02 Mar 2023

My B-1/B-2 visa expires on May 2, 2023. When I entered the U.S. a few weeks ago on the visa, my I-94 was issued through August 10, 2023. By what date do I need to leave the U.S.?

Answer The visa is an entry document. Typically, it must be valid at the time the person requests admission to the United States. Once admitted, however, the visa expiration date typically has no impact on the person's status. A person's B-1/B-2 status expiration date normally is...

02 Mar 2023

I was laid off from my H1B position, and now have a new job offer. However, the job being offered is by a university that qualifies as cap exempt. If I accept the job and later wish to transfer back to the private sector, would I need to go through the lottery again?

Answer If you have been counted against the H1B cap and then move into a job working for a cap-exempt employer, this typically would have no impact on your ability to later return to a cap-subject employer. (02.Mar.2023)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that...

02 Mar 2023

Does an employer need to use an attorney to file H1B registrations? If not, can an employer file the H1B registrations on their own, and then use an attorney to file H1B petitions for the registrations that are selected?

Answer An employer can file H1B registrations with or without an attorney. The registration process is fairly straightforward, so it is fairly common for employers to handle this part of the process on their own. And yes, an employer can use an attorney to file the...

23 Feb 2023

I found a company willing to file an H1B registration for me in the lottery. However, the company only has one employee. Is that permitted?

Answer There is no set minimum number of employees a company must have in order to file an H1B registration or petition. (23.Feb.2023)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more FAQs...

23 Feb 2023

I am in H1B status and have an offer to move to a new employer. My current employer will not give me a copy of my H1B approval notice. Is it possible to change to a new company without this notice?

Answer Ordinarily, in filing an H1B change of employer petition, there is no requirement to provide the USCIS with a copy of the current employer's H1B approval notice. (23.Feb.2023)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online...

23 Feb 2023

While my father was visiting me on B-2, I sponsored him for a green card. Both the I-130 and I-485 are pending. Can he travel back to India and then return on his B-2, or does he need to first get an advance parole document?

Answer Typically, if a person in B-2 status travels while an I-485 is pending, the I-485 is considered abandoned unless the individual has a valid AP document. (23.Feb.2023)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services,...

16 Feb 2023

After completing my undergraduate degree in the U.S., instead of using OPT, I moved directly to a master’s program. When I complete this, can I use the OPT period from the bachelor’s plus the OPT period from the master’s program?

Answer No. If OPT is not used following the completion of one program, that OPT period cannot be added to OPT available through the completion of a subsequent program. (15.Feb.2023)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE...

16 Feb 2023

I am in the U.S. on B-1/B-2. A few years ago, my sister, who is a U.S. citizen, sponsored me for an FB4 green card. My priority date will not be current for a number of years. Can I ask USCIS to expedite my case so that I can file an I-485 now and wait in the U.S. until the priority date becomes current?

Answer It generally is not possible to file an I-485 application based on an I-130 petition when the priority date is not current. While the USCIS has the ability to expedite the processing of an I-130 petition, the ability to apply for adjustment of status in...

09 Feb 2023

My brother is a partner in a U.S. company. Can that company file a PERM case for me? Would the fact that a family member owns part of the company increase the chances of it being denied?

Answer If the sponsoring company is owned by someone related to the foreign national being sponsored, that definitely can lead to a denial in a PERM case. In order for the case to be approved in that situation, the employer must be able to demonstrate that...