Workload Transfer Updates - L-1 Cases
USCIS transferred some of the following cases from the Vermont Service Center and California Service Center to the Texas Service Center:
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H-1B visa extension: No change in policy, says US Citizenship & Immigration Services
In a huge relief for Indian techies spooked over reports of the Trump administration considering a proposal to prevent the extension of H-1B visas, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services said it “is not considering a regulatory change that would force H-1B visa holders to leave the United States” reports The Indian Express.
Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday), Jan 11, 2018
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
Discussion Topics, Thursday 11 January 2018:
FAQ: Submitting adjustment of status, form I-485, When the applicant is in between projects/not working || H-4 EAD rules change and H-1B extensions rules change || Change in job title after getting a green card approval || Transferring H-1B while an RFE is pending || How to find an accredited university to get Master’s degree to process an EB-2 green card. Other: Wage requirements under the H-1B LCA ||Converting back to H-1B from a compelling circumstances EAD ||Extending H-1B from outside the USA with an approved I-140 || RFE pending delay in an adjustment of status case || Applying for adjustment of status while in authorized period of stay||Status while an H-1B extension spending ||Questions about EB-5 green card through investment/investment visa ||H-1B quota exemption if approved within
USCIS Will Email Notifications to H-2A Petitioners, Use Pre-Paid Mailers to Send Requests for Evidence
Beginning Jan. 22, 2018, USCIS will email notifications of receipt and approval to H-2A (temporary agricultural worker) petitioners who file Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. Also starting today, USCIS will use pre-paid mailers provided by H-2A petitioners to send requests for evidence (RFE) if issued in a case.
H-4 EAD and H-1B Extensions Rules Change
Question details
1. I have completed 6.9 years on L1A and move to H4-EAD based on my wife’s approve I-140. Now H4 EAD may go away. What option do I have to stay here and continue working (even after gap of a few months if needed) or I need to go out of US for at least 1 year and come back? <br>
2. I have already completed my 6.9 years. Can company apply H1B for me in April 2018 and I can come back to US after spending 1 year outside. I believe H1B can be applied only 6 months prior to joining that job. But I can’t start working from Oct 1st as I already completed 7 years without pending GC labor/ I-140. In that case I can apply H1B only in April 2019 and start working from October 2019?
Watch the Video on this FAQ: H-4 EAD rules change and H-1B extensions rules change
Video Transcript
1. What you could try doing is have your green card started and you can use that to extend your H-1.
FAQ Transcript
Note: 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.
Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday), Jan 25, 2018
Citizenship and Naturalization
USCIS I-129 for First Time TN Applicant
We went to US Consulate, Ottawa and got my wife's TD visa stamped in her passport.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Changing Jobs After I-140 Approval, Returning to the Old Job, etc.
Question details
I am on H1B visa in US from 2008 with employer A, and i have I-140 approved in 2011 from Employer A, Now in 2017 i am planning to change my employer to Employer B.
My question: Scenario 1 : If say Employer B doesn't sponsor/start my GC/I-140 in 3 years, can my employer B use Employer A's I-140 to renew n number of times ?
Scenario 2: If I didn't like employer B in future and they have not sponsored or started my GC/I-140, can i switch to Employer C ,using Employer A's I-140.
Scenario 3:If I didn't like employer B in future and they have not sponsored or started my GC/I-140, then I switch to Employer A ,using Employer A's I-140 .. now do employer A again has to restart GC/I-140 ?.
Scenario 4: How much of over lap of dates of employment can happen b/w Employer A and Employer B.
Watch the Video on this FAQ: Changing jobs after I 140 approval, returning to the old job, etc.
Video Transcript
FAQ Transcript
Note: 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.
Implications of Acohol-Related Convictions, such as DUI, on Immigration or H-1B
Question details
I am on H1B visa and was charged with DUI(1st off, no injuries, no aggravating factors) on October 29th,2017 at 2:30 AM in Harrisburg,PA. Took breathalyzer test and also the eye test was taken. After that I was taken to the booking center for bio-metrics and blood test. After 3 hours I was allowed to go home.
I have been charged with the following:
Gen Imp/Inc of Driving Safely - 1st Off 10/24/2017
DUI: High Rte of Alc (Bac.10 - <.16) 1st Off 10/24/2017
Obedience to traffic control devices - hazardous condition 10/24/2017
What should be the next steps to be taken. Also how and what can be done to reduce the charges?
Video Transcript
FAQ Transcript
Note: 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.
Staying in the United States Based Upon Medical Need of Child, B-2 or Humanitarian Parole
Question details
Currently I am in India, my H1-B got denied and left US. My wife is in US on the basis of change of status from H4 to B2 on humanitarian grounds due my daughter's chronic medical condition. Her B2 is still under process and if approves then good till 24th Feb'18.
Since It is uncertain I will get another employer who can sponsor h1b immediately,
Is there any provision for US born, parent can stay due to her undergoing intensive treatment?
Can we apply for humanitarian parole?
Video Transcript
FAQ Transcript
Note: 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.
