bradley emmanuel

hello,

I am trying to book an appointment for h1b visa stamping at the Chennai Us consulate for Nov 29th but I see no dates available for Nov 2010 for Chennai.

Ony calcutta dates are available.

Can I book an emergency appointment in this situation?

I have been on h1 for the past 3 years.First came to US in 2004.Visa expired in 2006.

Extended h1b here in USA..Now going to India for the first time after visa expiry.

Also, for the stamping, should i carry all old LCA's or just the latest one?

Thanks,
arthi

Lot of people in IV and also some of my friends expereince now in stamping Visa are totally different ones, So you are ok if you are having the H1 of the company you are working for if you are doing a consulting job. Be prepared to answer some of the queries consulate can ask like.

Details of all employees working for your company, their payment methods.

Company tax filing etc.. un-necessary questions.

do not want to scare you, Please take all the documents which is possible to carry!

Best of Luck.

May GOD Bless.

Hi Everyone,

I will be laid off from an american company by the end of Feb 2009. I spoke to my previous desi employee as my H1b with his company is still valid and he din't revoked it until now

But he agrees to let me join his company but at the same time he worried about few things



Q1) I was with him for 6 months of 2008 and moved to an American Company so the total pay in the W2 for year 2008 is less than LCA amount.
Would that be a problem as i din't work with him for an entire year in which case it is bound to be less than LCA amount..
Mind you i'm looking at the Yearly wage if you look at month wise it is much higher than mentioned in LCA.

Would that be of any problem to both me and employeer.

Q2) He also said that when somebody re hires any one , the employeer is liable to pay back wages for the period of time he was out.

It sounds illogical atleast to me because he didn't terminate me from the job it was me who quit the job and transferred my H1b on a good note , but there is no official document saying i quit the job or he terminated me ....


I would appreciate if some could throw some light on this ....

My future is relied on these issues

Thanks
David

For Q1, Please call 1-866-487-2365
For Q2, Please call 1-800-375-5283

Folks,
I had filed my I-485 in Oct 2008 (EB2-I, PD of May 2006) and moved in March 2009. I changed my address online and have a confirmation number for it. However, I don't think I have received a confirmation in the mail from USCIS.

I am trying to find out how to confirm if USCIS has my current address correctly on file. I tried to call in today and was told there is no way for them to confirm that on phone. The lady I spoke with took the updated address again -- saying she will refile for change of address and gave me a service ID that I could apparently use to get an infopass appointment 45 days from now.

Is there anything else I should/could do? Appreciate any input.

Thanks.

dude, I believe the above proposed law is tailored beautifully for illegal immigrants. It mentions about continuous presence but no word on 'legal' continuous presence! Also seems like the 'criminal offense' in US doesnt take into account the very first one, the act of entering illegally!

Nop

Another silly question.

Do I file again? My packet reached USCIS on July 2nd. It was not returned.

If you are on bench, not getting paid, your employer normally asks you to send him a letter stating that you are on vacation. This needs to be done every month. For the period you are on vacation, there may not be any pay stubs. Once you get any project, you will send your employer another letter saying that you are back and ready to work for them.

With this approach, you WILL NOT get any trouble from USCIS or anyone. If any RFP comes, then, employer will show these documents and clear the issues. I did this in the past and all my friends who were in different stages (like Labor filed, I-140 filed, 485 filed) also did and had no problems.

But as always it is advised that to talk to the lawyer who is working on your case is best suited to answer as that person is to submit the paper work.

If you are "on the bench" the employer is obligated to pay you.
If you state that you are on vacation when in fact your are "on bench", and later misrepresent being on the bench as vacation to USCIS you and your employer either committing fraud or conspiring to commit fraud.

The employer must allow for "on the bench" time in the salary quoted in the LCA that accompanies the I-129 for H1B. If "on the bench" time is not allowed for it probably invalidates the prevailing wage comparison.

If your employer does not allow for 'on the bench' time in the wage rates quoted, then there is a reasonable argument that you are not meeting prevailing wage, and are infact undercutting US wages (and then some of what Lou Dobbs says is right).

If you are a consultant you could drop the quoted salary on LCA (but must remain above prevailing wage) to allow for risk of "on the bench" or any other circumstances. That way there is money to cover any gap. However, that requires more trust in the middle man - employer.

I'm not sure if I've read it right, but it looks to me like you have made a public confession here.

Of course the period between projects is an ideal time for vacation, as there is no project schedule to deal with. So whether the law is being broken I guess depends on what the motivation is for the vacation, something that is hard to prove. If the employer says you are going to tell him that you are on vacation until he finds more work then that sounds illegal. If on the other hand if you say, "how about I take this opportunity for some vacation?", it is okay.

One would hope that USCIS expercise common sense. However, common sense could mean being suspicious of gaps because the system is clearly open to abuse.

My wife is on H4 and is exploring the posibility of converting to a H1. She recently went for her first interview and the people over there told her that there is a new rule for H4 to H1B conversion. According to them, she needs to go to India and get her H1B stamped before she can start working. Is this true? As far as I know, all one needs is an approved I-797 (for I-129 petition) indicating that the approval is for change of status to H1B (meaning that the approval notice has a I-94).

