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09 Jan 2020

My H1B extension has been pending for a few months, and is beyond the “receipt date for a case inquiry” posted on the USCIS website. I asked my employer to check with the USCIS on the case, but they would like to give it more time. Can I contact USCIS to check on the case?

Answer Generally speaking, only the petitioning employer or the employer's legal representative may submit a case inquiry to the USCIS for a pending H1B petition. (09.Jan.2020)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here.Access...

09:58 / FAQs / For Employers / For Individuals / Worker
02 Jan 2020

I will soon be completing a J-1 medical residency program. I read online that it is possible to get a “no objection” waiver to the J-1 home residency requirement. How do I apply for this?

Answer There is a no objection waiver to the home residency requirement. Generally speaking, however, if a foreign national used the J-1 program to attend a medical residency program, they would not be eligible to use the no objection option. (02.Jan.2020)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys...

11:38 / FAQs / J-1 Exchange / Medical / Physicians / Worker
02 Jan 2020

Several years ago, my I-140 from Employer A was approved with a June 2015 priority date. Last year, I received an approved I-140 from Employer B, which lists the same June 2015 priority date. If I decide to move back to Employer A, can I transfer the priority date back to Employer A’s I-140?

Answer You don't exactly "transfer" the priority date from one I-140 to another. Rather, assuming the initial I-140 has not be revoked for fraud, misrepresentation, revocation of the LC, or material error, the beneficiary generally can retain that priority date for any other I-140. Doing so...

11:33 / Employment Based / FAQs / For Individuals / Resident
26 Dec 2019

A few years ago, my H1B petition was selected in the lottery and approved for consular processing, but I never got my H1B visa stamp and I never worked in H1B status. If I find a job in the U.S., do I have to go through the lottery again?

Answer The USCIS technically only considers an H1B applicant counted against the numerical H1B cap if s/he is granted a change of status to H1B, or is issued an H1B visa from a U.S. consulate abroad. Absent one of the above, the USCIS may deny a...

11:47 / Consulates / FAQs / For Employers / For Individuals / Worker
26 Dec 2019

I am finishing a J-1 program and am subject to the home residency requirement. Prior to beginning the J-1, I lived in India. Once I am done with the program, however, I will be moving to live in Australia. If I live in Australia for two years, will that satisfy the home residency requirement?

Answer Generally speaking, a person is required to live in the previous country of residency – in your case, India. Living in Australia normally would not meet this requirement. (26.Dec.2019)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE...

11:44 / FAQs / For Individuals / J-1 / J-1 Exchange / Medical / Student / Worker
20 Dec 2019

January 2020 Visa Bulletin: Updated Predictions

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the January 2020 Visa Bulletin. This month's visa bulletin also includes predictions for cutoff date movement in the coming months. All cutoff dates listed refer to the dates in the final action (FA) chart, unless otherwise specified. Employment-Based,...

10:44 / EB5 Investor / Employment Based / Family Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Resident / Visa Bulletin
19 Dec 2019

I was born in India, but just received citizenship in Canada. Can I now move to the Canada queue for a green card?

Answer Generally speaking, in the green card context, an applicant is charged against the country of birth, not the country of citizenship. Becoming a British citizen typically would have no impact on the green card process. (18.Dec.2019)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies...

13:25 / Employment Based / FAQs / For Individuals / Resident / Worker