Transfer FAQs

Friday, December 8, 2023 - 07:03

H-1B visa transfer before arrival into the USA

Question

This is regarding the H-1B transfer from India before working for Employer.

I have the H-1B visa stamped with employer A, but now I want to transfer the H-1B to Employer B. I have not yet entered the USA and I have not started working for employer A.

Can I transfer the H-1B visa to new Employer B, and what are the mandatory documents that are required?

Also, I wanted to know if the pay slips are mandatorily required for H-1B Transfer as I don't have any. Looking for more details about pay slip requirements.

If I can transfer my H-1B to Employer B, then should I travel to the USA and then start the process or should I do it from India?

 

Answer

Video URL

Thursday, August 4, 2022 - 03:56

How soon can I file for an H-1B transfer after joining, and do I need the employer's permission?

Question

Q1. After the H-1B COS is approved, how long will I need to work with my current employer before I can file H-1B transfer?
Q2. Do I need permission from my current employer for H-1B transfer?
 

Answer

Video URL

Thursday, December 16, 2021 - 08:34

Can I use an approved, but never used, H-1B petition to transfer to a different company?

Question

I have had an approved H-1B petition since 2010 but never used it. Can I reuse that petition and obtain an H-1B transfer to a different company? The old company who has filed H-B petition has not withdrawn it.

Answer

Video URL

Tuesday, September 15, 2020 - 08:00

H-1B portability without a visa stamp

Question

I came to US on H-4, so I have only H-4 stamping in my passport. Got my H1b picked up in lottery two years back, and did COS to h1, and have approved i797A with I-94 and working with my current employer.

Got an offer from another company, and they filed my H1b transfer, and got the i-797A approval with I-94.

So my question here is, can I join the new company using the H1b transfer approval, even though I don’t have H1b stamp at all in my passport? Will this be a valid H1b transfer?, or should I go back to India to get my H1b stamping to join the new employer?

Answer

Watch the Video on this FAQ: H-1B portability without a visa stamp

Video Transcript

When you have an H-4 visa stamp and you came to the United States and you got selected in the lottery that means you got your H-1B and you got your change of status. If you change employers you can start working as soon as your change of employer paperwork is delivered to the USCIS. You do not need any H-1B visa stamp for that purpose. FAQ in detail...

 

Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.

Thursday, August 20, 2020 - 01:58

Deadline to join new employer after H-1B transfer is approved

Question

After H-1B transfer is approved with the new employer, how long do I have to decide if I can to join the new employer? Can I join after 90 days of H-1B transfer approval? Is there a deadline?

Answer

Watch the Video on this FAQ:

Deadline to join new employer after H-1B transfer is approved

Video Transcript

The answer is there is no deadline... FAQ in detail

 

Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.

Monday, June 24, 2019 - 03:39

H-1B Joining Another Employer while a Transfer, Extension or Amendment is Pending

Question

Situation:
Resigned company A already and Got offer from employer B and applied H1B transfer(premium processing) but received RFE. But I have another offer from Employer C as well who is yet to file my h1b transfer
Question:<br>
1. If RFE is denied for employer B Can i join employer C with the receipt notice as Employer C has started H1B transfer by that time ?<br>
2. How long one can stay in US without job/payroll having H1B ?

Answer

FAQ: H-1B joining another employer while a transfer,

extension or amendment is pending

Video Transcript

1. The answer is yes. 

2. It depends. Normally 60 days grace period is available for unexpected cessation of employment. As long as your I-94 is valid. But let's say your I-94 is valid for only 45 days you will not get a 60 day grace period. You will get a 45 day grace period. More...

 

Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.

Tuesday, September 18, 2018 - 03:20

Can I Join My Old Employer If The H-1B Transfer Is Denied?

Question

I have an H-1B visa stamped from employer A and the employer B has filed my H-1B (Transfer visa) based on the H-1B petition visa from employer A. Now, my H-1B visa filed by employer B is on RFE and my employer A wants to file the GC based on my previously approved i-140 from employer C. Below are my questions: <br>

1. Can I reject the offer from employer B and still continue to work with employer A on current Visa if my H-1B from employer B is approved?<br>
2. Can I reject the offer from employer B and still continue to work with employer A on current Visa if my H-1B from employer B is denied?<br>
3. In case my visa from employer B is rejected do I need to leave the country and come on the stamped visa which I have now?<br>
4. Can I ask employer A to file my Green Card even if my H-1B from employer B is rejected or approved without any issues or do I need to provide any visa documentation to employer A on my petition from employer B being approved or rejected?
Can I immediately file the Green Card with employer B (after joining the employer B office) if my visa from employer B is approved?

