USCIS Implements Employment Authorization for Individuals Covered by Deferred Enforced Departure for Hong Kong Residents
Release Date
Eligible Hong Kong Residents May Apply for EADs and Travel Authorization
Release Date
Eligible Hong Kong Residents May Apply for EADs and Travel Authorization
Release Date
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing updated and comprehensive guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on adjudicating applications for T nonimmigrant status (or T visas) submitted by victims of human trafficking, including clarifying how applicants establish eligibility.
As part of the credit card payment pilot program, the Vermont Service Center is now accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for petitioners filing Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, for O and P nonimmigrants.
My parents have been here on visitor's visas since the beginning of August. If they are here for the entire six months, can they come back again within six months of leaving the U.S.?
The CBP (Customs and Border Protection) may find this pattern an unacceptable use of the visitor's visa. Generalizing for the sake of making a point, if in any twelve months your parents have spent more than six months in the United States, the CBP can hold that it appears your parents are living in the United States and visiting their home country instead of the other way around. 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.
Q: 1.Can I run my second W2 on my own company? Keeping my primary W2 with the same employer who filed the GC?
2.If I start a business on GC-EAD, if they call for a GC interview what type of question do they ask related to business?
3.If I-485 is denied, can we come back to H-1B again and do we have to refile I-485 again?
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.
Was just wondering if there could be any issues with my prospective PERM application if I am living and working remotely in Minneapolis (consistent with my H-1Blocation) and my employer in Dallas files the PERM application using Dallas as the work location. I am open to eventually relocating to Dallas, so just wondering if this could cause any delays or RFEs for the PERM. Do you think it would be a better option to file an H-1B amendment with Dallas as the work location, and then go through with the PERM or it doesn't matter?
It is not a problem as long as these two scenarios are followed. First of all you could be working in location X and the PERM is filed for location Y as long as you have the intention to join the location Y you can file even though you are currently working at location X.
The interesting thing is once the I-485 is filed and the I-140 is approved after 180 days of the I-485 you can choose to be wherever you want to be because you are allowed to port your green card. The only requirement is when you start the PERM. File the I-140 and the I- 485. Your intention throughout was to work at location Y but after 180 days if the intention changes it is absolutely no problem.
The second scenario which is very common is when you have consulting jobs and you could be moving from a month to a year with no predictability where you are going to be, it is normally recommended and legally allowed to file the PERM application as though your job is located in the corporate headquarters or principal place of business. 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.
Q: 1. If the Priority date is current in EB-3 then my I-140 and I-485 can be filed EB3 (Lower it) but you said that after EB-3 will come then I should file I-140 in EB-2. Not sure about the whole concept, if possible can you elaborate in more detail?
2. Can I-140 be filed in EB-2 and EB-3 together? Or I-140 can be filed in EB-3 first once it gets approval in EB-3 and then need to file in EB-2 or vice versa.
3. My company attorney told me that once I downgrade to EB3 then I can't upgrade to EB2.
A: 1. You can always downgrade if you start your case in a higher category, but if you file your case in the lower category it's not possible to upgrade without refiling.
2. The answer is yes, although I like to do it separately for several reasons, most of all to avoid confusion, but now the government is well aware of these downgrades and I think you could file both of them together as two separate filings.
3. They must be saying something different as that is not true. If your PERM was filed as an EB-2 and I-140 was approved as an EB-3 you can always go back to EB-2 by filing another I-140 under EB-2. 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.
I am in a situation where my current employer has filed PERM and as per the timelines there are high chances that it will be approved till January. And as per immigration team in the current company says it could take a week or two to file for I-140. I am going to pay for premium processing. But at the same time, I have accepted an offer from another company and the start date is 31st January. I am sure that I-140 would not get approved till then. Can I pay for premium processing, leave after they file the I-140 and before it gets approved? Will it go through?
PS: As per company's policies they don't revoke I-140 of the employees if they leave before 6 months.
Theoretically, an I-140 does not require you to be continued to be employed by the petitioning employer. You could leave after applying, but if there is an RFE, the employer would not be motivated to respond to it. As a practical matter, there is a second difficulty as well.
Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments and blog on immigration.com
I am on my H-1B and my wife is currently on her H-4. With the new bill does she still need to wait for my I-140 to be approved?
There is no new bill, just a policy clarification. And, yes, she will have to wait per the law.
Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments and blog on immigration.com
Release Date
USCIS is reminding the public that they offer immigration services that may help people affected by unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters. Examples of unforeseen circumstances include, but are not limited to, the severe weather in Kentucky and surrounding states.
The following measures may be available on a case-by-case basis upon request:
Release Date
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is temporarily waiving the requirement that the civil surgeon sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an applicant files an application for the underlying immigration benefit (including Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), until Sept. 30, 2022.
I am currently working as a Senior Software developer at a small company (13 employees). It is privately held and I don't have any stake in it. I am on an H-1B visa and my I-140 is approved under the EB-3 category. I see an opportunity to start a team in India for my current company. I can manage the team from India, staying there for a year. After that, I can come back to the US and still manage the Indian team while working in the USA. I will probably have to play a dual role where I am a senior developer and should manage the Indian team. Will I be eligible for EB-1 manager/executive level after 3 years? If not, is there an easy way I can leverage the advantage of working in a small shop to get a green card faster.
