AC21 Job Portability
Previously I was on H1B when my I-140 was approved. Currently I am on H4 status, not employed and my priority date became current.
Previous employer has provided Supplement J and I have filed I-485, I-765, I-131 concurrently. The Supplement J indicates (#9 in Part 6) I am not currently employed with the sponsoring employer.
Q1) Upon receiving AOS EAD, can I directly join a new employer after 180 days of pending I-485 if sponsoring employer doesn't have any open position?
Q2) Can I start searching for new job before 180 days of pending I-485, but join after 180 days? Or, I must have to start searching and interviewing for new job, only after 180 days?
Q3) At the time of filing AOS, my Supplement J indicated that I am not currently employed with the sponsoring employer. If I join the sponsoring employer upon receiving EAD, then do I have to send USCIS new Supplement J indicating that I am now employed with the sponsoring employer, knowing that it might take a decade for my Final Action Date to become current and I may not be employed with the sponsoring employer at the time of GC interview?
Q4) What if I need to change my employer after GC interview, but before receiving GC?
Q5) I heard, after 180 days of pending I-485, even if I change my job couple of times, I can take the Supplement J only from the employer with whom I will be working at the time of GC interview. But can I still send new Supplement J to USCIS from each employers everytime I change my job? Is that legally allowed? or, is there any concern? Because, it might take a decade for my Final Action Date to become current and within that timeframe I might have to change job 2-3 times.
1. In my opinion you can.
2. Absolutely.
3. I think you should file a Supplement J. It gives you added protection.
4. As of now there is nothing definite about changing jobs after the interview but before the green card approval. I would suspect if the job is same or similar keep some record of it otherwise you can do it. But have your lawyers follow up the procedures that exist when you actually do this.
5. Absolutely.
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First of all thanks to Mr. Rajiv Khanna for finding time for me and many others for free consulatation. I am from India and I went to USA in the year 2006 and 2009 on J1 visa. Currently I am in Italy and I have to start the J1 waiver process. As there is not enough information avialable for people like me who are neither in USA nor in India at the time of applying for J1 waiver. So I consulted Mr. Khanna and he told me that the Indian consulate in Italy should be contacted first and they should attest the documents. He is right because you can not send your original passport to anywhere else other than government offices in the country you are living in. Once I ge the attestation done, I will send the documents to India to obtain clearance from the three departments. I told Mr. Khanna that this is like a social service what he is doing because my experience with the other lawyers of Indian origin is not so pleasant. Bye