If I spend 12 months in F-1 student status, am I eligible for a fresh 6 years on H-1B?

The regulations require physical presence abroad for a period of 12 months before you can reapply for a fresh six years. Then again, the initial admission will only be for a period of 3 years with a maximum (including extensions) of 6 years.

I am planning on studying in the US after arriving on a B2. How hard/easy is the change of status?

There should be no problem with the change of status per se. But, where a person obtains a B-2 and/or enters on a B-2 claiming to be a tourist, and within 30 days of visa issuance or entry actively begins seeking employment or admission in a school, s/he may be presumed to have misrepresented his or her intention in seeking a visa or entry and his/her subsequent petition for change of status denied.

I am a Canadian Citizen. What are my nonimmigrant options?

You have several options:

1. A non immigrant visa to work in the US under NAFTA as a professional
2. A non-immigrant visa to work in the US in a specialty occupation as an H-1B professional. [Minimum is a bachelor's degree in the field of endeavor]
3. A non-immigrant student visa which will allow her to work 20 hrs a week and for one full year on practical training after she completes her education.
4. A non-immigrant visa as a L-1 intra company transferee [if her company in Canada has a branch in the U.S.]
5. A non-immigrant visa as a treaty trader or treaty investor.

I have a strong feeling that the notation on the IAP-66 may be an error. Please note that it is not binding on an USCIS inspector or examiner, or consular officer. They could still look at the underlying facts and find your spouse subject to the 2-year requirement.

The answer to this question is not simple. The student may be permitted by the Designated School Official to enroll for less than full-time where it is recommended for academic reasons or due to the student's illness [I guess a complicated pregnancy qualifies]. The regulations are not specific as to how long a student may take less than a full-time load. An F-1 student is considered to be in status during the school's annual vacation, if the student is eligible for and intends to resume full-time studies in the next term.

Marriage to a U.S. citizen does not in itself invalidate your F-1 visa.

The E-1 [Treaty Trader] visa is issued to persons entering the U.S. solely to carry on substantial trade principally between U.S. and the Foreign State of which s/he is a national. There is no bar on extending your status or transfer to another employer. However, the USCIS will have to authorize the transfer and employment cannot be inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the E-1 visa status.

The minimum salary for an H-1B depends on the prevailing wage in the primary statistical metropolitan area in which you work. The employer sponsoring you must determine the salary in the area of employment and pay accordingly. Very often, employer's either ignore or skirt this issue not knowing that it could come to haunt them in the event of a Department of Labor audit.

Though there is no clear directive on the issue, the situation appears to be analogous to the 240-day grace period, which authorizes employment with the same employer for up to 240 days after an extension petition is filed.  In both circumstances, the employment is authorized but there is no provision on the I-9 form for the documentation of this fact.  Thus, employers may want to follow whatever documentation procedures they use for the 240-day grace period.

Employment-based adjustment of status applicants (from any nonimmigrant status) whose I-485s have been pending for 180 days or more and who currently have an approved I-140 petition may change jobs or employers without invalidating the underlying I-140 or labor certification, as long as the new job is in the same or a similar occupational classification as the one for which the petition was filed.

In 1998, the INS promulgated the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act [ACWIA]. While ACWIA was best known for increasing the H-1B visa quota until October 1, 2000, it also ushered in radical changes for employers, who are dependent on the H-1B program. No regulations were issued at that time and Employer’s heaved a sigh of relief at the thought of the temporary respite. However, now based on ACWIA both the Department of Labor and the INS have issued Interim Final Regulations that will become effective January 19, 2001.

The possible ramifications of the voluminous set of regulations have intrigued the entire Immigration-Lawyer community. In a recent teleconference [January 11th] on the subject, AILA Attorneys pondered over the long-term effects of the new attestation provisions. In addition, the new regulations will require that employers indicate whether they are H-1B dependent, or not and agree to comply with the additional attestation provisions when filing a new Labor Condition Application. That same information will also need to be duplicated on a new Form I-129 W – H-1B Data Collection and Filing Fee Exemption Form.

In summary, the regulations do not prohibit the filing of H-1Bs per se, but will have the effect of making the process a whole lot more cumbersome.

