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Sept 30, 2021, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)

3 years ago By Chief Editor

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

Discussion Topics, Thursday, September 30, 2021:

FAQ: Obtaining student or visitor's visa while a green card is pending || Continuing to use H-1B when I return on Advance Parole || Nuances of changing employers during the green card process || Green card holder working on multiple jobs - Is it legal? || How long can green card holders stay outside the U.S.? || Effect of a career change on naturalization process and timing.

Successful lawsuit for H-1B extension of stay

3 years ago By Chief Editor

We filed an H-1B extension petition for a small software company that offers customer software and technology solutions to the local clientele. USCIS approved the classification portion of the petition, but denied the portion of the petition requesting an extension of stay. USCIS stated that beneficiary had failed to maintain his nonimmigrant status because his H-1B status had expired prior to the filing of the H-1B extension petition and he was only in an authorized period of stay because of a pending extension request from the previous employer.

Nonimmigrant Visas

Immigration.com

About Us

Successful lawsuit regarding a delayed H-1B approval notice

3 years ago By Chief Editor

We filed an H-1B petition for a company that provides IT related services, on behalf of the beneficiary, a software developer. An RFE was subsequently issued, responded to and then denied as failing to prove that petitioner established that sufficient speciality occupation work was available and that the position qualified as a specialty occupation. We filed an appeal with the Administrative Appeals Office, the appeal was sustained and the petition was remanded back for issuance of an approval notice.

Nonimmigrant Visas

Immigration Law

Immigration.com

About Us

Successful lawsuit for H-1B extension of stay

3 years ago By Chief Editor

We filed an H-1B extension petition for a software consulting and professional services firm on behalf of a software architect requesting status and work authorization for a duration of three years. The extension was, however, approved for a duration much shorter than requested and the approval notice was both dated and received after the shorter validity period had already expired, thereby destroying the legal status of the employee and causing him to accrue unlawful presence.

Nonimmigrant Visas

Immigration.com

About Us

Continuing to use H-1B when I return on Advance Parole

3 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

I have an approved EAD/AP with my current employer. I also have an H-1B approved until 2024 with the same employer. I have plans to visit India, my home country, in the near future. I am planning to utilize AP to come back to the U.S. and would like to work on the H-1B with the same employer. Is that possible? Also if I do not receive my green card until 2024, can I extend my H-1B with the same employer.

FAQ Transcript

It is great if you have the time and you can actually get the H-1B visa. If that is not possible what you can do is return on the advance parole. If you are coming to take up the same job which you had when you left and that job was an H-1B on a continuing H-1B, the Government will still consider you to be on H-1B. So returning on advance parole to take up the same job which you left on H-1B is considered to be a continuation of that H-1B. You can do H-1B extensions, transfers, etc., once you are in the U.S. More...

Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.

Nuances of changing employers during the green card process

3 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

My question is related to green card filing. My green card was filed with Employer A. I have an approved I-140. I moved to Employer B, working on an H-1B valid until April 2023. They have not filed the labor for me yet. My priority date is February 2012. As per the latest visa bulletin I can file for EAD but the final date is September 2011. Currently I am not in the U.S. so I can't file for EAD. I hope to be in the U.S. in the next 4-5 months. Do I need to join Employer A for processing my green card? What would be the best option for me to get the green card without wasting time when I reach the U.S?

FAQ Transcript

First of all you have to be in the United States to apply for your Adjustment of Status. Secondly in your case, because no new green card was started, your old employer must offer you the same job which you have to go and join eventually in good faith.
You can actually have I-485 filed through a job offer from employer A, the same job which was the basis of your green card. If you don't have that, you cannot file I-485. You can only file for I-485 /Adjustment of Status when your priority date is current and the job that is the basis of the green card is available to you right then. After 180 days of the I-485 pendency, you may never have to join the old employer because you can take a same or similar job anywhere. Just make sure that you have the good faith, honest intention of joining the old employer when you file the I-485. More...

Oct 14, 2021 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)

3 years ago By Chief Editor

Immigration.com

Community Conference Calls

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

Discussion Topics, Thursday, October 14, 2021:

FAQ: Reentering the U.S.A. on a Visitor’s/Tourist Visa Soon After Leaving || Can GC-EAD holder start business and what impact on the pending I-485? || FAQ: Can GC-EAD holders start a business and what impact on the pending I-485? || Is there a problem listing one location in a PERM application while living and working remotely in a different location? || EB-2/EB-3 Options in PERM Filing and EB-2 to EB-3 downgrade and upgrade

Guestbook Entry for Veronica Jackson/DataStaff, Inc., United States

12 years ago By Anonymous (not verified)

Name

Veronica Jackson/DataStaff, Inc.

