U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will begin accepting H-1B petitions subject to the fiscal year 2018 cap on April 3, 2017. All cap-subject H-1B petitions filed before April 3, 2017, for the FY 2018 cap will be rejected.
I entered US on Jan 2011 on F-1 Visa, completed my Masters and am now working for a reputed US organization since May 2012(OPT start date: May 2012, H-1B start date:Oct 2012. H-1B till: Oct 2017). My work does not require me to go to office, so I work from Home. Now I am planning to visit India next year and get my Visa stamped.<br>
My Questions are<br>
1. Can telecommuting job cause any issue during Visa stamping? I heard someone was asked "if you can work from home, why can’t you work from India?” The organization I am working for has offices in India.<br>
2. Do I need any extra evidence to prove that I am telecommuting, therefore not within commuting distance from my office?<br>
3. I am married. Would you suggest going alone to India for Visa stamping and in case of rejection comeback on H-4 or will it be good to go as a family. My husband is also on H-1B
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification has posted new and updated Labor Condition Application (LCA/ ETA Form 9035/9035E) Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the H-1B, H-1B1 and E-3 programs.
For the new FAQs click here.
On April 9, 2015, USCIS’ Administrative Appeal Office (AAO) issued a precedent decision, Matter of Simeio Solutions, LLC, which held that employers must file amended H-1B petitions when a new Labor Condition Application for Nonimmigrant Workers (LCA) is required due to a change in the H-1B worker’s worksite location. Specifically, the decision stated:
On April 1, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting H-1B petitions subject to the fiscal year (FY) 2017 cap. U.S. businesses use the H-1B program to employ foreign workers in occupations that require highly specialized knowledge in fields such as science, engineering and computer programming.
The congressionally mandated cap on H-1B visas for FY 2017 is 65,000. The first 20,000 H-1B petitions filed for individuals with a U.S. master’s degree or higher are exempt from the 65,000 cap.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reached the congressionally mandated H-1B cap for fiscal year (FY) 2017. USCIS has also received more than the limit of 20,000 H-1B petitions filed under the U.S. advanced degree exemption.
USCIS will use a computer-generated process, also known as the lottery, to randomly select the petitions needed to meet the caps of 65,000 visas for the general category and 20,000 for the advanced degree exemption.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on April 7, 2016, that it has received enough H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap of 65,000 visas for fiscal year (FY) 2017. USCIS has also received more than the limit of 20,000 H-1B petitions filed under the advanced degree exemption, also known as the master’s cap.
On May 12, 2016, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin premium processing for cap-subject H-1B petitions requesting premium processing, including petitions seeking an exemption for individuals with a U.S. master’s degree or higher.
Discussion topics:
EAD Renewals, prevailing wages for Illinois, H-1B transfer, F2A category Green Card, Rules changed on LCA,
Point system - how it will affect those who are already waiting for Green Card.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that starting Monday, June 26, the agency will resume premium processing for all H-1B petitions filed for medical doctors under the Conrad 30 Waiver program, as well as interested government agency waivers.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will resume premium processing for certain cap-exempt H-1B petitions effective immediately. The H-1B visa has an annual cap of 65,000 visas each fiscal year. Additionally, there is an annual “master’s cap” of 20,000 petitions filed for beneficiaries with a U.S. master’s degree or higher.
Premium processing will resume for petitions that may be exempt from the cap if the H-1B petitioner is:
* An institution of higher education;
* A nonprofit related to or affiliated with an institution of higher education; or
Please see the attached memorandum released by the USCIS on Dec 10,09.
CIS Ombudsman released a recommendation on "Temporary Acceptance of Filed Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) for Certain H-1B Filings."
Please check attachment for detailed information.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is announcing a 120-day period in which it will temporarily accept H-1B petitions filed without Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) that have been certified by the Department of Labor (DOL).
Stayed at HolidayInn rented a car , got the scottia bank deposit slip from a near by bank.
Morning 9:55 AM eached embassay, interview was at 10:00,Security checked my confirmation letter and asked me to go to cashier window , cahier window person was realy sweet and was joking all the
Having benefited a lot by reading all the posts here, just want to share my experience to benefit others.
I had an accident and am on disability while my green card adjustment of status application ( form I-485 ) has been pending for over 4 years. My I-140 had been approved about 5 years back but my case has been caught up in the visa backlogs at USCIS and Department of State. I wanted to know if there was any provision for help in the immigration laws, in case I am sent for long term disability or my employment is terminated before I receive my green card. I learnt that employment and disability are subjects to be discussed with a benefits or employment attorney. The only immigration benefits are via AC 21 or via a private bill. Also, that one should not loose the advance parole anytime while the AOS is pending. I want to thank Mr. Rajiv Khanna for his generosity with time and expert guidance. Over the phone I found him to have a very pleasant personality. he had me feel comfortable and didnt seem money minded at all.
