11 Jun 2018

My current passport expires in two years. If I apply for a B-2 visitor visa stamp now, will the consulate still potentially approve it with a full ten-year validity period?

Answer A B-1/B-2 visa is normally issued for 10 years, even if the passport will expire sooner than that. One can travel with two passports after the original passport expires (i.e. the new passport and the expired passport that contains the unexpired visa stamp). (11.Jun.2018)In frequent...

11 Jun 2018

I helped my mother apply for a B-2 visitor visa a few years ago. She has visited me a couple of times in Washington D.C. over the past few years. Now she wishes to visit my sister, who lives in California. Can she use the existing B-2 to fly into an airport in California? Or, does my sister have to sponsor them for a new B-2 visa?

Answer A B-2 visa is not "sponsored" by anyone. Once the visa is issued, it can be used to request admission for any valid B-2 purpose at any U.S. port of entry. (11.Jun.2018)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance...

21 May 2018

I am out of the U.S. and my AP renewal application was denied because I traveled while it was pending. My current AP does not expire for a few months. Can I still use it to enter the U.S.?

Answer Yes, as long as the current AP is valid, it can be used. The denial of the extension should not be problematic. One would need to refile upon return. (21.May.2018)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies...

30 Apr 2018

I am working in an H1B position and have Canadian PR. Can I live in Canada and commute to the U.S. each morning to work in my H1B job?

Answer Yes, it is possible to live in Canada and commute to the U.S. to work in H1B status. However, you should consult directly with an immigration attorney about your specific situation before making any change. (30.Apr.2018)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other...

30 Apr 2018

My current H1B I-94 is still valid, but my H1B amendment is pending. If I travel overseas for a couple of weeks, am I allowed to return while the H1B amendment is still pending?

Answer There is a USCIS memo that says that you should be able to travel while an amendment is pending if you have a valid H1B visa in your passport and the receipt notice for the amendment. However, in the current environment at CBP it is...

16 Apr 2018

Last year, I changed status to H1B, so I am in valid status, but I don’t have an H1B visa stamp. I will soon be visiting a friend in El Paso, Texas. Will not having a valid H1B stamp be a problem?

Answer A visa foil (commonly referred to as a "stamp") is an entry document. As long as one remains in the U.S., there generally is no need to have a valid visa.That being said, border cities, like El Paso, sometimes have border patrol checkpoints. El Paso...