F Visa

Filing H-4 and H-1 simultaneously || Status of F-1 once H-4 is approved || Most efficient way to get EAD F-1 or H-4?

Question details

My case in brief:

I am currently of F1 OPT (STEM), valid until 15th June 2023.

My company will be filing for H1B this March.

However, I am wondering if I should be filing for an H4 visa simultaneously.

Could you tell me how long it takes for an H4 visa and an h4 EAD to process?

If I file for an H4 visa in February, would I lose my f1 visa as soon as the h4 visa is approved?

Is there any new policy where I can get h4EAD sooner? And moved my F1 EAD to h4 EAD without any employment gap?

Should I wait for the h1b result before applying for an h4 visa?

What is the best scenario to switch from F1 OPT EAD to h4 EAD, without/minimum employment gap?

 

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

If you have been selected in the lottery, you will get a cap gap extension.  If you do not get selected in the lottery, then obviously you have to go to H-4, you have plenty of time to figure that out. As soon as the change of status is approved, you lose your F-1.  Premiuming through your husband would be great if that works for you.

Recording for March 09, 2023 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

Immigration.com

FAQs: Volunteering on a non-profit board committee while on H-1B or H-4 visa: Implications for visa stamping and green card process

H-4 visa dependent children change of status to F-1 before 21

Question details

My daughter was born in Canada and is on my H-1 visa as an H-4 dependent. She is currently studying 2nd year of her Bachelor's degree and will turn 21 in July/2024. I have a couple of questions, and they are
1. By what date/age she needs to change her status from H-4 to F-1?
2. Once on F-1 status, are there a minimum number of months/semesters/years she has to complete before being eligible for a CPT or OPT?
 

Video URL
FAQ Transcript
  1. She needs to file for a change of status before she turns 21.
  1.  I believe it is two full semesters one academic year, double check that with the DSO.

 

FAQ: Multiple companies applying for H-1B Cap registration - H-1B lottery

Question details

I am an international student currently of F-1 visa status and will be graduating in May-23. I have the below questions:

1. Can multiple companies / employers apply for H1-B on my behalf in this upcoming H1-B cap pool?

2. If yes, is there a possibility that the employers might get to know about this?

3. Should my name in the passport and birth certificate match exactly? My birth certificate has an abbreviation my last name but my passport has my complete last name.

 

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

When there is no connection between two companies, and they are not colluding to help somebody get an H-1B visa or increase their chances of getting selected in the H1B lottery, multiple companies can file. Interestingly, even different units within the same bigger company could file if they have a genuine need and not face any issues.

H-1B layoff options - Going to home country and applying for jobs, going through the lottery again and documents required to apply for a new visa to explain missing pay stubs

Question details

I am on an H-1B visa and recently got laid off.

If I don't find a job within the 60 days grace period:

1. Can I go back to my home country and keep applying for jobs and then come back once I get one? If yes, would I have to go through the lottery again?

2. If not, what are my options?

3. What additional documents do I need to provide while applying for my new visa to explain the missing pay stubs?

4. What does the company that let me go send to the USCIS as documentation for termination of contract?

 

Video URL
FAQ Transcript
  1. Sure, you can go back to your home country. No, you do not have to go through the lottery again.
  2. H-4 and F-1 CPT visas would be options.
  3. You actually just need a copy of your H-1B approval.
  4. If an employer wants to conclude an H-1B, they have to do three things: First, they have to inform the employee that their job is terminated. Second, they have to offer the employee a one-way ticket back to their home country. Third, they have to put it down in writing and request that the H-1B be revoked because they have to write to the USCIS.

Recording for February 23, 2023 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

Immigration.com

Immigration Law

Discussion Topics:

FAQs: H-1B visa cap exemption - How does the 6-year rule work? || Will having EAD cards or petition approvals with gaps in the start and end date cause an issue?|| H-1B visa layoff options - Going to home country and applying for jobs, going through the lottery again, documents required to apply for a new visa to explain missing pay stubs and the contents of the documentation for termination contract sent by the company to the USCIS