Guestbook Entry for Jitendra Chaudhary, United States
Name
Jitendra Chaudhary
Country
United States
State
Texas
Search
USCIS Announces That FY 2012 H-1B Cap Season Is Open
U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields, such as scientists, engineers, or computer programmers.
USCIS starts accepting H-1B petitions subject to the fiscal year (FY) 2012 cap on April 1, 2011. Cases will be considered accepted on the date USCIS receives a properly filed petition for which the correct fee has been submitted; not the date that the petition is postmarked.
H-1B after CPT
Question details
I do not qualify to apply for OPT. I have used my CPT completely by working for my current employer for past 1.5 yrs. They started my H-1B process. My current job (QA Analyst) minimum requirement is Associates degree or 0+ yrs experience. Lawyer came back saying job description should be changed to minimum bachelors or equivalent. I have 16 yrs education from India + MBA from here (April 2011) + 1.5 yrs experience. My employer is not willing to change the job description. Can they ask the lawyer to continue the process with the current job description?
An H-1 can be requested for a job that requires minimally a bachelor's degree. Note that the employer MUST TRUTHFULLY require a degree. If not, you cannot process an H-1.
Concurrent H-1B
Question details
I am currently on H-1B with a university (cap exempt), working full time (40-hrs/week). An opportunity has come to work part-time for another For-profit institution (not cap exempt), may be for 20 hours or so per week. So my questions are:
Can I apply for a concurrent H1 (For-profit; not cap exempt) whose work load will be additional to my current H1?
Is there a restriction on where the concurrent H-1 sponsor is located in the US?
Does 'Concurrent H-1B' need to go through the yearly quota since it is 'not cap-exempt' in my case?
The last time I checked into this issue, you could apply for a concurrent quota H-1 even though you are currently holding an exempt H-1. Location of the employer is not important, location of the job is.
Guestbook Entry for Suki Baldwin, United States
Name
Suki Baldwin
Country
United States
State
Illinois
Comment
Our office works regularly and closely with the Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna, PC, with both H1B and Permanent Resident applications. We do not have any complaints at all -- our case managers are smart, fast, conscientious, polite, and very pleasant to work with. We treasure them! I myself have worked mainly with Fran Fisher and Heather Riddick, and to a lesser degree with Anna Baker. I don't know how we could speak more highly of them or of Mr. Khanna's law firm. We appreciate them greatly!
USCIS Continues to Accept H-1B Nonimmigrant Petitions for FY 2012
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced it continues to accept H-1B nonimmigrant petitions that are subject to the fiscal year (FY) 2012 cap. The agency began accepting these petitions on April 1, 2011.
USCIS is monitoring the number of petitions received that count toward the congressionally mandated annual H-1B cap of 65,000 and the 20,000 U.S. master’s degree or higher cap exemption.
Business in the US, on H1B visa
Question details
Fact "H1Bs cannot do their own business in US". So checking the legal limit with below scenarios.
1. Can a H1b, while working for H1 employer, work for non US employer using options like work from home or other internet technologies and earn in their local currency without further documentation?
2. Does anything changes if the non US employer has clients in US and the person in above position actually work with those clients under the payroll of non US based organization?
3. Does it cross the legal H1B limit if we assume the H1b person in scenario 1 and 2 is also the owner of non US company and earns in local currency not USD?
1. In my view, no.
2. No. The critical thing is that the work is being performed on US soil.
3. I believe this too would be illegal under immigration laws.
USCIS Publishes QA on OPT and F-1 Status for Eligible Students under the H-1B Cap-Gap Regulations
Introduction
These Questions & Answers address the automatic extension of F-1 student status in the United States for certain students with pending or approved H-1B petitions (indicating a request for change of status from F-1 to H-1B) for an employment start date of October 1, 2011 under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 H-1B cap.
Guestbook Entry for Makarand Bidwai, United States
Name
Makarand Bidwai
Country
United States
State
Virginia
Comment
Exemplary, professional input; assessable and candid on interaction. Professional without being commerical, knowledgeable and willing to find out more as necessary. I feel in good competent hands with immigration issues.
OPT - H4 - H1
Question details
I am currently on OPT, expiring on 23 May 11. I am currently working but my current employer is not willing to file for my visa and I am unable to find an employer who can file for H1B. I have following questions:
1) If I am not able to find a company-how much time ahead of my visa expiration I will have to file for H4?
2) How difficult it is for an employer file for H1 from H1 and what is the process?
3) If I have to travel out of country before the OPT expiration-do I need to have another visa approved to re enter before my OPT expiration?
