Immigration.com

US Immigration Questions

Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form. This answer is for information purposes only and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Rising NIW rejection rates: Examining changes in eligibility criteria

2 days ago By Chief Editor
Question details

Why rejection rate of NIWs is increasing? Is there any change in eligibility criteria, etc.?

 

ANSWER
FAQ Transcript

The USCIS is currently focusing on two main aspects when evaluating NIW petitions:

  1. National Importance of Your Work:

They want to see how your specific work benefits the entire country, not just your immediate sphere of influence.

Example: For a neurosurgeon, saving lives locally isn't enough; they want to see a broader national impact.

  1. Comparative Contribution:

USCIS is looking at how your work stands out from others in your field.

They want to see that your contribution is not just significant but also distinguishable from your peers' work.

These two factors are currently the primary focus in NIW evaluations, leading to higher rejection rates for petitions that don't adequately address these specific points.

 

Agency

Green Card

Maintaining LPR status (Green Card) during extended absences for employment

2 days ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I have a family-based green card. For my job, I need to travel outside of the US for 150-160 days (3 days per week for the entire year). I am worried that I may lose my green card. What shall I do to retain my green card and still maintain this schedule of travel for my job?

ANSWER
FAQ Transcript

To maintain your green card during extended absences:

  • Brief trips under 6 months are generally fine. 
  • For longer absences Apply for a re-entry permit, allowing travel for up to 2 years.Consider filing  Form N-470 to preserve continuous residence for naturalization.
  • Avoid absences of 6 months or more; return within 6 months each time.
  • Maintain strong ties to the U.S. (family, home, job) to demonstrate intent to reside permanently.
  • If travels are work-related and you have significant U.S. ties, your green card status is less likely to be at risk.
  • Absences of one year or more can lead to loss of green card status without proper documentation.

Green Card

Citizenship and Naturalization

Concerns regarding nonpayment of wages and potential H-1B impact

2 days ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I arrived in the U.S. in the last week of May 2024, and despite innumerable requests, my employer has not run payroll for the weeks since my arrival. Could this pose any challenges for future H1B transfers, extensions, or I-140 processing? Is there a risk of scrutiny or denial due to this issue? If yes, could you guide how to mitigate this please?

ANSWER
FAQ Transcript

If your employer fails to pay you after starting your H-1B employment, it can pose challenges for future H-1B transfers. To address this:

  • File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division.
  • You can file online or by phone (search for "LCA complaint US Department of Labor").
  • This complaint serves as evidence explaining the lack of pay stubs during future H-1B transfers.
  • Employers must start paying when you're ready to work or within 30 days (if coming from outside the US) or 60 days (if already in the US), whichever is earlier.
  • Filing a complaint may help you recover unpaid wages and protect your ability to transfer your H-1B in the future.

Nonimmigrant Visas

Agency

Immigration Law

EB-2 NIW I-140 portability for employer-sponsored cases

2 days ago By Chief Editor
Question details

My employer is in the process of filing employer-sponsored EB2 NIW (instead of self-sponsored). I understand that self-sponsored EB2 NIW is independent of an employer and remains valid in any case. But can I-140 obtained from employer-sponsored EB2 NIW be transferred to another employer?

 

ANSWER
FAQ Transcript

The ability to keep your NIW when changing employers depends on whether you continue to pursue the same endeavor that was the basis for your NIW approval. If you maintain the same type of work in the same field, even with a different employer, you likely can keep your NIW. However, if you change to a completely different field or type of work, you may need to start a new green card process. For certainty, it's advisable to consider filing a new green card application or NIW when changing employers.

 

Green Card

H-1B options as an F-1 student on STEM OPT in a nonprofit university: Cap-subject vs. cap-exempt strategies and transitioning to cap-subject H-1B in the future

2 months ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I am currently in my second year of OPT ( my stem OPT expires in December 2025), and I am working as a software engineer at a Nonprofit university.

Here is my plan for scenarios that might happen, and I need your help to tell me if I am on the right path or completely moving in the wrong direction.

My employer agreed to file an H1 at the end of the stem opt, but I plan to ask my employer (a non-profit) to file a cap-subject visa for me. Everything will be fine if they do and it gets picked. If not, I have a long-standing offer ( with a project ) from a consulting firm who will file for me.

- My question is, either way if lottery doesn't get picked i am planning to go with cap exempt route from my university.

- If I have an H-1B cap-exempt visa and my lottery gets picked any time in the future, the chances of the client waiting till Oct 1(visa start date) can be unpredictable. Is there a way to bypass this by moving to day one CPT or any other visa and starting working immediately with the client? I heard that it is practically impossible to move to cap subject if i have cap exempt visa and my priority is cap subject.
 

ANSWER
FAQ Transcript

If an H-1B cap petition is approved, you could consider moving to Day 1 CPT to start working immediately for a client. However, since your H-1B won't take effect until October 1st, a better option might be to pursue a concurrent H-1B until then, allowing you to work immediately and transition to your permanent H-1B status later.

Nonimmigrant Visas

H-1B extension pending: Impact of traveling to India using old visa, returning with 2-3 days remaining on visa, etc.

2 months ago By Chief Editor
Question details

My current I-797 and H-1B visa stamping is valid until 03rd December 2024. I have filed for an extension. Can I travel to India while my H-1B extension is pending? Does it have any impact on my I-797 approval and its validity period, as my I-94 will be changed upon my reentry to the USA?
I am traveling to India for Medical reasons in the month of September and will return on December 1st, 2024. If my H-1B is not approved by December 1st, Can I enter the USA with 2-3 days of Visa stamp validity, and what justification could I give with only 2-3 days of stamping validity?

