Justice Department Cautions Employers Seeking H-1B Visas Not to Discriminate Against U.S. Workers
Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
Monday, April 3, 2017
Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
Monday, April 3, 2017
WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced multiple measures to further deter and detect H-1B visa fraud and abuse. The H-1B visa program should help U.S. companies recruit highly-skilled foreign nationals when there is a shortage of qualified workers in the country. Yet, too many American workers who are as qualified, willing, and deserving to work in these fields have been ignored or unfairly disadvantaged.
USCIS recently updated the following form:
1. With my approved I-140 from Company B can Company C use that to file my extension for 3 years. I have a copy of approved I-140. Is it safe to change companies in the 6th year. <br>
2. Using the approved I-140, I have filed H4-EAD for my spouse in Feb 2017 and is yet to receive the EAD approval. If I get it will be only valid till Nov 2017 based on current I-797 validity. So, if H1-B is approved for Company C, can I file extension of H4-EAD 120 days before validity based on that approval. If EAD is provided, it is going to expire on Nov 2017 based on the H1-B's current I-797.<br>
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1. Had H-1B petition approved in 2015 through consular processing while residing outside the USA? But did not get stamped for H-1 but came to the USA on H4 visa. Currently working as an employee on H-4-EAD. Can I change my status to H-1B from H-4, If Yes - Will it be treated outside H-1B Cap?<br>
2. Do I have to leave the country and get stamped and re-enter with H-1B status?<br>
3. Will I get a new I-94 with latest 1 yr or 3 yrs approval? <br>
4. How many days will the process take to change status?<br>
5. Can I continue working while the COS is in progress or pending with USICS as I would like to continue working without a break? Also, do I have to go back to the same petitioner who applied for H-1B visa or can I transfer it to a different employer?
Watch the Video on this FAQ: H-4 EAD changing back to H-1
Video Transcript
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1. Am I allowed to travel to the USA as a B-1 business visitor? How many times in a year and for how long can I stay in the US for my business trip?<br>
2. What kind of paperwork would I be asked to show at the port of entry?<br>
3. B-1/B-2 visa stamp is valid until 2026; Do I need to renew it every time before travelling to the US by going to the US consulate or any other office?
Watch the Video on this FAQ: Doing business in the USA on a B-1/B-2 visa
Video Transcript
1. B-1/B-2 are mixed used visas. You can do pretty much everything on these visas. <br>
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1. I'm on H-1 visa and on my 8 th year ...visa is getting extended based on I-140 approved. I'm getting an offer to join different company end client(currently I'm with the consulting company) designation not decided yet. In my current employer, I am manager and wondering if I get a different position in other company like Director or solution architect or Sr Manager...and if I join that company what effect that will make on my current approved I 140 or GC process. Is this safe to jump? I heard job category needs to be same or similar in various forums for PERM but I don't have clarity or understanding what that rule is and....how that thing impact my situation.<br>
2. I have not filed I-485 yet since my priority date is back in 2013 in EB2. Also, my wife has H-4 EAD does that impact as well?
Watch the Video on this FAQ: Do jobs have to be same or similar when I port my priority date?
Video Transcript
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On April 17, 2017, the Potomac Service Center (PSC) will begin handling corrections to Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) that were issued by the PSC that may have incorrect information due to USCIS error. Previously customers were instructed to send EAD’s issued by the PSC to the Nebraska Service Center to be corrected.
I am a Canadian citizen currently working in the U.S. with a TN visa.
I am planning to start a Canadian business part time with a partner in Canada (also a Canadian citizen).
I've read that starting a U.S. business is not allowed while I'm working in the States with a TN visa, but I cannot find sufficient information online about whether I can operate a Canadian business part time while I am in the states as a Canadian citizen.
Video Transcript
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1. Consequences if revoked (I-140) within 180 days. Benefits, if unrevoked(I-140) for 180 days and end date at work still be May 15th (or, should I ask my employer to EXTEND my end date until end-of-June so I complete my 180 days of I-140). <br>
2. How question (1) above will impact H4-EAD which is under processing. if approved before May-15th H4-EAD is still valid and can be used ?<br>
3. Does it mean after May-15th (last day at work) I have 60 days grace period to look for a new employer who sponsors my H1-B?
Watch the Video on this FAQ: Consequences of I-140 revocation
Video Transcript
1. If I-140 is revoked within 180 days of its approval you only get to keep your Priority Date. You do not get to keep your right to extend your H-1.
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USCIS recently updated the following form:
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
I have an approved I-140 and a Pending I-485 (Since July 2007 Employment –Based Adjustment of Status Indian Passport Holder is submitted Application ). Since presently there is very large backlog I decided to move Canada 2009 since I am Stay in Canada and now become Canadian citizenship. <br>
1. How to switch to Adjustment of Status to Consular Processing?<br>
2. How long would it take to switch from Adjustment of Status to Consular Processing?
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3. How to inform to USCIS to change my citizenship Indian to Canadian.
Video Transcript
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I received my 3-year extension post 6 years based on approved I-140 (sponsored by employer A). I am in the 7th year of H1B and have a valid visa until 2019. I have an offer from employer B. I am told by employer B that they are going to do H1B portability and extension using my approved I-140 from my previous employer. Since the premium processing of H1B is going to be suspended starting April 3rd, my new employer B wants me to join them based on the receipt notice of the H1B transfer. I am also told that the risk I have in case of denial is I would have to leave the US and re-apply for an H1B petition from my home country. From my understanding, one can always go back to their previous employer in case of rejection of H1 transfer?
Watch the Video on this FAQ: If H-1 transfer is denied, can I rejoin my old employer?
Video Transcript
According, to USCIS, when you are working under AC21 you are not out of status, you are in fact working according to the law and hence you should be able to join back. More...
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1. My H-1B is going to end in 2019. Is it legal to change my H-1B to F-1 after that?<br>
2. In case I get admission to a college, and finish my studies within 12-16 months, can I again start with a new H-1B and how many years will I get on that?
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If you used Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, that you downloaded between Nov. 14 and Nov. 17, 2016, review them to ensure your employees’ Social Security numbers appear correctly in Section 1. There was a glitch when the revised Form I-9 was first published on Nov. 14, 2016. Numbers entered in the Social Security number field were transposed when employees completed and printed Section 1 using a computer.
1. Working with Employer A - but the place of employment is the end client B (on site work at Client B location). PERM and I-140 approved. At this point, If I have to move to a different client C (Same Employer A - on-site work at Client C Location) - in a different State - Same Job Title but different job duties/job description - Would that need to file PERM and I-140 one more time?<br>
2. Is there any language permitted in the LC for PERM - such as "relocation upon completion of the project" or "Job may require traveling/relocation across the USA" - so that the PERM and I-140 does not have to be filed again?
Watch the Video on this FAQ: Change of Job Description / Job Location on PERM and I-140
Video Transcript
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