You should be able to include the team in India amongst the professionals you manage if the benefit of the work flows to the corporate collective. You don't have to be outside the USA for three years. The required time period is one year. This could work, but you must have a detailed consultation with your lawyers. They should make sure your proposed jobs in India and then in the USA meet the legal requirements for an L-1A/EB-1C.
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.
My friend had traveled to India in an emergency situation in April this year. Since the consulates were closed for so long, he could get his H-1 visa stamping done by an emergency appointment last month (through NIE) only. Now, his job contract ended here. What are his chances to come back to the U.S.? - Does he need to have a job with an offer letter before traveling back to the U.S. back?
Unless you have a specific job in hand, the one that has been described in the H-1B you should not come back.
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.
H1-B Visa Stamp Expired - but H1-B Status Valid until Sept 2023 (I-797 Approval Notice)
I-140 approved long back, I-485 pending (PD not current but close), I-765 + I-131 approved Combo Card. Travelled to India with both H-1B I-797 and I-485 EAD/AP (Validity was 1 Year) and returned a couple months back; chose to return on I-485 AP because could not get a Visa Drop Box Appointment. New I-94 received upon entry is only valid till AP expiry date; which is prior to H-1B I-94 attached to I-797 (Sept 2023). No change of Employer before or after the travels - return to the same employer.
a) Does the use of AP on returning mean the H-1B status is abandoned in this case?
b) Will I fall out of status after August 2022 - based on this new I-94 with AP entry?
c) Can the already approved H1B status be reinstated (if it was abandoned) and also be extended like regular H1B extension after 2023 - if yes, would that need a travel out of the country before August 2022 and return on H-1B visa stamp?
a). Although you entered the United States on advance parole this time you are still considered to be holding a H-1B status. That is not disturbed by your exit and entry.
b). The I-94 that you get with the advance parole entry is limited and hence it should not be a problem. You should be able to transfer employers. You definitely can amend or even extend your H-1B within the United States. I am not aware of any limitations on the ability to use the H-1B for a transfer.
c). Yes you can always revive an H-1B. If the H-1B has expired, you can seek a renewal of the H-1B through the USCIS and then go outside the USA (your home country or any country) and get a H-1B visa stamp and come back.
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.
I have had an approved H-1B petition since 2010 but never used it. Can I reuse that petition and obtain an H-1B transfer to a different company? The old company who has filed H-B petition has not withdrawn it.
The problem I see is that the approval is too old. A never-used H-1B approval obtained more than six years ago may not be viable. But, you can have it researched further. I suggest you look into something called the” remainder option.” Although, it is probably not applicable to you, but your lawyers should make sure of that. Normally, the remainder option is available for people who were employed for a while in the USA on H-1B. These folks, if they go outside the United States for one year after the H-1B employment, can get the time remaining on their H-1B without regard to when it was approved.
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.
Number 61
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during January for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
I currently have my I-140 approved from two employers for a Senior Software engineer position under EB3 quota. I have my green card EAD with priority date: Nov 2014. I-485 has been pending for more than 180 days. I expect to be promoted to be a manager in the same line of work in the next 6 months. Due to personal circumstances, I might have to move to a different employer right after. Could you please let me know if there are any concerns if I switch right after getting promoted? The job duties would change but the line of work will be the same.
I do not see any problem because remember there is the possibility of self-portability as well. But of course, you should have your lawyers review the two job descriptions and make sure they are same or similar.
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.
I am in the initial OPT which expires on November 30th, 2021. My STEM Extension has been denied based on approved H1-b which is pending withdrawal at the Texas Service Center for the last 6 months. My current employer’s attorney raised the Ombudsman request a week ago and I’ve taken Ohio senator's help to submit inquiry two weeks ago but no response so far from the USCIS and also from online forums it seems it’ll take 30 days to get a response at least but I’m running out of my time. My employer is reapplying for my STEM OPT in two weeks again. Do I need to take any other steps to get this issue resolved?
Firstly, talk with your DSO. Second thing is to talk to your congressman's office. Even though they are effective in my opinion they can take time. These are the only two steps that I can recommend in addition to what you have done.
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.
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during January for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
For more on the Visa Bulletin click here.
For latest updates, watch this video with Rajiv from Dec 28, 2021.
Release Date
The Department of Homeland Security has published a final rule that withdraws the Modification of Registration Requirement for Petitioners Seeking to File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions final rule, also known as the H-1B Selection Final Rule, issued Jan. 8, 2021. That rule was vacated by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: December 20, 2021
Synopsis
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of job openings has increased to a record 11.0 million. The 27 million small businesses, responsible for almost 50% of the GDP, are the most severely affected. They cannot find workers. A Bill like this would destroy them.
For more on this article please see the attachment below.
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Immigration.com, Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna PC, US Immigration Attorney
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