F-1 Visa

Can I change my status from B-1/B-2 to H-1B, L-1, F-1?

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

I have worked in the U.S. under L-1\H-1B from June-2015 to March-2020. I have been in India since the last 2 and half years (Not working for any US based company). Now I have got Job offer from a US company and the H-1B I-797 petition is approved. I have a previous employer's H-1B Visa stamp (which expired last month) in my current passport, and B1/B2 Visa stamp(got in 2013 and valid till Sep-2023) in my older passport. I also have approved I-140 (EB2) from my previous employer.

My Question is due to the high wait time for Visa appointments, in worst case, if I can not secure a visa appointment anywhere close to joining date, can I travel to the US with a valid B-1/B-2 Visa and approved I-797 and later change status to H-1B and join the job? If yes, would it impact the GC process in future?

FAQ Transcript

I would strongly recommend against it. I think you would do a lot better trying to get an H-1B Visa stamping in a third country. People are going to places like Singapore, Hong Kong and Maldives. Look around India and you might be able to make an appointment.

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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.

ACICS Loss of Recognition May Affect Certain Students Applying for English Language Study and 24-month STEM OPT Extension Programs, H-1B, and I-140 Applicants

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Release Date

11/01/2022

On Aug. 19, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced that it no longer recognizes the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as an accrediting agency. This determination immediately affects two immigration-related student programs:

Recording of October 27, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Nonimmigrant Visas

Immigration Law

DS-160

Green Card

FAQ: What happens to H-1B after Green Card approval? || OPT eligibility requirements, F-1 status for one academic year, and Change of Status or visa stamping from back to H-4 || PERM issues for a green card for remote jobs - headquarters || Can an H-1B visa holder rent via Airbnb? Is this a violation of status? || How long does it take from PERM to Green Card, and difference between NIW and PERM Labor Certification? || Applying for E-2 Visa with a pending family-based Green Card; who can be the main applicant for an E-2 visa? ||

Recording of October 13, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

Discussion Topics:

FAQ: Can I change my status from B-1/B-2 to H-1B, L-1, F-1?|| Can an H-1B holder open an LLC in the US and employ their spouse on H-4 EAD? || Parents staying in or traveling to the U.S. while their green card petition is pending? || Volunteer work on an H-1B visa || Deportation when a permanent resident is involved in Shoplifting || 7th year H-1B extension with pending PERM

Change of employers after H-1B is approved and before October 1; the number of pay stubs required; revocation of H-1B before October 1

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

I am currently on F-1 Stem OPT, and my H1B got approved this year a few days back. My current company is shutting down its operations and moving everything to Mexico.
1. They have given me the last date of employment as 31st October 2022. So my question is how soon can I change my employer and can I transfer my H1B to a new employer before 1st October 2022?
2. Also, if I can do my visa transfer only after October 1st 2022,?
3. Can I do that with 1 paystub, or will I require 2 paystubs?

FAQ Transcript

1. You are fine because you are going into the fiscal year of the government, which begins on October 1st and that makes you exempt from the H-1B quota forever.
2. You can change your employer even now if your current employer won't revoke before October 1st. If you are nervous about that you can file for a transfer after October 1st.
3. You do not need any particular number of pay stubs.

Recording of Sept 15, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Immigration.com

Community Conference Call

Citizenship and Naturalization

Citizenship

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

Discussion Topics:

FAQ: Was Green Card approved in error? Time taken by the USCIS to respond to an E request for correction, travel?|| Entry into the U.S. using the Advance Parole after green card approval during a trip abroad ||

Recording of August 18, 2022 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Immigration.com

Community Conference Call

Agency

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

Discussion Topics, Aug 18, 2022

FAQs: Change of employers after H-1B is approved and before October 1; the number of pay stubs required; revocation of H-1B before October 1 || I-140 was approved and then revoked in 2011. Can I keep my priority date and also apply for I-485? What is the deadline for filing I-485? || Impact of alternate wage survey for H-1B LCA; the success rates of H-1B extensions; AC21 rule when the company is bought by a successor-in-interest

PhD students and eligibility for EB-2 NIW and working on F-1 OPT

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

1) Is it possible for current PhD students to apply for EB-2 NIW?
I have been through websites where they have said It's Possible, but then why is it not possible for current MS students?
2) Is it possible to work and study in F-1 OPT after completing the degree?

FAQ Transcript

Sure, you can apply for any of these green cards while you are still a student.

Please go through my article in The Economic Times:

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/migrate/can-student-visa-holders-apply-for-a-green-card/articleshow/83976519.cms

NIW laws require only that you possess an advanced degree. A Master’s degree is an advanced degree.

Potential conflict between employment in India and F-1 visa status

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Question details

I am currently working at a company in India. I am eligible to claim Employee Stock Option (ESOPS) on 17th August 2022. However, I will be landing in Dallas, USA on 10th August on F-1 Visa (For Fall 22). The company will still offer those ESOPs, but the official relieving date will be on 17th August. From 9th August onwards till 17th August, I will be on Loss of Pay Leave i.e (unpaid leave). I am worried that situation would create a conflict with my F-1 visa status.

1. I want to know whether this is legal as I will be employed at a company in India for 7 days after arrival in the U.S. on an F-1 visa.
2. Whether this will cause problems in future when I apply for OPT or H-1B or even EB-3 as my previous employment end date is 7 days after arrival in the U.S.?

1. It appears that you are getting a benefit based on the work you have already done. You will NOT be performing any "new" work for the Indian company.

2. I do not see this as an issue.

FAQ Transcript

Frequently asked questions answered in The Economic Times NRI Helpdesk by Rajiv : What are the risks involved in renewing F1 visa in another country?

2 years ago By Chief Editor

Published by: The Economic Times: August 01, 2022

Question: I have been in the U.S since 2017, and my F1 visa expires this month due to the 5 year validity period.

Answer: First of all, unless you are traveling, you do not have to renew your visa. If the visa expires while you're still completing your course, it's absolutely no problem.

Read more by clicking the link below or the pdf attachment.

https://bit.ly/3Q8z7Hx

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