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21 Oct 2021

Several months ago, I applied for an H1B visa stamp in India. I was issued a 221(g) notice, informing me that my application would remain under administrative processing until the travel ban was lifted. Now that the ban is being lifted, how long will it take for my visa to be issued? Do I need to provide the consulate with proof that I am fully vaccinated?

Answer It is not yet clear how the consulates will handle these pending visa applications, or how long the process might take. It seems unlikely that the proof of being vaccinated will need to be sent to the consulate. However, we are waiting for the U.S....

09:41 / Consulates / FAQs / For Individuals / Travel / Worker
14 Oct 2021

I am on F-1 OPT. My H1B was recently approved for consular notification, with no I-94 attached. Is it possible to get my H1B visa stamping done without leaving the U.S.?

Answer No, ordinarily, it is not possible to apply for a visa "stamp" from within the United States. (13.Oct.2021)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 © 2021, MURTHY...

08:11 / FAQs / For Individuals / Student / Travel / Worker
09 Sep 2021

I am currently in the U.S. and have an approved I-140. I also recently was granted permanent residency in Canada. I would like to work for the U.S. company from Canada, so that I may apply for Canadian citizenship in a few years. Will moving to Canada for a few years impact my I-140?

Answer Generally speaking, leaving the U.S. would have no direct impact on one's approved I-140.  (09.Sep.2021)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 © 2021, MURTHY LAW FIRM. All...

11:24 / FAQs / For Individuals / Travel / Worker
02 Sep 2021

I am currently in the U.S. and have a valid H1B visa. I wish to travel to India, but I am worried I may get stuck there. Can I apply for a national interest exception (NIE) while I am still in the U.S.?

Answer Unfortunately, the answer appears to be no. Until very recently, it seemed possible to apply for an NIE before traveling abroad. However, the U.S. Embassy in India recently updated its webpage to indicate that "[w]e cannot pre-adjudicate NIEs for applicants not currently in India."  (02.Sep.2021)Sheela...

07:25 / FAQs / For Individuals / Travel / Worker
02 Sep 2021

The U.S. Consulate in Chennai issued me an F-1 visa last week, but it does not contain an annotation verifying that I have an NIE. Do I need to go back to the consulate to get this corrected?

Answer This should not be a cause for concern. F-1 students now are generally eligible for blanket waivers. Therefore, no annotation is needed.  (02.Sep.2021)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more...

07:20 / FAQs / For Individuals / Student / Travel / Worker
26 Aug 2021

I am an Indian citizen and was working in the U.S. in H1B status. In 2019, I was hired by the parent company in Toronto, and I have been working in Canada for the past 18 months. I now wish to return to work for the U.S. subsidiary in H1B status. Do I need to first apply for an NIE? If so, can I do that from Canada, or do I have to go to India?

Answer There is no specific COVID-related travel ban for people who are in Canada, regardless of the person's country of citizenship. Travel via the U.S./Canada land border is mainly restricted to essential travel, but travel by air from Canada to the U.S. is being treated the...

09:13 / FAQs / For Individuals / Travel / Worker