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Parents tourist/visitor status I-94 expires while I-485 is still pending: Overstay issues; impact of leaving USA

2 years ago By Chief Editor 2 comments

Question details

I had filed for my parent's green card in July' 2022. It is concurrent filing.

The I-130 filed by me shows processing times of 4 weeks and 6 months for my dad & mom respectively.

The Advance Parole shows processing time of 11.5 months and I-485 (Minneapolis-St. Paul field office) is almost 2 years.

Their I-94 is expiring on the 30th Nov. What is the process to withdraw the application so that they can return back to India legally before 30th Nov?

Also wanted to know:

Will I need to withdraw the I-130 petitions that I had filed for them ?

Will this impact their existing B-2 (visitor) visa? Will it still be valid?

FAQ Transcript

1. There is no need to withdraw the application, but if you want to withdraw you will have to send a letter. Even if they leave without getting an advance parole the I-485 is deemed to be abandoned but the I-130 can still go on. You will have to call USCIS to open a customer service request and convert the I-130 to consular processing. Even though the I-485 is abandoned the I-130 is put in the consular processing queue.

2. If they leave before November 30th their visitor visa should not be affected.

Applying for an EB-5 investment green card investing in an IT company while on F-1 student visa; petition requirements; job creation; processing times, etc.

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

Question: My sister has been on F-1 status, currently on OPT and I want to file for her EB5 visa. I will fund her 75% of my money with cash that I earned from W2 and may get an equity loan if needed (total 800K). She wants to open an IT consulting company in Rural Area while on OPT. I have the following questions.

1. Is an IT consulting company a valid investment in terms of USCIS because one attorney mentioned it is not?

2. Does the count of hiring U.S. residents begin after the company is founded or after an I-526 application is filed?

3. How long will it take to get a conditional green card? How about non-conditional?

4. Is it a good idea to file now while on OPT-EAD or wait until she gets H-1B? She has another 2.5 years remaining on OPT.

5. Is it okay to use AP/EAD after she gets it while OPT-EAD? Can she still apply for H-1B after I-1485 is filed?

FAQ Transcript

1. Not only should there be an investment that investment should be needed to set up that business.

2. When you file your first set of forms (Form I-526) at that time you provide a business plan and you tell the government that once the I-526 is approved within two years or soon thereafter you will be able to create ten American jobs. You have about four years to create American jobs.

3. You can actually look those times up.

4.This is also complicated because if she gets her H-1B she's allowed to work only for the H1B employer. This should be planned in detail with a lawyer. At least theoretically this is feasible

5. She can still apply for an H-1B after I-485 is filed. It is theoretically possible, at least at the USCIS level but at the consulate level it is a different story.

Can a new employer file I-485 using an old employer's I-140?

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

My priority date is April'14 in EB2. My current employer filed an AOS (I-485, I-765 & I-131) using a prior employer I-140 petition. My EAD (I-765)/AP (I-131) was approved a few weeks ago. My current employer didn't submit I-485J while submitting I-485 application. My current employer PERM was submitted a few months ago.

Questions:

1) Is it safe to use the EAD/AP (or) would you recommend staying in H1B until I-485 is approved?

2) Will this filing be considered to be fraud/misrepresentation (or) Would you recommend withdrawing my I-485 application?

FAQ Transcript

When that application itself is illegal or at least improper, I do not see how you can use any component of that with any degree of comfort.
I would withdraw that I-485. I certainly think it is a bad idea. Even if it is approved, it has no value because it can be revoked at any point of time.

Rule to recapture H-1B unused time (Remainder Option); What if I change professions?

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

I did my Masters in chemical engineering in the US and then worked for an environmental firm in NYC, where my H1B was sponsored. I got my H1B in 2019 (Oct 2019 start date), and then I moved to India in Dec 2020, and it’s been almost 2 yrs here in India.

I have approx. 4.5 yrs remaining on my H1B. My questions are below:

1. Am I eligible to use the H1B remainder option for a different employer under a different field under cap exemption? I want to know if I can work in the business domain and not in the chemical field using the H1B remainder option.

2. Say I find an employer in the US in the business domain who is willing to sponsor me directly? Do I need to apply for a new H1B and go through the April lottery? What are the consequences?

3. Lastly, if I plan to do an MBA, which would be my second master's in the US, is it possible to use the H1B remainder option from my first master's and work in the business domain?

FAQ Transcript

Yes, you can.

If you want to work in a different domain that does not stop you from using the remainder option and I see no problem there.

H-1B does not prohibit you from going to school. You could work and go to school at the same time.

Rule to recapture H-1B unused time (Remainder Option); What if I change professions?

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

I have approx. 4.5 yrs remaining on my H1B. My questions are below:

2. Say I find an employer in the US in the business domain who is willing to sponsor me directly? Do I need to apply for a new H1B and go through the April lottery? What are the consequences?

3. Lastly, if I plan to do an MBA, which would be my second master's in the US, is it possible to use the H1B remainder option from my first master's and work in the business domain?

FAQ Transcript

Yes, you can.

If you want to work in a different domain that does not stop you from using the remainder option and I see no problem there.

H-1B does not prohibit you from going to school. You could work and go to school at the same time.

USCIS Updates Policy to Automatically Extend Green Cards for Naturalization Applicants

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Release Date

12/09/2022

Effective Dec. 12, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating the USCIS Policy Manual to allow USCIS to automatically extend the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (commonly called Green Cards) for lawful permanent residents who have applied for naturalization.

USCIS Releases New Data on Effective Reduction of Backlogs, Support for Humanitarian Missions, and Fiscal Responsibility

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Release Date

12/07/2022

Applying for E-2 Visa with a pending family-based Green Card; who can be the main applicant for an E-2 visa?

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

We are looking to apply for an E2 visa being Canadian Citizens born in India. Seeking your advice on a couple of questions- we have pending F3 status immigration with a 2011 priority date, can the primary applicant on the E2 application be my wife, who is also the primary applicant on F3 immigration? Would you recommend going through consular processing or an adjustment of status for my wife, considering we have a pending immigration file?

FAQ Transcript

In my opinion that can be done because the E-2 visa is kind of a dual intent visa. It allows you to have a green card pending as long as you have no intention to violate U.S immigration laws and you have the intention to go back to your home country if required.

How long does it take from PERM to Green Card, and difference between NIW and PERM Labor Certification?

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

1) How long does one have to wait in total if the company applied for PERM (EB2 - MS CS degree), and THEN Concurrently applied for I-140 (premium) and I-485 and the country of birth is UAE?

2) Can the above be done on an F-1 (OPT + STEM OPT) Visa instead of an H-1B? And any potential issues for F-1 in this case?

3) In this scenario, how would it work if the person also submits NIW in parallel with PERM?

FAQ Transcript

I would say an average of a couple of years.
Yes, it can be. Please go through my blogs and articles on the economic author page for more details on this issue.
It would work just fine. Your lawyers can organize that.

Can an H-1B visa holder rent via Airbnb? Is this a violation of status?

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

My status changed from F-1 to H-1B status this year on Oct 01, 2022. Since I am now on an H-1B visa, I am planning to buy a house soon, before the end of this year, and my plan is also to rent out other rooms and maybe Airbnb in the future. I researched this is considered passive income and is legal but:

1. I was wondering if I can do the same by opening an LLC. Will this still be considered passive income?

2. Another question, since my status changed from F-1 to H-1 this year, for 2022 taxes, should I still fill out the 1040 NR form or not?

FAQ Transcript

I really cannot tell you that there is a clear guidance from the USCIS on this issue. I would avoid this unless you are the adventurous kind. Just remember one thing: the fact that you were engaged in unauthorized or questionable employment or income generation is less damaging to you than lying about it.

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