I had a question regarding my PERM petition. Rajiv graciously offered me a courtesy call to answer my question. As I was working with Rajiv's team in the past couple of months, their response was excellent. Thanks to Rajiv and Heather for their assistance. I would definitely recommend Rajiv's firm for any immigration related work.
It has hardly been a couple of weeks we started working with Mr. Khanna & his closely knitted team. We already got the confidence that we are shielded with strong support and great care! What else does a client need! Thanks to the team!
Rajiv was really helpful. He patiently heard my issue and gave to the point resolutions. I strongly recommend him.
For success in any area, you need a team of good people around you. For spectacular results, you need a team of great people. This is true in all facets of life. Finding the right team is key. I think I was very lucky to come across Rajiv and his company, almost 10 years ago. Not only has Rajiv been phenomenal, I belive his team is his real core asset. And in working with immigration.com, I was lucky to have this team on my side. Over the years, I have utilized their services for many projects for myself as well as many others in my company. H1's and Green Cards primarily. What has been key is: 1) Accessibility - it's very easy to approach Rajiv or any one else on his team. Rajiv has even hosted free conf calls for clients on weekends when the situation has necessitated it. And has been easily available for personal conf calls at short notice. 2) Knowledge - the breadth of knowledge that he and his team have in their expertise areas is amazing. They know the answers or know where to get them quickly. I see Rajiv as someone who is well networked and is a subject matter expert appearing on prominent news channels to help educate lawmakers and community. 3) Candor - I see Rajiv as a very straightforward and factual person who will provide all options and best advice / recommended course of action. 4) Focus on customer service - the focus is always on customer service. I (and all the people I referred to Rajiv) never had to face a problem with customer service issues - we always had quick responses to our questions. Rajiv's team understands that they help clients with decisions that impact their life and companies with decisions that can help their bottomline. A lot of times these are time sensitive. I have seen the team putting in extra long hours and working through weeknds when it was critical - especially in 2007 when all priority dates became current and many many clients had to file completed applications in a matter of days and weeks. 5) People - the biggest asset - and I can say that the core of his team has been there for atleast, almost a decade. Heather, Leslie, Anna, Judi- they all have been exceptional in their interactions and follow through. It is truly a pleasure to know them :) Thank you, Mudit
This is a question about after the return to normalcy from the pandemic. From an immigration perspective, are L-1B visa holders allowed to work remotely/work from home from within the U.S.? Does it matter whether the employee's house (where she will work from) is near the designated company office location or not?
And lastly, would you expect difficulty with getting the L-1B visa in the first place if the intention is to work remotely/from home (but within the U.S.)?
L-1B holders, unlike H-1B employees, are not geographically tied down. You can work from anywhere. Further, if you work and report in-house and not to a client, you should even be able to change locations without any amendments to your L-1B petition. Only L-1B visa holders who work at third-party sites are subject to certain limitations; the most important one is that you continue to be an "employee" under the company's control that petitioned for you. I can see no reason why the location should interfere with a visa at the consulate.
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 is the buzz going around in techie town. If you have already heard it then pl. ignore if not this is interesting.
A techie based of Jersey goes to India to visit his family recently. Techie is assumed have lived in the US for quite some time. He is currently working on his work permit as an alien worker. Techie also has a temporary un-approved/un-guaranteed green card called the EAD.
While re entering an immi-officer that if they can call his manager. Techie then hands all the contact information. Officer gives him a call and asks if they really need a H1B worker for his position. Officer also ensures if the H1B possesses exceptional skills. Manager replies back with a YES!
Officer then calls an office that could tell how many citizens posses the same skill and are unemployed. Officer is told numerous unemployed. Officer now decides to send the techie back. Techie then pleads that he has a house on mortage, a car out of a loan. He needs time to return. Officer then grants him a month on a visiting visa. Techie once again pleads and successfully bargains a 3 month on a visitor visa to return back.
If this is all what happened, then the govt. has acted illegally. There is no question in my mind about it.
Mr. Rajeev Khanna and his staff simply superb. I think he is best lawyer for people dont have remedy for any Immmigartion issue. I am really impressed and appreciated his expertise in Immigartion issue. I talked to him on the phone but feel like I am taking to him personally. He is so clear and spontaneous on any Immigration issue. Thanks lot....