Saving your DS-160 application
How can I save my application? Can I stop in the middle of the application and return to it later?
How can I save my application? Can I stop in the middle of the application and return to it later?
Can I access a partially completed DS-160 application I started before November 1, 2010, but did not submit?
Yes, but only for 30 days. You must enter your barcode or confirmation number into the Application ID field, and provide other information as prompted. To access your application after 30 days, you must save it to your computer hard drive or a disk.
How do I save my DS-160 application to my computer hard drive or a disk?
My current employer has filed for my greencard. My I-140 was approved last year. I have 2 more years on my H-1B. I want to change employers and want to know whether: My current employer can revoke my I-140 for changing companies? Even if they do so, can I maintain my Priority Date?
The old employer can withdraw I-140, but the applicant will still be able to retain the Priority Date. Please review the latest information on this topic: Priority Date Can Be Carried Forward Even if Old I-140 is Revoked (Unless Fraud or Misrepresentation) –July 7, 2012
I am a mexican composer, Im finishing my career on film scoring and composition and I'm intersted to know about the green card for musicians.
Green cards in music would be available possibly for two categories of individuals: those who have a permanent job in USA in their field and those who are nationally or internationally famous.
What if I lose my internet connection, the application “times out,” or I receive an error? Will my application be lost?
All information is automatically saved when each page is completed, so your application will not be lost. You will need to enter the application ID number, and answer other questions as prompted, to retrieve your application. Once your application has been retrieved, it will begin at the last page you completed. You will be able to edit previous pages, if needed.
My husband has changed his job and his H1-B is being transferred. I am on H4 visa with valid stamp till 04/30/2012
My questions :
1. Do I have to also apply with him for H4 transfer ? Or should I be able to contd on valid status as my current H4 visa is valid ?
2. If I have to travel out of the country , can I travel with my current H4 visa stamp ? or should I have to re-stamp it with my husband's new I-797 for new company ?
Your current H-4 status and visa remains valid and can be used for travel. Each time, your husband changes jobs, you do not have to apply for H-4 until the time the H-4 is about to expire.
I have been with the same company for 4 years as a manager (overall industry experience 11 years today). I joined the company in India, stayed there for 1.5 years, moved to US 2.5 years back. I read that "1 year employment outside the USA should be in the 3 years preceding the petition". All of my 12 months does not fall into the last 3 years. What are my chances of qualifying for EB-1?
There may be an exemption if you continued working with a related company ever since you came to USA.
I would like to know the travel restrictions to renew O-1 visa within the US. I heard that it is better to go back to your citizenship country to renew it in order to get the same visa as I have now where I can travel with no restrictions.
You should be able to get an O-1 visa stamping in any country.
I received my GC in Aug 2008. My company is willing to send me to India office. Does the company need to file for a N470 or can I file for it? Do I need to be employed my US operations or I can be on the parole of India operations?
Company needs to give you a detailed letter and you can work for their India operations.
I was working on a EVVC model till Dec in the US, when I came to India for my stamping, I got a 221g which is now pending at the Chennai consulate. I am now trying to transfer my visa to the primary vendor to work for the same client. Is there any issue with this? Can I also respond to the 221g when I am doing the transfer?
I do not see any major issue with this as long as 221g was related to your employer, not you.
I currently have a L1-B visa and I'd like to know if the company where I work(a Brazilian company where I did work for 2 years, one of them in a managerial position before coming to the U.S in 2009) could apply to change my status from L1-B to L1-A at the same time as filing my GC application.
The company is a giant in Brazil with 600 employees but we are still starting the operations in the U.S and I'm the only employee here.
Smaller companies can have a tough time getting an L-1A.
I entered the country back in 2019 to complete my Masters degree (F1 Visa). I am on an H1-B visa, which was approved last year (10/01/2022 - 10/10/2025). However, I have yet to go to India, so visa stamping is incomplete. I got laid off on December 14, 2023, so I am on my 60-day grace period. Suppose I cannot secure a new role within the 60-day grace period. In that case, I am considering changing my status to a B2 visa to extend my stay and continue looking for an opportunity. However, since my H1 visa is not stamped, will that create an issue filling for a change of status to a B2 visa? And when I land a new job returning from B2 to H1, would that be an issue since the visa won't be stamped either?
