Mentol Blog's

Friends,

If you want to use AC21 and are worried about matching job descriptions, you may do the following:

Go to the SWA O'net site: O*NET Code Connector - Occupation Search (http://www.onetcodeconnector.org/find/result)

Get the O'net code under which your application was filed from your attorney. Use the search option to find out the details of the job description listed under your O'net code. Write down the job duties of your future employment and see is your future job duties match the duties of your O'net code. If it matches 100% you are good. If not, see to what extent it matches.

My job duties matched about 60-70%. I took the risk because I didn't have a choice. I was laid off.

My understanding is that your future job duties should be compared to your O'net job duties and not to your current function at your current firm.

I guess this information helps you to do your ground work before you talk to your attorney. Using AC 21 is a pretty significant decision and can be done very safely if you have a good attorney to guide you through.

PM me if you have any further questions.

You cannot use current job's experience in any situation
From the above posts you can defintely use the priority date once I-140 is approved and move on.

My Question is can you start a new application under PERM with the same company, use the experience gained in the current company to apply under EB2, and use the locked priority date.

Hope I make sense. I have been with my current company for more than 5 years and used the EB3 category and have no intention of leaving etc, but if I were to reapply and use the old priority dates, my dates would be current.

Thanks in advance for your comments.:)

As per my understanding, due to the July 2, 2007 fiasco, Visa dates were unavailable for ALL chargeability areas between July 2nd - July 17th 2007 (i.e until USCIS temporarily made relaxation after protests from IV et al. )

So how can the processing date be July 11th !!

It implies that they are processing a case that was filed/receipted on July 11th !! Whereas as per the Visa bulletin no body should have been able to file a case when PDs were not current during that brief time slot (2nd - 17th of july). So are they processing cases out of thin air !! :) (just kidding...I know some people did contine to file after July 2nd despite dates not being current)

If indeed people did continue to file their papers even after July 2nd (and I think some did), then may be they are processing those (relatively) few applications. But would they allow such applications. I guess they are...they are atleast processing them :) , whether or not they will honor such filings I dont know....

HI
I am planning to file a for a fresh EAD or new EAD.
I had filed 485 on 08/06/2007.

Now I have the following questions:

1) I am confused about the filing fee for EAD. Some say Filing fee is dependent on your 485 filign date.
For example, on usics website under 'Special Instructions' it says (http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=73ddd59cb7a5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCR D)
"If you filed a Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, on July 30, 2007, or after, then no fee is required to file a request for employment authorization on Form I-765. You may file the I-765 concurrently with your I-485, or you may submit the I-765 at a later date."
Does that mean I donot have to pay any fee to USICS for EAD application?

2)What are the documents I have to submit along with I-485 receipt, I-94 copy & 2 photos?
On the I-765Instr document it says
"You must submit a copy of your Federal Government-issued identity document, such as a passport showing your picture, name and date of birth; a birth certificate with photo ID; a visa issued by a foreign consulate; or a national ID document with photo and/or fingerprint.The identity document photocopy must clearly show the facial feature of the applicant and the boigraphical information."
Which document I should provide as per the above statement?

3)What is the EAD application current processing time for Nebraska as I am in California and have to apply to NSC(Nebraska)?

Thanks in advance.

05/08/2008: Fashion Model Nonimmigrant Visa Reclassification and Relief Legislation Inching Ahead - 05/08/2008 Mark-Up

* Currently, foreign fashion models come to work in the U.S. under the nonimmigrant visa classification of H-1B. A legislative bill , H.R. 4080, was introduced last December in the House to reclassify the visa classification from H-1B to P visas for artists and athlets. This morning, the House Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee is scheduled to debate 9:30 a.m. on this bill and it is expected that this bill will move ahead to the House floor. For the full text of the bill, please click the bill number.

My opinion:

Well, can the Java Programmer walk the ramp and pull it off like a professional model? Their work is a lot harder than it appears on the outside taking into account the success rate among models. Considering that even school kids can write excellent java programs, if we still want to consider the Java programmer as "highly skilled", then so are models.

Giselle Bundchen is worth half a billion dollars or somewhere in that range.

Btw, I am in the programming line myself in case someone thinks I have a problem with programmers. But I wouldn't mind swapping places with a successful model ;)

I dont see any problem trying. The worst that cna happen is she doesnot help.
If anybody has contacts, please try to contact as many people in goverment as possible

Sorry I was away from my computer for a while.

