56 Livingston Ave, Roseland, NJ 07068 The NJBIA Events Team 609-393-7707 Email Registration
An NJBIA HR Program
The H-1B program applies to employers seeking to hire nonimmigrant workers in a specialty occupation, or one that requires the application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and attainment of at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a field related to the occupation.
While H-1Bs are a good option for employers seeking skilled workers, the category is subject to a numerical cap that does not meet the demand. As a result, USCIS conducts a lottery to select beneficiaries for the H-1B visas. Entering the H-1B lottery for FY 2026 requires registration in March 2025. If selected in the first round of the random lottery, H-1B petitions can be filed between April 1, 2025 and June 30, 2025.
This event will explore the H-1B program and, because many beneficiaries will not be chosen in the lottery, the immigration alternatives to H-1B’s (such as O-1’s, TN’s, L’s).
Victoria A. Donoghue, Esq.
Partner, Connell Foley
Victoria Donoghue has an extensive background in immigration law, advising clients on the full range of issues related to employment-based immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. Her experience includes handling complex Requests for Evidence (RFE) issued by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), advising employers on I-9 and Labor Condition Audits, appealing USCIS denials, and representing clients in immigration waivers, as well as other visa and naturalization issues.
Prior to joining Connell Foley LLP, Victoria served as associate director for the Research Foundation of City University of New York, where she was responsible for managing an employment-based immigration program, overseeing nonimmigrant and immigrant petitions, providing training programs for the university community, and working with foreign nationals and principal investigators on changes in immigration law. She also previously served as director in the Office of International Services at Montclair State University, the University’s resource for immigration law and regulations as it pertained to visa services for academic staff, researchers and students.
Abigail J. Walsh, Esq.
Partner, Connell Foley
Abigail Walsh has over 20 years’ experience in a wide range of immigration matters. She represents multinational and domestic corporations, their employees and private individuals in business immigration matters before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Department of Labor, Department of State and at U.S. Consulates worldwide.
Abigail provides counsel on all nonimmigrant employment-based work visas, including H, L, E, TN, J, O and P, and she assists individuals in specialty occupations, intracompany transferee executives, managers, and individuals with specialized knowledge obtain nonimmigrant visas. Abigail also helps obtain immigration benefits for individuals with extraordinary ability, individuals who are outstanding professors and researchers, individuals who are multinational managers and executives, individuals with advanced degrees and/or exceptional ability, and individuals whose immigration is in the national interest. In addition, she advises on matters involving: adjustment of status, exchange visitors, treaty trader and investors, immigrant visas, temporary work visas and naturalization.