Change of status

October 1, 2020 Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)

Immigration Law

Green Card

Substantial transcription for video

FAQs: Green card and other options for parents of US citizens || H-1B converting to H-4 and back to H-1B issues and options || H-1B and compelling circumstances EAD || How many years can I wait to file I-485 after priority date becomes current

OTHER: Two green cards processed simultaneously || Cap exempt H-1B || Impact of pay cut on H-1B and green card || Impact on priority of withdrawn I-140 || Travel to the USA during Covid-19 times || I-944 || School fee reimbursement from employer || Filing extension and change of status at the same time, etc.

Unstamped H-1B Quota Exemption

Question details

I had an H1B from my previous employer that was valid from Dec 2016-Dec2017. I never got the visa stamped and it has complete 6 years unused on it. The question I need your help with is if an employer files H1B for me, would it be eligible for Cap-Exempt processing or not?

FAQ Transcript





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H-1B portability without a visa stamp

Question details

I came to US on H-4, so I have only H-4 stamping in my passport. Got my H1b picked up in lottery two years back, and did COS to h1, and have approved i797A with I-94 and working with my current employer.

Got an offer from another company, and they filed my H1b transfer, and got the i-797A approval with I-94.

So my question here is, can I join the new company using the H1b transfer approval, even though I don’t have H1b stamp at all in my passport? Will this be a valid H1b transfer?, or should I go back to India to get my H1b stamping to join the new employer?

FAQ Transcript





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H-1B no notification of termination, 60 days grace period, etc.,

Question details

My employer ended my employment due to COVID reasons on May 31, 2020 but I never received an official termination letter. Calculating the grace period depending on the assumed termination date mentioned above, I have till July 30 to find a new job. Should my new employer give me an offer or start the H1B transfer application before July 30? What happens if they fail to do so in time? Can I extend the grace period on the basis of having an offer in hand or maybe because of the pandemic? My final interviews with potential employers are being withdrawn because of the time restriction.

Watch the Video on this FAQ:

H-1B no notification of termination, 60 days grace period, etc.

Video Transcript

File a complaint against the employer with the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor by filling up the form WH-4. You can also call them. 

FAQ Transcript





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Applying for tourist, visitors, B-1, B-2 to maintain status

Question details

Spoken to the current employer's attorney on Tourist visa , they replied its not a correct path moreover it takes much proofs to tell USCIS i was on H1b working for employer and then changing to visitors and then after certain period of time when i find a project, changing it back (i.e applying) to h1 makes this case more complex.

FAQ Transcript





Note: 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.

Effect of H-1B Approval on H-4 EAD

Question details

My wife currently working on H4 EAD which is valid till October 2020. Her company filed for H1B this year and she got approval for 3 years starting 10/01/2019.
However, She would like to stay on H4 EAD. Does law permits her to work on H4EAD even after her H1B approved? or naturally her work visa status will convert to H1B effecting 10/01/2019?

FAQ Transcript





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When does one become H-1B cap exempt - change of status/visa stamp?

Question details

At present I am working in OPT ( expires in June 2020). I have an unused stamped H1B visa which I got in August’ 2013 and my visa stamped in my passport on August,2014. However I never traveled/ worked with this H1B visa and expired in October’2016 without using or entry. I came to USA in January’2016 in F1 Visa. My question is can I use this unused stamped visa for cap exempt as transfer of employer from F1 visa to H1B visa now? or do I need to apply in Master’s cap next year.

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

In your case if we counted from six years from August 2013 when your H-1B was approved, you are then okay or cap exempt till August 2019. But again, the policy has been that they count the six years from the date your H-1B expired which is 2014 not 2013. Policies can change overnight so I think you can apply for an H-1B exemption as an H-1B exempt worker.

 

H-1B Joining Another Employer while a Transfer, Extension or Amendment is Pending

Question details

Situation:
Resigned company A already and Got offer from employer B and applied H1B transfer(premium processing) but received RFE. But I have another offer from Employer C as well who is yet to file my h1b transfer
Question:<br>
1. If RFE is denied for employer B Can i join employer C with the receipt notice as Employer C has started H1B transfer by that time ?<br>
2. How long one can stay in US without job/payroll having H1B ?

FAQ Transcript





Note: 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.

Impact on Current H-1B if Another H-1B is Denied

Question details

I am already on a cap-exempt H-1B working for a non-profit full time. Another employer filed my H-1B petition on the cap-subject quota on april 2018 and got an RFE april 2019 and was denied with a reason for maintaining of status. They asked my paystubs from my current employer. My questions are:
1. will there be any impact to my current H-1B?
2. If they only ask for paystubs, can I submit them and initiate motion to reopen the case? what are the possibilities of success.

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

FAQ Transcript

1. No, not if you are maintaining status. 

2. If the case was denied just for maintenance of status and you have the pay stubs that are required then there is a very high likelihood the case will be reopened. If the petition is denied, then you are still subject to the H-1B quota. More...

Note: 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.

Travel While Change of Status Request is Pending - H-1B Related

Question details

I was planning on going to India for vacation (after I graduate, before I start work) and I had some questions about whether that would be alright from an immigration stand point. My lawyers are filing my H1B visa application this April; would there be any potential issues with the application if I was to leave the US in May/June?

There are multiple issues involved in traveling.

First, if someone travels while a change of status request is pending, they will have to obtain a visa stamping or reapply for an H-1B for change of status to activate the H-1B on or after October 1.

Second, getting visa stamping is by itself a highly uncertain process that could take from days to months. The consulates reopen and dissect the entire H-1B case from the ground up and try to find any reason they can to deny the case.

FAQ Transcript





Note: 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.