1. H-1B Dependent Employers
   An employer is considered H-1B dependent if it employs in the U.S.:
   
   
   1. 25 or fewer Full-Time Equivalent (“FTE”) employees and more than 7 H-1B employees;
   2. Between 26 and 50 FTE employees and more than 12 H-1B employees; or
   3. 51 or more FTE employees and 15% of the employer’s workforce are H-1B employees.
      
      In counting the number of FTE employees for this purpose, H-1B employees are included. Interestingly, bona fide independent contractors and consultants are not counted as employees. The Department of Labor will accept the employer’s definition of “employees,” provided they are consistently treated as employees for all other purposes, including FICA and FLSA. The count of employees should be based on the most recent records of the employer before filing the LCA.

   Employers need to be aware of the definition of “single employer” in the regulations. A “single employer” under the Internal Revenue Code must combine their employees for determining their dependency calculation. In general, those sections include: 1) “controlled groups of corporations,” such as a parent-subsidiary controlled group, a brother-sister-controlled group, or a combined group; 2) “trades or businesses under common control” which can include sole proprietorships, partnerships, estates, trusts, and corporations; or 3) “affiliated service groups,” such as a service organization (health care organization, law firm, accounting firm) and other organizations that regularly perform services for the first organization and either are shareholders or partners in the first organization or the interest in the second organization is held by highly-paid employees of the first organization. At present, the Treasury Department has no regulations governing employee-leasing situations and thus such situations are not covered in this regulation. If, however, the Treasury Department issues regulations on the subject in the future, members of employee leasing groups might be treated as a single employer. This “single employer” definition is only to be used in dependency calculation, and not in any other element of H-1B LCA filing or enforcement.
   
   This interpretation, no doubt, acts as a dampener to ideas that clients may have had of corporate reorganization to avoid being classified as H-1B dependent!
   
   You have no choice but to declare H-1B dependency and comply with the new law. That way you do not open yourself up to an interpretation battle with the INS that could very well lead to an audit.

2. Exempt H-1B Workers
   Under ACWIA, “exempt H-1B nonimmigrants” (for whom an H-1B dependent employer is not obliged to meet the additional attestation elements) are those holding a master’s or higher degree or its equivalent in a specialty related to the intended employment, or who earn wages (including cash bonuses and similar compensation) at an annual rate of at least $60,000. The determination as to whether you are exempt will be made by the INS and based on the certified LCA being submitted.
   
   In calculating the $60,000 figure employers should use a “cash in hand, free and clear” standard and in addition satisfy the prevailing and actual wage requirement. Under the regulation, part-time workers may not meet this requirement unless they actually receive $60,000 for their part-time work (i.e., the $60,000 cannot be prorated for part-time employees). Employees who have worked less than a full year will retain their exempt status if they received at least the pro rata share of the $60,000 annual requirement for the period.
   
   The degree equivalency is more complicated. While the Department of Labor rejects work experience equivalency, the INS has traditionally allowed work experience evaluations to be submitted to show a person qualifies for an H-1B visa. It appears from a reading of the Interim-Final regulations that an evaluation submitted from a reputed credential evaluation service will continue to be accepted. However, one has to wait to get a first hand experience of how this is going to be dealt with. Again, one should remember that the Master’s or higher degree should be in a “specialty related to the intended employment.” Now, again this has not clearly been defined in the regulations and my guess is that the INS will use the “Math, Computer Science, or Engineering” standard for computer related occupations. Employers should be more discerning in their recruitment of new candidates.
   
   
3. Attestation Provisions
   There are two new attestations that you will now be required to maintain. The first attestation is the “Displacement Attestation” and requires employers in contractor situations to attest to the non-displacement of U.S. workers. The second attestation is the “Recruitment Attestation” that requires employers to engage in “good faith recruitment” using industry standards.
   
