J Visa
We have won several cases on extreme and exceptional hardship grounds in addition to the more routine J-1 waivers. We have also processed several J-1 changes of MUA location matters for physicians.
We have won several cases on extreme and exceptional hardship grounds in addition to the more routine J-1 waivers. We have also processed several J-1 changes of MUA location matters for physicians.
WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched an enhanced Study in the States website Monday with four new features. The features enable the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), housed within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), to convey pertinent information to stakeholders about the international student process in a clear and interactive manner.
The new features include:
USCIS does not believe that a J-2 dependent of a J-1 foreign medical graduate can change to H-1B status, or any other employment-authorized nonimmigrant classification (with the exception of T or U status) until the principal Conrad State 30 waiver recipient has fulfilled his or her three-year employment obligations in a medically underserved area.However, USCIS is open to reviewing current regulations and considereing whether steps should be taken to enable such J-2 dependents to engage in employment while in H-4 status.
I am a physician completing my J-1 waiver ( on H-1B now in US, waiver will finish by June 2015). My wife became a U.S. citizen few months ago and she has filed I-130 for me. If I-130 is approved, do I have to wait till June 2015 to apply for adjustment of status or can I apply sooner ? If I have to wait till June to apply for I-485, will I be able to get EAD right away or will I need to be on H-1 for a while I-485 is accepted ?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YV-qIlAEpI#t=1320
FAQ Transcript
Discussed: FAQ Dual intent visas and filing green Card in multiple categories simultaneously, CSPA, Denial of F-1 student visa, FAQ: H-1 Receiving payments for past work/bonus (1099), change of location H-1B amendment, AC21 green card portability, naturalization, J-1 waiver, H-4 EAD: travel, fingerprinting, reentry permit
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Can a J-2 dependent (Canadian citizen) change to other working visa or have to change to H-4 when J-1 gets waiver and moves to H-1. Basically any hope for a spouse on J-2 to get work authorization (TN/H-1/investor visa) before the 3 year waiver is complete?
Yes, the J-2 can, UNLESS the J-1 holder is a physician serving the three years for J-1 waiver.
I was in US from 2003 on F-1. I finished my Ph.D. here and changed to J-1 Status. I want to travel during 2012 summer, but need to go for J-1 Stamping. Do you think it will be a problem? Is there a chance that I might be stopped because of 214(b)?
Immigrant intent is definitely a consideration for issuance of J visas. As to whether or not you may have a problem is impossible to predict. If you can have a safety net of an H-1 (if needed), you would be better off.
IMMIGRATION INNOVATION (I2) ACT OF 2013
ORRIN HATCH (R-UTAH), AMY KLOBUCHAR (D-MINN.), MARCO RUBIO (R-FLA.), CHRIS COONS (D-DEL.)
Employment-Based Nonimmigrant H-1B Visas
1. Increase H-1B cap from 65,000 to 115,000
2. Establish a market-based H-1B escalator, so that the cap can adjust – up or down – to the demands of the economy (includes a 300,000 ceiling on the ability of the escalator to move)
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 20 (Wednesday, January 30, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6263-6269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-01555]
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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
22 CFR Part 62
[Public Notice 8163]
RIN 1400-AD28
Exchange Visitor Program--Fees and Charges
AGENCY: U.S. Department of State.
ACTION: Proposed rule with request for comment.
The period of time when an F-1 student’s status and work authorization expire through the start date of their approved H-1B employment period is known as the "Cap-Gap".
Rajiv, Anna and the team was great with their help regarding my H1B transfer, particularly with their thouroughness in responding to an RFE.
Thank you all again!
-Sonali.
I am currently on my Post-completion OPT. I was recently hired as an IT by a company which agreed to sponsor my H-1B. My OPT expires on January 2013. I've done my Associate Degree in Computer Science. Also, I have BS in Computer Science but from foreign country. Seven year experience in IT.I had my BS evaluated recently. It is equivalent to US Bachelors Degree in Computer Science Computer Technology.
Q1: I will have a gap of 3 months before April 1. How to maintain my status?
Q2: I am under STEM not with my US AAS but with my foreign BS degree. Can I extend my OPT with my evaluated diploma?
A1. You can consider going back to school or B-1/B-2 status. There is information on our blog on B-1/B-2 to maintain status.
Please check the attached memo.
1. How do I apply for F-1 OPT?
2. How do I get a 17-month STEM extension of my post-completion OPT?
1. Once you receive a recommendation for post-completion OPT from your Designated School Official (DSO) to pursue OPT, you must apply for an employment authorization document (EAD) with USCIS within 30 days. Additionally, you may file up to 90 days prior to your program end-date and not later than 60 days after your program end date.
I got a J-2 visa and my wife on J-1 recently in which we have never travelled to US yet. Now my employer is ready to apply a L-1B for me and my wife L-2. Is this possible? Or will I be subjected to 2 years home stay restriction which is applicable for J visa without travelling on J. Will it be a problem in US consulate when I appear for L-1 visa as me and my wife have J-2 and J-1?
If I remember correctly, 212(e), the HRR, does not apply till you actually use the visa.
I have an H-1B Approval Notice that is valid until next year.I have been working with my present employer for two years, but have found a position with a different company. Can my H-1B approval be transferred to this new company?
It is possible to apply for an H-1 transfer with USCIS, provided the H-1 holder is maintaining legal status and fulfills all the requirements.
I am very much thankful to Rajiv and his team including Anna and Joy. Few month back, I returned using advance parole and due to this my L1-H1 transfer was almost got denied but due to Rajiv's special effort that got approved.
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.
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.
For latest updates, watch this video with Rajiv from Dec 28, 2021.
Discussion Topics: FAQ: L-1B or TN visa for intracompany transfer - advantages and disadvantages || STEM-designated MBA - is it easier to get an H-1B visa?|| Parent's EB-2 approved, EB-3 downgrade pending, - will aging-out child's EAD interfere if EB-2 advances, and the best way to maintain the status of a child turning 21|| Do we have to refile PERM or I-140 0r I-485 due to corporate restructuring/successor-in-interest
FAQ: Consular processing employment-based green card with a job offer from a different employer
Students in the following fields will be able to obtain STEM OPT extensions for 24 months:
Release Date
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today issued policy guidance clarifying how it evaluates evidence to determine eligibility for O-1A nonimmigrants of extraordinary ability, with a focus on petitions filed for individuals in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) fields, as well as how USCIS determines whether an O-1 beneficiary’s prospective work is within their area of extraordinary ability or achievement.
I was referred to Mr Khanna by a friend. I wanted some information on the J-1 visa waiver process. Mr Khanna was extremely gracious to reply to my email over the weekend and instantly asked his secretary to schedule an information call. It was a pleasure to speak with Mr Khanna. His depth of knowledge on the subject was very impressive. He was very patient in answering all my queries to my satisfaction. I am extremely grateful to Mr Khanna for providing me the legal guidance that I needed and putting my mind at ease. I will refer Mr Khanna to anyone who seeks a highly experienced and compassionate Immigration Attorney who actually cares for his clients.