post student years: immigration options october 29, 2008 klasko, rulon, stock & seltzer, llp...

Post Student Years: Immigration Options

October 29, 2008

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLPSuzanne B. Seltzer, Esq.

Kate Kalmykov, Esq.Philadelphia - New York

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Hot Topics in Immigration Law Agenda

H-1B Visas H-1B Alternatives Extending Your OPT Permanent Residence Status Travel Issues Q&As


H-1B Visas

Basic requirements Job Offer Prevailing Wage Bachelors or higher degree Specialty occupation

Procedure and processing times Specialty occupation issues Part-time or full-time Length of approval Extensions Portability Spouses and Employment Authorization Travel


H-1B Quota

What is it and what does it mean? 65,000 H-1Bs

FY2009 gone by April 2008 FY2008 gone by April 2007 FY2007 gone by May 2006 FY2006 gone by August 2005 FY2005 gone by October 2004

20,000 for US awarded advanced degrees FY2009 gone by April 2008 FY2008 gone by April 2007 FY2007 gone by August 2006 FY2006 gone by January 2006


Avoiding H-1b Quota

Exemption based on employer Universities Non-profits affiliated with universities Non-profits or gov’t research organizations or place of employment, law says “at”

Exemption based on employee Previously counted Singapore/Chile Concurrent employment


Can’t avoid the quota, planning strategies?

Filing April 1 for Oct 1 start date CAP GAP Relief

Going from quota exempt to quota subject Portability? Concurrent employment? Working “at” University or non-profit


Alternatives to H-1B

Alternative Employment Options O-1 E-3 (Australians) TN (Canadian/Mexicans) J-1 (new rules limiting applicability) E visas (treaty between home & U.S.) L visas (work for company overseas, transfer to U.S.) I visa (journalists – disseminate news abroad) OPT Extension- STEM


Alternative Visa Options (cont’d) EAD through spouse’s status

J-2 E L-2 I-485


Permanent Resident Status

Family Investment Asylum Employment Diversity Visa Lottery


Permanent Resident StatusEmployment

Employer-sponsored or self-sponsored Labor certification or extraordinary/national

interest/exceptional Multiple petitions


Permanent Resident StatusEmployment (Cont.)Extraordinary ability

EB-1 Standards Documentation Reference letters

National Interest Waiver EB-2 Standards


Permanent Resident StatusEmployment (Cont.)

Labor Certification Application (PERM) Employer Sponsored Recruitment Prevailing wage Legal issues Timing First of 3 steps EB-2 or EB-3


Permanent Resident StatusAdjustment of Status (I-485) Timing

Preference categories/quotas Priority dates Processing times

Concurrent filing (I-140/I-485) Employment authorization Advance Parole


Permanent Resident StatusAdjustment of Status (I-485) Adjustment Portability H-1B Extensions

One Year Three years

Spouses


Travel Issues

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


Contact Information

Suzanne B. Seltzer, Esq. Telephone: 212-796-8846 Fax: 212-297-1799 Email: [email protected]

Kate Kalmykov, Esq. Telephone: 212-796-8856 Fax: 212-297-1799 Email: [email protected]

post student years: immigration options october 29, 2008 klasko, rulon, stock & seltzer, llp...

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