   
   1. Displacement Attestation:
      
      ACWIA aims at protecting the employees of the petitioning employer and the end user (in contractor situations) from displacement by H-1B nonimmigrants. ACWIA uses “employees of the employer” and “employees of the other employer” to describe the relevant entities. In order to further determine the scope of employment with the “other employer” – the regulations offer a list relevant indicia of the employment relationship between the two entities that include,
      1. The other employer has the right to control when, where and how the nonimmigrant performs the job (the presence of this indicator would suggest that the relationship “approaches” the relationship that triggers the secondary displacement provision);
      2. The other employer provides tools, materials and equipment;
      3. The work is performed on the premises of the other employer (this alone would not trigger the secondary displacement provision);
      4. There is a continuing relationship between the nonimmigrant and the other employer;
      5. The other employer has the right to assign additional projects to the nonimmigrant;
      6. The other employer sets the hours of work and the duration of the job;
      7. The work performed by the nonimmigrant is part of the regular business of the other employer;
      8. The other employer is itself in business; and
      9. The other employer can discharge the nonimmigrant from providing services.
         

      In other words, even though you may be paying the beneficiary his salary and be the employer for tax purposes, the worker’s status for the H-1B program may be dependent on the above-mentioned indicia of employment relationship. Now, let’s assume we have determined you are an H-1B dependent employer and one of your employees is placed at a client site. You, as the placing employer are required to exercise “due diligence” in enquiring of the other employer as to displacement of U.S. workers during the relevant period (90 days before and after placement of the H-1B nonimmigrant at the worksite). The LCA makes it clear that making this inquiry will not protect a placing employer from sanctions if the secondary employer does in fact displace a U.S. worker within the relevant period. However, unless the employer knew or had reason to know of the displacement, the employer would be subject only to monetary penalties, and not to debarment. The other employer has no liability in such situations.
      
      The placing employer may accomplish this inquiry in several ways, including securing written assurance from the other employer regarding displacements, preparing a written memorandum of an oral statement of the other employer, or including a displacement clause in the contract with the other employer. In my opinion this is possibly the best way to satisfy this attestation requirement. The regulations also states that the employer may be required, in the exercise of due diligence, to make further inquiries when it has other information which indicates that U.S. workers might have been or will be displaced (examples include where the employer is taking over a function of the other employer that was formerly conducted by its own employees, or following news reports of layoffs by the other employer) if the information is available before the placement of the H-1B nonimmigrant.
      
      The regulations however clarify that an employer may terminate an employee for cause. In other words inadequate performance, violation of workplace rules, or worker’s performance or behavior on the job. The worker may also voluntarily depart or retire (Employers should watch out for “constructive discharge” allegations that the DOL could reasonably investigate). In cases where the U.S. worker is discharged because of the expiration of a grant or contract, where such expiration essentially ends the need or funding for the job, DOL will not consider it to be a lay off, but will examine closely to determine whether or not the employer usually moves employees to a new contract or project when such expirations occur. The preamble states that in situations where an employer normally lays off U.S. workers when alternative work is not available and then rehires them when it is, DOL will expect the employer to first contact the laid off U.S. worker before hiring an H-1B nonimmigrant. An employer may also offer a U.S. worker who loses employment an alternative job offer that is a “similar employment opportunity” at equivalent or higher compensation. The alternative offer does not need to be in the same area of employment, but in a case where the job location is different, DOL will assess cost of living differentials and payment of moving expenses in determining whether the offer is at “equivalent or higher compensation.” The comparison of the job opportunities will also include comparison of compensation and benefits, levels of authority, discretion and responsibility, opportunity for advancement and tenure and work scheduling.
      
      In terms of actual documentation, as suggested earlier, a written memorandum of an oral statement regarding displacement should suffice. Clients could also phrase this as a question and make it part of a user requirements questionnaire.

   2. Recruitment Attestation:
      
      ACWIA requires that employers engage in “good faith recruitment” using “industry-wide standards.” Reading through the regulations, I get the distinctive feeling that we are heading towards a ‘Labor Certification’ type review for H-1B Nonimmigrant visas. If this happens, clients can be assured of long delays in processing and complicated adjudication criteria based on DOL guidelines.
      
      An employer must, at a minimum, recruit both internally and externally and use both active and passive methods. Examples of active methods include attending job fairs, using college placement services or headhunters, and internal employee training. Examples of passive methods include print or Internet advertisement and internal job postings. The language of the regulation appears to require that at least some recruiting must target former employees.
      
