05 Dec 2019

My wife and I are in H1B status, and our 8-year-old son is a U.S. citizen. Can he sponsor us for a green card?

Answer Ordinarily, a U.S. citizen child cannot sponsor his parents for a family-based green card until he reaches the age of 21. (04.Dec.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...

02 Dec 2019

USCIS Proposal for Substantial Fee Increase and Imposition of New Filing Fees

As previously reported on MurthyDotCom, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a new proposed rule on Thursday, November 14, 2019, outlining significant increases for many U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) filing fees. The increases will result in a weighted average increase of...

27 Nov 2019

I was in H1B status and, right before my I-94 expired, I applied for a change of status to H-4. Two weeks later, my former employer sent me my final paycheck. Is it a problem that I am receiving this payment even though I am no longer in H1B status?

Answer Generally speaking, so long as the foreign national was in valid H1B status at the time the work was performed, being paid after the H1B expiration date would not be a violation of immigration law. (27.Nov.2019)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies...

27 Nov 2019

I am in H1B status, and my wife and child are in H-4. My employer asked me to travel to India for three weeks to provide some training at the parent company. Can my wife and child stay in the U.S. for the duration of my trip?

Answer The USCIS may limit, deny, or refer for removal an H-4 dependent who is not primarily intended for the purpose of being with the principal worker in the United States. Further, USCIS officers may adjudicate applications for dependent stays in order to prevent an H1B...

08 Nov 2019

NewsFlash! USCIS Proposes to Increase Filing Fees for Most Immigration Benefits

This evening, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a proposed rule to increase filing fees for most types of applications and petitions. It would also add a number of new fees and change certain other immigration benefit request requirements. The proposed rule is...

07 Nov 2019

I have an L1A visa stamp in my passport and a B-1/B-2 visa stamp. If I want to come to the U.S. for 1 week on vacation. If I enter using my B-1/B-2, will that cause my L1A stamp to be revoked?

Answer There is no prohibition against having multiple visa "stamps" in one's passport. Entering the U.S. using one's B-1/B-2 visa typically would have no impact on the L1A visa. (07.Nov.2019)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE...

07 Nov 2019

I am currently working based on H-4 EAD. Can my company sponsor me for a green card under the EB3 category?

Answer Working based on an H-4 EAD typically would have no impact on a company's ability to sponsor you for a green card. As long as you meet the standard requirements, the company can sponsor you for an EB3 position. (07.Nov.2019)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys...