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06 May 2021

If I travel from India to Mexico and stay there for two weeks, can I then enter the U.S.? Or would the travel ban still apply to me?

Answer The suspension of travel from India due to the pandemic only applies to people who were physically in India during the past 14 days. If a person travels to a third country, such as Mexico, for two weeks, the travel ban would not prevent that...

08:31 / Employment Based / Family Based / FAQs / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / Travel / Worker
15 Apr 2021

I was not selected in this H1B lottery, so I am applying for a STEM OPT extension. If there is a second round of H1B selections this year, will my STEM OPT application impact the H1B?

Answer No, applying for a STEM OPT extension typically would have no impact on an H1B registration case.  (15.Apr.2021)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more FAQs here. Copyright © 2021, MURTHY...

08:34 / FAQs / For Individuals / Student / Worker
01 Apr 2021

I am on F-1 and will soon be marrying a person who has a green card. Once I get married, will that impact my F-1 status?

Answer Getting married to a person with a green card would have no direct impact on one's F-1 status. However, if applying for certain immigration benefits, such as an F-1 visa at a consulate, it is possible this could create problems related to immigrant intent. (01.Apr.2021)Sheela...

08:30 / Consulates / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student
04 Mar 2021

I am on OPT and am employed by an accredited, nonprofit university. The university is going to sponsor me for an H1B position. Do they need to follow the H1B cap timelines?

Answer Accredited, nonprofit universities are generally cap-exempt employers. If a person is going to be employed by a cap-exempt employer, the standard H1B cap timelines would not apply. There is no need to submit a registration, apply in the lottery, etc. The petition can normally be...

15:15 / FAQs / For Individuals / Student / Worker
10 Dec 2020

I have about 18 months of STEM OPT remaining, but my H1B change of status was recently approved. Is it possible to get back into F-1 status to use the rest of my STEM OPT?

Answer Generally speaking, once a person has been granted a change to H1B status, the STEM OPT terminates. It typically is not possible to use any remaining period of OPT (or STEM OPT.) (10.Dec.2020).Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information...

17:13 / FAQs / For Individuals / Student / Worker
15 Jul 2020

My H1B cap case was filed for consular processing, and it was approved last week. My F-1 OPT expires next month. Is there a way to move to H1B status without having to leave the U.S.?

Answer One in this situation could attempt to have the company file an H1B petition, requesting a change of status to H1B. However, there are some legal issues to this strategy that first should be discussed with a qualified attorney. (13.Jul.2020)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys...

09:53 / Consulates / FAQs / For Employers / For Individuals / Student / Travel / Worker
09 Jun 2020

Is it true that President Trump is about to issue an executive order to stop all H1B filings?

Answer We have heard several rumors recently that the President will issue a proclamation as early as June 15th (or June 11th, according to other online sources) that would temporarily prevent foreign nationals from entering the U.S. in H1B, L-1, H2B, or J-1 status. According to...

16:47 / FAQs / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Student / Travel / Worker
28 May 2020

Are there any updates on President Trump issuing an executive order to restrict H1B workers? Will it impact my H1B cap case?

Answer Forbes reported today that the Trump Administration is expected to issue an executive order "soon" that would impact certain high-skilled nonimmigrant workers. The presumption is that, if such an order were to be issued, it would focus on foreign nationals requesting admission, as opposed to...

16:03 / FAQs / For Employers / For Individuals / Student / Travel / Worker
28 May 2020

I read that the USCIS is going to resume in-person biometrics appointments soon. Does that mean the consulates are also being opened for visa appointments?

Answer The consulates are run by the U.S. Department of State (DOS), not the USCIS. So, the USCIS announcement has no impact on the consulates.The U.S. consulates across the globe likely will not all open at the same time. Rather, the U.S. consulates in each country...

15:55 / Consulates / FAQs / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Student / Travel / USCIS News / Worker