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Recording for March 14, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

1 year ago By Chief Editor

Immigration.com

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

FAQs: AC21 Supplement J and Salary Increase: Potential Issues with Job Porting and leaving the employer after green card || EB-3 PERM Green Card Application: Implications of Applying for a Future Promoted Role || EB-3 PERM Green Card Application: Implications of Applying for a Future Promoted Role || Staying in and Working from Home Country with Long-Pending I-485

REMINDER: H-1B Initial Registration Period Closes March 22, 2024

1 year ago By Chief Editor

The initial registration period for the FY 2025 H-1B cap closes at noon Eastern on March 22, 2024. During this period, prospective petitioners and legal representatives must use a USCIS online account to register each beneficiary electronically for the selection process and pay the associated registration fee for each beneficiary. Online account users will also be able to collaborate on registrations and petitions with enhanced organizational account features in their online accounts.

USCIS Extends Initial Registration Period for FY 2025 H-1B Cap

1 year ago By Chief Editor

Release Date 

03/21/2024

USCIS has extended the initial registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 H-1B cap. The initial registration period, which opened at noon Eastern on March 6, 2024, and was originally scheduled to run through noon Eastern on March 22, 2024, will now run through noon Eastern on March 25, 2024. USCIS is aware of a temporary system outage experienced by some registrants, and is extending the registration period to provide additional time due to this issue.

SCOPS Update – 07-13-2011

14 years ago By Chief Editor

 

Filing location for concurrently-filed I-140/I-485 petitions 

Unless there is an accompanying I-907 all I-140/485 concurrent filings must be filed at the lockbox addresses. Depending on the jurisdiction the filing must be sent directly to TSC or NSC.

 

Employers who are cap-exempt under INA § 214(g)(5)(A) or (g)(5)(B) filing H-1B petitions 

Recording for March 28, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

1 year ago By Chief Editor

Immigration.com

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

Discussion Topics:

FAQs: Staying outside the US on Re-Entry Permit Validity, Usage, and Multiple Entries for Green Card Holders || Unemployment Benefits for H-4 + EAD Holders with Previous H-1B employment 

NSC Updates – 07/20/2011

14 years ago By Chief Editor

Correcting a mistake on the Form I-140

NSC would allow for a change of the I-140 classification to correct a clerical error as long as NSC is notified of the requested change to the box selected on the I-140. This has to be done before the case is adjudicated. However, NSC will not allow a change in the classification in response to an RFE but the issue will be considered.

 

EB3 skilled worker  

Impact of DWI conviction on H-1B holder's H-4 dependent visa stamping and future travel considerations

1 year ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I got a DWI in January 2024 and was convicted of two misdemeanors (DWI+ Eluding police) in June 2024. I have an H1B petition valid until 2027, and my visa stamping has already expired in March 2024. I'm not traveling to India for now, but my wife and kid are going to India in December. Will there be an impact on H4 stamping, which will be dependent on my H1B petition? Do I have to send all papers to them, like the court decree, the court certificate of registration of actions, the charge sheet, etc.? I have a home in the USA, which I bought in November 2022. Can I also travel to India? What will be my future in the USA? Please advise if there will be an impact on visa stamping on my wife's visa.

 

FAQ Transcript

A DWI conviction can lead to visa cancellation, requiring visa stamping upon re-entry. However, this may trigger an addiction examination, which can take months. If deemed to have an addiction problem, you could be excluded from entering the U.S. If a spouse's visa has expired while waiting for the primary applicant's visa stamping, it's unclear if they can still obtain their visa stamp.

 

USCIS Updates Guidance for F/M Nonimmigrant Student Classification

1 year ago By Chief Editor

Release Date 

08/27/2024

USICS is updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding when students may be eligible for optional practical training (OPT) extensions for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. This guidance, found in Volume 2, Part F, of the Policy Manual, also provides clarifying guidance for F/M nonimmigrant students concerning online study, school transfers, the grace period, and study abroad.

The Policy Manual update:

Recording for August 22, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

1 year ago By Chief Editor

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

FAQs: EB-1A Use Case -- STEM OPT cloud solutions engineer at a nonprofit university || Layoff on H-1B, Changing status from B-1/B-2 pending to F-1 || Impact of layoff on green card status and future naturalization || H-1B laid off: Second B-1/B-2 visa extension



H-1B extension pending: Impact of traveling to India using old visa, returning with 2-3 days remaining on visa, etc.

1 year ago By Chief Editor
Question details

My current I-797 and H-1B visa stamping is valid until 03rd December 2024. I have filed for an extension. Can I travel to India while my H-1B extension is pending? Does it have any impact on my I-797 approval and its validity period, as my I-94 will be changed upon my reentry to the USA?

I am traveling to India for Medical reasons in the month of September and will return on December 1st, 2024. If my H-1B is not approved by December 1st, Can I enter the USA with 2-3 days of Visa stamp validity, and what justification could I give with only 2-3 days of stamping validity?

If my H-1B is approved while I am out of the country or during transit, Can I enter the USA with the existing H-1B stamping?