Please let me know if there is any merit in the above statement?
Nope its not true.All she need is approved I-797.Visa Stamping is only required when she has to travel outside US and reenter.

between the USA: worldwide, except Europe --- 2 pieces of baggage max. 23kg

Lufthansa - Free baggage allowance (http://www.lufthansa.com/online/portal/lh/us/info_and_services/baggage?nodeid=2892236&l=en&cid=1000390&blt_p=US&blt_l=en&blt_t=Info_and_Services&blt_e=Info%20Service%20Sitemap&blt_n=Baggage&blt_z=Free%20baggage%20allowan&blt_c=US%7Cen%7CInfo_and_Services%7CInfo%20Service %20Sitemap%7CBaggage%7CFree%20baggage%20allowan#an cAbT3)

If it is certain that he/she is not eligible for EB2, why should apply in EB2 and get denied. It is better to apply in EB3 to get it approved. The best option is apply in EB3 now. After few years (once he got 5 year exp), apply new LC and 140 with EB2 and transfer the PD. That will be the wise decision. In the current situation, it is funny to talk about EB2 and EB3 for a persion with PD 2007, particularly Indian orgin.

I agree with Ramba here. Go with EB3 now and get the I-140 approval so you can lock in the PD. After a few years can apply again in EB2 (through this, or some other employer) and port the PD over. Best of both worlds.

I thought this would be the most appropriate place to post.
I am on my 3rd year of H1-B (non-technical field), just moved to a new company and was going to start my process toward getting a gc in the next month or so. Now, with all of this, I am very confused.
Do you folks think that it is most appropriate to sit tight and wait to see what happens? or to just go for it now?
I'd appreciate your input, as I have to make a decision soon.

If your employer is sponsoring your GC (LC and I140 by spending their money) then go for it.

This is the actual study that was referred to in this article. It seems like they just posted it? It's timing is perfect. Looks like we are going to be lucky. Let's hope so.

http://www.nfap.com/researchactivities/studies/NFAPStudyLegalImmigrantsWaitingForever052206.pdf

July 3rd filer....LIN# (though I-140 approved at TSC)

Receipt Date: July 3
Notice Date: October 11
EAD Card: Waiting
No FP notice yet
I-140 approved: TSC
Originating Issuer of I-485 and I-765 : NSC

My PD was not current in June07, company attorney applied for 3 year extension along with approved I-140. Receipt Date for H1B extension application was June 14th 2007 and H1B was approved on July27th 2007 for one year only. As per FAQ# 2(Q 17), I was eligible for 3 year extension, Can we ask for ammendment in H1B extension. If yes, what is the process for requesting ammendment and what document do we need to file. Any idea how much time it is going to take, is it going to take same time as H1B extension timeline. All your views and answers are welcome.



Here it is

Q #17 in http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/EBFAQ1.pdf

Q17: How will USCIS interpret the language of AC21 Sec 104(c) (for three-year H-1B extensions) during a period in which AOS applications could be filed?
A17. USCIS interprets AC21 �104(c) as only applicable when an alien, who is the beneficiary of an approved I-140 petition, is eligible to be granted lawful permanent resident status but for application of the per country limitations. Any petitioner seeking an H-1B extension on behalf of a beneficiary pursuant to AC21 �104(c) must thus establish that at the time of filing for such extension, the alien is not eligible to be granted lawful permanent resident status on account of the per country immigrant visa limitations.

And here is what OH says in his breaking news for July 24th after this memo

0724/2007: AC 21 Three-Year Increment H-1B Extension Petition Availability in July and August 2007

Under Section 104(c) of AC 21 Act, those who have an approved I-140 petition or pending EB-485 application with the approved I-140 petition are eligible for the H-1B extension in three-year increment, if they cannot file EB-485 or EB-485 is pending but cannot be adjudicated because of the visa number unavailability for him/her. The question remained whether visa number should be unavailable at the time of filing of H-1B extension or at the time of adjudication of filing. The USCIS FAQ indicates that it will be determined by the date of filing rather than date of adjudication.


You should ask your lawyer to get an amendment. I read here yday somebody doing that.

Hi Guys,

I just renewed my H1B last month. I used the services of Andrew Dutton. He is excellent and very reasonable. He is also very accessible by email and phone.

His H1B+H4 renewal legal fees were only $550.

His email is immigration_counselor@yahoo.com. Try his services, I am confident you will be satisfied.

Sincerely,

Paras Dave

Disclaimer:
These are my views only. Use at your own risk.

if you want to pay $100, it is easy. lesser amount is very difficult. I went through pain of using my banks online bill pay. It took me an hour to set it up. And couple of days back I received an email saying the bill has been returned - probably because it is more than 90 days!

I lost valuable time , IV lost some donation.

