In a Federal Register notice published on Monday, May 12, 2014 (Vol. 79 No. 91) the Department of Homeland Security proposed several changes that could ease the entry and stay of certain highly skilled foreign professionals.
 
One part of the proposed rule would update the regulations to include nonimmigrant high-skilled specialty occupation professionals from Chile and Singapore (H-1B1) and from Australia (E-3) in the list of classes of aliens authorized for employment incident to status with a specific employer.
 
The proposal would also clarify that H-1B1 and principal E-3 nonimmigrants are allowed to work without having to separately apply to DHS for employment authorization, and provide authorization for continued employment with the same employer if the employer has filed for an extension of the nonimmigrant's stay. DHS also proposes this same continued work authorization for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)-Only Transitional Worker (CW-1) nonimmigrants if a Petition for a CNMI-Only Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker, Form I-129CW, is timely filed to apply for an extension of stay.
 
Written comments must be received on or before July 11, 2014.