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17 Oct 2019

My husband is working in the U.S. in H1B status. I want to visit him periodically, but I need to stay in my home country most of the time because I am still at university. Can I apply for an H-4 visa, even though my trips will be fairly short? Or should I instead apply for a B-2 visa?

Answer Normally, there is no issue with the spouse of an H1B worker traveling back and forth using an H-4 visa, even for short trips to the U.S. It is possible to do this with a B-2 visa, as well; but, unlike B-2 visitors, a person...

12:25 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Travel / Visitor / Worker
11 Oct 2019

NewsFlash! Judge Issues Nationwide Injunction Against Enforcement of Public Charge Rule

This afternoon, a federal district court judge issued a nationwide injunction against the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) from enforcing the new public charge rule. The public charge rule had been scheduled to go into effect on October 15, 2019.The injunction specifically prohibits the...

15:11 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / USCIS News / Worker
10 Oct 2019

NewsFlash! DOS Amending Public Charge Rules, Effective 15 Oct 2019

On October 11, 2019, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) will publish an interim final rule to amend the regulations regarding how consular officers determine whether a foreign national is likely to become a public charge, and therefore ineligible for a visa. This rule will...

17:37 / Consulates / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / Visitor / Worker
10 Oct 2019

NewsFlash! New USCIS Forms with New Public Charge Rule Required as of 15 Oct 2019

The new versions of forms I-129, I-539, I-864, and I-485 were posted on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website yesterday. The new I-944 (Declaration of Self-Sufficiency) form has also been put up. These forms now include the updated public charge rule. The USCIS...

10:07 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / USCIS News / Worker
09 Oct 2019

My wife’s H-4 EAD application is pending. If I switch to a different H1B employer, will that create problems for her EAD application?

Answer A change to a different employer by the principal H1B holder normally has no impact on the spouse's pending H-4 EAD. (09.Oct.2019)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...

15:28 / Employment Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Worker
26 Sep 2019

I am working for my own company based on an H-4 EAD. Can my company sponsor an H1B worker?

Answer Generally speaking, virtually any U.S. company, including one owned by someone with an H-4 EAD, may sponsor H1B workers. That being said, you likely need a backup plan in case the H-4 EAD program is terminated in the future. Also, sponsoring a close family (like...

09:10 / Employment Based / FAQs / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Worker
26 Sep 2019

My husband and I are citizens of Singapore. He is in H1B1 status with an approved I-140, and I am in H-4 status. Am I eligible to apply for an H-4 EAD?

Answer Unfortunately, the H-4 EAD option is limited to H-4 spouses of H1B workers. It is not available to H-4 spouses of H1B1 workers. (25.Sep.2019)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here.Access more...

09:03 / Employment Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Travel / Worker
21 Aug 2019

Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility Greatly Expanded

On August 14, 2019, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the final rule, Inadmissibility on Public Charge Grounds, that greatly expands the categories of public benefits considered in the determination of whether a foreign national may be deemed a public charge (i.e., a...

16:47 / Consulates / Employment Based / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / Immigrant Family / InfoArticle / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / Student / USCIS News / Visitor / Worker
21 Aug 2019

I am currently in F-2 status, and am applying for a change to F-1 status. If the change-of-status application is denied, will my F-2 status be revoked?

Answer Ordinarily, if an application to change status is denied, this would not impact one's existing F-2 status. (21.Aug.2019)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law in real time. For details on chat participation, click here.Access...

13:38 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Student
19 Aug 2019

Nonimmigrant Visa Waivers – Process and Criteria

Foreign nationals may be deemed ineligible for admission (i.e. "inadmissible") to the United States for a variety of reasons. Common grounds of inadmissibility include the following: medical grounds, criminal grounds, and immigration violations (including fraud or material misrepresentation in connection with an immigration benefit). In...

15:18 / Consulates / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / InfoArticle / NewsBrief / Nonimmigrant Family / Student / Visitor / Worker