      The employer has the burden of proving, in an enforcement action, that its recruitment met “industry-wide standards,” such as trade organization surveys, studies by consultative groups or reports/statements from trade organizations. Staffing firms must meet the standards of the industry in which they are placing employees, i.e. health care staffing firms must meet the standards of the health care industry, and technology-staffing firms must meet the standards of the information technology industry generally. The preamble also makes clear that an employer may advertise for multiple similar positions, and such recruitment may be acceptable if it accords with “relevant industry standards” applicable to that employer. The preamble also cautions employers that disproportionate use of certain recruitment methods, such as college campus recruiting, may have the unintended consequence of discriminating against older workers.
      
      DOL also states that it would look with disfavor upon any practice that screens the applications of H-1B nonimmigrants or prospective H-1B nonimmigrants differently than U.S. workers.
      
      The employer must offer the job to any equally or better qualified U.S. worker who applies. The employer may use any “legitimate selection criteria relevant to the job that are normal and customary to the type of job. While the Department of Justice has jurisdiction over claims from U.S. workers who allege they were not offered the job but were equally or better qualified, DOL asserts its authority to determine whether or not legitimate selection criteria were used. The regulation indicates that each criterion must meet three standards: 1) legitimate, meaning legally cognizable and not violating any applicable laws, 2) relevant to the job, meaning having a nexus to the job and its duties and responsibilities, and 3) normal and customary to the type of job, meaning necessary and appropriate based on the practice or expectations of the industry, rather than the preferences of the particular employer.
      
      The employer must maintain documentation of the recruiting methods used, including the places and dates of any advertisements, postings or other methods used, the content of the advertisements or postings, and the compensation terms, if such are not included in the advertisements or postings. The documentation may be in any form, including a summary memorandum. The employer must keep any documentation it has received or prepared concerning the treatment of applicants for the position, such as copies of applications and related documents, test papers, rating forms, records of interviews, and records of job offers and responses. The regulations emphasize that DOL is not requiring that the employer create any documents relating to the treatment of applicants, but it must keep any documents it does create or receive. Employer’s may nevertheless want to maintain information pertaining to applicant contact, interviews and results, etc. A summary of the recruitment methods used and periods for recruitment must be in the Public Access file. All other documentation must be made available to DOL upon investigation and request.
      
      
4. New LCA Requirements
   
   There is a new 3-page form for filing LCA’s that goes into effect January 19, 2001. This Form replaces the present LCA and will be made available to the public on January 18, 2001. That gives us one day to actually get used to the new Form and then have it certified by the following day for new petitions being filed beyond the January 19th deadline. However, the INS has announced that there will be a transition period between January 19, 2001 and February 5, 2001, during which the fax back system will be retooled to accept the new 3-page form and hence be inoperative. There is also a new Form I-129W that is now in place and the INS expects to see this Form filed with H-1Bs filed on or after January 19, 2001.
   
   
5. Benching
   ACWIA made benching illegal. The regulations go further and clearly state that DOL cannot “forgive” employers from compliance with this rule due to annual plant shutdowns or holidays or other events that affect both U.S. workers and H-1B nonimmigrants. However, DOL indicates its view that laying-off U.S. workers in such situations while retaining H-1B nonimmigrants may violate other nondiscrimination laws.
   
   If an H-1B employee is in a nonproductive status due to a “decision by the employer,” which includes lack of work assignments and lack of a permit or license, the employee must nevertheless be paid the full pro-rata amount due. Part-time employees in nonproductive status must be paid at least the number of hours indicated on the petition. If a range of hours is indicated on the petition, then the employee must be paid for the average number of hours he or she ordinarily works. The preamble indicates that if an employee regularly works more than the designated number of part-time hours stated on the petition, DOL might charge the employer with misrepresentation.
   
   These obligations begin once the H-1B employee “enters into employment,” which is deemed to occur when the individual first makes him or herself available. The regulation indicates that “even if the nonimmigrant has not yet ‘entered into employment’,” once the petition is approved, the required wage must start to be paid 30 days after the nonimmigrant is first admitted to the U.S., or if he or she is already here, 60 days after the nonimmigrant first becomes eligible to work for the employer. The latter is deemed to be the later of the start date set forth on the petition or the date INS renders a status decision. Payment obligation ends if there has been a “bona fide” termination of the employment relationship. While the language of the regulation itself is less than clear on this point, the preamble indicates that a “bona fide” termination will be deemed to have occurred only when the employer notifies the INS of the termination, the H-1B petition is canceled, and the return fare obligation is fulfilled.
   
