H-1B Visa

H-1B visa is reserved for "specialty occupations." Those that require a at least a bachelor's degree in a specific subject or closely related subjects.

Rule to recapture H-1B unused time (Remainder Option); What if I change professions?

Question details

I did my Masters in chemical engineering in the US and then worked for an environmental firm in NYC, where my H1B was sponsored. I got my H1B in 2019 (Oct 2019 start date), and then I moved to India in Dec 2020, and it’s been almost 2 yrs here in India.

I have approx. 4.5 yrs remaining on my H1B. My questions are below:

1. Am I eligible to use the H1B remainder option for a different employer under a different field under cap exemption? I want to know if I can work in the business domain and not in the chemical field using the H1B remainder option.

2. Say I find an employer in the US in the business domain who is willing to sponsor me directly? Do I need to apply for a new H1B and go through the April lottery? What are the consequences?

3. Lastly, if I plan to do an MBA, which would be my second master's in the US, is it possible to use the H1B remainder option from my first master's and work in the business domain?

 

Video URL
FAQ Transcript
  1. Yes, you can.
  1. If you want to work in a different domain that does not stop you from using the remainder option and I see no problem there.
  1. H-1B does not prohibit you from going to school. You could work and go to school at the same time.

Rule to recapture H-1B unused time (Remainder Option); What if I change professions?

Question details

I did my Masters in chemical engineering in the US and then worked for an environmental firm in NYC, where my H1B was sponsored. I got my H1B in 2019 (Oct 2019 start date), and then I moved to India in Dec 2020, and it’s been almost 2 yrs here in India.

I have approx. 4.5 yrs remaining on my H1B. My questions are below:

1. Am I eligible to use the H1B remainder option for a different employer under a different field under cap exemption? I want to know if I can work in the business domain and not in the chemical field using the H1B remainder option.

2. Say I find an employer in the US in the business domain who is willing to sponsor me directly? Do I need to apply for a new H1B and go through the April lottery? What are the consequences?

3. Lastly, if I plan to do an MBA, which would be my second master's in the US, is it possible to use the H1B remainder option from my first master's and work in the business domain?

 

Video URL
FAQ Transcript
  1. Yes, you can.
  1. If you want to work in a different domain that does not stop you from using the remainder option and I see no problem there.
  1. H-1B does not prohibit you from going to school. You could work and go to school at the same time.

Can an H-1B visa holder rent via Airbnb? Is this a violation of status?

Question details

My status changed from F-1 to H-1B status this year on Oct 01, 2022. Since I am now on an H-1B visa, I am planning to buy a house soon, before the end of this year, and my plan is also to rent out other rooms and maybe Airbnb in the future. I researched this is considered passive income and is legal but:

1. I was wondering if I can do the same by opening an LLC. Will this still be considered passive income?

2. Another question, since my status changed from F-1 to H-1 this year, for 2022 taxes, should I still fill out the 1040 NR form or not?

 

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FAQ Transcript

I really cannot tell you that there is a clear guidance from the USCIS on this issue. I would avoid this unless you are the adventurous kind. Just remember one thing: the fact that you were engaged in unauthorized or questionable employment or income generation is less damaging to you than lying about it.

 

PERM issues for a green card for remote jobs - headquarters

Question details

I am currently on an H-1B visa and working remotely. My h1b petition has two addresses, home (VA) and office (PA). The office headquarters is in NJ.

My employer filled PWD in Mar2022 which got approved in Oct 2022. When I reached out to them for the next step, they mentioned that there were some issues with the previously filled PWD, so they had to refiled my PWD in Jul2022.

Based on my discussion, I came to know that they did not mention the main headquarters address, which is in NJ, and put the address of the PA office, which is in my h1b petition. They said because I am a remote employee, they are supposed to put the address of the headquarters.

Q1: Are we supposed to put the headquarters address when we file GC for a remote job?

Q2: Are we supposed to put the headquarters address when we file h1b for the remote job? Or is any office ok?

 

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FAQ Transcript

In my view if this job is remote it should be advertised nationally and you should put either the corporate headquarters or the principal place of business. You should not put an office where you are not going to work as this could be problematic. Make sure you have a conversation with your lawyers. 

 

What happens to H-1B after Green Card approval?

Question details

My last H-1B was recently revoked four months after receiving a Green Card and the company attorney says automatic revocation is a standard practice by USCIS not always followed. But most people I know did not have their H-1B revoked after Green card approval so I am a bit concerned why this happened to my case only.

 

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

There is absolutely no need to be concerned. This is by operation of law. But, just to keep matters orderly it is a good policy to send in a revocation notice and that should not be of any concern to you.

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

What happens if I get laid off while holding a work visa (H-1B, L-1, etc.)?

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Immigration Law

Volunteer work on an H-1B visa

Question details

I'm on H-1B, can I work for a startup on a volunteering basis for a technical engineer role? The work is done remotely and the owner of the startup is based in Russia.

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

I do not see why not. Let the company look into the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and under the Fair Labor Standards Act there are restrictions on free work being taken by for-profit companies. Non profit companies are a different matter. For-profit companies could have a violation of labor laws if they take free work. That of course is not your problem, that is the company's problem.
 

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

Can an H-1B holder open an LLC in the US and employ their spouse on H-4 EAD?

Question details

Can an H-1 VISA (Resident tax alien without a green card) Holder set up an LLC in the USA? If yes, can his spouse on H-4 VISA with EAD work in that LLC?

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

The problem with H-1Bs is that you cannot be working for any other company including your own. The  smart thing would be to let your wife start her own business. She can manage, run and own the business. You could be a passive owner without any active participation. 
 

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.