Answer

Watch the Video on this FAQ: Can I join my old employer if the H-1B transfer is denied?

Video Transcript:

1. The answer is No. A prior approved H-1B is not overruled by a subsequent H-1B through another employer. If you have signed any contracts that's a different issue, but as far as immigration law is concerned, having one, two, three or even twenty subsequent H-1B approvals have no effect on a previously approved H-1B.

2. The answer is Yes. 

3. Not at all. As long as your employer A has not been revoked and employer B/A still maintains your status you are fine.

4. Any employer or any number of employers can file for your green card as there is no limit. The only issue is are you doing it in good faith. Is it an honest intention to join them upon approval of the green card. These are issues that you should discuss with your lawyers who are processing your green card. More...

 

Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.

Thursday, May 3, 2018 - 13:09

H-1B and Green Card Transfer From a Non-Profit Organization to For-Profit

Question

I am currently working for a Non-profit org on a cap-exempt H-1B. and my company initiated my GC processing. Below are the few questions:<br>
1. Is the GC processing any different thru a non-profit from a for-profit organization? meaning, is it any advantageous to process my GC thru a non-profit?<br>
2. Can my I-140 from a non-profit be transferred to a for-profit org, if I was able to move to a for-profit org?<br>
3. What are the possible ways that I could move to work for a for -profit organizations? From your previous calls and thru my research I found out below few ways that I could to that. Please give your inputs<br>

a. Finding a profit employer to file my cap-subject H1 (Can I start working for my new employer as soon as my H1b is picked in the lottery or approved, instead of waiting till Oct 1st?)<br>

b. If a new employer sponsor my cap-subject H1 and if I dont move to the new employer, will my current cap-exempt H1 be still active and should I have to go under the cap next time I file a Cap-subject H1<br>

c.applying for concurrent H1b<br>

d. Moving on to H4EAD and filing a H1b next April<br>

e.Joining a Masters CPT college and filing a Cap-subject H-1B next year

Answer

Watch the Video on this FAQ: H-1B and green card transfer from a non-profit organization to for-profit

Video Transcript

1. The answer is No. There is no advantage in going through for-profit or non-profit that's just irrelevant.

2. No, non-profit or for-profit does not matter you cannot transfer I-140s, you can transfer priority dates unless your 1-140 is based upon a National Interest Waiver or an EB-1A.  Your green card can be transferred once your I-140 is approved and I-485 has been pending 180 days, then it doesn't matter what the nature of the organisation is.

3. a.  I don't think there is any specific law on this issue. Technically, you can start working for them on receipt, but obviously you will only get a receipt if your case is picked up for the lottery. So if you have been maintaining H-1B status I believe you can start working for a cap subject employer as soon as your H-1 is picked up.

     b.  Absolutely. My guess would be if your H-1B cap subject H-1B is approved and it is not revoked till October 1st, I don't think you will be subject to a cap to work for a for-profit in the future. It shouldn't be revoked before October 1st and you should receive your change of employer. So in other words, you should get a new I-94 with the case because USCIS has been taking this position that just getting an H-1B approval does not put you over the top where you are safe from cap quota issues. They say unless you receive a change of status or go get a visa stamping till that time you are not exempt from the quota so you must also receive an I-94 which is a transfer of employer, but you can still continue working with the old employer.

    c.  Another way is applying for concurrent H-1B although it is a strange provision in the law where if you have a quota exempt H-1B as long as you maintain that without worrying about the quota you can also work on a concurrent H-1B for a quota employer.

    d. Moving to H-4 EAD is not a good idea because in June they are going to announce the revocation of the H-4 EAD regulations according to the court.

    e. Joining a Master's CPT and filing a cap yes, that's definitely an option.   

More....

 

Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018 - 01:22

Transferring H-1B While an RFE is Pending

Question

I am working as a consultant for big client. My employer applied for my H1b extension and received an RFE, they have recently replied for my RFE and now waiting for the decision. Now my client offered me job and ready for transfer my H-1. My questions is : is it possible to transfer H-1 during RFE?

Answer

Watch the Video on this FAQ: Transferring H-1B while an RFE is pending

Video Transcript

Yes of course, but in a situation where your company applied for your extension, let's say six months ahead of time and in the second month they got a RFE, its pending now, but you still have four months on your original H-1 still left during that time you can transfer there is no question. But what if your status has expired and the extension is pending you can still transfer, but you may have to go outside for visa stamping if on the date your transfer is approved or extension is not already approved. More...


Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017 - 02:56

When Does One Become H-1B Cap Exempt?

