Number 75
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during March for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
Release Date
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has issued guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to update when an immigrant visa number “becomes available” for the purpose of calculating a noncitizen’s age in certain situations under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA).
USCIS recently updated the following form:
Form N-565, Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during March for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
Visit our Visa Bulletin section for more information.
Processing Queue | Priority Date |
---|---|
Analyst Review | May 2022 |
Audit Review | March 2022 |
Reconsideration Request to the CO | June 2022 |
Discussion Topics:
FAQs: H-1B visa cap exemption - How does the 6-year rule work? || Will having EAD cards or petition approvals with gaps in the start and end date cause an issue?|| H-1B visa layoff options - Going to home country and applying for jobs, going through the lottery again, documents required to apply for a new visa to explain missing pay stubs and the contents of the documentation for termination contract sent by the company to the USCIS
I recently renewed my green card EAD; the first EAD card expired on 04/2019. I had filed for renewal before the expiration. The USCIS provided a 540-day auto-extension based on the renewal application. Based on the I-797 C for renewal, the original EAD is valid till Oct 2023.
The new card is valid from Jan 2023 till Jan 2025. Will having EAD Cards with gaps in the start and end dates cause an issue?
Gaps are normal. If the gap is abnormal it is wise to discuss it with your lawyers to ensure that there are no potential problems or risks.
I got a H-1B approval in 2020 and stamping was done in 2022, due to personal reasons, I have decided not to travel to the US. My question here is at a later point in my career, will I be eligible for the CAP exemption for the different sponsor, even If I never visited the US using the stamping? Also whether this cap is exempt till 6 years from approval time or forever(but the 6 years clock starts from the time I enter the US)?
The six-year period should be counted from the date your H-1B was approved.
I am on an H-1B visa and recently got laid off.
If I don't find a job within the 60 days grace period:
1. Can I go back to my home country and keep applying for jobs and then come back once I get one? If yes, would I have to go through the lottery again?
2. If not, what are my options?
3. What additional documents do I need to provide while applying for my new visa to explain the missing pay stubs?
4. What does the company that let me go send to the USCIS as documentation for termination of contract?
My F1 status will end with EAD, correct? EAD ends on June 25th and in July-August I was planning to use H1b Cap gap until I start my PhD program
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Immigration.com, Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna PC, US Immigration Attorney
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Immigration.com, Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna PC, US Immigration Attorney
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
Form G-884, Request for the Return of Original Documents
11/09/2023 03:22 PM EST
Edition Date: 11/09/23. Starting Jan. 29, 2024, USCIS will only accept the 11/09/23 edition. Until then, you can also use the 12/02/21 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
FAQs: H-1B visa transfer before arrival into the USA|| Employee paying for green card and H-1B premium costs || Using an old H-1B visa stamp of a different employer
This is regarding the H-1B transfer from India before working for Employer.
I have the H-1B visa stamped with employer A, but now I want to transfer the H-1B to Employer B. I have not yet entered the USA and I have not started working for employer A.
Can I transfer the H-1B visa to new Employer B, and what are the mandatory documents that are required?
Also, I wanted to know if the pay slips are mandatorily required for H-1B Transfer as I don't have any. Looking for more details about pay slip requirements.
If I can transfer my H-1B to Employer B, then should I travel to the USA and then start the process or should I do it from India?
Yes, you can transfer your H-1B visa from employer A to employer B even if you have the visa stamped with employer A and haven't entered the US. Pay stubs are not mandatory for this transfer, and you can travel on the old visa stamp with the new employer's H-1B approval. However, it's advisable to consult with H-1B lawyers before traveling. Ensure you obtain the H-1B approval from the new employer before entering the U.S.
Number 85
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during January for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
Release Date
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will begin transitioning the filing location for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing, when filed for a pending Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, from the service centers to appropriate USCIS lockboxes on Dec. 15.
USCIS has received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year (FY) 2024.
USCIS will send non-selection notices to registrants through their online accounts over the next few days. When USCIS finishes sending these non-selection notifications, the status for properly submitted registrations that USCIS did not select for the FY 2024 H-1B numerical allocations will show:
Processing Queue | Priority Date |
---|---|
Analyst Review | December 2022 |
Audit Review | August 2022 |
Reconsideration Request to the CO | February 2023 |
FAQ: Converting from B visa to any other status such as H-1B, etc.
Question 1
1. Is it legal for an employee to pay all the expenses of a green card (eb2 / eb3), such as cost of attorney, pwd, recruitment, perm, I140 premium, I485, etc.?
2. Is it legal for employee to pay the cost of h1b premium transfer?
Question 2
My question is related to H1B stamping.
I have a stamped visa till April 2024 from my previous company.
I have a new I-797 from my current company.
Do I still have to go for Visa Stamping if I visit India in December 2023.
Answer 1: Employees cannot legally pay for green card expenses, H-1B fees, or premium processing associated with PERM. For the green card process, the employer must cover all costs. In the case of the I-140 stage, the employer should pay, especially if the employee is on H-1B. However, for the I-485 stage, the employee can pay.
Regarding H-1B, the employer should generally cover all expenses, except for premium processing. If premium processing is for the employee's benefit and the employer opts not to pay, the employee can choose to cover the cost. If premium processing is for the employer's convenience, the employer must pay.
In summary:
Green Card (PERM): Employer must pay; employee cannot.
I-140 stage: Employer should pay, especially for H-1B holders.
I-485 stage: Employee can pay.
H-1B expenses: Employer should pay, except for premium processing.
Premium processing: Employee can pay if for their benefit; otherwise, employer must pay.
Answer 2: Additionally, an employee with an old H-1B stamp from a previous employer can use it for a different employer. There's no need for new visa stamping if there's a new approval notice. Traveling on the old stamp with the new approval is permissible.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance regarding the F and M student nonimmigrant classifications, including the agency’s role in adjudicating applications for employment authorization, change of status, extension of stay, and reinstatement of status for these students and their dependents in the United States.
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