1. Your H-4 application must reach USCIS before expiration of your OPT (although it could be argued that you have an extra 60 days, but I stay away from having to argue).
2. No different than filing a new H-1.
3. You could have a difficult time entering if cutting too close the end, although, legally you are entitled to it as long as you have a job in your field that you have been performing on your OPT.
H-4 Visa and Status Validity
Here is a question from clients.immigration.com, our clients-only extranet.:
H-1 cap count 12,200
As of April 15, 2011, USCIS has issued receipts on approximately 7,100 H-1B cap-subject petitions and 5,100 H-1B petitions for aliens with advanced degrees.
H-1B Cap Count 10,400
As of April 7, 2011, approximately 10,400 H-1B cap-subject petitions were receipted. Out of these 4,500 H-1B petitions are for aliens with advanced degrees.
Rule to recapture H-1B unused time (Remainder Option); What if I change professions?
Question details
I did my Masters in chemical engineering in the US and then worked for an environmental firm in NYC, where my H1B was sponsored. I got my H1B in 2019 (Oct 2019 start date), and then I moved to India in Dec 2020, and it’s been almost 2 yrs here in India.
I have approx. 4.5 yrs remaining on my H1B. My questions are below:
1. Am I eligible to use the H1B remainder option for a different employer under a different field under cap exemption? I want to know if I can work in the business domain and not in the chemical field using the H1B remainder option.
2. Say I find an employer in the US in the business domain who is willing to sponsor me directly? Do I need to apply for a new H1B and go through the April lottery? What are the consequences?
3. Lastly, if I plan to do an MBA, which would be my second master's in the US, is it possible to use the H1B remainder option from my first master's and work in the business domain?
FAQ Transcript
- Yes, you can.
- If you want to work in a different domain that does not stop you from using the remainder option and I see no problem there.
- H-1B does not prohibit you from going to school. You could work and go to school at the same time.
Rule to recapture H-1B unused time (Remainder Option); What if I change professions?
Question details
I did my Masters in chemical engineering in the US and then worked for an environmental firm in NYC, where my H1B was sponsored. I got my H1B in 2019 (Oct 2019 start date), and then I moved to India in Dec 2020, and it’s been almost 2 yrs here in India.
I have approx. 4.5 yrs remaining on my H1B. My questions are below:
1. Am I eligible to use the H1B remainder option for a different employer under a different field under cap exemption? I want to know if I can work in the business domain and not in the chemical field using the H1B remainder option.
2. Say I find an employer in the US in the business domain who is willing to sponsor me directly? Do I need to apply for a new H1B and go through the April lottery? What are the consequences?
3. Lastly, if I plan to do an MBA, which would be my second master's in the US, is it possible to use the H1B remainder option from my first master's and work in the business domain?
FAQ Transcript
- Yes, you can.
- If you want to work in a different domain that does not stop you from using the remainder option and I see no problem there.
- H-1B does not prohibit you from going to school. You could work and go to school at the same time.
Options for Nonimmigrant Workers Following Termination of Employment
Release Date
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is providing information for nonimmigrant workers whose employment has terminated, either voluntarily or involuntarily. These workers may have several options for remaining in the United States in a period of authorized stay based on existing rules and regulations.
Recording for December 15, 2022 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Green Card
FAQ: Explaining PERM Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD) and its elements || Recapturing H-1B unused time (Remainder Option); Changing H-1B field; USCIS’s stand on combining degree and work experience || H-4 EAD visa holders opening an LLC in the U.S. and employing their H-1B holding spouse on concurrent H-1B || Gap in status, for instance, H-1B and H-4 status issues || Eligibility for EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability)
H-1B was approved with a new I-94 but the date of onboarding was extended by the employer
Question details
I was on H-4, and it was valid till Jan 2023. I got my h1b approved via the Change of Status application and it came along with a new I-94 date. My employer is saying that they need some time to onboard me. They are working on finding a suitable project for me and it is going to take some time. Is it ok to defer the joining date and should my employer or I file any application to let USCIS know that I am not starting the job right away?
FAQ Transcript
That is not your problem, they should be really paying you. It is illegal. They cannot keep the employee out of a payroll. Employers cannot stop paying you merely because they don't have a project.
Rule to recapture H-1B unused time (Remainder Option); What if I change professions?
Question details
I did my Masters in chemical engineering in the US and then worked for an environmental firm in NYC, where my H1B was sponsored. I got my H1B in 2019 (Oct 2019 start date), and then I moved to India in Dec 2020, and it’s been almost 2 yrs here in India.
