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.

H-1B petition after F-1 rejection

Question details

Hello, this is for my niece, a 28 years Engineering graduate from India, with 4 years of IT development work experience. She got her name in H1b lottery through a small consultancy firm and the consultancy firm is asking us to pay H1b fee to proceed further. But in her case, she have had a F1 student visa denial about 3 years ago and so we are debating if she stands a chance to get H1b or is it more likely to get denied again since she is coming through a smaller consultancy firm. Any advice will be highly appreciated.

The H-1B fees and expenses must be paid by the employer. It is illegal for them to demand any fees from a potential employee.

FAQ Transcript

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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.

"Same or similar job" criteria for green card AC21 portability

Question details

1) I-485 Filed under EB 3 Downgrade - More than one year back and pending
2)Independent I140 Approved both in EB2 and EB3 (Not as Amendment)
3) Currently working on H1B Work Authorization
4) I-485 EAD and AP Available but never used (EB3 Category)

Questions: -
1) If you change your job but by transferring your H1B (Change of Employer) and NOT use EAD, would the AC21 still apply (Same or Similar Job constraint) if you want to keep the I-485 alive?2) You said the last call that for Same of Similar Determination - USCIS Looks at all aspects:
a) Do the Job Duties and Actual Job Title need to be a dollar-to-dollar match?
b) Job Location Changes (One City/State to Another) and Job Mode Changes (From Onsite to Hybrid or Fully Remote) - Allowed?
c) Compensation Differentials - Positive or Negative - Any specific considerations/grey areas
 

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

1. Absolutely fine. There is no law that states that in order to enjoy job portability you must necessarily use your EAD. In fact, in ninety nine percent of the cases I would advise you to transfer on H-1B simply because if there is a problem with your I-485 we are on solid footing to fight it out, otherwise you would be out of status and unlawfully present if your I-485 is denied. Hence definitely keep your H-1B active.
 
2. That depends. It doesn't have to be a one-on-one match job location. You can move from one state to another as this is a part of AC21 compensation. The only time you will have a problem is if the compensation is unexplained and it's a huge jump. Always ask an attorney who understands your situation to review your file. 
 

 

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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.

May 5, 2022, Rajiv in QnA with Yudi on behalf of students and young professionals

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Protecting immigration status: Traveling with advance parole, divorce proceedings, and an entrepreneur on an H-1B visa

Question details

1. I-140 didn't get approved but received a GC-EAD card approved for 2-years along with advance parole. Is it fine to travel to India for 2 months or for how long staying from the US is valid while on EAD?
2. I didn't need to worry about having a valid visa while returning to the USA, just advance parole will suffice for return?
3. Prior to getting GC-EAD I was on H4-EAD, due to family issues I may seek a divorce. Now that I have GC-EAD will divorce affect my current status or upcoming Green Card? or should I wait until the Green card is through?
4. I have been an Owner of an Inc company while on H-1 and H-4 and H-4 EAD, but I haven't taken any profits or pay-stubs, except for signing on Company Tax returns. Does this situation restrict me from getting a Green Card? or since I have already received GC-EAD under the EB3 category, should I stay positive that I will receive GC in the near future?
 

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

1. Sure. EAD allows you to work, but advanced parole allows you to come back.
2. The law is if you return to the same job that you were doing on H-1B even though you used your advance parole you are still considered to be on H-1B.
3.  I am assuming that the green card was filed by you and not your wife so the divorce has no effect on you.
4. I do not see any obvious violation of the law. I am just suspicious of that time you were on H-4/H-1 and had your own company. The only time you are completely free is when you were on H-4 EAD.

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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 two employers file H-1B for the same employee using an existing I-140?

Question details

I am an Indian national living in India now, working on H-1B from 2006-2011 for a small consulting company based in NY, US,. They have filed my EB2, I-140 and it got approved in 2009. I returned to India due to my personal situation in 2011. So I moved my case to Consular Processing in 2012. I got my date current during the last year 2021 and the Mumbai Embassy scheduled consular processing Interview was scheduled for last month. As soon as I received the interview call I found my sponsoring company in the US has their business. Hence, I have skipped my interview to avoid GC denial and retain the priority date.
 

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FAQ Transcript

1. They can both apply.
2. The answer is no you have to go through PERM I-140 again and you will keep the priority date from the old case.
 

 

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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.

STEM OPT employment parameters, volunteering, part ownership, etc.

Question details

1. Currently, I am on STEM OPT, working with my DSO-approved employer. My uncle wants to start a company and asked me for my help. So, an I help him without being an employee of his company?
2. Is active professional volunteering to a family member's company a violation of the F-1 STEM OPT status? I hold a Professional Engineer's license. If I let him use my license for his company, will that be ok under my current immigration status?
3. Can I be a partner in the company and an employee of the company if my uncle hires me as an employee?
 

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

1.The volunteering issue is a complicated one. When you are volunteering for charitable affairs or religious matters, I don't think there is any problem. The moment it starts getting into the realm of commercial volunteering it could potentially become an issue. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) private companies cannot take free work. 

2. I personally think it is not a violation of your status.  As for using your license for his company that could become problematic because the implication is that you are working for that company now. Remember under STEM OPT you can work for multiple companies, but you have to get approval from school for that.

3.The answer is Yes.  Under OPT as well as under H-1B. As long as you have a genuine employer, employee relationship.
 

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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.

The Economic Times NRI Helpdesk: Can I extend my US visitor visa before it expires? And other FAQ's answered by Rajiv S. Khanna

Question: I have a visitor visa for the USA for multiple visits up to June-2023. Can I apply for an extension of the visa before the expiry date? Also, advise procedure for extensions and where I can get the application form, so I can keep all details ready.

Answer: I am not aware if there is a procedure to apply for a visitor visa extension before expiration. You can send an email to the consulate to confirm. There is, however, a restriction under the consular standard operating procedures on holding concurrently valid visas of the same type.