Answer Under SEVIS regulations, a student’s new academic program must begin within five months of the earlier of (1) the student’s program end date or (2) the SEVIS transfer release date. In practice, this means the five-month clock usually starts on the student’s last date of...
AnswerThe USCIS is now requiring in-person interviews for the vast majority of I-485 applicants. So, the fact that you have been scheduled for an interview, is not unusual and does not necessarily mean there’s cause for concern. As for your co-workers, this interview requirement is...
Answer Typically, having multiple master’s degree would not have any significant impact on the odds of approval of a case. (06.Jan.2025)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 ©...
Answer If a person travels while an application or petition requesting a change of status is pending, the change of status request normally will be deemed abandoned and therefore denied. Such a denial typically would not retroactively result in a violation of status. (30.Dec.2025)Sheela Murthy and...
Answer In order to file an application to adjust status (form I-485), you must be in the U.S. at the time of filing. And, depending on the circumstances, it may be necessary to remain in the U.S. until and unless one obtains an advance parole (AP)...
Answer Ordinarily, if a foreign national files an EB1(a) petition on their own behalf, the USCIS will not contact one’s existing employer in relation to the petition. (30.Dec.2025)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services,...
Answer If a person has a valid I-94 and is outside of their grace period, they generally are considered to be out of status. But, because the I-94 is facially valid, the person typically would not start accruing unlawful presence. (22.Dec.2025)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys...
Answer Filing an EB5 case normally would have no impact on one’s existing I-140 approval. That case can potentially still be used as a backup, in the unlikely event of running into problems with the EB5 filing. (22.Dec.2025)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that...
Answer If a person has been counted against the H1B cap, they normally work in H1B status for a maximum of six years. If the individual has not utilized the full six years of H1B time, an employer typically can file an H1B petition on the...
Answer USCIS allows only specific applications / petitions to be filed online. Some can even be filed by uploading a .pdf of the form. For more information, visit this USCIS website. (16.Dec.2025)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on...
