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H-1B Visa General Overviewby Vamsi Tamirisa And Jagan TamirisaWhat is an H-1B visa? It is the most commonly used visa classification to employ nonimmigrant worker temporarily in a "specialty occupation". What is "Specialty Occupation"? Occupation that requires theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge which requires attainment of a bachelor's degree or its foreign equivalent as a minimum for entry into the occupation. Example Programmer Analyst, Systems Analyst, Project Managers, Market Research Analyst, Sales Manager, Marketing Manager, Sales Engineer etc. Is there a limit on H-1B visas? YES
When is the best time to file for H-1B? We can ascertain a pattern of filing when we look at the filing trends for the past years.
This shows that the earlier the case is submitted, the better its chances are of being accepted. Note that the H-1B Petitions can be submitted 6-months ahead of the employment start date. That is in 2007, cases can be filed from April 1, 2007 for an employment start date of 10/1/2007. Are there any cap exemptions? Yes. Under the following scenarios, H-1B applicants will not be subject to cap:
What are the advantages in applying for an H-1B? Unlike many other nonimmigrant visa categories, H-1B is a "dual intent" visa. That is, an H-1B visa holder can apply for permanent residency. Are there any conditions to be met by the employer in order to employ a H-1B worker? Yes. This is very important section. The Department of Labor (DOL) is authorized to frequently audit companies who hire nonimmigrants under H-1B program to check for compliance with H-1B laws and regulations outlined below. Failure to comply can result in stiff penalties such as fines and disqualification of the employer from hiring H-1B workers permanently. The following rules are to be followed by the employer to ensure compliance:
What sanctions do employers face for Labor violations? Depending upon nature of the violation, stiff penalties can apply ranging from $1,000.00 to $35,000 per violation. Usual violations range from failure to document strike/lockout, misrepresenting facts in the labor application, employee discrimination to displacement of US worker 90-days before and after submission of H-1B petition. How long can a person stay in H-1B status? Are there any exceptions? Maximum period allowed is 6 years. After that worker must remain outside US for 1-year before another H-1B petition can be approved. However there are exceptions. Certain H-1B workers can extend their status beyond the 6 years in one year increments if:
With the recent introduction of premium processing of immigrant visa petitions, H-1B workers can extend their status in 3 year increments if their immigration visa petition is approved. How does an H-1B worker change or add a new employer? Most common problem faced by H-1B visa holder is when they fail to adhere to regulations while switching employers or changing the terms of his or her employment. Perhaps the most difficult problem encountered is when someone changes jobs without taking into account immigration repercussions. In computer related occupations, it is normal for an individual to change jobs frequently. But for an H-1B visa holder, each change presents a challenge. The fundamental rule is that an H-1B visa is employer specific. That is, it only entitles the worker to work for the employer approved by USCIS. That means that each time a worker switches a job, a new H-1B Petition is required. In the past, the worker had to wait for the petition to be approved before he could begin working for the new employer. However under new regulations under AC21, worker can start employment for the new employer immediately upon submission of the H-1B transfer petition and receipt of notice from CIS. What if worker changes employers and then decides to go back to old employer? The H-1B petition continues to remain valid until it expires or until the employer has revoked it. Immigration takes the position that if neither of the above has occurred, one can resume work with the first employer without filing a new petition or an amendment. What if several employers file multiple H-1Bs for the same worker? Let's say that 2 employers successfully file an H-1B petition and the worker decides to join company A. However, after coming to U.S, he decides to work for company B. Even if the worker never worked before for company B, he can switch to company B without filing a new petition. However, a revocation of the petition by company B or the expiration of the visa approval period for company B would mean a new petition is required. What if worker accepts job with second employer without giving up the current position? That is Concurrent Employment? An H-1B worker can work for multiple employers simultaneously. However, each employer must have a separate approval for the worker to work there. What changes trigger amendments to H-1B Petitions? There are many a time when a change in the nature of one's employment triggers the need to file either an amendment to an existing H-1B petition or a completely new petition. Immigration has taken a view that if the change in employment is "material" then an amendment must be filed. That is, if there is a major change in job duties, then a new petition will probably be necessary. Transfers to a different legal entity within the same corporation may trigger an amendment. Finally, in certain cases, changing job sites/locations could require an amendment. Mere changes in job titles without a major change in job duties may not require an amendment. The same applies for raise in salary unless the change is so great that immigration presumes that the position is really a new one. Also, change in the corporate structure of a company may trigger a new H-1B petition submission. The general notion is that if a new legal entity is created, a new petition is required. This would be the case, for example, if a company is sold and the new company dissolves the old company without assuming its liabilities. A merger that results in the creation of a new company might also mean that new petitions should be filed. If the new company is a "successor in interest" then a new petition is normally not necessary as long as the new company assumes assets & liabilities of the old company including immigration liabilities of its employees. Changes in a company's name will not trigger the need for an amendment or to refile, but an amendment is a good idea. Must an H-1B worker be working at all times? As long as the employer/employee relationship exists, an H-1B worker is in status. An H-1B applicant can work full or part-time and remain in status. An H-1B alien can be on vacation, sick/maternity leave, strike without affecting his or her status. Can an H-1B worker travel outside the US? Yes, provided he has a valid H-1B visa stamped in his passport. Also, a worker on whose behalf an immigrant visa petition was filed, can reenter US using his H-1B visa, during the validity period of his H-1B status. What are the filing fees associated with an H-1B visa? Are there any situations where training fees can be avoided? There are three governmental filing fees associated with H-1B cases. (A) Base filing fee (compulsory): $190. Please note that USCIS is proposing an increase of this fee to $320.00. We do not know, when this will go into effect (if at all it does) but at this time the base filing fee is $190.00 (B) Training fee (compulsory fee in limited circumstance): This depends on the number of employees in the company: (1) If there are 25 or less full-time equivalent employees in the US (including employees of affiliates and subsidiaries) training fee is $750 (2) If there are 26 or more full-time equivalent employees in the US (including employees of affiliates and subsidiaries) training fee is $1,500 Training fee can be avoided in any of the following situations:
Finally there is a 3rd fee, of $500 for fraud prevention. (C) Premium Processing fee (optional fee): Additional $1000 if the H-1B Petition needs to be processed within 15 working days.
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