09 Jan 2017

I am on OPT and will be filing for H1B this year. If the case is approved, will I need to go for stamping? If not, can my dependent still go for stamping, since she is outside the U.S.?

Answer In general, a visa "stamp" is only required for purposes of reentering the U.S. after foreign travel. Otherwise, one can change status within the U.S. One's dependent typically should be able to receive an H-4 "stamp" in this scenario. (09.Jan.2017)In frequent sessions of our Chat,...

29 Dec 2016

NewsFlash! USCIS Agrees to Accept Previous Editions of Most Forms Until Feb 21, 2017

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued the following announcement this afternoon: When new fees for most of our forms went into effect on December 23, 2016, we published updated versions of the forms at uscis.gov/forms. We strongly encourage customers to submit these new versions,...

23 Dec 2016

NewsFlash! USCIS Issues Slew of Revised Forms; Prior Versions No Longer Valid for Most

Please read the 29.Dec.16 update on this information. Updated Information This afternoon, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) issued a practice alert related to the new forms. It states, in part: AILA reached out to USCIS … to demand a grace period during which prior form versions could...

14 Nov 2016

I changed from F-1 to H1B status more than 5 years ago. I have not left the U.S. in all this time, so I have never gotten an H1B visa stamp. Would this create a problem if I go for stamping now?

Answer There is no requirement that one apply for a visa "stamp" at any time - it is purely a travel document. The fact that one waits an extended period to apply should normally be irrelevant. (14.Nov.2016)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other...