I have approx. 4.5 yrs remaining on my H1B. My questions are below:
1. Am I eligible to use the H1B remainder option for a different employer under a different field under cap exemption? I want to know if I can work in the business domain and not in the chemical field using the H1B remainder option.
2. Say I find an employer in the US in the business domain who is willing to sponsor me directly? Do I need to apply for a new H1B and go through the April lottery? What are the consequences?
3. Lastly, if I plan to do an MBA, which would be my second master's in the US, is it possible to use the H1B remainder option from my first master's and work in the business domain?
FAQ Transcript
- Yes, you can.
- If you want to work in a different domain that does not stop you from using the reminder option. I see no problem.
- H-1B does not prohibit you from going to school. You could work and go to school at the same time.
Regarding H-4 stamping without primary H-1 stamp
Question details
Currently we got H-1 and H-4 approved from Sept 2022 -2025. I am on H- and having difficulties in getting dates for visa. My wife on H-4 was able to book a date. If she goes with both the approvals and I am in US and my H-1 is not stamped. Will there be a problem for her in getting her visa stamped?
Consulates have been inconsistent. Many times, they do not stamp an H-4 visa unless the H-1B visa has been stamped. It may be best to email and confirm with the consulate where you are going.
H-1B applying for a job from outside the US
Question details
Hi Rajiv Sir, I am on H-1B visa. But I was laid off. Due to some personal reasons, I need to go to India for 6 months. Can I apply for a job from India? And will the visa still be valid for obtaining work in the US?
You can apply for a job from anywhere. If you are offered a position, you can start working remotely while the new employer applies for your H-1B transfer.
Changing employers after I-140 approval; priority date transfer, I-140 revocation impact
Question details
I have been on H1B for almost 5 years and I recently got my PERM approved. My employer will file for I-140 soon. My question is related to priority dates. I saw one of your videos where you explained that the priority date practically belongs to the employee. So does that mean when an employee gets I-140 approval then the employee can change employer at any time and keep the same priority date for the next filing with the new employer?
What happens if an employee leaves or gets laid off after a month of getting i140 approval and the old employer decides to withdraw/revoke the application? In this case, can the new employer use the same priority date or get the new one for the employee? If a new employer gets the new one then what happens when an employee's 6 yr H1B term has finished before new i140 approval comes, does he/she get extension on H1B based on new application?
FAQ Transcript
As per the regulations dated 17, January 2017 the moment your I-140 is approved the priority date is your property not the employers. Therefore even if the I-140 is revoked the same day and if it was approved, that priority date is yours to keep. You can take it across to any employer. If you go to another employer and if yours is a labor cert based case being filed you have to redo the PERM and the I-140 but you will carry the old priority date which is a big advantage.
In addition to your priority date, if the I-140 remains approved for 180 days, you can continue to extend your H-1B with any employer after six years. They cannot take that right away even if they revoke your I-140.
Recapturing H-1B unused time (Remainder Option); Changing H-1B field; USCIS’s stand on combining degree and work experience
Question details
1. Regarding 'H1B remainder option', what is the time limit (in years) where one can remain outside the US and still recapture their H1B remaining years? I am currently in India and have been here for two years now. I have approx. 4.5 yrs remaining on H1B and would like to recapture it. By when should I find an employer/employment so that I am eligible to use this H1B remainder option?
2. I did a Masters in chemical engineering in the US, and my H1B was issued in 2019. H1B is a specialty occupation, and I was told that H1B could only be used to work in the same field of study, i.e., chemical engineering in my case. However, with this 'H1B remainder option', are you inferring that one can actually change professions and still work in domains like software or finance in the US again?
FAQ Transcript
Even if you were outside for ten years you could still come under the remainder option as per the laws today.
You can change professions as long as you have a degree in the right field.
H-4EAD visa holders opening an LLC in the U.S. and employing their H-1B holding spouse on concurrent H-1B
Question details
My spouse is on H4 EAD, and I'm on H1B. Can she start an LLC and apply for a concurrent H1B for me so I can do two jobs? Please let me know if this is legally possible. Any dangers associated with it?
FAQ Transcript
Sure why not as long as you are truthful with the government. Concurrent H-1Bs do not require Lottery again.
Eligibility for EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability)
Question details
I am in 3rd year of an H1B visa, and my current employer has filed for a green card (currently in the PERM process). I am currently a Sr. Energy Engineer with industry experience of 5+ years.
I have evidence for all the criteria. Do you think I might be eligible for the EB1A category?
FAQ Transcript
EB-1As are given based upon the two-step analysis. The first step is quantitative: Do you meet three out of ten requirements and if you do then you go to step two. Click here for more
Great Help, Keep up the good work.