   If the nonproductive period is due to “conditions unrelated to employment” as the employee’s “voluntary request and convenience” (such as caring for a sick relative or touring the U.S.) or due to circumstances like maternity leave that render the employee unable to work, the employer is not obligated to pay the employee, provided the period is not subject to pay under the employer’s benefit plan or under other statutes.
   
   
6. Benefits
   The regulations require that H-1B nonimmigrants be treated exactly like other U.S. workers. They should be eligible for the same set of benefits offered to the employer’s U.S. workers. The regulations require that employers retain, as documentation of the benefits attestation, a copy of benefit plan descriptions provided to employees, a copy of the benefit plans themselves and any rules used for differentiating benefits among groups of employees, evidence as to what benefits are actually provided to U.S. workers and H-1B nonimmigrants, and the benefit elections made by those employees. If the employer is a multinational employer providing “home country” benefits, evidence of the benefits provided to the H-1B nonimmigrant before and after the move to the U.S. also must be maintained.
   
   DOL takes the view that benefits may have a monetary value and a violation under this provision would be treated as employer’s liability for “back…fringe benefits.” DOL also feels that benefits are more “in the nature of wages than working conditions.”
   
   
7. Penalty v. Liquidated Damages
   ACWIA prohibits the requirement of payment of a penalty for the H-1B employee ceasing employment prior to an agreed date, except that the employer may receive liquidated damages in such a case. However, the regulation indicates that liquidated damages cannot be recovered from the employee’s paycheck. The regulation also states that attorney’s fees may be included and made part of liquidated damages. In any event, the regulation indicates that the $1,000 surcharge [training] on the INS filing fees could never be a part of liquidated damages and cannot be recovered in any form.
   
   
8. Job Notice Posting at Client Site
   Notices must be posted at new worksites within the area of intended employment on or before the date that the H-1B employee reports to that site. It also explicitly requires postings not only in the employer’s own facility, but at third party worksites. The Notice could be emailed to employees in the occupational classification at the place of employment, or by making the notice available for 10 days by electronic means such as a company intranet or bulletin board.
   
   
9. Complaint Procedure
   Is it true that DOL can now conduct investigations based on statements made by an irate employee?
   Under ACWIA, DOL is authorized to conduct investigations, under certain specified circumstances, based on information received from persons who would not be considered aggrieved parties. The regulation sets forth a process for receiving such information, which the DOL will then review to determine whether the source is likely to possess relevant knowledge, whether the information provided is specific and credible and provides reasonable cause to believe that the employer has committed a violation, and whether the alleged violation is willful, involves a pattern or practice, or involves substantial violations affecting multiple employees. The regulation specifies that “information” does not include information from DOL employees unless obtained in the course of a lawful investigation. However this will not preclude the DOL from conducting a random investigation as authorized by ACWIA.

From the facts outlined below, it appears you are currently in H-4 status.

PERM based Applications are filed online at http://www.plc.doleta.gov/ . General processing times may be accessed at http://www.plc.doleta.gov/ However, you would have to be the Employer, or the Attorney of Record to check status on specific Applications that are currently pending with the DOL.

A1. Your wife is currently in L-2 status. The H-1B is no longer valid.
A2. That would depend on whether you wish to activate the H-1B and begin working as an H-1B Nonimmigrant professional.
A3. Her L-2 is valid and she may continue working if she has a valid EAD card.
A4. She is not subject to the CAP for a six year period.
A5. Yes, it will treated like a new petition. The only that you may be exempt if it is with the same employer, is the $500.00 fraud fees.
A6. We do not comment on your chances at a Consulate abroad.

The USCIS may be reluctant to extend your status if you apply after the expiration of your current status. The RFE must be resolved successfully to obtain an approval.

The J visa would limit you to one-year terms at the most and be restricted to three years. It would also restrict your ability to apply for permanent resident status in the U.S. For case specific analysis, kindly contact the Office for an appointment.

As long as the extension was properly filed (evidenced by a Receipt and the receipt date on the Approval Notice), you would not be considered out of status. Carry the original receipt with you when you travel.

