Feb 3, 2022 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Citizenship and Naturalization
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Feb 17, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Discussion Topics, February 17, 2022
FAQ's: Left while Extension pending. B-1/B-2 visa inspection at the airport by the CBP and repercussions || Interfiling || Interfiling and AC21 Portability || Interfiling, Returning to Old Employer
Interfiling - Job change after I-140 approval with priority date current and issues with H-1B transfer and H-1B extensions
Question details
I am on H-1B visa with employer A. Have approved I-140 with priority date as Oct 2015 under EB-2. Looks like EB-2 can hit 2015 by the end of this year. With that in mind, Below are my questions:
1) Suggestions on switching employers when PD is nearing anytime soon. If I switch to employer B, what if my PD becomes current before employer B I-140 is approved? How long can I wait after my priority date becomes current to file I-485 with employer B I-140?
2) Will there be any issues for H-1B transfer and further H-1B extensions with employer B when the new PERM/I-140 is still under process?
FAQ Transcript
If you have changed employers priority date with the old employer becomes current you could go back and join them, if you have a good explanation why you left them in the first place.
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.
Maintaining H-1B status once I-I485 EAD is received after downgrading from EB-2 to EB-3
Question details
I have been on H-1B for the past 16 years. Recently received my I-485 EAD after downgrading from EB-2 to EB-3. Can I work full time for my own company now in the same field or Do I still need to have an employer, if I am ok to give up H-1 status?
FAQ Transcript
Theoretically at least, the answer is “yes”. The government clearly allows that, but there are a lot of wrinkles. Talk with the lawyer and make sure you understand all the nuances, including employer-employee relationship, genuine job offer etc., and then you can do it. I do not see any reason why you cannot.
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.
Interfiling - EB-2 to EB-3 downgrade as per the amendment. Can I now interfile?
Question details
My EB-2 was downgraded to EB-3 in Oct 2020 and the attorney marked the amended box ( "To amend a previously filed petition") as checked.
Timeline:
I received the EAD combo card in Dec 2021. Changed the Employer (though transferred H-1) using AC21 after way more than 180 days of pending 485
My PD is June 30, 2012 Now that EB3 is retrogressed and stuck in Jan 2012., I wanted to know
1. If I interfile EB2. Will it be rejected as the amended box was checked when downgraded?
2. If we interfile, will there be an impact on the EB-3, in case they reject it
3. What is the best way now to have both EB-2 and EB-3 run side by side. What is the fastest way to get to GC in my case?
FAQ Transcript
1. First of all you cannot interfile because you are not with that employer who holds your EB-2 I-140. Regarding rejection, you are right.
2. It could be.
3.Have your new employer start a new case. Start from PERM upwards.
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.
What exactly is Interfiling?
What exactly is interfiling?
USCIS will no longer accept a single combined payment on certain forms filed together with an H-1B or H-1B1 petition
For all H-1B and H-1B1 petitions received on or after April 1, 2022, USCIS will no longer accept a single, combined fee payment when Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status; Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization; or Form I-824, Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition, is filed together with an H-1B or H-1B1 petition (Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker). Each of these forms received by USCIS on or after April 1 must have its own fee payment instrument or USCIS will reject the entire package.
USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2022 H-1B Cap
Release Date
USCIS has received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year (FY) 2022.
USCIS has completed sending non-selection notifications to registrants’ online accounts. The status for registrations properly submitted for the FY 2022 H-1B numerical allocations, but that were not selected, will now show:
Eligibility for 1-year H-1B extension under 365-day rule based on PERM filed on November 1, 2023
Question details
My PERM was filed on November 1, 2023, and my current visa expires on October 10, 2024. Am I eligible to apply for a one-year extension based on the 356-day rule? If so, is July a good month to apply for a one-year extension?
OR do I need to travel back to my Country and apply for an extension after 1st November 2024?
FAQ Transcript
H-1B extensions beyond 6 years are possible through an approved I-140 or a PERM labor certification pending for 1 year. For PERM-based extensions, you can apply before the 1-year mark, but the extension only becomes effective after a full year. For example, if your PERM was filed on November 1, 2023, and your current H-1B expires in October 2024, you could apply for an extension in July 2024. However, the extension would only be effective from November 1, 2024. You may need to leave the country temporarily if there's a gap between your current H-1B expiration and the extension's effective date.
Recording for July 11, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Nonimmigrant Visas
FAQs: Eligibility for 1-year H-1B extension under 365-day rule based on PERM filed on November 1, 2023 || Assessing eligibility and strengthening profile for EB2-NIW application without a research background
Recording for July 25, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Citizenship and Naturalization
Nonimmigrant Visas
FAQs: Naturalization eligibility for recent extended absences over six months and less than one year from the U.S. || H-1B Grace Period Related Issues
H-1B Grace Period Related Issues
Question details
I have just 50 days left on my H1B grace period, and I need to get an employer to transfer my H1B, or I will be kicked out of the States. My question is, which of the following paths should I choose?
1) I have a Canadian visitor visa, which is for six months, so can I go to Canada if I don't get a job by the grace period?
2) If I don't get an employer should I shift on B1/B2? If I do, how can I come back on H1B? Is there anything else you suggest to keep my H1B active?
FAQ Transcript
1. Sure. If you're not in the US, you can go anywhere. Please review my post on the immigration.com blog and my article in the Economic Times.
2. If you think it will be difficult to find a job for a long time and are okay with returning to school and earning another degree, you should consider CPT an option. If you do not think you'll get a job relatively quickly, you should try the B-1/B-2 option. People have been getting extensions to B-1/B-2.