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Investment property while on H-1 (Buying and renting out a house)
I am on H-1B visa and in green card process (waiting for I-485 date to become current). I would like to know if I buy and rent houses on my own name (without forming an LLC) and actively manage the activities (finding a renter, maintenance etc) and make profit out of those rentals, then would it violate my status?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
https://youtu.be/F0YZD8zWm88?t=694
FAQ Transcript:
Priority date loss upon revocation of I-140
1) Is there any difference between I-140 revoked by employer - vs - I-140 revoked by USCIS (say for fraud or misrepresentation) with respect to being able to retain the priority date with the new employer ?<br>
2) Changing from Employer A to Employer B - If Employer B files the PERM before I-140 by employer A is revoked by the employer A - would that help retain the PD corresponding I-140 to employer A ? In other words, are there any specific scenarios in this case - where the PD could be retained based on the first I-140 approval ?
As far as we know, USCIS has once again revered its position and has stated that priority dates will be retained if the revocation is based upon an employer's request. See: the blog entry here
When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: December 2015
Are you seeking to adjust your status and become a U.S. permanent resident under a family-sponsored or employment-based preference immigrant visa? If you have not yet had a relative or employer file an immigrant visa petition on your behalf, please learn more about the Adjustment of Status Filing Process.
Writ of Mandamus against delay
I am currently pending I-485 (EB3, skilled worker employment based, priority date Oct 2008) since April 2014. I submitted inquiries through congressman, they received a letter that my case is on hold indefinitely. Do you recommend filing Writ of Mandamus or would that cause a denial? What other actions can I take, I've submitted a case through the Ombudsman and met with a USCIS officer through Infopass appointment (who told me nothing). No RFEs have been issued for this case, I-140 was approved and fingerprinting done (twice, since first set expired).
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
https://youtu.be/F0YZD8zWm88?t=333
FAQ Transcript:
Writ is simply order of the court or a formal order.
Guestbook Entry for NChakraborty, United States
Working for two companies on EAD
1. Wanted to check if on an EAD one could work for 2 companies. One sponsoring the GC (Maybe part time) and other full time.
2. Updated FAQ: I have a question in similar line. Currently I am on derivative EAD. My spouse is the main applicant and I got my EAD thru her company. She still works for the same company.
We (me and my friend) have started a company in India some time back. Now, I want to start our new office in the US. Will there be any legal implications? What kind of company I can start here.. LLC or Inc? Please advise.
1. Theoretically, you can work for as many companies as you like on EAD. My concern would be the implication that you no longer have a full time job with the sponsoring company, which is a requirement for the green card.
2. Since you are on a derivative EAD, you have even more freedom than the primary applicant. Other than an S corporation (I think that requires green card under tax laws), you can form any kind of corporation (LLC, etc.), but do check on the State law.
Working abroad while AOS pending
My self and my wife are on EAD and advance parole. My wife and I are from India.
I have to work in Switzerland on my company business for some time 6 months to a year – would that affect my EAD status in the USA. I would be working for the Swiss branch of my company.The assignment is short term 6-12 months.
This is however not the company with which I started my green card. I changed jobs when I got my EAD.
But I have several questions:
1. Can I even work abroad while on EAD status - short term, i am only talking 6-12 months. if this term is 11 months is that fine? Or do i have to work in the USA only while on EAD?
2. Do I need to maintain substantial presence in the USA while on EAD. And if so what is that term of stay.
3. Updated FAQ: My case is slightly different than the above one. Currently I am on Derivative EAD, which I got through my spouse's company. (I 485 pending and more than 180 days) I was on H1B and I got laid off in March 2009. I am still finding difficult to find a job in the US. I got an offer from a company in Canada. I know that I can work there once I get canadian work permit. My wife (main applicant and EAD holder) will be working for the same company in the US. My question is how often I can come to US with my Advance Parole? will there be any problem if I visit US often? Please advise.
1. An EAD is good to work on US soil only. If you wish to work in a third country, you have to look to their laws for work permissions. You should file an AC21 portability and make sure during your entire stay abroad you have at least your Advance Parole; preferable both your AP and H-1 visa.
