Discussion Topics, Thursday, 12 January 2017:
FAQ: FAQ: New Regulations Calculation of 180 days for H-1 extension and several related questions; FAQ: Consequences for green card and other in switching to H-4 EAD from H-1; FAQ: Compelling circumstances EAD
Other: DUI affect on naturalization; CSPA; L-2 reentering the USA; SEVIS errors and J-1 options; Abandonment of I-130; Types of H-1 extensions after 6 years of H-1 are over; Applying for naturalization - counting days; Rules for H-1B quota exemption; Applying for h-4 visa; I-131 reentry permit; Effect of employer’s bankruptcy on green card and H-1, etc.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 9 February 2017:
FAQ: Extension of H-1 beyond six years, gap in H-1, late in filing PERM, etc; How can a US green card holder study abroad without losing their green card? || Automatic EAD extension, I-485 EAD; US Citizen applying for green card for brother or sister; How do we keep up with the rumors and changes in the laws; Should I travel outside the USA/H-1B visa stamping; When is an H-1B amendment required? || Job promotions during AC21 portability of green card; Impact of I-140 approval after 180 days, etc.
Other: Spouse of US citizen filing for naturalization; Following to join; Executive Order against criminal aliens; Change of status from L-2 to H-1B, remainder option, H-1 quota; Qualifying for OP after studying on H-4 visa, etc. || Starting green card from the I-485 stage; Going to home country for an extended period of time while green card is pending; Company going out of business during green card; Entry and reentry on visitors visa, etc.
USCIS has changed the direct filing addresses for where to file certain forms for beneficiaries who will be working or training in Florida, Georgia, or North Carolina. The changes are as follows:
My wife has received her L-2 visa. She plans to continue with her US branch of her India employer once she lands in the US and gets her EAD. However for the period while she is US waiting for her EAD to come in, can she continue to be employed with her employer in India and keep receiving paychecks in India, while technically not working for any US based employer prior to getting her EAD?
Watch the Video on this FAQ: Is it legal to work for a foreign-based company in the USA?
Video 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.
Discussed: CSPA for EB-3 to EB-2; H-1B amendments; Marriage on B-2 visa/H-4; Consequences of travel without advance parole; Following to join process; H-1B liquidated damages contracts; Moving temporarily abroad while I-485 is pending; Relocation while green card is pending; Checking which MSA we are in; What is an H-1 amendment? Getting student visa while green card pending; L-2 EAD, etc.
Topics for Discussion, Thursday, 25 February 2016:
FAQ: Can I travel during the pendency of my (B-1, B-2 extension, H-1, H-4, H-4 EAD, L-1, L-2, I-130, I-140, I-485, I-485, Advance Parole, Reentry Permit etc.) case? When should I join my future green card employer, also recapturing time on L-1B; Can a denied H-1B petition make you cap exempt; Special immigration options for UK citizens; How to correct errors on a submitted Form DS-260.
Other: Effect of abandoned change of status from F-2 to F-1; Time for non-premium processing of H-1B employer transfer and process for H-4; Green card or status for autistic son; CSPA for family-based children and disclosing pending immigration application when applying for a student visa; Changing employers after I-140; OCI; The new I-140 regulations; Status when H-1 is denied; Options for addressing H-1 processing delays; Affidavit of support from a person domiciled outside the USA; H-1B extensions based upon old employer’s I-140; Cross chargeability; H-1B quota exemption, etc.
My dependents visa stamp on passport expires on Sept 1st 2017 and have valid I-94 till Sept 1st 2017 and this was with the previous employer A I worked for. I moved to a different employer B a year back and haven't filed H4 for dependents with employer B as it was not necessary. Now if my dependents travel to India prior to Sept 1st 2017, do I still need to file for H4 extension or is it good if they attend the interview at consulate in India and get visa stamped on passport without H4 extension using my approved I-797 (till 2019) with employer B.
Watch Video on this FAQ: Does H-4 require a prior USCIS approval for visa stamping?
Video Transcription
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.
FAQ: Is interview required for compelling circumstances EAD? || Can we open a company while on EAD? What kind of questions/documents will be needed in the I-185 AOS interview? || Does H-1B extension denial invalidate an existing H-1B? || What can be done if an H-1B is denied while in the USA? ||Impact of taking a long break while on H-1B.