Question

I have read that in some cases of H1B as follows "They had H1 petition and H1B visa was stamped in 2012 but they never traveled to the US on that. And when a new employer applied for a cap-exempt H1B petition in 2017 they got it approved with change of status to H1 in May 2017...Whereas in my case I also didn't use this H1B visa and I even didn't travel to US i.e. My employer filed H1B in 2016 which got approved in Sep 2016 and after my resignation, they revoked H1B in Nov 2016 (which is > OCt, 1 2016), but I got a Denial. When contacted few attorneys they said I may get "Approvals" Or "Deny" in such cases, nowadays its more of details saying I am NOT cap exempt?

Answer

Video URL

Thursday, November 9, 2017 - 06:36

Denial of H-1B on Level 1 Wage Issue

Question

1. I have joined a company based on H1b transfer receipt and have got RFE of LCA wage level 1. If, by any chance, the petition gets denied then can the same employer file for new h1b transfer with LCA wage level 2, right after the denial? <br>

2. Is it advisable to find another employer and start a new h1b transfer processing while the current one is still under RFE received/response status?

Answer

Watch the Video on this FAQ: Denial of H-1B on Level 1 wage issue

Video Transcript

1. Now if somebody's H-1 gets denied for level 1 job the same employer can file for level 2. But there should be a good reason or explanation if the government asks questions like: why are we going to level 2, why did we not go with level 2 the first time around.

2. Yes, you can, but of course, if you have a quota H-1 then you have a bigger problem, but if it is a quota exempt H-1 or you are not subject to the quota then, of course, you can do a transfer to any employer at the same time if you wish. More 

Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.

Thursday, November 9, 2017 - 06:19

Effect of Moving Abroad While Still on H-1B Visa

Question

I am staying here in the US from last 4 years 10 months and have I-140 approved (Received approval Jun '17). To fulfill personal commitments, I am going back to India in Dec '17 for some time however my H1B extension is still in progress (Filed in Aug '17). I am not sure whether the result will be out before my travel.
My question is -<br>
1. If I change the employer in India, is there any way I can come back? What all options I will have?<br>
2. Can my new employer eligible to transfer my H1B from India in case current extension gets approved or RFE or Denial?

Answer

Watch the Video on this FAQ: Effect of moving abroad while still on H-1B visa

Video Transcript

1. Yes, I think you can keep that H-1B alive as long as that job is there.

2. Yes, as long as you have an H-1B approved in the last six years you can always transfer over to another employer and if your I-140 is approved for 180 days or more which in your case would be from June to December. So next year onwards you are entitled to have H-1 extensions through any employer as long as your I-140 remains unrevoked for 180 days. I don't see a problem you can have a transfer from India itself. More...

Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017 - 08:12

H-1B Visa Denied and Petition Sent for Revocation

Question

I went to the US in May 2014 on H1-B working for Employer A. In Feb 2016, I moved to work for Employer B (small US based company, on other offices) with H1-B transfer receipt.
The new job was remote work, so I started working from home for Employer B. I received RFE in April 2016 and I went to India the same month. While I was in India, the transfer got approved in June 2016 and I came back to the US with the approval notice as proof. My visa was getting expired in Sep 2016, so extension was filed with Employer B. The extension also got approved after RFE and extended till Sep 2019. <br>
Current Situation:<br>
Now, I came to India in Jan 2017 for my marriage. I went for visa stamping in Delhi with my wife (for H4) in Feb 2017. The visa officer asked me about my Role, client, and other common questions which I answered correctly. VO then collected my documents (I-129, client letter etc) and handed me 221(g) letter saying that he needs some time to review the documents. We left the embassy and the wait started.
In March 2017, I received an email from embassy asking for the latest LCA which I promptly provided.
After that there was no response for a few months, and I started working from India in US hours. Since my employer is a small company, they did not hire any attorney and did the processing themselves. They also did not seem to put any effort to expedite or help the process.
In July 2017 (after 5 months), I received a call to collect the passport. On collecting the passport, the stamping was not done and I received a letter stating that my stamping is being refused and visa is sent to consulate for revocation.
This came as a shock. I notified my employer, they were disappointed and did not know what can be done about this case. When I enquired, they said they don't want to spend more resources on this case and are fine with me continue working from India (reduced salary).
<br>1. Is it possible to have the case reconsidered and to know the exact reason for refusal? If yes, how would I go about it without the support of my employer?<br>
2. If this is only for stamping, how long will my extended visa be valid? Can I try the stamping again with this employer or find a new employer from India and use the same visa with them?<br>
3. What happens to my assets (personal stuff, bank accounts, etc) in US?<br>
4. If I can legally work for the same employer, how does it affect my taxes? Do I now pay taxes in India and in US both? Since when I can be considered liable to pay tax in India (when I came to India or stamping refusal date etc)?