Thanks for all your help Guys.
We are talking to Lawyer, Murthy law today.

It's an employment based.
This case of I-485 is 2004.
We talked to USCIS and they say to wait for notice and they do not have nay reason to tell over phone as they do not have access to NOTICE.

Hope Lawyer comes out with something.

THank you all
Great help and moral support from all of you at Immigration VOice.

Please be prepared..just think of various reason and prepare accordingly.Everything will be fine.

New Immigration Bill Amendment Could Help Keep Foreign Tech Workers In U.S.

http://www.shusterman.com/cgi-bin/ex-link.pl?www.informationweek.com/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=UWJRQUDRODHLAQSNDLPCK HSCJUNN2JVN?articleID=199800102&queryText=immigration

EB3, PD = Apr 2003


by the way on - http://immigrationvoice.org/index.php?option=com_tracker&Itemid=63
sort by PD is sorting on alphabet of the month rather than year...so to get all the EB3 in 03 you may have to look in all the pages.

Added those notes sage and iamthejuggler :)

well I have the same problem as next year I plan to be a full-time student and part-time on job.....my LC is also pending....will it effect GC..Is chanding H1 to part-time doable...what if LC is clear....can it be done later at any time i mean full-time student and part-time job....

@sabbygirl99 Could u pls let me know what course of action u took in this regard.

Has anyone ever seen this scenario before??!

Part time worker but a full time student - all on a part time H1 visa? I have talked to one lawyer and a couple of admissions officers. They all say that it should be OK (but they are not crazy about it) but I want to talk to someone that actually did it.

Is anyone out there like that??? Thanks!!

Sincerely,
Need To Move on With My Life

I think another argument would be to request a statistics of how many actual terrorists or big criminals FBI caught during that "name check" process. Why would a terrorist apply for LC/I-140/I-485, go to FP, sit at the same address for years, provide his true identity and real (not fake) documents, and wait while FBI will check his name? And then he will sit and wait until FBI will knock his door? Did FBI catch at least ONE person during that process?

Another argument. Why GC should be issued only AFTER name check? What difference from security stand point makes if a person on GC or on EAD/AP cycle? If he is a terrorist he suppose to be caught, interrogated, charged, centenced, deported. The law allows doing that on either GC or EAD/AP stage. So then why torture people on EAD/AP stage for years?

......

Guys-

If someone is asking advice , give it to him professionally. I know, including myself, everyone is frustrated. Quite honestly, most people forget that GC is for the benefit of the company not your benefit. Your benefit just comes along. They have this whole fuckin system because they need people from outside. Not because they love you. It is company that controls GC until you get it. So it is HIS company that is using the tricks of the trade. They can claim that they had lost profit since they did not have a permanent employee for long. All these jumping the queues and rules were framed for the benefit of the company. Not aliens, as they call us.

"If too many indians are ready to work hard by waiting for 10 yrs for their benefit, yeah why not, screw , I am not giving it to you." -- A mind of a Republican congressman

Not only mine. There are many in the same scenario. Its the feeling of being close to the finishline but stll can't cross it. Sudden Influx of anything let it be USCIS is not good.

I was so busy worrying I don't have proper shoe, that I didn't notice a person pass by with no leg

I would like to participate. Let's see if there are any solutions to the historic backlogs in EB3 IND...

EB3 IND folks, this is your time to join and ask your questions.

We are a small group, and most of our provisions are reasonable, and hopefully we can get our provisions passed. I wish the same for the undocumented too. If it happens in one bill all the better!

Right.

But Mr Gutierrez thinks otherwise. Hispanic Democrats know very well that if Legals get any reprieve, then the fate of undocumented provisions is for sure dead. That's why all legal provisions have been held hostage.

Unfortunately, legal immigration doesnot have any representation in the senate to work for our interests.

Suprisingly, majority of the Americans favor legal immigration over undocumented, and any legal provisions will have public support. A few senators are playing dirty politics and holding thousands of legalites ransom. If CIR fails, I would hope/pray these Hispanic Democrats don't get elected in mid-term so that we can move forward

I-485 could be from family based, EB1 and ROW categories. I dont all these became Unavailable on July 2nd. Also you are right, USCIS didnt reject applications even though they came in between July 2nd and 17th.