Other: Traveling while an H-1B is pending || Impact on naturalization of an incorrect name in the past ||Working from home on and H-1B ||Name updated on form I-140||Applying for L-2 EAD and change of status to H-1B ||Erroneous name on passport, visiting on a tourist visa ||Applying for H-4 EAD, I 140 withdrawn before 2017 ||H-1B issued without an I 94||I 485 delay, etc.
I have an L-2 dependent visa as a child and I am currently attending US College. However, I am turning 21 in December of 2010, does that mean I will no longer be eligible for an L-2 visa through my father's company? And do I have to change to F-1 status?
Correct. Once you are 21, you cannot be on L-2 status.
I’m applying L2 for my wife. She is working in India and she is coming here on vacation. Do I need to mention her working details while filling L2? Or shall I mention saying that she is not working?
Tell the truth. I see no reason why you need to worry. An L-2 is permission, not an obligation. She can come and leave as she pleases.
I am in USA on L2 visa and I intend to start interviewing/ working immediately. For the EAD application, do I have to apply it before I interview or does the employer apply on my behalf once they make an offer? What are the processing times for EAD? I still haven't got my SSN but have scheduled the appointment for SSN. Should I apply for EAD after the SSN is approved or soon after SSN application?
You should apply (not the employer) for the EAD ASAP. Processing times are on USCIS web site.
I was on L-2 visa till present. I got my EAD few months back, which expires in April 2013. But I had to Adjust my Status to H-4 as my spouse's visa got changed to H-1.Can I work with my EAD as it has got validity till 2013? Is there any other way that I can work in this country?
H-4 holders can not use the EAD they received while on L-2. If you can, change to H-1.
I have a P1 visa. Is there anyway to change this to a green card?
You may be able to apply for a green card if you meet the requirements of EB-1, aliens with extraordinary ability or based upon a job offer, and of course, if a family-based possibility exists
I came to USA as L2 with my spouse, after leaving my job. Now my parent company is asking me to take up their assignment based at USA. and also asking me to confirm the possibility of starting their office at States.
Is these possible? at least working for them is possible. I have my EAD. Can I work and take salary from outside USA firm?
Once you have the EAD you can work for anyone in USA, including a company that is not in USA.
I am a traditional artist, visited US in 2005 with P3 visa and later I have visited with 10 years B-1/B-2 visa two more times. And on fourth time the immigration officer, deported me from NY airport, saying that you have not paid tax $6000- of my sold paintings in the US. and if you agree to volunteerily withdraw applicatition then we will allow you to come back with right working visa.And the problem is my wife is in US and has applied for asylum, so do you recommend me to reapply for working visa or wait untill my wife gets the green card and I am deported on may 2009.
If you withdrew your application, you were not deported. You could apply for a work visa.
On April 12, 2010, Director Mayorkas introduced the Request for Evidence (RFE) Project, an initiative that engages stakeholders in the review and revision of RFE templates used at the Service Centers to ensure they are:
I have come here with my husband who is on L-1 visa. I have L-2 visa. What work opportunities are there if I have no EAD. Second,I have gone to the office to get SSN. But the lady there told me that I don't require that and they refused to give me.What could be the reason I didn't get that. Can I apply for EAD if I don't have SSN? I'm here in US for 6 months. I want to work as I have done my MBA.
An Australian Musician that is wanting to come to US for a few weeks to travel and play at approx 15-20 venues across the US. I am willing to sponsor him via my DJ entertainment service, and he will be paid for the shows. He is a professional musician in his country, has been for 15 yrs.
Which visa would be required in this case?
A "B" visa is appropriate if the artist will not be paid in USA, other than for travel and incidental expense.
Please check the link to know more about the O and P visa Reissuance in London embassy.
I am L2 visa holder and a physiotherapist from India. I also have SSN. Do I need to take the EAD or health care worker certificate to work in USA.Or simply credit evaluation and taking the licence is sufficient.
You need complete credentialing including a license.
It has been a very pleasant experience getting help from the law offices of Rajiv Khanna.They have been extremely helpful and efficient with our visa application and successful too and they continue to assist us through their website.Kudos to your guys who handled everything for us.Thank you.