Updated Edition of Form I-912P Posted
USCIS published an updated editon of Form I-912P, HHS Poverty Guidelines for Fee Waiver Request. The new edition is dated 01/28/16. Previous editions should not be used.
DHS Enhances Opportunities for H-1B1, E-3, CW-1 Nonimmigrants and Certain EB-1 Immigrants, Final Rule Posted
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) amended its regulations today to improve the programs serving the H-1B1, E-3 and CW-1 nonimmigrant classifications and the EB-1 immigrant classification, and remove unnecessary hurdles that place such workers at a disadvantage when compared to similarly situated workers in other visa classifications.
Updated Edition of Form I-131 Posted
USCIS published an updated editon of Form I-131, Application for Travel Document. The new edition is dated 01/22/16. (USCIS will continue to accept the 03/22/13 edition, but no other previous editions will be accepted.)
Visa Bulletin - March 2016
Green Card
Immigration Law
H-2B Returning Workers Exempted from the H-2B Cap for Fiscal Year 2016
Effective December 18, 2015, H-2B workers identified as “returning workers” are exempted from the fiscal year (FY) 2016 annual H-2B cap of 66,000 visas. See Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) §214(g)(9)(a), 8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(9)(a), as revised by Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-113).
A returning worker is defined as an H-2B worker who was previously counted against the annual H-2B cap of 66,000 visas during FYs 2013, 2014, or 2015. This means:
DHS Announces Changes to Entry Requirements for Caribbean Residents Traveling to U.S. as Agricultural Workers
For Immediate Release
DHS Press Office
Contact: 202-282-8010
DoS Office of Press Relations
Contact: 202-647-2492
Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday), 28 January 2016
Immigration.com
Citizenship and Naturalization
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 28 January 2016:
FAQ: Conversion from H-1 to H-4 EAD and back to H-1 – H-1 quota; L-1B converting to H-1B change of status and quota; H-1 duration through a new employer after I-140 approved – starting a new green card – do job titles and job descriptions have to match; Reapplying for a B-2 visa after denial – importance of income; Filing B visa to maintain status – H-1 and H-1 extension durations when I-140 is approved – when I-140 is revoked – time USCIS takes to revoke an I-140; Visas for starting a restaurant business franchise in the USA.
Other: Changing jobs after returning on N-470; PERM approval after MTR/Appeal on harmless error/typo; Consequences of old employer withdrawing I-140; Limit on number of times one can apply for H-1; Porting priority date from an approved I-140 that was revoked for error; Entering to do business on a prior approved B-2 visa; L-1A and PERM based green cards; H-1 quota based upon prior approval.
Is percentage arrangement acceptable as salary (H-1 and PERM)
Question details
The physician group I'm talking with are looking to hire me on to work alongside them, and they would not actually pay me a direct salary. I would bill insurance for each patient seen, and the practice would take a certain percentage and give me the rest. Would this be allowed? Or do I have to actually receive a salary from the future employer? My understanding is that as long as the potential employer can show the ability to pay the prevailing wage via a business income tax return, that is all that is needed. Whether or not I actually get paid and how much I get paid once the green card is approved, is irrelevant, correct?
First of all generally speaking, for H-1 and for green card your salary cannot include terms that are variable. So for instance if you get a yearly bonus, but the bonus changes from year to year you cannot include that as a part of your salary. Salary cannot include per diem. A lot of companies and a lot of employees get stuck with a lot of problems because per diem is set up as part of the salary. Per diem is not salary. Benefits are not salary. So all three of these items are big problems when you talk about H-1 and green card salaries.
FAQ Transcript
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Temporary Protected Status Extended for Sudan
Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has extended Sudan’s designation for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for an additional 18 months due to the ongoing armed conflict and extraordinary and temporary conditions in Sudan that prevent its nationals from safely returning. The extended designation is effective May 3, 2016, through November 2, 2017.