Your only hope of being able to remain in the U.S. and continuing in H-1B status is if your Immigrant Petition is approved prior to the expiration of your H-1B visa (post reclamation of time). It may be too late to rely of the rule that allows for extensions based on a pending PERM application since you are already in your sixth year. There are other options in such situations including switching to a different status (F-student) and then returning to H-1B upon I-140 approval. However, it is best if you discuss this with an Attorney based on your specific circumstances.

If the I-140 has been approved and you have an adjustment of status application (Form I-485) pending for over 180 days, you would be eligible to move without losing the underlying validity of the Labor Cert/Immigrant petition. Of course, you would use your EAD document to work for the new employer and would have to submit a letter from the new employer assuming the responsibility of providing you with full time, permanent employment. Kindly contact the office to schedule an appointment to review the job profile (must be in the same or similar occupational classification).

You will no longer be subject to the CAP even if you accept temporary cap-exempt H employment. However, you could always choose to continue as a non exempt employee in H status to avoid any complications.

The first step is to correct your name as it appears on your Passport. Once this is accomplished, you could file an amended H-1B petition to correct the name on the H-1B approval Notice. This will also change your name on the corresponding I-94. Once this is accomplished, you could go about changing your name on your SSN and Drivers License.

This is a situation that repeats itself over and over again. Individuals entering the U.S. show the POE Officer the wrong H-1B approval notice which leads to the situation that you are in right now. If you had discovered this error within days of entry, you could have gone back to the POE and sought amendment of the I-94. Now, it may be too late. So, your best bet is to seek an extension at the earliest and explain the error. Hopefully, you retained the I-94 affixed to the Approval Notice of Company B. While we have tried our best to provide you with direction here, it is best you seek an appointment to consult with an Attorney. Please visit our website to schedule an appointment.

You are no longer subject to the CAP, but your petition must be filed as "New Employment" with the same employer. However, your employer would have to notify the USCIS that this is the second petition they are filing on your behalf and seek exemption from paying the $500.00 fraud fee all over again.

You could certainly apply for unemployment benefits. And no, it should not affect your GC processing.

Generally, the answer would be yes. However, if the Consulate rejects your wife's visa application on substantive grounds (lack of evidence of work; failure to substantiate Employer-Employee Relationship; violation of status, etc.) it may be harder for her to apply for an H-4 visa immediately after an H-1B visa rejection. Therefore, it is important to ensure your wife has all the paperwork required for successful stamping before she leaves the U.S.

No, there is no fee associated with H-1B cancellation. However, the Employer is required to notify the USCIS upon termination of employment.

Yes, you are allowed to change employers while your H-1B is pending. In this situation, since visa numbers are available, it would be better to file a Change of Status petition in order to avoid any complications due to the current employer withdrawing the pending petition.

Since you have already been counted against the H-1B CAP in the last six years, you are not subject to the CAP for 6 years from 2008. Any new employer may immediately petition on your behalf. Y could petition for you as if this were new employment. You could opt for premium processing which should take no more than 15 days.

The Fraud Rule of the Department of Labor is specifically designed to address payment of fees at the PERM stage and includes cost of recruitment. Please read the FAQ by ETA regarding this. However, this rule does not preclude employees from bearing both professional and filing fees at the I-140/485 stage. Personal checks may be used to pay filing fees. However, it is best to use US Postal Money Orders or certified checks.

Yes, however, it may be unlikely that you will receive your Permanent Residency before your OPT expires. This could be a problem if you plan on continuing in school or extending your F status. Indicating you are in intending immigrant renders you ineligible for extensions of your F student visa. There may be additional complications and we highly recommend you discuss this matter with one of our Attorneys.

While pay stubs may not be the only evidence required to obtain an approval of an H-1B petition, the lack of documentation to show valid employment status may be an issue. If you have only been with the employer for a period that would be accounted by the single pay check, a transfer may still be possible.

Unlike your H-1B, the visa is not employer specific. You could use a valid visa (obtained through a petition filed by a different employer) in your passport and re enter with your current H-1B approval.

There is a requirement that individuals in F status maintain a foreign residence that they have no intention of abandoning. In other words, they cannot intend to immigrate while in F status. Since you already have an immigrant petition approved on your behalf, you have expressed your intention of becoming a permanent resident. This may be a problem when seeking change of status from H to F. The change of status petition could complicate your immigration and future adjustment.

