19 Oct 2023
19 Oct 2023

The last time I entered the U.S. in H1B status, I was admitted for an extra 10 days. Am I allowed to work during that 10-day period?

Answer The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the ports of entry have the discretion to grant a 10-day grace period beyond the validity period of a person's petition (as do USCIS officers). However, this grace period does not provide any type of work...

16 Oct 2023

USCIS Extends Maximum Validity Period for Certain EADs

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced that, effective immediately, the maximum validity period of certain categories of employment authorization documents (EADs) will increase from one or two years to five years. This procedural change should help to reduce burdens on applicants and...

12 Oct 2023

My L1A petition was recently approved. My employer is not filing my EB1(c) petition, based on the same foreign managerial position and the same U.S. managerial position. Does the L1A approval mean it is very likely the EB1(c) will be approved?

Answer On paper, the requirements for the L1A category and the EB1(c) category are extremely similar. In practice, the USCIS tends to adjudicate the EB1(c) category using a higher standard, as it is requesting a permanent benefit. So, while having an L1A petition approved certainly is...

05 Oct 2023

After my project ended last month, my employer did not have another project lined up for me, so I was laid off. That same employer now has a new project available for me. If the employer files an H1B amendment for me before the end of my grace period, can I immediately resume working for them on the new project?

Answer Based on FAQs issued by the USCIS earlier this year, it seems that yes, you generally would be allowed to resume working for this employer as soon as the amendment is filed. (05.Oct.2023)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For...