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If you plan to relocate to India with a green card before obtaining U.S. citizenship, it can significantly complicate the naturalization process. To apply for U.S. citizenship, you must meet physical presence requirements: at least 2.5 years in the U.S. over the last five years and no single absence of a year or more. If you stay outside the U.S. for over six months but less than a year, you may need to provide an explanation.

A re-entry permit (Form I-131) allows you to stay outside the U.S. for up to two years without losing your green card, but it does not help with citizenship requirements. Form N-470 can protect your eligibility in limited cases, such as working for a U.S. company’s foreign branch, but it does not guarantee naturalization.

If you stay abroad for more than a year, you will likely need to restart your five-year residency requirement (or four years and one day if a re-entry permit was used). While re-entry permits can be renewed in certain cases, they do not protect your citizenship timeline.

Best advice: Obtain U.S. citizenship first and then relocate, as naturalized citizens can live abroad indefinitely without affecting their status. Please consult your lawyer regarding this.

If you applied for a change of status (COS) while still in valid status—such as H-1B plus the 60-day grace period—you are not considered out of status while your application is pending. In this case, since you applied for H-4 within the grace period, the period between May (filing date) and December (approval date) is classified as an authorized period of stay, meaning it does not count as unlawful presence.

Even though the approval date is later, you are not subject to the three-year bar because you remained legally in the U.S. while the petition was pending. There are no negative implications for your status.

 

If you have the opportunity to get an H-1B cap-exempt visa through a research foundation, you should take it. Having cap-exempt H-1B status does not prevent you from continuing to apply for the regular H-1B lottery.

Additionally, you can hold both a cap-exempt and a cap-subject H-1B concurrently as long as you maintain your cap-exempt job. If you win the H-1B lottery through a for-profit employer, you can easily switch to a regular H-1B.

Taking the cap-exempt route ensures immediate work authorization and does not limit future opportunities. The idea that you’ll be "stuck" in cap-exempt status is incorrect.

 

Yes, an H-1B holder can start a company while maintaining a full-time job, but there are key conditions:

• Concurrent H-1B: You must file for a concurrent H-1B for your own company.
• Ownership: You can own 100% of the company; USCIS allows majority ownership.
• Job Role: At least 51% of your work must be in your H-1B specialty (e.g., software development), not just as a CEO.
• Salary & Compliance: Your company must pay you a prevailing wage and follow all standard H-1B rules.

While legally possible, the process is complex and must be carefully structured to meet all H-1B regulations.

 

If you have an EB-1A-based EAD and a pending I-485, starting an unrelated business (such as teaching) is risky. Your EB-1A petition asserts that you intend to work in your field of extraordinary ability. Shifting to an unrelated field could raise questions about your original intent and impact your green card application.

Additionally, traveling on Advance Parole in this situation may pose some risks. It’s advisable to either have a job offer or a clear plan to work in your field (such as consulting with clients) before traveling. Proceed with caution.

 

If you have time left on your STEM OPT but have won the H-1B lottery, you can technically opt for H-1B consular processing and continue using your STEM OPT. However, since 2023, this approach has become riskier.

The safer option is to proceed with an H-1B change of status. If you delay the H-1B activation and later face job loss, transferring the H-1B could be more complicated. While consular processing is still possible, it carries uncertainties. If it were my case, I would choose the change of status for a more secure transition.

 

Yes, it is possible to get an H-1B for UX design, but it depends on how your job is classified. UX design can fall under multiple fields, such as computer science, graphic design, ergonomic engineering, human factors design, or industrial psychology.

To qualify for an H-1B, your role must clearly require a specialized degree in a related field. Work with your lawyer to determine the best classification based on your job duties and educational background. Careful planning is essential to ensure a strong case.

 

Yes, you can volunteer while on a temporary visa as long as you are not compensated in cash or kind.

For F-1 OPT, if the volunteer work is meant to count toward your OPT compliance, it must be at least 20 hours per week and related to your field of study. If it’s purely additional volunteer work (e.g., helping at events, reviewing research papers) and not counted for OPT compliance, there’s no issue, but check with your DSO.

However, you cannot volunteer for a for-profit company, as that could violate labor laws, though the violation would be on the company’s part, not yours.