28 May 2020

A company submitted an H1B registration for me in March, but it was not selected in the lottery. Is it possible that a second round of lottery selections will take place?

Answer Yes, if there are not enough H1B petitions filed from the registrations that were selected, it is possible that a second round of lottery picks will take place. (28.May.2020)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE...

28 May 2020

I read that the USCIS is going to resume in-person biometrics appointments soon. Does that mean the consulates are also being opened for visa appointments?

Answer The consulates are run by the U.S. Department of State (DOS), not the USCIS. So, the USCIS announcement has no impact on the consulates.The U.S. consulates across the globe likely will not all open at the same time. Rather, the U.S. consulates in each country...

21 May 2020

I am a registered nurse from India, and am currently in the U.S. in H-4 status. I am seeking an employer willing to sponsor me for an employment-based green card case. Can you assist in finding me a sponsor?

Answer We are an immigration law firm. We are unable to assist foreign nationals with finding employment or a sponsor in the United States. If you are able to find a prospective employer, we would be honored to assist you and the employer with the immigration...

21 May 2020

My wife will soon be applying for an H-4 EAD. Does she have to wait until she gets the EAD to apply for her Social Security Number? Also, as an H1B worker, do I have to renew my SSN?

Answer No, the application for employment authorization (form I-765) now includes a section that allows a person to apply for aSocial Security Number while applying for an EAD. A person typically is only ever issued one SSN; that number is unique and remains associated with that...

14 May 2020

I was laid off last month, but my employer is paying my salary for an additional 30 days. Does my 60-day grace period start on the day of my last paycheck?

Answer Normally, if a person is eligible for a 60-day grace period, it starts upon the cessation of employment. The date one's last paycheck is issued does not control. (14.May.2020)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE...

14 May 2020

My mother is in B-2 status and her I-94 is about to expire. I filed an extension for her last week, but it is still pending. What happens if her extension is not approved before her I-94 expires?

Answer Normally, if an application to extend B-2 status is timely filed, the applicant remains in a period of authorized stay while the application is pending. (14.May.2020)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click...

07 May 2020

My H1B registration was selected in the lottery. I am having trouble getting all the documents I need for the H1B petition due to the COVID-19 situation. Has the USCIS extended the deadline for when we need to file the H1B petition?

Answer No, the USCIS has not extended this deadline. Cases selected in the registration lottery must be filed within the period indicated on the registration selection notice (which, for most people, is June 30, 2020). (07.May.2020)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the...

07 May 2020

I was laid off from my H1B job a few weeks ago, so I filed for a change of status to B-2. I now have a new company willing to sponsor me for an H1B position. Can I start working as soon as the petition is filed?

Answer If you are still within your 60-day grace period, you generally could start working for the new employer upon the filing of the H1B change-of-status petition. The fact that you filed an application to change status to B-2 should not impact your eligibility, assuming it...