DOL Issues Notice on Prevailing Wage Rates for Certain H-2A Occupations

The Department has published a notice in the Federal Register establishing new prevailing wage rates for certain occupations processed under H-2A special procedures. The wage rates established by this Federal Register notice apply only to the following activities: open range production of livestock, itinerant animal shearing, sheepherding and goatherding, and custom combine operations. To read the Federal Register notice please click here.

Maintaining H-1B Status While Changing Employers

Question details

I am working for my employer in H-1B status, but another company has offered me a better position. Can I just transfer to the new company with my H-1B approval?

When an H-1B foreign worker would like to change employers and continue to maintain his or her current H-1B status, an I-129 petition must be submitted to USCIS by the new employer or its representative. The forms in this case will be treated as a new petition and will require the appropriate filing fees.

On-site Inspection as a Condition of Approving R-1 Visa

Question details

If USCIS conducts an on-site inspection as a condition of approving an R-1 Visa application, what will this involve?

The on-site inspection may include the following:

 1. A tour of the organization’s facilities and, if appropriate, the organization’s headquarters or satellite location;

2. An interview with the organization’s officials;

3. A review of the organization’s records related to compliance with immigration laws and regulations; and

On-site Inspection as a Condition of Approving an EB-4

Question details

If USCIS conducts an on-site inspection as a condition of approving an EB-4 immigrant petition, what will this involve?

The on-site inspection may include the following:

1. A tour of the organization’s facilities and, if appropriate, the organization’s headquarters or satellite location;

2. An interview with the organization’s officials;

3. A review of the organization’s records related to compliance with immigration laws and regulations; and

4. A visit to the locations where the applicant will work or live.

PERM Denial—Possible Defect in Form

Question details

I am currently in my 7th year of H-1B visa. I work as a software developer full-time with a reputed software and ATM (Automated Teller Machine) hardware company. My perm with DOL just got denied; the reason mentioned was the SWA (State Workforce Agency) Ohio job order does not mention minimum experience requirements. However, the ETA form mentions 60 months of experience, and this does not appraise US workers from applying. However, the lawyer argues that there was no room to mention experience requirements in the Ohio job order.

If indeed there is a defect in the form, USDOL should be able to approve the PERM within a few months upon an MTR. BALCA has put out a number of rulings in the last few months permitting such cases to be approved. In my opinion, it is highly unlikely that the form does not have experience drop down or similar fields. That is just too improbable. The problem may be more complicated than that.

F-1 or F-2 Extension—Leaving Country Prior to Visa Expiration

Question details

I have two more years to complete a Ph.D. with a valid I-20, but my Visa expires in August 2013. I want to visit India in June-July 2013. If I come back in July, do I need to apply for F-1 visa (and F-2 visa for my family) extension? Would I have problem in reentry if I have one more month of valid F-1/F-2 visa?

You will need a new visa only if you return after August 2013. Check with your DSO to make sure you have all the appropriate requirements completed.