H1B Visa and Immigration Law Attorney New York

<body bgcolor=white background="images/backflag.gif" lang=EN-US link=red vlink=red style='tab-interval:.5in' alink="#cc0000"> <div class=Section1> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%;mso-cellspacing:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 0in 0in'> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:0'> <td colspan=3 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><o:p> </o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:1;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes;height:45.75pt'> <td width="15%" style='width:15.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.75pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><img width=75 height=50 id="_x0000_i1025" src="images/us-flag.gif"></p> </td> <td width="68%" valign=bottom style='width:68.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in; height:45.75pt'> <p align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-family:Verdana'>LAW OFFICE OF AJAY K. ARORA</span></b><br> <b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Empire State Building<br> 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2806<br> New York, NY 10118<br> Phone: (212)268-3580<br> Fax: (212)268-3582<br> Email: <a href="mailto:info@h1b1.com">info@h1b1.com</a></span></b> </p> </td> <td width="17%" style='width:17.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.75pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><img border=0 width=75 height=50 id="_x0000_i1026" src="images/us-flag.gif"></p> </td> </tr> </table> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> <p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Disclaimer: This article is not intended to establish an attorney-client relationship. All information contained herein is generalized. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk.</span></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p> <div align=center> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse;border:none;mso-border-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook:1184;mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-border-insideh: 1.5pt solid #1D0581;mso-border-insidev:1.5pt solid #1D0581'> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:0;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes;height:.3in'> <td width=74 style='width:55.35pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><a href="overview.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>H-1B</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=74 style='width:55.35pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><a href="laborcert.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>PERM</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=74 style='width:55.35pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><a href="L1visa.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>L-1</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=74 style='width:55.35pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><a href="employmentbased.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>EB-1</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=74 style='width:55.35pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><a href="employmentbased.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>NIW</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=74 style='width:55.35pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><a href="O1pet.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>O-1</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=102 style='width:76.8pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;color:windowtext'><a href="sponsor.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>FAMILY SPONSORSHIP</span></a></span></b><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=100 style='width:75.3pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;color:windowtext'><a href="feechart.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>OTHER IMMIGRATION</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <h2 align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="index.html" target="_parent"><span style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><img border=0 width=41 height=34 id="_x0000_i1028" src="images/home.gif" alt="Back to Home Page" name=HomePage></span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana'><o:p></o:p></span></h2> <h2 align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:Verdana'>FAMILY MEMBERS OF H-1B VISA HOLDERS</span></h2> <blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>What action, if any, is required on the part of an H-4 nonimmigrant alien (a family member of a H-1B principal alien) if the H-1B principal alien changes employers? This question will be answered after a brief overview of the H-4 category. </span></p> <h3><span style='font-family:Verdana'>H-4 Category</span></h3> <p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Family members of the H-1B worker are admitted to the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>United States</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'> in the H-4 category. Qualifying family members include only the spouse and unmarried children under 21 years old. Family members are admitted for the same period for which the principal family member is admitted. </span></p> </blockquote> <blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Family members may alternatively be admitted in other nonimmigrant categories for which they qualify, such as the F-1 category for children or spouses who will be students or the H-1B category for a spouse whose employer has also obtained approval of an H-1B petition to employ the spouse.</span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>H-4 family members may undertake studies while remaining in the H-4 category. Family members cannot engage in any form of employment in the H-4 category, however. In order to work, family members must obtain U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service permission through the approval of a change of status application to a nonimmigrant category permitting employment.</span></p> <h3><span style='font-family:Verdana'>Change of Employer</span></h3> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>The following question by a fellow American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) member was recently put to Ms. Yvonne M. LaFleur, Chief, Nonimmigrant Branch, INS [USCIS]: "Whether the H-4 visa holders maintain their status as long as the principal alien maintains his/her status, or are they also required to re-file to maintain their status in change of employer situations?" </span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>The following facts were furnished to Chief LaFleur: "The principal alien is the beneficiary of an H-1B visa petition by 'Company A'. The visa is valid for a period of three years. The accompanying family member receives an H-4 visa for the same period reflecting the principal alien's employment with 'Company A'. One year later, the principal alien changes employers. A new H-1B visa is petitioned for by 'Company B', and all procedures are followed so that the principal alien is never out of status. The validity dates on the H-4 accompanying family member's visa has two years remaining, but still shows 'Company A' as the H-1B petitioner and not 'Company B'.</span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Chief LaFleur's response to the AILA member's query acknowledged that an H-4 nonimmigrant alien's authorized stay in the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>United States</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'> is contingent on the continued validity of the H-1B principal alien's status. The H-4 nonimmigrant alien continues to remain in valid nonimmigrant status as long as the principal alien remains in a valid nonimmigrant status. </span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>"[S]ince the H-4 nonimmigrant classification is not specific to an employer, the H-4 nonimmigrant alien remains in valid status even if the principal alien changes H-1B employers. No action is required on the part of the H-4 nonimmigrant alien when the principal H-1B alien changes employers within the same classification." </span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Chief LaFleur's response should enlighten USCIS examiners in regards to whether the principal alien's family owes a penalty under Immigration & Nationality Act Sec. 245(i) when adjusting status (procedure leading to issuance of permanent resident status). The USCIS examiner may in good faith (until now) have believed that H-4 status is violated by not refiling when the H-1B principal alien changes his or her employer.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>It is important to remember, however, that family members extend their I-94 prior to expiration. This form determines eligibility to remain legally in the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'> and is issued at either the port-of-entry when entering the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>, or is attached to an approval notice granting change or extension of nonimmigrant status by the USCIS. The “last action rule” applies, so that the latest issued I-94 is dispositive in determining when an individual’s I-94 expires if there are multiple I-94’s in possession.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Please <a href="contact.htm">contact</a> our law firm for additional discussion and alternative options.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>[Note: Please consult with an attorney specializing in Immigration & Nationality law for professional advice in specific situations.] </span></p> <p><a href="index.html" target="_parent"><span style='text-decoration:none; text-underline:none'><img border=0 width=41 height=34 id="_x0000_i1029" src="images/home.gif" alt="Back to Home Page" name=HomePage></span></a></p> </blockquote> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> <p class=MsoNormal><i>Ajay K. Arora, Esq., is a prominent member of the Immigration & Nationality bar in </i><st1:City><st1:place><i>New York City</i></st1:place></st1:City><i> and a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He may be contacted at (212)268-3580.</i></p> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> <br> <a href="http://www.bitwords.com/custom-web-design.php">custom website design</a> by Bitwords Media <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Copyright © 1999-2010 Ajay K. Arora, Attorney-at-Law, P.C. All rights reserved.</span> </p> </div> <br><a href="http://www.bitwords.com/">Website design and developed</a> by Bitwords Media </body>