That particular date of July 11 at NSC is for EB I-485 !

Thanks Krishnam70, would you please send the URL?

Friends,

I don't create new threads without doing homework, so please bear with me here. After going through existing threads on this issue, I thought we need a dedicated thread for (only) H1-B stamping process (only) in Canada. The aim of this thread is to cover the following topics

1) nvars.com appointments for H1-B visa
2) Canada visitor visa application process & docs
3) Land or Air travel - issues & procedures
4) Entry into Canada & Return Entry into US experiences
5) Interview with Visa Officers
6) PIMS issues at consulates in Canada
7) 221(g) & Delays
8) AP (vs) H1-B Dilemma.

Here is another similar thread but covers H1, H4 at consulates all over the world (mostly Mexico, India, Canada).
http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=4192

Last week we became members of Global Alliance of Hospitality Attorneys (http://www.hospitalitylawyer.com/index.php?id=47), this will allow us to serve our clients even better and offer solution to the ever changing global workforce that the hospitality industry is facing.

Whether transferring employees between international properties or employing management trainees, immigration is an integral part of the hospitality industry. The top seven visa types utilized by the hospitality industry are the J-1, H-3,H2B, L-1,E2, TN and H-1B. The following is a brief outline of each of these visa types:

E2 Visa (http://www.h1b.biz/lawyer-attorney-1137174.html)

This is also known as the nonimmigrant investor visa. It is a temporary category that is granted in two-year to five year increments with no limits on the number of extensions. In comparison, the H-2B is limited to 10 months with 3 extensions. The E-2 category is available to citizens of countries that have a treaty of trade or commerce with the U.S. such as the Holland, France and the UK The State Department does not require any specific size investment. Rather it says the business owner must invest a "substantial amount of capital" that generates "more than enough income to provide a minimal living for the treaty investor and his or her family.".

An E-2 allows European nationals to manage investments that are at least 50% Euro owned. The visa requires that the U.S. investment be substantial and generates a substantial income. While there are no hard and fast figures on what the minimum investment amount is, the USCIS generally require a business investment of $150,000 or more, but the investment amount depends on the nature of the business. For example, opening up a restaurant in downtown San Diego would require 500,000 dollars while opening up a Catering business firm may only require start up costs of $70,000. This is why there is no fixed figure on a minimum investment amount.

The E-2 investor must show that its return on investment is more than what is necessary to merely support the investor in the U.S. Another example illustrates how this works. An E-2 investor wishes to establish a French Bakery and will invest $35,000 to buy the equipment. He expects the Bakery to generate $60,000 in gross sales. This business would probably not qualify because the gross income generated would not be substantial. The Bakery would only generate enough money to support the investor.

H2B Visa (http://www.h1b.biz/lawyer-attorney-1137785.html)

Temporary nonimmigrant classifications that allow noncitizens to come to the United States to perform temporary or seasonal work that is nonagricultural (such as hospitality or resort work) if persons capable of performing such a service or labor cannot be found in this country. Up to 66,000 new visas are available each year in this category. The number has been reached increasingly earlier every year. In Fiscal Year 2007, the first half of the cap was reached 3 days before the year began and the second half was met 4 months before the period began. From March of 2005 through September of 2007, returning workers were exempt from counting toward that cap due to the lack of temporary workers. Congress is considering renewing this popular policy.

Employer's need must be temporary: Visas are only authorized if the employer can demonstrate a "temporary" need, that is, less than one year, and that the need is either a "one-time occurrence," a "seasonal need," a "peakload need" or an "intermittent need." The employer cannot use this category for permanent and long-term labor needs.

Employee's intent must be temporary: The nonimmigrant worker must intend to return to his or her country upon expiration of his or her authorized stay. The worker may be required to prove ties to his or her home country.

J1 Visa

For seasonal/temporary employment, there is the J-1 Summer Work/Travel Program, which allows foreign college or university students to work in the U.S. during their summer vacation.

This type of J-1 classification is valid for four months and allows the students to assist
companies in meeting current labor demands. In addition, the biggest benefit to this type of J-1 classification is that the foreign students can do any type of work for the company. It is not necessary for the work to be related to the student�s degree.

The Management Trainee J-1 visa classification is another viable option and is valid for twelve to eighteen months and considered relatively easy to obtain. The potential trainees must possess a post-secondary degree or professional certificate and one year of work experience in their occupational field from outside the U.S. Five years of work experience in their occupational field can also be used in place of the post-secondary degree or professional certificate.