My work is remote, and I can work from anywhere. Can you provide me with a better solution than the 2 options below?

1. If my visa is not approved by then, I will travel to India and return to the USA before December 1st.

2. I will continue to stay in India until I get my visa approved and get the stamping done before reentry to the USA. Premium processing is no option for me as my employer will not support citing RFEs as the reason.

 

FAQ Transcript

If you have an H-1B visa from a previous employer that hasn't expired and your current employer has filed for an extension, you can travel outside the U.S. while the extension is pending. You can return with just a few days left on your old visa stamp. The visa is not tied to a specific employer, so as long as your old visa is valid, you should be able to re-enter the U.S.



However, it's important to carry proof of your pending extension when you return. While there is no official source confirming this, many individuals have successfully traveled under similar circumstances without issues.

 

H-1B options as an F-1 student on STEM OPT in a nonprofit university: Cap-subject vs. cap-exempt strategies and transitioning to cap-subject H-1B in the future

1 year ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I am currently in my second year of OPT ( my stem OPT expires in December 2025), and I am working as a software engineer at a Nonprofit university.

Here is my plan for scenarios that might happen, and I need your help to tell me if I am on the right path or completely moving in the wrong direction.

My employer agreed to file an H1 at the end of the stem opt, but I plan to ask my employer (a non-profit) to file a cap-subject visa for me. Everything will be fine if they do and it gets picked. If not, I have a long-standing offer ( with a project ) from a consulting firm who will file for me.

- My question is, either way if lottery doesn't get picked i am planning to go with cap exempt route from my university.

- If I have an H-1B cap-exempt visa and my lottery gets picked any time in the future, the chances of the client waiting till Oct 1(visa start date) can be unpredictable. Is there a way to bypass this by moving to day one CPT or any other visa and starting working immediately with the client? I heard that it is practically impossible to move to cap subject if i have cap exempt visa and my priority is cap subject.

 

FAQ Transcript

If an H-1B cap petition is approved, you could consider moving to Day 1 CPT to start working immediately for a client. However, since your H-1B won't take effect until October 1st, a better option might be to pursue a concurrent H-1B until then, allowing you to work immediately and transition to your permanent H-1B status later.

Recording for September 05, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

1 year ago By Chief Editor

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

Topics for Discussion:

Can I use my USCIS case status approval page to extend my H1B visa beyond six years, or are there other ways to obtain my I-140 approval document? || H4 transfer, H4 EAD renewal, automatic extension of EAD || J-1 waiver and H-1B, what are my visa options? || H-1B transfer and PERM based GC || F1 CPT and change of status to H-4 visa || Travel on H-1B Visa || EB-2 and I-140 approval || Eligible to apply for citizenship? || Parallel COS application timeline from H-1 to F2 Visa || H-1B transfer to new employer || H-4 and EAD, automatic EAD extension

Recording for September 26, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

1 year ago By Chief Editor

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

Topics Discussed:
FAQs: EB-2 NIW I-140 portability for employer-sponsored cases || Concerns regarding nonpayment of wages and potential H-1B impact || Maintaining LPR status (Green Card) during extended absences for employment || Rising NIW rejection rates: Examining changes in eligibility criteria

Concerns regarding nonpayment of wages and potential H-1B impact

1 year ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I arrived in the U.S. in the last week of May 2024, and despite innumerable requests, my employer has not run payroll for the weeks since my arrival. Could this pose any challenges for future H1B transfers, extensions, or I-140 processing? Is there a risk of scrutiny or denial due to this issue? If yes, could you guide how to mitigate this please?

FAQ Transcript

If your employer fails to pay you after starting your H-1B employment, it can pose challenges for future H-1B transfers. To address this:

  • File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division.
  • You can file online or by phone (search for "LCA complaint US Department of Labor").
  • This complaint serves as evidence explaining the lack of pay stubs during future H-1B transfers.
  • Employers must start paying when you're ready to work or within 30 days (if coming from outside the US) or 60 days (if already in the US), whichever is earlier.
  • Filing a complaint may help you recover unpaid wages and protect your ability to transfer your H-1B in the future.

Recording for October 24, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

1 year ago By Chief Editor

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

FAQs: GC approval before AC21 Supplement J could be filed || H-1B grace period eligibility after second layoff and B-1/B-2 visa options for job search



H-1B grace period eligibility after second layoff and B-1/B-2 visa options for job search

1 year ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I got laid off on H1B in my previous company but found and started a job in a new company within a 60-day grace period. Again, the current company has provided a notice period for layoff. Will I get a 60-day grace period again this time?

How easy it is to get a B1/B2 to find a job after a layoff.

 

FAQ Transcript

If you experience a layoff while on H-1B status, you receive a 60-day grace period. If you secure a new H-1B approval and face another layoff, you'll receive a fresh 60-day grace period. This applies to H-1B transfers and extensions. As for obtaining a B-1/B-2 visa for job searching after a layoff, while there's no official measure of difficulty, the approval rates appear to be consistently positive, with no reported denials.

Starting A US company on OPT | Latest Immigration Updates - H-1B | OPT | Green Card

1 year ago By Chief Editor

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

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