Attorneys Law Firm Practicecontact us
17 Feb 2022

I have been in H1B status, and my family has been in H-4 status, for the past five years. We have not traveled outside the U.S. in all that time, so the visa stamps in our passports have expired. If my wife travels abroad and I stay in the U.S., will she be able to get an H-4 visa, or do I need to get an H1B stamp first?

Answer Ordinarily, there is no need for the principal spouse to have a valid H1B visa "stamp" in order for a consulate to issue an H-4 visa to the dependent spouse or child. (17.Feb.2022)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For...

08:43 / Consulates / FAQs / For Families / Nonimmigrant Family / Travel / Worker
17 Feb 2022

I am trying to file an I-765 form to apply for an H-4 EAD. The instructions on the USCIS website state that I should file the case with the Dallas Lockbox if my husband’s H1B receipt number starts with EAC or LIN, and to file with the Phoenix Lockbox if it starts with WAC or SRC. However, my husband’s receipt starts with IOE. Where should I file the application?

Answer Yes, we have run across this same issue. This appears to be an oversight by the USCIS, and we have not yet received formal guidance on where such I-765 applications should be filed. You could try filing based on the service center where the H1B...

08:40 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / USCIS News / Worker
27 Jan 2022

USCIS Guidance on Expediting EAD Renewals for Healthcare Workers

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has provided updated guidance for healthcare workers seeking to expedite the processing of applications for employment authorization (form I-765). The guidance is specifically for healthcare workers seeking to renew their work authorization. Expedite Requests for EAD Renewals Per the USCIS...

08:29 / For Families / For Individuals / Medical / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / USCIS News / Worker
27 Jan 2022

I am trying to schedule a visa appointment, but the next available time is months away. If I wish to request an expedited appointment, should I book an appointment first, and then request an earlier date? Or, should I first submit an expedite request?

Answer In order to request an expedite appointment, one should check the consulate's website to determine the process for that specific post, but the general requirement is that the visa applicant first must submit the online visa application form (DS-160), pay the application fee, and schedule...

08:20 / Consulates / FAQs / For Individuals / Travel