General Nonimmigrant Visa

Do I need to have my SSN number before I start working?

Question details

I have a query about the employment status of the H1B resource coming from India. Once the resource reaches the US, from what day they can start working? I understand that once they reach the U.S. they need to apply for SSN first. So the question is can they start working in full employment capacity even before they get SSN?

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Excerpt from the SSA (Social Security Administration) website: 

"We don’t require you to have an SSN before you start work. However, the Internal Revenue Service requires employers to use your SSN to report your wages.

While you wait for your SSN, your employer can use a letter from us stating you applied for a number. Your immigration documents can prove your authorization to work in the United States".

Find more information online at www.ssa.gov/employer/hiring.htm

Recording for January 05, 2023 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

Discussion Topics

FAQ: Effect of typos on immigration documents || Concerns about EB-1C Green Card Portability || Who is required to pay for an EB-1C Green Card? || Can too many parking tickets affect Green Card or Citizenship process? ||

Gap in status, for instance, H-1B and H-4 status issues

Question details

I was on F1, and my spouse was on F2. My H1B was approved in 2020 for client A, but COS from F1 to H1B was denied, so I just continued my F1 status. Later, I moved to client B, and my employer filed an H1B Amendment and got the complete approval with I-94, effective 29th April 2022. After approval, we filed I539 for my spouse's COS from F2 to H4 (still pending) with a receipt date of 17th May 2022.

Question: Since there is a gap between my H1B start date (04/29) and my H4 receipt date (05/17), may the USCIS deny our case? If so, what are our best options to proceed further?

 

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

Technically Yes, this can be an issue.

H-1B was approved with a new I-94 but the date of onboarding was extended by the employer

Question details

I was on H-4, and it was valid till Jan 2023. I got my h1b approved via the Change of Status application and it came along with a new I-94 date. My employer is saying that they need some time to onboard me. They are working on finding a suitable project for me and it is going to take some time. Is it ok to defer the joining date and should my employer or I file any application to let USCIS know that I am not starting the job right away?

 

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FAQ Transcript

That is  not your problem, they should be really paying you. It is illegal. They cannot keep the employee out of a payroll. Employers cannot stop paying you  merely because they don't have a project.

 

Laid off on H-1B or L-1A; 60 days grace period, maintaining status, switching to and back from I-485 EAD; Priority date becomes current but there is no job in hand

Question details

Given the current situation with tech layoffs, I wanted to understand the options available for people in my situation.

I’m currently working in the US on H-1B and my GC application (I-485) with PD July 2014 and 485 is in “Case remains pending”.

I have 485 EAD approved till 2024 and Advanced Parole is still pending.

  1. Since we only have 60 days on H-1B to find a new job. How easy is it to switch to EAD? Is there a procedure to follow to switch to EAD?
  2. Once someone switches to EAD. Can they again switch back to working on H1 after finding a job?
  3. Now if someone switches to EAD and their date becomes current before they can find a job. What are their options?

Now if someone switches to EAD and their date becomes current before they can find a job. What are their options?

Also, do we have any info on what the status “Case Remains Pending” means?

 

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

1. Switching to EAD is very easy. There is no formal process for it. All you have to do is when you want to convert from H-1B or if you have been laid off present your EAD as documentation of your authorization to work.

2. Travel back into the United States with an H-1B visa and that of course comes after you get an approval from the USCIS.

3. In a case like this you should get your approval. Make sure you get the next job in the same or similar field. Keep some documentation that shows they are in the same or similar field.

 

Options for Nonimmigrant Workers Following Termination of Employment

Release Date 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is providing information for nonimmigrant workers whose employment has terminated, either voluntarily or involuntarily. These workers may have several options for remaining in the United States in a period of authorized stay based on existing rules and regulations.

Parents tourist/visitor status I-94 expires while I-485 is still pending: Overstay issues; impact of leaving USA

Question details

I  had filed for my parent's green card in July' 2022. It is concurrent filing.

The I-130 filed by me shows processing times of 4 weeks and 6 months for my dad & mom respectively.   

The Advance Parole shows processing time of 11.5 months and I-485 (Minneapolis-St. Paul field office) is almost 2 years.

Their I-94 is expiring on the 30th Nov. What is the process to withdraw the application so that they can return back to India legally before 30th Nov?

Also wanted to know:

Will I need to withdraw the I-130 petitions that I had filed for them ?

Will this impact their existing B-2 (visitor) visa? Will it still be valid?

 

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FAQ Transcript

1. There is no need to withdraw the application, but if you want to withdraw you will have to send a letter. Even if they leave without getting an advance parole the I-485 is deemed to be abandoned but the I-130 can still go on. You will have to call USCIS to open a customer service request and convert the I-130 to consular processing. Even though the I-485 is abandoned the I-130 is put in the consular processing queue.

2. If they leave before November 30th their visitor visa should not be affected.

OPT eligibility requirements, F-1 status for one academic year, and Change of Status or visa stamping from back to H-4

Question details

My spouse is a dentist from India and converted to F-1 from H-4 on Sep 29, 2022. She pursued a few courses for MBA (non-stem) between March 2022 and Jun 2022. Now she is completing the remaining courses of her MBA on F-1 for the next 12 months.

My queries are-

1. Does she need to be on F-1 status for a min 365 days to be eligible for OPT?

2. If we ever need to change to H-4 status again (stamped till Aug 2024), can she travel to India and come back without F-1 stamping? or a COS application from F-1 to H-4 ( that may take 6 months) could be a better option for EAD application.

 

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FAQ Transcript

1. The 365 days requirement is not required.  What you need is one academic year or two if there is a need to change to H-4. 

2. If she has an H-4 stamping already there is no need to go to India. All she has to do is drive to Canada or Mexico and return showing her H-4 visa stamping.

Note: To be eligible to apply for OPT, you must:

  1. Have been in full-time student status for at least one academic year by the requested OPT start date,
  2. Be maintaining F-1 status at the time of applying for OPT, and 
  3. Have not used OPT at the same degree level previously.