Business
APPLY: US is offering employment-based immigrant visas for skilled workers
The United States has invited eligible persons to apply for its employment-based immigrant visas.
According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), 140,000 immigrant visas are set aside annually for skilled workers who seek to immigrate based on their job skills.
Selected applicants are allowed to relocate to the US with their spouses and children.
The US said 65,000 immigrant visa allotments remained unused at the end of 2021, and as such, it has taken steps to avoid a repeat.
The five categories eligible for the visa include persons of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics and “members of the professions holding advanced degrees”.
Others are special immigrants and business investors who can “invest $1.8 million or $900,000” in the US.
“An unusually high number of employment-based immigrant visa numbers were available in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021,” the notice reads.
“Despite pandemic-related capacity restrictions, USCIS was able to increase processing and approve more than 175,000 employment-based adjustment of status applications. While this was an increase of more than 50% above our typical workload, 65,000 available employment-based visa numbers remained unused at the end of FY 2021.
“Permanent worker visa preference categories: This preference is reserved for persons of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; outstanding professors or researchers; and multinational executives and managers.
“This preference is reserved for persons who are members of the professions holding advanced degrees or for persons with exceptional ability in the arts, sciences, or business.
“This preference is reserved for professionals, skilled workers, and other workers.
“This preference is reserved for ‘special immigrants,’ which includes certain religious workers, employees of U.S. foreign service posts, retired employees of international organizations, noncitizen minors who are wards of courts in the United States, and other classes of noncitizens.
“This preference is reserved for business investors who invest $1.8 million or $900,000 (if the investment is made in a targeted employment area) in a new commercial enterprise that employs at least 10 full-time U.S. workers.”
You can apply for the employment-based immigrant visa here.
Business
Nigeria’s GDP rate grew by 3.46% in Q3 2024, says NBS
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says Nigeria’s annual gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 3.46 percent in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024.
The NBS, in its GDP report published on Monday, said the growth rate is higher than the 3.19 percent recorded in Q2 2024.
Business
Dangote refinery reduces ex-depot price of petrol to N970 for oil marketers
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in its ex-depot price of premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to N970 per litre for oil marketers.
This is a cut from the refinery’s N990 ex-depot price announced earlier this month, according to a statement on Sunday.
The slash would help marketers save about N20 on each litre of petrol bought from the Lekki-based plant.
Anthony Chiejina, Dangote Group’s chief branding and communications officer, said the move is the refinery’s way of appreciating Nigerians “for their unwavering support in making the refinery a dream come true”.
“In addition, this is to thank the government for their support as this will complement the measures put in place to encourage domestic enterprise for our collective well-being,” the statement reads.
“While the refinery would not compromise on the quality of its petroleum products, we assure you of best quality products that are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
“We are determined to keep ramping up production to meet and surpass our domestic fuel consumption; thus, dispelling any fear of a shortfall in supply.”
Business
Allegation of missing fund untrue, says Access Bank
Access Bank Limited has dismissed as untrue allegations of missing fund and unethical behaviour.
The Bank in a statement said: “Our attention has been drawn to a video on social media wherein allegations of missing funds and unethical behaviour have been made against Access Bank PLC.
“First and foremost, we wish to emphasise that the safety and security of our customers’ funds are core priorities which we take seriously. Second, Access Bank Plc does not engage in or condone any unethical behaviour.
“In the instant case, the allegations of missing funds in the Bank are most untrue and baseless.
“There is no N500million or any other fund or amount missing from the subject customer’s account or from any other customer’s account with us.
“We and other independent stakeholders in the banking industry have thoroughly investigated these allegations and independently arrived at the same conclusions.
“Access Bank PLC operates with the highest ethical standards, and we protect our customers’ interests whilst also respecting privacy laws.
“Consequently, whilst we have engaged and will continue to engage with our customers, we must advise the public not to rely on or believe sensational and unverified claims that are designed to titillate and mislead the public.
“We remain committed to serving our customers.”
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