Country

United States

State

North Carolina

Comment

I don't have the words to express how wonderful I think this law firm is. We have been working with Rajiv and his teams for the past 2 years and we will be a lifetime client! It is a pleasure to work with people who are so lively and fun and know their stuff. I was thinking..."how & why do you tell someone who is EXCELLENT at what they do that they are greater than even they think?" Then I thought even Superman needs to know he's doing a great job! Thank you for all you do for us Rajiv etal. We are your BIGGEST FANS!!!

H-1B petition and Quota

12 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

I am in the US in F-1 status. I just received a job offer and the company is ready to sponsor my H-1B. When can we apply for my H-1B visa?

If the employer is exempt from the quota, they may apply at any time. If they are subject to the quota, they can file the H-1B petition to reach USCIS no earlier than April 1, 2013, with a requested start date of employment no earlier than October 1, 2013.

Read more about H-1B petition and Quota

Traveling outside USA while H-1B petition pending

12 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

I am in the US in another status. Can I travel outside the US while my H-1B petition is pending?

While it is possible to travel out of the US while the petition is pending, there are significant complications that may arise. You should consult with your lawyers before doing so.

Read more about Traveling outside USA while H-1B petition pending

Employer Sponsoring for H-1 Visa

12 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

I have completed all of my studies in college for my Bachelor’s Degree but have not received my diploma from the university. How can I show my prospective employer that I have the education necessary for him to sponsor me for an H-1 position?

You must submit evidence of the beneficiary’s educational degree at the time of filing. If all of the requirements for the degree have been met, but the degree has not yet been awarded, the following alternate evidence may be submitted: (1) A copy of the beneficiary’s final transcript; or (2) A letter from the Registrar confirming that all of the degree requirements have been met (if the educational institution does not have a Registrar, such letter must be signed by the person in charge of the educational records where the degree will be awarded).

Read more about Employer Sponsoring for H-1 Visa

Petition to extend H-1B Visa

12 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

My H-1B approval notice is valid for four more months. When can I begin the process to extend my H-1?

A petition to extend your H-1B can be submitted for receipt by USCIS no sooner than six months prior to the expiration of your current H-1B, so you could begin the process at any time now.

Read more about Petition to extend H-1B Visa

H-1 and Out of Status

12 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

My project is going to end soon and my employer does not know if he will have another client with a project for me. How long do I have to find a new employer before I am out of status? What should I do if my current employer withdraws my H-1B?

There is no grace period when you are laid off. You will be out of status from the date your current employment ends. It is advisable to apply for a change of status to, for example, B1/B2, F-1, or H-4.

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H-1B Extension

12 years ago By Chief Editor

We were retained to file H-1B extension for the job title of Manager, HR and Training Operations [SOC (ONET/OES) Occupation Title of 11-3131 Training and Development Manager]. USCIS questioned that the job does not qualify as specialty occupation because the position falls within the category of HR Managers, and, as such, no specific degree or education is required to train for the position of HR Manager.

Nonimmigrant Visas

Profession/Occupation

Managers and Executives

Guestbook Entry for Narendhiran Nagarajan, United States

12 years ago By Anonymous (not verified)

Name

Narendhiran Nagarajan

Country

United States

State

H1B

Comment

I have filed my new H1B and H1B amendment with Rajiv's office. They were great in getting the work done and respond back quickly on their side. They will also set up conference call with Rajiv directly for any immigration questions. Anna and Fran did a great job on thier part and answered all the questions in detail. Thanks, Naren.

Subject to the Quota

12 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

An employer applied for an H-1B for me two years ago under the quota and it was approved, but then I was unable to come to the U.S. to start the job. Can another employer apply for an H-1 for me now, or will I be subject to the quota again?

You should not be subject to the quota, because you were granted an H-1B approval before.

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Adjustment of Status from H-4 to H-1

12 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

I may be travelling US on H-1B next year with my spouse on H-4. Is there any possibility to find a job in US for my husband through H-1B sponsor by some consultants and how much risk is involved in this?

As long as there is quota remaining on the H-1B, the law permits change of status from H-4 to H-1. And, if the H-1 is denied, that does not affect the existing H-4. So, no legal risk that I can see.

Read more about Adjustment of Status from H-4 to H-1

Guestbook Entry for N, United States

12 years ago By Anonymous (not verified)

Name

Country

United States

State

Comment

Mr Khanna and his team are doing an amazing job helping me with my green card process. Rajiv's immense experience and the depth of his knowledge on immigration matters answered all my queries. It also helped me looking at things with a better understanding of immigration related rules. He and his team are courteous, knowledgable and thoroughly professional.