2. As long as the permanent job continues to exist, there is no other requirement of presence.
3. I see no problem with visiting USA as often as you like.
NBC Updates - 08/17/09
Procedures at NBC for I-485 applications that require an interview - NBC works as a pre-interview processing center for I-485 applications that require an interview. The center (NBC) also performs an “Initial Evidence Review’ for basic required documents like the birth certificate, I-693, I-864, proof of legal entry and for other documents. A case is “interview ready” once the application is placed under the scheduling queue as soon as NBC completes its pre interview processing steps and verifies the case.
AC21 - accepting a green card
1) After getting the GC through a sponsoring employer, is there any procedure to indicate that the future job is accepted by the employee. I mean switching from H1B to GC status is just based on letting the employer know about the status or is there any paperwork needed to be sent to USCIS?
2) Also, based on getting a green card, is there a stringent requirement of payroll checks? This is based on the fact that H1B employees have to maintain the payroll constantly (based on my knowledge). I am asking this in case I want to take a vacation for some time in case I get my GC?
3) After joining the sponsoring employer, if on GC, more opportunities come by, is it allright to consider those opportunities? What is the timeframe for USCIS to consider that the employee did have the right intent to join the sponsoring employer?
A1) There is no formal procedure other than joining, preparing a Form I-9, being on the payroll and actually working.
A2) You can behave like you would in any other permanent job - take vacations, etc.
A3) That question has been answered on my blog. See http://forums.immigration.com/blog.php?b=36
SCOPS Updates - 08/24/09
USCIS will go on accepting Employment based Fourth and Employment Fourth Certain Religious Worker I-485 Adjustment of Status Filings until August 31, 2009 - According to the availability listed in the August 2009 Department of State Visa Bulletin USCIS will go on accepting Employment Fourth and Employment Fourth Certain Religious Worker I-485 Adjustment of Status Filings until August 31, 2009. However, as of September 1, 2009, the September visa bulletin will control and this category will turn out to be “unavailable”. For more on this please click the recent visa bulletin here.
Important questions on H-1, AP and Travel
1. I am on H1B. It is valid until 2010. Since I am hearing that there are many queries on the port of entry, do ou think I should travel back to the country with valid AP or H1? Which one is more preferable?
2. Considering I have valid H1B until 2010 and valid AP (though I don't have AP at the moment). I plan to stay on H1 as long as I am waiting for my greencard. But for travel purposes I use AP. Does coming back into the country using AP will change my status from H1 to EAD?
3. How long is AP processing taking these days?
4. All my co-workers are getting huge queries on H1 extension or H1 transfer. Is AP processing also getting queries? Should I even start AP processing?
5. Please list out all the documents that I should carry while traveling?
1. I think I prefer AP. Read the Cronin memo and you will understand that even if you enter using AP, you will be considered to be on valid H-1 as long as you were maintaining H-1 status before you left. Search the word "Cronin" on my blog .
2. No. See answer above.
3. It is impossible to predict times. Plan for a six-month turnaround.
4. Do not be scared of queries. We are yet to lose an H-1 case. I am not aware of any queries on AP.
5. Advance Parole and Passport.
Extension of Comment Period for Form I-485 and Supplements A and E
[Federal Register: August 28, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 166)]
[Notices]
[Page 44375-44376]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28au09-65]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Agency Information Collection Activities: Form I-485 and Supplements A and E, Revision of a Currently Approved Information Collection; Comment Request
Rajiv and team was an excellent support and a great help for one of GC case.
Case: The applicant is working with company A and have I-140 under EB3. Applicant want to move to other company and want to port the priority date under EB2. Solution: Rajiv and team (Art) have created a customized plan to achieve this success. Rajiv was personally involved to make sure all the paper works are correct. Based on his 25 years experience and a novel team he could able to successfully port the new I-140 under EB2 with older priority date. Not only that, he also filed the I-485 along with new I-140. His fee for the whole process was very competitive. More over that, he and his team support in through out the process was unparalleled. He and his team was always answered the question asked without any delay. This is great service providing by your firm and making sure every case is managed under the immigration law of this country and open the path for more legal immigration like this applicant. Thanks!