In fact, we highly recommend you do both. The extension will ensure you remain in status while the transfer can always be processed at any time. However, the USCIS may require an approval of the extension if the transfer is not adjudicated prior to the expiration of your current H-1B period. Premium processing is recommended.

You may be able to change status to F-1 provided you register for classes and initiate processing while the second H-1B remains pending. Discuss the situation with the designated school official at the School.

Yes, there is. You may want to check out http://www.flcdatacenter.com/ for prevailing wages for various occupations.

It is best if you could get the Financial Firm to sponsor your H-1B petition since they are the true employer and have control over your employment.

You are not allowed to work unless you have a valid EAD. However, 80 days appear to be within the time frame by when you are most likely to obtain an approval of the extension. If the approval does not come through, you may have to stop working for a few days.

Yes, it is possible to seek change from L to H while still in the U.S. However, the start date of the H-1B would be October 1st of this year. As long as your L-1B is set to expire later than that date, you should be fine. Alternatively, you could seek consular processing, but would have to leave the country prior to the October 1st start date and reenter with an H-1B visa.

The Consulate will contact the Service Center and PIMS to obtain the information. You cannot send documents directly to the KCC (Kentucky Consular Center) for the PIMS database. This could cause delays at the Consulate when seeking a visa. Please be prepared to spend some time obtaining a visa before you decide to travel abroad.

You could certainly seek change of status through an H-1B petitioner upon entry into the U.S. The key is to file a petition for the change with the USCIS before the H-1B CAP is reached. Check CAP related information at www.kidambi.com. The H-1B petition must be filed by an employer in the U.S. So, your first task upon entry would be to find qualifying employment in a specialty occupation (requiring the minimum of a bachelor's degree for entry into the occupation).

Yes, but the employer would have to re-file and apply for Change of Status. You may begin working upon proper filing of the H-1B petition.

Not necessarily. Check with the employer to ensure that the position is full time and permanent. More importantly, it must be within the same occupational classification.

There is no limit on the number of petitions that can be filed with the USCIS for the same individual by different employers. However, if the underlying extension was denied, the new petitions may not be approved for extension of status. You would have to leave the country and appear at a consulate for H-1B stamping.

There is no such requirement. Your employer may file to seek an extension of your H-1B without your ever having left the U.S.

There is no timeframe. However, it is best to file the AC21 letter at the earliest to avoid having to file a Motion in the event the I-485 is denied because the sponsoring employer notified the USCIS as such. There could also be other complications and ramifications and these are best addressed through a personal appointment.

Your priority date is the date of acceptance (filing date) of the substitute labor - January, 2002. Priority date is not always reflected on the I-1485 receipt.

Here is an extract from the process to surrender I-94 documents that are not taken at the POE.

The bottom line is that in today's world of increased enforcement and increased scrutiny of applicants for admission or adjustment of status, it has become incumbent upon on those whose I-94s were not surrendered upon departure to return them to the CBP. When this is done correctly it should close out an applicant's prior arrival and departure record and prove that a timely departure was made.

At a minimum, the card and information should be sent to:

ACS - CBP SBU
1084 South Laurel Rd.,
London, Kentucky 40744

The I-94 card should not be returned to a consulate, embassy or even a local CBP office.

The return process, however, is also not perfect and thus, it is important to follow and augment designated return procedures. It is imperative that the applicant provide ample proof of the actual day of the departure and not just proof of the departure itself. Among the kinds of documents to prove the actual day of departure, CBP suggests sending a used airline ticket or boarding pass, a passport stamp showing date of arrival in home country, pay slips from employment outside of U.S. subsequent to departure, credit card slips showing purchases made outside of the U.S. post departure, etc.1 In addition, we recommend that when returning the card the applicant include a statement on boldly colored paper identifying clearly the date of departure and requesting that it be entered rather than the date that card was received by the processing center. This will hopefully reduce the chances that the date the data is received at the record center is recorded as the date of departure. In addition, remind your clients to carry copies of the evidence they sent when they seek to reenter just in case the information was not entered or, it was not entered correctly.

To determine whether an I-94 has been received and the date of departure correctly recorded applicants should submit a FOIA request to CBP's new FOIA office at the following address: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Attn: Mint Annex Building, FOIA Division, Washington, D.C. 20229.