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19 Sep 2019

I was born in the U.S., but my family moved back to India when I was still a baby. I am now 21, and I have not been back to the U.S. since. Do I have any options of getting my U.S. citizenship back? Or some form of U.S. residency?

Answer Unless you voluntarily renounced your U.S. citizenship (which typically involves a formal process at a U.S. consulate or embassy), you very probably are still a U.S. citizen. A parent cannot renounce U.S. citizenship on behalf of a child; and, “children under 16 are presumed not...

12:18 / Citizen / Consulates / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Travel
19 Sep 2019

I recently completed my master’s degree, and have been on OPT for two months. Due to a family emergency, I need to go back to my home country for at least six months. If I return in F-1 status and complete a second master’s degree, can I then use my remaining OPT time, and then apply for a STEM OPT extension?

Answer Generally speaking, if an individual uses any period of OPT following the completion of a master's degree, that person is not eligible for any OPT following the completion of a second master's degree. (19.Sep.2019)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law....

12:11 / FAQs / For Individuals / Student / Worker
12 Sep 2019

After my project in the U.S. ended, I returned back to India. Now, my former H1B employer would like me to do some work on a new U.S. project from my home in India. Do I need to get a new H1B approved first?

Answer As a general rule, U.S. immigration law does not apply if the individual is not physically in the United States. So, there normally would be no need to apply for any type of U.S. work authorization if you are going to be working outside the...

12:54 / FAQs / For Individuals / Travel / Worker
12 Sep 2019

My previous employer is refusing to provide me with an experience letter. Is there anything I can do to force them to provide one to me?

Answer Ordinarily, an employer is not obligated to provide anyone with a experience letter. If one cannot obtain an experience letter from a current or former employer, there may be other documents that can be used place of such a letter (e.g., co-worker affidavits confirming your...

12:50 / Employment Based / FAQs / For Individuals / Resident / Worker
12 Sep 2019

I am working based on my H-4 EAD and was recently laid off. Will I be considered a public charge if I apply for unemployment benefits?

Answer Unemployment insurance payments (commonly referred to as "unemployment benefits") are not generally taken into consideration for purposes of making a public charge determination. As the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) explained when it released the final rule revising the definition of "public charge," unemployment...

12:37 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Government / Homeland Security / Resident / USCIS News / Worker
29 Aug 2019

Next week, I am scheduled to travel to the U.S. to visit my adult children for a few months. I just realized that my B-1/B-2 visa stamp is going to expire next month. Does that mean I will only be issued an I-94 through the expiration date of the visa stamp?

Answer So long as the B-1/B-2 visa foil (commonly referred to as a "stamp") is valid at the time the person requests admission into the United States, the expiration date of the visa will generally not impact the validity period of the I-94 issued by the...

17:11 / FAQs / For Individuals / Travel / Visitor