As long as you have a change of status, such as an F-1 to H-1B change, visa stamping is not an issue when transitioning from a B-2 to H-1B. The key consideration is the validity of your I-94 while inside the USA.
I am currently doing my bachelor's in Computer Science outside the US, my goal is to work in an industry that generally doesn't sponsor visas. I was born in Canada, so just a ROW backlog. Since I can't rely on anyone sponsoring H1B or even TN(also not a TN classified job), I will need a green card before working in the industry.
I'm wondering how difficult it is to get an EB2-NIW with just a bachelor's (exceptional ability), can you explain the process and criteria for this if possible?
My field is adjacent to AI/ML right now I'm doing an internship as an Undergraduate research assistant and by the end, I should have 6 internships (not sure if this helps). The criteria I'm going for (obviously just a guess right now) I'm planning to get a few certifications for AI/ML (from reputable organizations).
I will have a degree in the field. I'm already a member of a few organizations in my field. I can get my professors, managers during my internships and other peers, to write recommendation letters for me.
Can you provide some context as to what they are looking for in this category and it would be great if you could give some recommendations on what I can do to build a solid case. I'm already a member of a few organizations in my field (eg: IEEE and BCS)
As long as you have a change of status, such as an F-1 to H-1B change, visa stamping is not an issue when transitioning from a B-2 to H-1B. The key consideration is the validity of your I-94 while inside the USA.
Currently on an H-4 visa valid until June 2024. I'm seeking your advice as I try to figure something out.
I'm a bit unsure about when to apply for my Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and I am considering the following options:
Option 1: Apply for H4 EAD now (first time - applying separately) since my I-94 is valid until June 2024. If I do this, can I keep working after June 2024 while the H4 extension and H4 EAD are in the approval process if the H4 extension is applied before June 2024?
Option 2: Apply for H4 EAD (first time) + H1B extension + H4 extension using the Premium processing option, probably during June 2024. Will the H4 EAD be approved in 15 days if all three (H4 EAD, H1B extension, H4 extension) are applied together in premium processing? Also, will the H4 EAD have a validity of three years if the H1B and H4 extensions are approved for three years?
Please guide me on which option is simpler and better or any other better solutions.
Handling H-4 and H-4 EAD options can be complex due to inconsistencies in government procedures following a lawsuit settlement. Initially, bundling H-1B premium processing with H-4 and H-4 EAD requests was agreed upon, but subsequent inconsistencies have caused uncertainty for applicants.
In considering options for extending H-4 status, it's crucial to note limitations such as the inability to work beyond the I-94 expiration. Exploring the bundling option cautiously, and attaching a copy of the settlement decision to the application, is recommended.
Overall, careful consideration and documentation are essential in navigating H-4 and H-4 EAD applications amidst uncertainties in government procedures.
I am exploring my options to file a new H1B and would be great if you could provide any suggestions or insights on my current situation.
My details are -
1) I have my I140 approved in 2013 with an Employer (XXX IT Services Inc) and had multiple successful H1B extensions until 2017.
2) My latest.H1B had an I-94 expiry date of May 30, 2017. The extension was timely filed on May 16, 2017.
3) The work location changed in October 2017 and an Amendment was filed when my above H1B extension petition was still pending.
4) Amendment Petition was upgraded to premium service in December 2017.
5) I continued to work for it until September 2019 as no decision was made by USCIS on my amended petition.
6) I exited the USA in October 2019 to join my wife and kids who were stuck in India for all these years.
7) In the middle of the year 2020, administrative processing was lifted on my petition and an RFE was issued. However, as I was already out of the USA, no response was given.
At this point, I came to know that my Employer (XXX IT Services Inc) got into a visa fraud and money laundering case and served a jail sentence as well by 2020. Employees weren't made aware of it at all. Probably that's the reason for not hearing this long.
My questions are-
(A) Will USCIS consider my stay between May 2017 and October 2019 as unauthorized, will there be a 10-year bar on me?
(B) Can I apply for a waiver of inadmissibility on the grounds of an administrative processing hold on my last petition and I left before the decision was taken?
(C) Will my employer's visa fraud case impact my H1B approval in the future?
