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Suzanne B. Seltzer, Esq. Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
New York Philadelphia317 Madison Avenue, Suite 1518 1800 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Floor 17 New York, NY 10017 Philadelphia, PA 19103212.796.8840 215.825.8600
[email protected] www.klaskolaw.com
ImmigrationImmigrationPOST-OPTPOST-OPT
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Suzanne B. Seltzer, Esq.
Suzanne B. Seltzer is a partner of Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer LLP. Ms. Seltzer is the Chair of the American Immigration Lawyer's Association (AILA) USCIS Benefits & Policy Liaison Committee, is a member of AILA’s InterAgency Liaison Committee, and recently completed her tenure as the Vermont Service Center (VSC) liaison and as a NAFSA Regulatory Ombudsman. Ms. Seltzer speaks and writes extensively on visa options for scientists and researchers.
She is listed in Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, New York SuperLawyers, and the International Who's Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers.
A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Ms. Seltzer received her law degree from Georgetown University’s Law Center (cum laude).
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Agenda
Lawful Status in the U.S. Nonimmigrant Status Permanent Residence Status Travel Issues Q&As
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Maintaining Lawful Status
The Lingo ‘Visa’
Permission to re-enter the U.S. after a trip abroad (stamp in passport)
Obtained at a consulate outside the U.S. Valid visa not required inside the U.S. Specific to classification – i.e. F, J, H, O
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Maintaining Lawful Status
‘Status’ Permission to remain in the U.S. for a fixed period Denoted by ‘I-94’ card (For Fs – with I-20; for Js – with
DS-2019) Permissible activities in the U.S. determined by status Can only hold status in one classification at a time (i.e. -
cannot have an F and an H) Depart US, give up status
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Maintaining Lawful Status
I-94, Arrival/Departure RecordTwo ways to obtain:
Port of Entry – requires visa Change or Extension of status
Governs Status Denotes classification (F, J, H, O) Denotes period of stay Surrendered upon departure, given up with status
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Maintaining Lawful Status
Passport Must have unexpired passport, even if no plans to travel
Travel – valid for at least 6 months from date of return
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Maintaining Lawful Status
Must have unexpired I-94 & passport Must be complying with terms of status
F-1 – attend class H-1B – work only for petitioning employer
Must update USCIS of current address File AR-11:
https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=coa.Terms
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Status Violations &Unlawful Presence
Status Violations May be able to correct, usually by departing the U.S.
and re-entering F-1 – may require re-instatement into SEVIS May be ineligible for change or extension of status
Unlawful Presence Overstaying date certain on I-94 Immigration official finds violation of F/J status
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Non-Immigrant Options
Generally… Employer & position specific For a specific duration (and often a limited
duration) Self-employment not an option
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Non-Immigrant Options: H-1B
H-1B: ‘specialty occupation’ Position that normally requires at least a bachelors
degree in a related field Employer must agree to pay ‘prevailing wage’ Maximum in H status 6 years total CAP on number of H-1Bs issued each year
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Non-Immigrant Options: H-1B Cap
What is it and what does it mean?20,000 for US awarded advanced degrees
FY 2012 gone by October 19. 2011 FY 2011 gone by December 22, 2010 FY 2010 gone by April 2009 FY 2009 gone by April 2008 FY 2008 gone by April 2007
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
H-1B Quota
65,000 H-1BsFY 2012 gone by November 22, 2011FY 2011 gone by January 26, 2011FY 2010 gone by December 2009FY 2009 gone by April 2008FY 2008 gone by April 2007FY 2007 gone by May 2006
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Avoiding H-1B Quota
Exemption based on employerUniversitiesNon-profits affiliated with universitiesNon-profit research organizationsGovernment research organizations
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Avoiding H-1B Quota
Exemption based on employeePreviously counted Singapore/ChileConcurrent employment
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Can’t avoid the quota, planning strategies?
Filing April 1 for Oct 1 start date CAP GAP Relief
Must file before OPT expires
Other Non-Immigrant Options
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Non-Immigrant Options: Ls
L-1: ‘intracompany transfer’ Must have worked for petitioning company overseas
for at least one year in the last three years For execs, managers, or special knowledge Spouse eligible for employment authorization Maximum 7 years in L status
NOTE: H & L combined – max 7 years
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Non-Immigrant Options: Es
■ Must be national of treaty country http://www.travel.state.gov./visa
■ Employing company must be owned at least 50% by treaty country nationals
■ No quota and can be extended indefinitely
■ Spouse eligible for employment authorization
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Non-Immigrant Options: TN
Citizens of Canada and Mexico Must have employer and job offer Profession must be on the NAFTA list Applicant must have qualifications as indicated
on NAFTA list Must evidence non-immigrant intent
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Non-Immigrant Options: other?
I visa – journalists O visa
Artists with distinction in field; or Scientists with extraordinary ability
E-3 – Australians only, similar to H-1B Dependent on spouse visa
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Going from Nonimmigrant to Immigrant
F-1 – attend school
F-1 OPT – start work
H-1B/L-1 – continue working; max 6 years total in H, 7 in L
H-1B – change employer, continues to count
against 6 years maximum (L trickier to change)For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Nonimmigrant to Immigrant
H-1B – change employer, requires new petitionmay start working under ‘H-1B portability’
4th Year H-1B status – start thinking about LPR
maintain NIV status until LPR
6 years in H-1B, other options? Eligible to file adjustment of status
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
How Do I Apply?
Family Investment Asylum Employment DV Lottery
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Permanent Residency Quotas
Annual Limit on Permanent Residency Per Country Limit – 7% Allocated by:
Priority Date – place in line Preference Category
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Permanent Residency Quotas
Employment Based Preferences First Preference (EB-1)
Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Researcher, Multinational Executive
Second Preference (EB-2) National Interest Waivers, Advanced Degreed Professionals,
Bachelors plus 5 years experience
Third Preference (EB-3) Skilled Worker (2+ years experience), Bachelor’s Degree
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Permanent Residency Quotas, Where Are We Now: DEC 2011
EmploymentBased
All Charge-ability Areas Except Those
Listed
CHINA- mainland
bornINDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES
1st C C C C C
2nd C 15MAR08 15MAR08 C C
3rd 15JAN06 08SEP04 01AUG02 15JAN06 15JAN06
5th Targeted Employment
Areas/Regional
Centers and Pilot
Programs
C C C C C
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Permanent Residency Quotas,Where Are We Now?
“Oversubscribed” versus “Available” Available if:
Visa Bulletin indicates “C” = current Priority date earlier than posted date
Predictions from State Department for FY2012 EB-1 approvals are down almost 50% This will advance EB-2 in China or India China EB-3 will advance a little; India EB-3 not at all
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Potential Problems Intent to return – F & J vs. H & O Visa interview delays Security clearances Technology Alert List 222(g)
Possible solutions Don’t travel Canada/Mexico Advance Parole
Travel Issues
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Materials
Please visit www.klaskolaw.com to download this PowerPoint presentation and relevant articles.
For more information, visit www.eb1immigration.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
For Further Information
Suzanne B. Seltzer, Esq.Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: 212-796-8840 (New York)
215-825-8600 (Philadelphia)
Websites: www.klaskolaw.comwww.eb1immigration.com
Blog: http://blog.klaskolaw.com