24 Feb 2014

My mom came to the U.S. on a B-2 visa on 04.Sep.2013. We applied for her I-130 and I-485 concurrently on 14.Dec. Fingerprinting is done. Her I-94 is expiring 04.Mar.2014. Do we need to apply for extension of stay (I-539), as we are waiting for I-485 interview?

Answer: Individuals with properly filed I-485s are considered to be in a period of authorized stay in the U.S. Thus, there is no requirement to keep the nonimmigrant status. Moreover, in this example, there is a conflict between any claim to be a visitor and the...

21 Feb 2014

I am currently working on OPT that will expire next week. I am eligible for the OPT extension based on a STEM degree. When should I file my OPT STEM extension application? Can I still do it within the 60-day grace period upon the expiration of my initial OPT?

Answer: No. While it is true that you should be in valid status during the 60-day grace period upon the expiration of your initial OPT employment authorization, a timely filed STEM extension application has to be filed (i.e. received by USCIS) prior to the expiration of...

10 Feb 2014

I was working in H1B status for Company A. Company B then filed a petition on my behalf and I started to work for them. I would now like to return to Company A. In order to return to that employer, does Company A need to file a new petition for me?

Answer: If Company A has not withdrawn the H1B petition that it filed on your behalf, and you have been maintaining valid H1B status, you should be able to return to that previous employer based on the still-valid petition. (10.Feb.2014)In frequent sessions of our Chat, Sheela...