 and the I-765WS is $465. This fee includes a $380 fee for Form I-765 and an $85 biometric services fee.
I-824 Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition $405
I-829 Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions $3,750. (Add $85 biometric fee for a total of $3,835. An additional biometric services fee of $85 must be paid for each conditional resident dependent, listed under Part 3 or Part 4 of Form I-829. See the form instructions for additional details.)
I-854 Inter-Agency Alien Witness and Informant Record $0
I-864 Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act There is no fee when filed with USCIS or abroad with the Department of State (DOS). DOS does charge a fee when this form is filed in the U.S. For more information, please see the Special Instructions.
I-864A Contract Between Sponsor and Household Member $0
I-864EZ Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the Act Although USCIS does not charge a fee for this form, the Department of State does charge a fee when the Affidavit of Support is reviewed domestically. This does not apply when the Affidavit of Support is filed abroad.
I-864P Poverty Guidelines $0
I-864W Intending Immigrant’s Affidavit of Support Exemption Although USCIS does not charge a fee for this form, the Department of State does charge a fee when the Affidavit of Support is reviewed domestically. This does not apply when the Affidavit of Support is filed abroad.
I-865 Sponsor’s Notice of Change of Address $0
I-881 Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (Pursuant to Section 203 of Public Law 105-100 (NACARA)) $285. (All immediate family members who file their applications in a single package are eligible for the family filing fee of $570. An $85 per person fee for biometrics may be required. Exceptions apply, see form instructions for additional details.)
I-905 Application for Authorization to Issue Certification for Health Care Workers $230
I-907 Request for Premium Processing Service $1,225
I-912 Request for Fee Waiver $0
I-912P HHS Poverty Guidelines for Fee Waiver Request NA
I-914 Application for T Nonimmigrant Status $0 (Biometrics services may be required at no cost to the applicant.)
I-918 Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status $0 (Biometrics services may be required at no cost to the applicant.)
I-924 Application For Regional Center Under the Immigrant Investor Pilot Program $6,230
I-924A Supplement to Form I-924 $0
I-929 Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant $215
N-4 Monthly Report Naturalization Papers $0
N-300 Application to File Declaration of Intention $250
N-336 Request for a Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings (Under Section 336 of the INA) $650 Note: If you filed Form N-400 as a member of the U.S. Armed Forces (i.e. under sections 328 or 329 of the INA) and we denied your application, you do not need to pay a fee to file Form N-336.
N-400 Application for Naturalization $595 (Add $85 biometric fee for a total of $680, where applicable. See form instructions for payment details.) No fee is required for military applicants filing under Section 328 and 329 of the INA. Applicants 75 years of age or older are not charged a biometric fee.
N-426 Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service $0
N-470 Application to Preserve Residence for Naturalization Purposes $330
N-565 Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document $345
N-600 Application for Certificate of Citizenship $600. See exceptions under “Special Instructions.”
N-600K Application for Citizenship and Issuance of Certificate Under Section 322 $600. ($550 if filing for an adopted child, see form instructions for additional information.)
N-644 Application for Posthumous Citizenship $0
N-648 Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions $0