B-1 in Lieu of H-1

Question details

I came with B-1 to work until I obtain H-1B (this is B-1 in lieu of H-1 clause that authorize me to work). I was not selected at 2013 H-1B lottery. How long can I stay on B-1: 6 months + one renewal, would the second renewal be granted,I am looking at L-1B as an alternative but I did not complete the one continuous year before coming to US with my employer. Can the company "make up" some months of work abroad to complete the 12 months? How deep are they digging into for L-1B?

No making up please, unless federal prison is a part of our career plan. B-1 in lieu of H-1 is uncertain, but you can keep trying extensions. If the new law for comprehensive immigration reform passes, things could change drastically.

DOS Publishes Final Rule on Visa Classification of Immediate Family Members as G Nonimmigrants

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 5, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33699-33700]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-13315]
DEPARTMENT OF STATE

22 CFR Part 41

[Public Notice 8348]
RIN 1400-AD21

Visas: Classification of Immediate Family Members as G
Nonimmigrants

AGENCY: State Department.

ACTION: Final rule.

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Fiscal Year 2013 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program

USCIS is reopening the FY 2013 Citizenship and Integration Grant Program funding opportunity announcement (DHS-13-CIS-010-002). Applications may be filed through Grants.gov from June 3, 2013 through June 5, 2013 at 11:59:59 PM EDT. USCIS learned after the close of the original application period on May 22, 2013 that Grants.gov rejected a significant percentage of applications to this funding opportunity. Given those rejections, USCIS is reopening this opportunity for a brief period to allow potential applicants to resubmit an application.

USCIS Publishes Policy Memorandum on Ethiopia Pre-Adoption Immigration Review

  • USCIS policy memorandum stating that effective September 1, 2013, the Government of Ethiopia will require prospective adoptive parents include evidence that U.S. government completed a Pre-Adoption Immigration Review (PAIR) review of the prospective adoptive child’s immigration eligibility.

Please check the attachment to read USCIS Policy Memo.

State Dept. Publishes Final Rule on Visa Documentation of Immigrants under INA

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 106 (Monday, June 3, 2013)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 32989-32990] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2013-13065] [[Page 32989]]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE 22 CFR Part 42 [Public Notice 8345] RIN 1400-AC86 Visas: Documentation of Immigrants under the Immigration and Nationality Act, as Amended AGENCY: Department of State. ACTION: Final rule.

Signature on Forms

Question details

Can I send a scan of the forms? Can I use an electronic signature?

Forms need to be signed by hand in ink, and the original signed documents submitted to USCIS by mail or courier.

Receipt Notice for H-1B Petition

Question details

How long will it take to get a receipt notice for my H-1B petition that was not filed with premium processing?

According to USCIS, "Usually, customers can expect to receive their receipt notice within 30 days of delivery confirmation. However, due to an unexpectedly high volume of I-129 petitions, it may be an additional two to four weeks before customers receive a receipt notice."

Filing H-1B Quota Cases Next Year

Question details

Can you let me know when we can start filing H-1B cases again for this year?

If the beneficiary is not subject to the quota, you can file an H-1B for them at any time.  If the beneficiary is subject to the quota, the new H-1B cannot be submitted to USCIS  before April 1, 2014, with an effective date of October 1, 2014.  We will start working on next year’s quota cases in January 2014.

USCIS Releases Policy Memorandum on EB-5 Adjudication Policy

  • USCIS policy memorandum provide guidance for adjudicating EB-5 applications and petitions, addressing important issues like the preponderance of evidence standard, definition of “capital,” amount of capital that must be invested, definition of “targeted employment area” and more.
  • Please check attachment to read policy memo.