USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
Form I-929, Petition for Qualifying Family Member of a U-1 Nonimmigrant
04/01/2024 06:16 PM EDT
Edition Date: 04/01/24. Starting June 3, 2024, we will accept only the 04/01/24 edition. Until then, you can also use the 08/31/21 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
USCIS is revising our guidance (PDF, 364.37 KB) in the USCIS Policy Manual to align with the Fee Schedule and Changes to Certain Other Immigration Benefit Request Requirements Final Rule published in the Fe
Discussion Topics:
FAQs: Staying outside the US on Re-Entry Permit Validity, Usage, and Multiple Entries for Green Card Holders || Unemployment Benefits for H-4 + EAD Holders with Previous H-1B employment
What You Need to Know
On April 1, 2024, as part of the new fee rule, USCIS will release a new version of Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. The new version of the form changes many data elements, including adding a gender X option as another gender identity and removing several other fields.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that, starting April 1, applicants filing Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, will have the option to request an original or replacement Social Security number (SSN) or card and update their immigration status with the Social Security Administration (SSA) without having to visit an SSA office.
My I-485 is pending, and my PD is from October 2014. So, it will take a while for my case to be adjudicated. I have an EAD and AP that are valid for five years.
1. Can I go back to India through the same employer, work for 2 to 3 years, and return when my case is current?
2. Can I convert my case to consular processing and go back to India, but can the derivative continue working in the USA until my case is adjudicated?
You can stay in India for an extended period while your Form I-485 is pending, especially if you have a valid Advance Parole document and Employment Authorization Document (EAD) for five years. However, maintaining continuity in your job is crucial. If you're still working remotely for the same employer or a different one under the same or similar job, there shouldn't be significant issues.
Quitting your job may raise questions about your green card eligibility. However, if you obtain a job offer from another company, filing a supplement J to demonstrate job continuity is advisable. This ensures that you can re-enter the US smoothly using your Advance Parole upon green card approval.
You can return to India to work for the same employer for multiple years and then come back to the US. You can also convert your case to consular processing if needed, provided there's continuity in your job. As long as your Advance Parole is valid, there shouldn't be any significant impact on your pending Form I-485 until your priority dates become current.
I have H-4 EAD. However, I have not yet found a relevant IT job. Can I take up a remote job offer from one of the Indian payroll companies? Is it allowed legally?
Yes, you can work for a company based in India while on an H-4 visa, especially if you have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Working remotely for a foreign company from within the United States is legally permissible. However, it's essential to consider tax implications. You may be required to pay taxes in the USA, so it's advisable to consult with a tax professional or accountant to understand your tax obligations accurately.
Release Date
USCIS has extended the initial registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 H-1B cap. The initial registration period, which opened at noon Eastern on March 6, 2024, and was originally scheduled to run through noon Eastern on March 22, 2024, will now run through noon Eastern on March 25, 2024. USCIS is aware of a temporary system outage experienced by some registrants, and is extending the registration period to provide additional time due to this issue.