If my H-1B is approved while I am out of the country or during transit, Can I enter the USA with the existing H-1B stamping?

My work is remote, and I can work from anywhere. Can you provide me with a better solution than the 2 options below?

1. If my visa is not approved by then, I will travel to India and return to the USA before December 1st.

2. I will continue to stay in India until I get my visa approved and get the stamping done before reentry to the USA. Premium processing is no option for me as my employer will not support citing RFEs as the reason.
 

ANSWER
FAQ Transcript

If you have an H-1B visa from a previous employer that hasn't expired and your current employer has filed for an extension, you can travel outside the U.S. while the extension is pending. You can return with just a few days left on your old visa stamp. The visa is not tied to a specific employer, so as long as your old visa is valid, you should be able to re-enter the U.S.

However, it's important to carry proof of your pending extension when you return. While there is no official source confirming this, many individuals have successfully traveled under similar circumstances without issues.
 

Nonimmigrant Visas

Impact of DWI conviction on H-1B holder's H-4 dependent visa stamping and future travel considerations

2 months ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I got a DWI in January 2024 and was convicted of two misdemeanors (DWI+ Eluding police) in June 2024. I have an H1B petition valid until 2027, and my visa stamping has already expired in March 2024. I'm not traveling to India for now, but my wife and kid are going to India in December. Will there be an impact on H4 stamping, which will be dependent on my H1B petition? Do I have to send all papers to them, like the court decree, the court certificate of registration of actions, the charge sheet, etc.? I have a home in the USA, which I bought in November 2022. Can I also travel to India? What will be my future in the USA? Please advise if there will be an impact on visa stamping on my wife's visa.
 

ANSWER
FAQ Transcript

A DWI conviction can lead to visa cancellation, requiring visa stamping upon re-entry. However, this may trigger an addiction examination, which can take months. If deemed to have an addiction problem, you could be excluded from entering the U.S. If a spouse's visa has expired while waiting for the primary applicant's visa stamping, it's unclear if they can still obtain their visa stamp.
 

Nonimmigrant Visas

NIW Required commitment duration, Adjustment of status, Naturalization considerations, and Interim work status option

2 months ago By Chief Editor
Question details

1. How much and for how long do we have to work on an endeavor for which NIW I-140 was approved to avoid any issues in adjustment of status, naturalization, etc.?

2. Is there a way to get any status in the US to work on the approved NIW endeavor until I-485 is filed?

 

ANSWER
FAQ Transcript

It is important to note that if you are from a country like India, you may face a long wait—up to 10 to 12 years—for a green card. After receiving your green card, you are not required to stay in your job indefinitely; you can leave for valid reasons after a few months, as long as you act in good faith.

Regarding work status for those with an approved NIW, the Compelling Circumstances EAD is an option. Still, it has several drawbacks: unpredictable, uncertain processing times, and requires annual renewal. Another alternative is Entrepreneurial Parole, which offers up to five years of work authorization but may not be ideal for individuals from India due to the lengthy green card process. Please read the articles on the The Economic Times Author Page for more information.

 

Green Card

Citizenship and Naturalization

H-1B Grace Period Related Issues

2 months ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I have just 50 days left on my H1B grace period, and I need to get an employer to transfer my H1B, or I will be kicked out of the States. My question is, which of the following paths should I choose?

1) I have a Canadian visitor visa, which is for six months, so can I go to Canada if I don't get a job by the grace period?

2) If I don't get an employer should I shift on B1/B2? If I do, how can I come back on H1B? Is there anything else you suggest to keep my H1B active?

 

ANSWER
FAQ Transcript

1. Sure.  If you're not in the US, you can go anywhere. Please review my post on the immigration.com blog and my article in the Economic Times.

2. If you think it will be difficult to find a job for a long time and are okay with returning to school and earning another degree, you should consider CPT an option. If you do not think you'll get a job relatively quickly, you should try the B-1/B-2 option. People have been getting extensions to B-1/B-2. 

Nonimmigrant Visas

Naturalization eligibility for recently extended absences over six months and less than one year from the U.S.

2 months ago By Chief Editor
Question details

My father is a green card holder (five years, three months now). He has spent 33 months in the US in the last five years and for 6 months every calendar year. The issue is that on two of his most recent trips, he was out of the US for nine months, six weeks, and 11 days.

He has always been retired and has not held a job in the US or abroad. His daughter and family continued to stay in the US during these trips. He does not own a house in the US but stays with his daughter and her family and continues to have access to that residence during these trips. He does own property in India and has continued to hold that same property over the last five years. His trips abroad were to visit his other children.

What are the rough chances of "rebutting the presumption of break of continuous presence", if he applies for naturalization, despite these two trips of 9 months and 6 months two weeks ? Would you recommend going through a lawyer ?

Regarding the 9-month absence that is being questioned, if he doesn't own a house but still has access to the residence, it should be acceptable as long as there's a valid explanation for his absence of more than six months. This situation has occurred before. For example, if he couldn't return due to reasons like COVID-19, health issues, or similar circumstances, as long as these reasons are clearly explained, it should be acceptable.

 

ANSWER
FAQ Transcript

Regarding the 9-month absence being questioned, if he doesn't own a house but still has access to the residence, it should be acceptable if there's a valid explanation for his absence of more than six months. This situation has occurred before. For example, if he couldn't return due to reasons like COVID-19, health issues, or similar circumstances, it should be acceptable if these reasons are clearly explained.

Green Card

Citizenship and Naturalization

Read more
Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna, PC
5225 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22205
110 W. Johnson St, Suite 213, Staunton, VA 24401

Copyright ©1993-2024, Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna, PC. All rights reserved.
IMMIGRATION.COM is a registered trademark of Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna, P.C.