Law Office of Victoria V. Kuzmina

03/31/2026

My immigration law firm is seeking a superstar part-time contract paralegal or junior associate for a hybrid role based in El Segundo (Los Angeles, CA), up to 20 hours per week. Flexible schedule.

I am looking for someone with 3+ years of strong hands-on experience with H-1B, O-1, EB-1A, and L-1 matters, I-485, I-751, DS-160 and DS-260 applications. Experience with PERM and TN is a plus.

Experience with social media and LinkedIn is a huge plus!

The ideal candidate must be comfortable using immigration software, preparing forms and tables of contents, organizing exhibits in Adobe Acrobat Pro, and assembling USCIS filing packages end-to-end.

Most importantly, I need someone with excellent attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently and proactively.

Hybrid role in El Segundo. Part-time contract position, not to exceed 20 hours per week. Compensation depends on experience.

Please message me directly if interested or if you know someone excellent to recommend, email at [email protected].

02/16/2026

FY 2027 H-1B cap registration opens in early March. If your company plans to sponsor employees or candidates this season, there are significant new registration requirements to address before the window opens.

1. Important Dates

- Registration Period: March 4 (12:00 PM ET) – March 19, 2026 (12:00 PM ET)
- Lottery Results: Expected by March 31, 2026
- Petition Filing Window: April 1 – June 30, 2026
- Earliest Start Date: October 1, 2026

2. H-1B Lottery Overview

The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals for specialty occupations that typically require at least a bachelor’s degree in a specific field. Because demand exceeds the annual cap, USCIS uses an electronic registration and lottery to determine which employers may file H-1B petitions.

3. Key Changes - this year requires more front-loaded planning. For each candidate, registration now requires:

- Wage Level (I–IV): Based on government wage data for the specific role and location.
- Work Location: Identifying the “area(s) of intended employment,” including remote work and/or other sites where applicable.
- SOC Code: A government job category code based on the position’s actual duties.
- Passport details

The most critical change is wage-weighted selection. Higher wage levels now provide more entries in the lottery:
· Level I: 1 entry
· Level II: 2 entries
· Level III: 3 entries
· Level IV: 4 entries

In general, the higher the wage level, the better the odds.​ However, USCIS will use the lowest wage level for that person​ if:​ (1) the job has more than one work location, the lowest-wage location controls; or (2) more than one employer registers the same person, the lowest wage level from any employer controls.

U.S. advanced degree (“master’s cap”) reminder: Some candidates with qualifying U.S. master’s degrees (or higher) may also be eligible for the advanced degree selection process, which can improve overall chances.

4. Next Steps for Employers

If your company may sponsor this season, these are the most useful internal steps to take now:
- Identify candidates
- Define roles and work locations
- Confirm salary ranges
- Calendar all deadlines

5. How We Can Support You

The Law Office of Victoria V. Kuzmina provides comprehensive H-1B support, including strategy, wage-level analysis, job classification, registration submissions, and petition filing. You may​ schedule a strategy session​ here: https://calendly.com/kuzmina/consultation-45-minutes​.

Disclaimer:
This newsletter is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. ​All information is subject to change without notice. Reading this newsletter does not create an attorney-client relationship. Legal outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case. Please consult qualified counsel regarding your company’s particular situation before taking action.

09/16/2025

✨ Case Success Spotlight ✨
We’re thrilled to share another smooth approval for a family-based Adjustment of Status case through marriage! 💍💼
📌 Filed: April 2025
📌 Interview: September 2025
📌 Approved: Same Day ✅
From filing to green card in under six months - a reminder that with careful preparation, family-based immigration cases can move forward efficiently and successfully.
Congratulations to our clients on this exciting new chapter together! 🥂💚

08/28/2025

✨ Another Win This Week ✨
We’re thrilled to share that our client’s I-751 petition to remove conditions on their green card has been approved!

We first assisted this client with their marriage-based green card application, and we are so happy to have supported them again through this next important step. Their interview went smoothly, and now they can move forward with peace of mind.

