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11 Aug 2021

My H1B petition was approved through September 30, 2022. However, I have been stuck in India since the start of the pandemic. Is there a limit on how long I can work for the U.S. company from India? Also, is there a limit on how long my H1B approval will remain valid?

Answer From a U.S. immigration law perspective, there is no limit on how long you can work for a U.S. employer while you are physically in India. Also, there is no limit on how long you can remain in India before returning in H1B status. As...

10:48 / FAQs / For Employers / For Individuals / Travel / Worker
11 Aug 2021

I read that there is a new process to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) based on an I-485 application. I filed my I-485 a few weeks ago. Can I use that to get an SSN?

Answer It is true that the USCIS has now implemented a process so that one may apply for a Social Security Number as part of the I-485 application process. However, it appears this option is only available for I-485 applications that have not yet been filed....

10:42 / FAQs / For Individuals / Resident / USCIS News
11 Aug 2021

I have a valid H1B visa stamp, but my wife’s H-4 visa has expired. We have to travel to India for an emergency. If we cannot get NIEs, I understand we can go to a different country for 2 weeks to get around the COVID travel ban. However, can my wife apply for a visa at a consulate somewhere other than India?

Answer Normally, most U.S. consulates allow third-country nationals to apply for visas. During the pandemic, however, many consulates have imposed additional restrictions. Prior to scheduling your trip, we recommend checking the particular consulate's website for instructions on eligibility to apply as a third-country national.  (11.Aug.2021)Sheela Murthy...

10:40 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Travel / Worker
04 Aug 2021

I filed my H-4 and H-4 EAD extensions with my husband’s H1B extension. His extension was approved through 2024, but my applications are still pending. I recently traveled and was issued a new I-94 valid through 2024 when I returned. Can I update the USCIS with my new I-94? Will it speed up the processing of my EAD?

Answer The USCIS does not appear to have an official policy on this. Anecdotally, however, we have had cases where we have provided an updated I-94 to the USCIS while the form I-765 application for employment authorization was pending. For at least some of those cases,...

16:57 / Employment Based / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Nonimmigrant Family / Resident / USCIS News / Worker
04 Aug 2021

My H1B registration was selected in the lottery last week, but the employer that filed the registration no longer has a position available for me. Can I transfer the registration to a different employer?

Answer Unfortunately, no; the cap-subject H1B petition typically can be filed only by the company that submitted the registration. (04.Aug.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,...

16:53 / FAQs / For Employers / For Individuals / Worker
29 Jul 2021

I am going to India to get married, and then am going to honeymoon for two weeks on a Caribbean island. I will apply for a visa at the consulate there. Will I need to also apply for a national interest exception (NIE) because of the travel ban?

Answer The COVID-related travel ban generally applies if the person has been in India (or one of the other restricted countries, such as China, the United Kingdom, and the Schengen area), within the previous 14 days. If a person leaves India and spends 14 days in...

08:16 / FAQs / For Individuals / Travel
29 Jul 2021

I am in the U.S. visiting my brother, who is a U.S. citizen. If my brother sponsors me for a green card, can I stay in the U.S.?

Answer A U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old typically can sponsor a sibling for a green card under the family-based, fourth preference (FB4) category. However, the pending or approved I-130 petition does not provide any immediate immigration benefits. Rather, one would need to...

08:13 / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Resident
22 Jul 2021

My daughter is a U.S. citizen who will turn 21 next year. She lives with me and her father in Singapore. Can she sponsor us for green cards when she turns 21, or does she have to move to the U.S. first?

Answer Generally speaking, a U.S. citizen living abroad may sponsor her parents for green cards when she turns 21, as long as she plans on moving to the U.S. once the immigrant visas are issued. (On occasion, we have seen consulates require the U.S. citizen child...

09:53 / Citizen / Consulates / Family Based / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / Resident