I am not sure why paying less than $100 has been made so difficult.

if you ask me I would feel comfortable to contribute a varying amount of donation every month ... at present we have pre-determined donation option ... which I feel sometime deter people from contributing ... unless we have some issue from the service providers, can go for a user entered donation option along with the existing pre-determined options ...

Good idea. I gave highest rating. The video summarizes the issue for the candidates very well!!!

I jst got an update on my and my wife I-485; i am not sure what it is about as i have not received the RFE yet.....but i think they are asking for our BC as we did not provide them when we applied for I-485;

I want to know that is it OK if i provide USCIS with the 2 AFFIDEVITS, one for me and one for my wife stating all the information such as Name, Date of Birth, City of Birth, Country of Birth, Mothers Name and Fathers Name.

Gettign the birth certificate is a very long procedure and i dont think i would have them soon. So i was wondering will it be OK if i provide them with the Affidevits. Will USCIS accept it!!!!

Lastly, i would appreciate if some one can give me the template that what text should be included in the affedevit !!!!

Thanks in advance !!!!!

My dear friend from Pakistan,

why were you waiting for so long since you applied for I-485 to arrange for birth certificate ? Now you have to scramble due to the RFE end date. Anyways, here is the solution. You can provide 2 affidavits from your parents for each of you (i.e. you and wife) and also a birth certificate from pakistani consulate in US. I am not sure if the pakistani consulate issues birth certificates, but you can try. Keep in mind that the BC issued by the consulate is not sufficient by itself. You can just provide that as secondary/additional proof. You will still need the affidavits. Below is a format for father's affidavit. You can use similar wording for mother. I hope that helps you... Good luck!
================================================== ====
I, <fathers name>, aged XXyears, son of <grandfathers name>, residing at <address> do hereby state that the following is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge:

1. I am a citizen of <country>
2. I am the father of <your name>
3. I was born on <birthdate> in <location>
4. I was living in <your birth place> in <month and year of your birth>
5. I personally know that <your name> was born on <birth date> in <location, state, country> at <hospital name> from the valid wedlock of me and my wife <mothers name> and I know the fact of his birth because of my relationship to him.

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States that the foregoing is true and correct.

I am not sure about changing H4 to F1 as F1 is dual intent visa. I am sure mostly your wife's F1 will be rejected at Consulate as her spouse is staying here but I am not sure about changing status from H4
to F1 here.
If you accept that you are taking some risk then it is fine. Sometimes all the 4 options may work against you. Also if your wife comes here within a few months then it may be ok. But if it takes 1 year or more then your company Lawyer is correct. Take advise of second lawyer

Also I did not hear anything about option 2.That is mainly for those who were out of status for less than 6 months
Hello everyone,
I got to know about this website recently and I wish I had known it earlier.


Anyway, I need advice/conformation


I got married recently outside the US. However, I did not come back with my wife b/c of a couple of reasons. And I cannot bring her here in the next 3 weeks. (My H1B is getting renewed...)

The company's lawyer is advising me not file for I-485 and wait till I become current again and apply with my wife then. (I am EB3 and my PD is March 2005)

After reading this web and others, if I go ahead and apply now the following are the choices that I have later. Please confirm if I am right or wrong

1. Get every document ready for my wife at all times and apply for I-485 immediately after I become current. As long as they receive her I-485 before they approve mine, she is going to be fine. She will be fine even if they receive her I-485 a day before they approve mine.

2. If my I-485 gets approved before my wife’s I-485 get there, under section 245(k), she has 180 days to send in her I-485 as long as PD is current. And there is no penalty and no other problem with this. She can stay in the country and wait for her I-485 to approve.

3. If I though that it was a grave mistake to apply for my I-485, I can withdraw it before it gets approved and reapply later with my wife’s when I become current again. No problem with this other than paying the fees again.

4. My wife and change her H4 to F1 any time she wants to as long as she goes to school full time. She could be on F1 and apply for I-485 when I become current (I feel uneasy on this one).

Please, let me know if what I listed above is right. These are the only choices that I have ready about. If there are more choices please, let me know that too. I have to make a decision by the end of tomorrow. Thank you all!

how about applying for a tourist visa for that time period?

Can we apply for tourist visa from US?

I checked at NY Kaplan. they have 3months course for $1800 and 4months course for TOEFL for $5500. Since we need atleast 4 months I20, I guess I have to check some community college if they offer something cheap.

One more question is, the community college usally have admission from spring. They don't issue I20 in summer. So I guess I have to start from January itself. In that case is it possible to get admission in January and start the class in summer? In that way I can save some money.

just emailed scanned (to PDF)
Mine was dated Feb 24

We sent our I 485 on July 4th.......got receipt of it yesterday. My husband is on H1 and I am on F1. Husband's receipt says "Adjustment as direct beneficiary of immigrant petetion" and mine says " Derivative adjustments"........
Also what does receipt notice means????


I don't know what "UNKNOWN" means. My wife is on her F1 (OPT). Same is the case with my friend. Both of our's says unknown.

TUnlimited: is your wife also on F1? I am about to call USCIS customer service on Monday.

Guys, please update if you know any more details about this.