Visa fraud by an employer typically doesn't affect individuals if they aren't involved. As long as you were not complicit, your stay shouldn't be considered unauthorized, and there's no 10-year bar. Future H-1B approvals might have delays, but if you weren't implicated, there should be minimal impact on your immigration status.
Can one do two full-time jobs in IT/Software development when on H4 EAD? Is there any downside to it on any kind of future approvals by USCIS?
As an H-4 EAD visa holder, you have the flexibility to hold multiple full-time IT jobs or work in any field without constraints on location, offering more rights compared to an H-1B holder. H-4 EAD visa holders can also start their businesses, hire employees, and have the freedom to choose when or if they want to work.
I entered the US to complete my Masters on an F-1 visa in 2018, I got my H1B visa approved in Oct 2022. I was planning to go for a green card through the EB2 NIW route. I have a few questions, which are as follows:
1. Suppose that I got EB2 NIW approved and I am waiting in queue for a green card, but I went back to India and worked in India (employer may or may not be related to the US). Can I collect my GC whenever the priority date becomes current?
2. Suppose that I have already applied for an EB2 NIW visa but then I build my profile and want to apply for an EB1 visa, can I do that?
3. When can I start my business/startup during the EB2 NIW application process? or Do I need to wait until the visa is approved to start a business?
4. When can my wife start working on an H4 visa? Is it during the EB2 NIW application process? Does she need to wait until the visa is approved?
With an approved EB-2 NIW, even if you work in India in an unrelated job, you can still collect your green card as long as you intend to work in the field for which you got the NIW when you arrive in the US. Additionally, you can apply for an EB-1 and transfer the priority date from NIW to EB-1. Starting a business during the EB-2 NIW process depends on various factors, but there's no interim visa except for limited options like entrepreneurial parole. However, potential changes in H-1B regulations for entrepreneurs could provide extended H-1B options and the ability to work for your own business. Spouses can start working on H-4 once the NIW is approved and the H-4 EAD application is filed, as the NIW I-140 petition approval doesn't require a visa.
Many have asked this question before, but since rules and situations are always different, so here I go - I'm on H1B with an approved I-140.
A layoff recently impacted me - my last day on payroll is 10th Feb 2024. I will also receive a severance (lumpsum) within 75 days of Feb 10th. My questions are -
1) Given the market, it may take more than April 10th to finalize an offer and start the H1B transfer. What are the options ( if any ) to extend my stay beyond April 10th?
2) Many suggest applying for B1/B2 (I'm single, have no spouse to move to H4, etc), but I also hear if it's rejected then the time of my stay after April 10th will be an illegal presence, is that true?
3) Say I receive the severance lump sum on March 15th -- are the days from Feb 10th until March 15th counted on company payroll?
The grace period after a layoff begins after the last pay period ends, lasting either 60 days or the remaining time on the I-94, whichever is less. Options for extending stay legally include derivative visas (F-1, H-1, L-1), practical training, or applying for a tourist visa (B-1/B-2), with guidance for applying for a B-1/B-2 visa.
Regarding visa rejection misconceptions, rejecting a change of status application to B-1/B-2 within the 60-day grace period does not result in an illegal presence. However, applying after this period without legal counsel may lead to unlawful presence. As for lump sum severance pay, uncertainty exists regarding its classification as regular salary for visa purposes. It's recommended to base the 60-day grace period from the date of stopping work for legal safety.
1. On my H-1B visa, my last day of employment was date X, but my last paycheck was until date Y but this paycheck was for Severance pay. So, my H-1B 60-day grace period has started from date X or date Y?
2. Is it mandatory to have health insurance during H-1B 60-day grace period or beyond, and would it affect status or future visa/immigration if failed to get health insurance for some time?
3. If H-1B change of employer is filed during H-1B 60-day grace period, but during this transfer process 60-day grace period is ended, then is it legal to stay in the U.S. during this period while H-1B change of employer is in process? Or is there a way to stay in U.S. during that period?
The grace period begins after the last pay period covered by the paycheck, not the last date of employment. Health insurance is not mandatory during the grace period, but COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) protection is an option. If an H-1B change of employer is filed during the grace period and ends, it is legal to stay in the US, and you can start working once the USCIS receives the papers within 60 days.