U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued updated guidance to adjudication officers to clarify what constitutes a valid employer-employee relationship to qualify for the H-1B ‘specialty occupation’ classification. The memorandum clarifies such relationships, particularly as it pertains to independent contractors, self-employed beneficiaries, and beneficiaries placed at third-party worksites.
We have just received another H-1 approval for an end-client placement. There were two intervening vendors and the end-client declined to provide a letter stating that there is no requirement in law for them to provide any such letter. We had to get together convincing secondary evidence. I was highly doubtful we will get the approval, but we did. So, despite the January 8 memo from USCIS, there is life yet for consulting industry.
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: January 07, 2021
Synopsis
For this year (FY 2021-22), the USCIS has attempted to change the lottery selection process to favor the highest paid employees first. That change is embodied in a proposed regulation, which can be published as a final rule any time.
For more on this article please see the attachment below.
Release Date 01/07/2021
Rule Expected to Protect the Economic Interests of American Workers
Discussion Topics, Dec 17 Community Call
FAQs: Pending I-485 Petitions and 180 Day Portability Rule || Supplement J timing and joining previous Employer || Eligibility for and the process of EB-3 to EB-2 Porting || Job Change after I-140 Approval, Before I-485 Submission |||| Loss of H-1B Job and Opting for B-2 Visa || Delay litigation/Mandamus
Other Topics : CSPA (Child Status Protection Act) Age Calculation and Updating DS-260 Immigrant Visa Electronic Application || H-1B and Green Card Process with a Payroll Issue || Permits for Dependents with SOFA (Status Of Forces Agreements) Status || Moving from Canada to the USA with L-1 Visa || Advance Parole and EAD Renewal Applications || H-1B Petition was Approved, but the Extension of Stay Denied || Per-Country Quota Limitation for Employment-based Immigrant Act || H-4 Litigation and H-4 EAD Application Pending
Discussion Topics, Jan 7, 2021
FAQ: Visitor, Tourist, B-2 visa extensions and multiple extensions
Other Topics : 180 Day Portability Rule || Dependent Numbers Effects on Per-country Numerical Limitation for Employment-based Immigrant Visas || Advance Parole Impact on H-1B and H4 status || Consequences of Leaving U.S. with Expired L2 Visa and Expired L2 EAD while I-539 and I-765 Petitions are Pending ||Visitor Visa Extension for Parent with Expired 1-94 and at High Risk for COVID || Determining Whether H-1 Petition was Revoked by H-1 Sponsor || Starting a New Business After I-140 Approval While on H-1B Visa || Citizenship Process and Request for Diversity Files from 2001 || Impact of Advanced Parole on H-1B Parents/H4 Children While AOS Pending || Regarding Return Ticket for B2 Visiting Visa Extension || H-1B and I-94 Expired in Dec. H-1B Extension Pending. Impacts if a New Employer Files H-1B Premium Processing || Follow up: AOS, Consular Processing Delay: "Administrative Processing"
Following is an excerpt from a Radio Show with Rajiv S. Khanna:
"I think these regulations will get frozen and I think we will be able to revert to our last year's lottery system and we'll be able to make it through this year but I also think that it's going to be a comprehensive legal immigration reform".
Watch the complete video here:
FAQs:
I-485 AOS filed - Maintaining H-1B status after getting EAD/Changing jobs after I-485/Being unemployed/Start own business, etc. (Filed for I-485, EAD, AP along with EB-2 to EB-3 I-140 downgrade)
Other Topics :
Maintaining green card status outside the USA during the COVID-19 pandemic || Filed for I-485, EAD, AP along with EB-2 to EB-3 I-140 downgrade and maintaining H-1B status after getting EAD || Receiving green card in a few months on the EB-1C/L-1A route and consequences of changing jobs or leaving job immediately after green card approval || H-1 Visa Laid-Off repercussions, F-1 pending - 60 day grace period || Investing in real estate property, stocks and day trading in the USA with an LLC || Employer not willing to file I-824 to support filing Adjustment of Status (AoS) || Currently on J-1 visa and PERM application is in process: Type of waiver, if needed, to present for same-sex spouse who is on J-2 || H-4 to F-1 and biometrics appointment schedule || H-1B Cap exempt and spouse on H-4 EAD seeking a job || Unemployed on H-4, filed I-485 AOS as a Principal Applicant with Supplement J || How to ensure application in process and get A#. || Spouse currently studying on H-4, applying for her F-1 Visa. Both I-140s approved. Will not going on an H-4 EAD create issues? || Applying for citizenship for Parents with green card and continuous residence issues || F-1 visa expires while waiting for marriage-based green card.
Jan 27, 2021 Radio Show with Rajiv S. Khanna Topics of discussion:
Wage hike rule that raised required wages disproportionately has been delayed to May 14 (beyond this year's H-1B lottery). Future proposed changes for STEM graduates and pending green cards.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for latest immigration updates in Biden AdministrationThe URL for the channel is:http://youtube.com/immigrationdotcom
What kind of problems can employment-based nonimmigrants (H-1, L-1, E-1, E-2, E-3, TN) face during reentry?
I think this question is most relevant for H-1 holders, but other employment-based nonimmigrants may also note the general principles here.
Here is a question from our clients-only extranet.
Whats the relevance or importance of having continuous pay stubs (How much gap is permissible if Not significant?) in the processing of Green card of an H1B holder.
I am reproducing material from our employers-only (by invitation only) conference call for tomorrow. These matters need to be in place for H-1 new applications, transfers as well as extensions.