O-1A - Extraordinary Ability Visas
Please see the attached graphic for O-1A visas for people who possess extraordinary ability in the
- Sciences
- Education
- Business
- Athletics
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Please see the attached graphic for O-1A visas for people who possess extraordinary ability in the
You can right-click and open the image in a new tab on your browser.
Hello Sir, I was in usa on j1 till recently and am in india going for h4 visa interview for the first time in June based on my spouse h1 (she has valid i797 and expired visa). She is now traveling to india next week due to family related issues and has to book visa dropbox slot and got one in October. Can I attend the interview in June while she is in india and waiting for her visa dropbox slot which is in October? Thank you very much.
I am not aware of any law that prohibits attending H-4 visa stamping before H-1 visa stamping. Your spouse has an H-1B approval. But the consulate can ask you to wait till the H-1B visa approval. Email the consulate to check how they would want you to approach this.
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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.
I have an approved I-797 from my current employer. I am currently in India with a H1B Visa expired in 2018 (I travelled to US in Feb '17 and stayed till June '17) from my previous employer. While scheduling an appointment for a visa interview for me, my wife and my 2 year old toddler, it was shown that we are eligible for VISA interview waiver. My wife has an Expired H4 VISA in 2018, so she was also eligible for dropbox. My question is, will my toddler have any problem with getting a H4 since he doesn't have any VISA stamped in his passport, if we schedule the same dropbox date as neither me nor my wife has a valid VISA? should I book my appointment first and after I get my VISA should I book one for my wife and toddler ? Please advise as I do not want to risk a H4 rejection for my toddler
Check the website of the US consulate where you're going for the procedures. To the best of my remembrance, children under 14 are not required to be interviewed.
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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.
Hi Sir, I have the H1B Extension approved and its valid till 03/2025. However, the H4 extension is still pending for my wife and son. I heard, even though the H4 extension is pending and H1 Extension is approved, dependents can get the stamping by referring to H1 Extension approval. Could you please clarify and if this is fine; let me know the process. Note: For personal reasons; my Wife and Son need to travel to India in June and they are planning to come back in October (Current stamping is valid 22nd Oct 2022)
H-4 visa stamping does not require any H-4 approval from the USCIS. The H-4 visa is approved based upon the H-1B approval.
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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.
USCIS recently updated the following form:
Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service
05/31/2022 10:01 AM EDT
Discussion Topics, May 12, 2022
Hello Rajivji, in other question, you mentioned you can not interfile as EB2 is converted to EB3. Can you please help clarify? Employer 1: PD April 2013, EB2 Employer 2: EB2 in Jun 2019 in Oct 2020, Downgraded to EB3 as amendment I-140 and this EB3 I-140 is approved, I got EAD/AP too. I interfiled with 485J in March 2022. Would my interfile be accepted? if no- what are my options? I don't want to stuck in EB3 for next 5-10 years! Thanks for your help.
When an I-140 downgrade to EB-3 has been filed as an amendment instead of a new case, to get back into the EB-2 category, you have to file a new I-140 using the same PERM application. If the dates are current, you can concurrently file for adjustment of status.
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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.
Case: Picked for H1B lottery.
- What happens if the company lays off after June but before October 1? Would I stay on my current visa status? Or will I be on H1B but with a 60-day timeline to find the next job?
- Does the status automatically change to H1B on Oct 1? or does immigration require paystubs for a couple of weeks to prove our employment?
- If I file the petition with two companies separately, how will immigration decide which one to approve? Will they approve both?
- Are there any travel restrictions from June to Sept
In this scenario, you won't be on H-1B status with a 60-day grace period to find a new job.
I started the self-NIW application while working with employer A, but for some reason, I could not file the petition. Later I got laid off from employer A and now I'm working with employer B.
I want to restart the NIW application. Questions:
1. Since I got laid off with employer A, will that be a challenge/red flag in my petition?
2. It's only been one month with employee B. Shall I wait some time at company B to restart my NIW application? or doesn't it matter?
Answer 1. Being laid off is not a challenge/red flag.
Answer 2. There's no reason it should be. You don't need to wait to restart the application. You can file it even though you've only been with employer B for a month.
1) Is H1B cap-exempt to H1B lottery-based considered a change of status?
2) If I currently have an H1B cap-exempt visa and am filing for an H1B petition in June, when can I not travel outside of the US - from now to June, June to Petition Approval, or from Petition Approval to Oct ? My current H1B visa would be valid until Nov.
Yes, potentially. It allows you to work while your STEM OPT expires (April 30th in your case), and your H-1B petition is pending, extending your work authorization until October 1st.
Number 90
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during June 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 is honoring its dedicated workforce during Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) 2024. Celebrated annually during the first full week in May since 1985, PSRW is a time set aside to honor those who serve the nation as federal, state, county, and local government employees.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has a collection of helpful resources and free study materials to help educators who teach adult citizenship education classes. Visit the USCIS Citizenship Resource Center to help find materials that can help you build curriculum and supplement classroom study materials.
Release Date
Effective April 1, 2024, USCIS centralized the intake process of Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant, and related filings under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) for self-petitioning abused spouses, children, and parents at the Nebraska Service Center.
Release Date
USCIS has issued policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual clarifying when H-3 nonimmigrants may participate in training provided on the property of an academic or vocational institution.
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Form I-941, Application for Entrepreneur Parole
05/06/2024 09:40 AM EDT
Edition Date: 05/06/24. Starting July 8, USCIS will accept only the 05/06/24 edition. Until then, you can also use the 04/01/24 and 07/21/22 editions. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
For more information, please visit the Forms Updates page.
Processing Queue | Priority Date |
---|---|
Analyst Review | April 2023 |
Audit Review | December 2022 |
Reconsideration Request to the CO | April 2023 |
Discussion Topics:
FAQ’s: EAD delayed - options || Benefits of National Interest Waiver
Two general questions,
1. What are the benefits of filing an EB2 NIW for a person whose I-140 has already been approved by an employer in the same category apart from NIW, not depending on your employer? Also, can you get your I140 approved priority date to your NIW?
2. Is it possible to renew the H-1B visa stamp before expiration? For example, if my H1B expires on November 1st and I apply for a visa stamp in October with approved extension I797, Would I be able to renew it?
While an approved I-140 with an employer offers some benefits, an EB-2 NIW grants portability - you can keep your green card across job changes in your field. It also allows extending your H-1B past the 6-year limit and enables your spouse to work and travel with you. For those with backlogged priority dates (e.g., India), NIW can help with I-130 petitions in specific situations. If your I-140 is approved already, the main advantage of NIW becomes self-sponsorship. Finally, you can renew your H-1B visa stamp before expiry, though consulate lead times (like four months) might apply.
If EAD approval is delayed and the employment is no longer valid unless the EAD is received by USCIS, then the employer has to terminate the employee. Can the company send the employee on leave without pay temporarily until the EAD is received? Both can be done, and it is up to the company how they want to handle the case.
The employer can put the employee on unpaid leave to avoid unauthorized work. Termination is also an option but not mandatory. The company decides between leave and termination.
Rajiv and his team do an excellent job of keeping our company compliant and our employees legal! We've had numerous bumps in the immigration road, and they've always been able to help us get past them. They are an invaluable partner to our business!