H3 Visa

The H3 has become a popular option for many of our Hotel clients and we use it for certain trainees that need advanced training that is NOT available in their home countries.

An application for an H-3 visa requires the prior filing with a BCIS service center of a petition by the foreign national�s prospective trainer on Form I-129 with an H Supplement, a training program including the names of the prospective trainees, and the proper filing fee. The petition may be filed for multiple trainees so long as they will be receiving the same training for the same period of time at the same location. Additionally, the petition must indicate the source of any remuneration received by the trainee and any benefits that will accrue to the petitioning organization for providing the training. The trainee must demonstrate nonimmigrant intent by having an unabandoned residence in a foreign country. There are no numerical limits on the number of H-3 petitions issued each year. H-3 visas are not based on college education.

Upon approval of the petition, an I-797 Notice of Action of approval is issued by the service center. The foreign national submits the I-797 approval notice to an American consulate abroad with Form DS-156 and, if necessary, the DS-157 and other forms required by the consulate to obtain an H-3 visa stamp. A foreign national in the United States may apply for change of status to H-3.

TN Visa

NAFTA is the North American Free Trade Agreement. It creates special economic and trade relationships for the United States, Canada and Mexico. The nonimmigrant NAFTA Professional (TN) visa allows citizens of Canada and Mexico, as NAFTA professionals to work in the United States. Permanent residents, including Canadian permanent residents, are not able to apply to work as a NAFTA professional.

The Conditions for Professionals from Mexico and Canada to Work in the United States

* Applicant should be a citizen of Canada or Mexico;
* Profession must be on the NAFTA list; - Hotel Manager is a NAFTA category
* Position in the U.S. requires a NAFTA professional;
* Mexican or Canadian applicant is to work in a prearranged full-time or part-time job, for a U.S. employer (see documentation required). Self employment is not permitted;
* Professional Canadian or Mexican citizen has the qualifications of the profession

Requirements for Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens usually do not need a visa as a NAFTA Professional, although a visa can be issued to qualified TN visa applicants upon request. However, a Canadian residing in another country with a non-Canadian spouse and children would need a visa to enable the spouse and children to be able to apply for a visa to accompany or join the NAFTA Professional, as a TD visa holder.

L1 Visa

L-1 category is meant for aliens coming to the United States on temporary assignment for the same or an affiliated employer for which the alien worked abroad for at least one year within the proceeding three years. Many large hotel chanins have takes advantage of this visa to bring top executives to the US locations or workers with specialized skills. The alien must be employed in a managerial or executive capacity (L-1A) or one involving specialized knowledge (L-1B). There is no annual limit on the number issued.

The family members of L-1 alien can come to the U.S. under L-2 category. However, they cannot engage in employment in the United States unless they change the status to a nonimmigrant category for which employment is allowed.

Requirements

A U.S. employer or foreign employer (must have a legal business in the U.S.) seeking to transfer a qualifying employee of the same organization must file petition with USCIS.

H1B visa

Aliens coming to the United States to perform services in a specialty occupation or as a fashion model of distinguished merit and ability are classified under H-1B category.

A maximum of 65,000 H-1B visas are issued every year. The H-1B visa is issued for up to three years but may be extended for another three years. Individuals cannot apply for an H-1B visa to allow them to work in the US. The employer must petition for entry of the employee.

Specialty occupation is defined as an occupation, which requires:

* Theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge, and
* Attainment of a bachelor's or higher degree in the specific specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum for entry

A specialty occupation requires theoretical and practical application of a body of specialized knowledge along with at least a bachelor's degree or its equivalent. For example, architecture, engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, social sciences, medicine and health, education, business specialties, accounting, law, theology, and the arts are specialty occupations.

We have processed H1B visas for Front Desk managers, food service managers, Chefs, Public Relations specialists, and Lodging Managers as well as other specialized positions.

The above referenced visas will allow Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants to hire any type of workers needed to support their operations in the US. Hotels often face shortage in skilled labor, a careful usage of the above 7 visas will ensure constant flow of workers. Through our membership in the Global Alliance of Hospitality Attorneys, we will continue to offer our clients superior service.







More... (http://www.visalawyerblog.com/2010/05/hospitality_immigration_lawyer_2.html)