💍 Congratulations to our client, we couldn’t be happier for you!

If you have a marriage-based case or need help with your I-751 petition, schedule a consultation today to get professional guidance and support. 👉 link in bio!

08/28/2025

✨ Citizenship Milestone ✨

We are proud to celebrate another success at Kuzmina law firm!

One of our long-time clients, who first came to us years ago for their green card application, has now officially completed their immigration journey by receiving approval of their naturalization application and the issuance of their U.S. naturalization certificate. 🇺🇸

Moments like these remind us why we do what we do: helping clients build a future in the United States, step by step, from permanent residency all the way to U.S. citizenship.

Congratulations to our client on this incredible achievement and new chapter as a U.S. citizen! 🎉

💼 At Kuzmina Law, we are honored to guide our clients through every stage of their immigration journey, from work visas and green cards to naturalization.

06/12/2025

EB-1A Approved for Software Engineering Director at a Fortune 100 Company. No patents.

05/29/2025

One of the most persistent myths in business immigration is the idea that certain U.S. consulates are more "friendly" than others when it comes to business visa adjudications, especially for O-1 extraordinary ability visas, E-2 investors, L-1 intracompany transferees, and H-1B professionals. Many cl...

05/21/2025

One of the most common questions I get from professionals considering the EB-1A is this: "How do I know if my salary is high enough to meet the EB-1A criteria?" It's a good question, and one that deserves a clear answer. This post is designed to walk you through what this criterion means, what evide

03/21/2025

Think your EB-1A case is strong but still got hit with a frustrating RFE? You're not alone. In this article, I break down how we turned an unreasonable EB-1A RFE into an approval.

03/06/2025

The H-1B lottery registration period is approaching, and employers need to be prepared. This blog outlines key deadlines, important considerations for businesses looking to register employees, and why early planning is essential. If your company is sponsoring an employee for the H-1B lottery this year, this guide will help you stay on track!

The H-1B Cap registration for Fiscal Year 2026 opens Friday, March 7, at noon ET, and will close on March 24, at noon ET. If your company plans to hire or retain highly skilled foreign professionals, now is the time to act! The H-1B lottery is the first critical step in securing work authorization f

03/05/2025

USCIS Announces New Form Editions with No Grace Period – What You Need to Know

USCIS has recently implemented immediate changes to multiple immigration forms, requiring applicants to use the latest editions without a grace period for older versions. This unexpected shift can lead to rejections and delays if you’re not using the correct forms. In this post, I’ll break down which forms are affected, what this means for your case, and how you can avoid unnecessary setbacks. Read on to ensure your application stays on track!

On March 4, 2025, USCIS announced new editions of multiple immigration forms, requiring immediate use with no grace period for prior editions. This sudden change impacts applicants across various immigration categories, including Adjustment of Status.

03/04/2025

The U.S. visa interview is a critical step in the immigration process, yet many applicants and employers underestimate its impact.

Consular officers often form a preliminary decision before the interview even begins. How the applicant presents their case, addresses weak spots, and communicates their qualifications—especially in complex cases like O-1 visas for extraordinary ability professionals—can determine the outcome.

In this article, I discuss key strategies to navigate the visa interview successfully, including how applicants should prepare, what consular officers focus on, and why even a strong USCIS petition approval doesn’t guarantee a visa.

Whether you're an applicant, an employer sponsoring international talent, or someone involved in immigration, understanding these best practices can make a difference.

Read on to learn more.

𝖬𝖺𝗇𝗒 𝗏𝗂𝗌𝖺 𝖺𝗉𝗉𝗅𝗂𝖼𝖺𝗇𝗍𝗌 𝖺𝗌𝗌𝗎𝗆𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗂𝗇𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗏𝗂𝖾𝗐 𝗂𝗌 𝗃𝗎𝗌𝗍 𝖺 𝗊𝗎𝗂𝖼𝗄 𝖿𝗈𝗋𝗆𝖺𝗅𝗂𝗍𝗒. 𝖨𝗍'𝗌 𝗇𝗈𝗍.