Answer

Watch Video on this  FAQ: What are the options of an H-1B visa denied and a petition sent for revocation?

Video Transcript

1. Not until a notice of intent to revoke is sent.

2. This case is going back to USCIS. 

3. You can always get the assets back. You can try getting a tourist visa that's one way to do it. Second is to send somebody a power of attorney. You can get together with lawyers of the state where your assets are and get a proper power of attorney made out in the name of a friend. They can take care of it for you.

4. I guess in India the answer is yes. But you don't have to pay taxes both in India, as usual, there is a relief available for people in your situation, but I am not a tax expert, you need to talk to a Chartered Accountant in India.  More...

 

Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.

Tuesday, October 20, 2015 - 08:19

Travel while H-1 extension pending – change in I-94 number

Question

I had applied for H-1B extension on May 15, 2015 with I-94 card expiring on Aug 29,2015. Due to some emergency, I traveled to India in June and returned in July with new I-94 card expiring on Nov 2015. Now, it's been 6 months that I applied for extension, no response from USCIS. Will there be any problem since I filed my H-1B extension with old I-94. Do we need to amend my case with new I-94 card?

Answer

See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question. 

https://youtu.be/ZvUVIGTM-Kk?t=1245

FAQ Transcript:

If you file for your H-1extension you are allowed to travel. You are allowed to travel even when your H-1 transfer is pending. A few things to keep in mind when you do - is are you maintaining status etc etc., but travel while transfer or extension of  H-1 is pending is allowed. The question is when you come back your I-94 changes and that is not a problem. That should not cause any delay and I don't see any need for any amendment. The fact that your H-1 is taking so long is most probably not related to this issue. But if you want you can double check with the USCIS customer service. I always advice that. 

Monday, June 29, 2015 - 08:33

Simultaneous filing of H-1 amendment and extension

Question

Below are questions I have on the H-1B Amendment and H-1B transfer being filed almost at the same time with little gap with USCIS for the same person. The H-1B Amendment is in light of the new H-1B regulation that has been mandated by USCIS when there is a significant change in the Job Location of the beneficiary from the address mentioned in the initial Petition from the employer which was approved initially.<p>
1. Does the USCIS Last action rule apply in case of the below 2 being applied almost at the same time for the same beneficiary?<br>
a) H-1B Amendment with Current Employer<br>
b) H-1B Transfer to New employer while H1B Amendment is pending with Current Employer.<br>
2. If the answer for the above is 'Yes', then incase the H-1B Amendment Approval comes after the H-1B Transfer would the H-1B transfer to the new employer that was approved earlier be automatically nullified?<br>
3. If the answer for #2 above is 'Yes' Is there any way to request USCIS to consider the H-1B Transfer approval to new employer as the primary incase that get approved earlier and avoid the H-1B amendment to dictate the latest H-1B for a given employer? (I believe we can request USCIS to withdraw/cancel the Amendment but is this something that the new employer/employee can do or only the existing employer who was filed for H-1B amendment has the authority to request any cancellation/withdrawal of the H-1B amendment?)<br>
4. Also does the current suspension of H-1B premium processing apply even for the H-1B transfers (with a new extension for 3 Years) or is it only for new H-1B extensions of Petitions from the current employer?

Answer

See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question. 

https://youtu.be/PreNUXXW9KU

FAQ Transcript: 

Filing for two benefits for eg: H-4 and F-2 or F-1 or even H-1 becomes problamatic when there is a change of status involved. So if you are applying for two different statuses at the same time that becomes problematic. If on the other hand your status is H-1 - the same status one is in the amendment mode, the other one is in the extension mode I don’t see it as a problem. Whether your amendment gets done first or your extension gets done later or the other way round I do not see how that makes a difference as long as your statuses is being maintained.  I do not see any problem with having simultaneous filing of H-1 amendment and extension. There is no question of the application of the last action rule really doesn’t matter. If the amendment comes before the extension or transfer comes before the extension it is your choice you can stick with the same employer and join the new employer later when the approval comes. Last action rule has little bearing on this. 

Regarding question four what the government has said is we will not do premium processing where you request an extension whether the extension is with the same employer or with a new employer. So extension cases will not be processed in premium processing until the government says otherwise.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013 - 06:09

H-1 Transfer

Question

I have an H-1B Approval Notice that is valid until next year.I have been working with my present employer for two years, but have found a position with a different company. Can my H-1B approval be transferred to this new company?

Answer

It is possible to apply for an H-1 transfer with USCIS, provided the H-1 holder is maintaining legal status and fulfills all the requirements.