Effect of Salary Variations During L-1A Visa
Question details
I came here on L1A. At the time of petition, my offer letter from my employer had a salary of $120K annually. This is $10,000 monthly. I want to know if running my payroll for less money will affect my GC process which I am planning to apply next year. Considering following situations, Will it affect my GC process which I am planning to apply after 1 year from my arrival date? 1) If my payroll is run for lesser salary e.g. in the range of $6000 to $8000? 2) If my payroll is run with (salary + bonus) to make it a total of $10,000/month (120K annually). For example salary = $6000/month and bonus = $4000/month
FAQ Transcript
Video Transcript
Ideally, you should be paid what is indicated on the L-1 paperwork, but there's certainly no law that I can point to that mandates that result. It is just a general sense of uneasiness because it could go into eligibility. Also, if your payroll is run with salary plus bonus I think then you should be ok although I haven't researched this issue. Have your lawyers look into it.
Note: 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.
Criteria for national interest waiver || NIW for physical therapists
Question details
I am on H-1B working in the IT industry. My wife has H4 EAD, and with the same status, she is working in the hospital as a Physical Therapist.
1. Can her employer file for GC while she is on H4 EAD status?
2. If she is eligible for NIW, could you please let me know if the PWD and PERM are both required if her employer file for GC?
3. Can she use my priority date to file an adjustment of status?
FAQ Transcript
1. Absolutely
2. I doubt it.
3. No she cannot. That is one thing husband and wife cannot transfer to each other their priority date.
FAQ: Multiple companies applying for H-1B Cap registration - H-1B lottery
Question details
I am an international student currently of F-1 visa status and will be graduating in May-23. I have the below questions:
1. Can multiple companies / employers apply for H1-B on my behalf in this upcoming H1-B cap pool?
2. If yes, is there a possibility that the employers might get to know about this?
3. Should my name in the passport and birth certificate match exactly? My birth certificate has an abbreviation my last name but my passport has my complete last name.
FAQ Transcript
When there is no connection between two companies, and they are not colluding to help somebody get an H-1B visa or increase their chances of getting selected in the H1B lottery, multiple companies can file. Interestingly, even different units within the same bigger company could file if they have a genuine need and not face any issues.
Can H-4 visa (no EAD) holders take an unpaid internship?
Question details
I am an LLM student on H4 (no EAD). My college offers paid and unpaid supervised externships (optional classes) for 2/3 credits as part of our course. Can I participate and work in an unpaid supervised externship on H4 without EAD?
FAQ Transcript
Sure. I don't see any problem for you, the employer should watch out for themselves.
Recording for March 09, 2023 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
FAQs: Volunteering on a non-profit board committee while on H-1B or H-4 visa: Implications for visa stamping and green card process
Can H-4 EAD start a Business in any State? Can a relative's company file H-1B?
Question details
Can an H4 EAD holder start a business in any state, or do they have to be in the same state as the primary applicant's H-1B?
Another question is can a relative's LLC file for H-1B if they have a need and it aligns with my MS coursework?
FAQ Transcript
It can be done, but H-1B is not complicated that's absolutely straightforward.
H-4 visa dependent children change of status to F-1 before 21
Question details
My daughter was born in Canada and is on my H-1 visa as an H-4 dependent. She is currently studying 2nd year of her Bachelor's degree and will turn 21 in July/2024. I have a couple of questions, and they are
1. By what date/age she needs to change her status from H-4 to F-1?
2. Once on F-1 status, are there a minimum number of months/semesters/years she has to complete before being eligible for a CPT or OPT?
FAQ Transcript
- She needs to file for a change of status before she turns 21.
- I believe it is two full semesters one academic year, double check that with the DSO.
USCIS Issues Guidance on Analyzing Employers’ Ability to Pay Wages
Release Date
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued policy guidance (PDF, 313.21 KB) on how USCIs analyzes an employer’s ability to pay the proffered wage for immigrant petitions in certain first, second, and third preference employment-based immigrant visa classifications.
Volunteering on a non-profit board committee while on H-1B or H-4 visa: Implications for visa stamping and green card process
Question details
Can a person on H-1B or H-4 visa be on the Board committee (Vice President) for the US based non-profit religious organization without pay (volunteer) ? Would it create any issue on visa stamping or GC process?
FAQ Transcript
You can work if the company is non-profit. There is no issue as long as you do not get paid in any way. If it is a for-profit company you could have a problem unless they tailor make the program according to the principles of labor laws.
March 3, 2023, Rajiv in QnA on behalf of students and young professionals
Nonimmigrant Visas
SUBSCRIBE to Immigration.com YouTube Channel for further updates.
Immigration.com, Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna PC, US Immigration Attorney
USCIS Announces Additional Mail Delivery Process for Receiving ADIT Stamp
Release Date
Lawful permanent residents may receive temporary evidence of their lawful permanent resident status by mail rather than physically visiting a field office to receive an Alien Documentation, Identification and Telecommunication (ADIT) stamp (also known as an I-551 stamp).
Lawful permanent residents are entitled to evidence of status and may require temporary evidence of their status in the form of an ADIT stamp if:
Update to Filing Location for U Nonimmigrant-Based Form I-485
U nonimmigrants applying to become lawful permanent residents must now file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status