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'><span style='font-size:18.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></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.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></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'>THE H-1B VISA</span></h2> <blockquote style='margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt'> <h2><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>I. INTRODUCTION </span></h2> <h2><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>A. TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT VISA </span></h2> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>This article will give our viewers a general overview of the requirements for obtaining the H-1B visa. The H-1B category is an expedient and lawful method to bring foreign-born professionals temporarily 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'>, and therefore one of the most widely sought after visa classifications for employment 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'>. To obtain an H-1B visa, there must be a job offer and an employer who is willing to sponsor a person by filing a petition with the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS). The USCIS will review the petition and send an approval notice if it is satisfied that all conditions for an H-1B worker are met. An individual may have a petition filed for him from more than one employer if he or she seeks employment in two jobs. Also, if an individual is in H-1B status and seeks to change jobs, then he or she must have a petition filed for him by his or her new employer. See our article on <a href="concurrent.htm" target="_self">concurrent employment</a>. </span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>An individual may work in H-1B status for a maximum of six years. However, a petition will not be approved for more than three years at one time. An extension of stay is requested if an individual is in H-1B status already and he or she is eligible for a longer period of employment. A petition may be filed by a job contractor, namely a person or entity that pays its employees for services performed at the work sites of other employers. See our article on <a href="compprof.htm" target="_self">computer professionals</a>.</span> </p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>If the beneficiary of an H-1B petition is in the U.S. in valid status (e.g., F-1 student visa or B-1 or B-2 visitor visas or any other valid nonimmigrant visa status), he or she may change status within the U.S. and continue to reside in the U.S. thereafter in H-1B status until the expiration date specified on the H-1B approval notice. If the beneficiary is not 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'>, he or she must go to a U.S. Consulate outside 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'> to apply for an H-1B visa upon <span class=SpellE>USCIS's</span> approval of the H-1B petition. Dependent immediate family members (spouse and children under 21 years of age) may enter on an H-4 visa along with the principal beneficiary. See our article on <a href="family.htm" target="_self">family members</a>.</span> </p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>In general, most nonimmigrant visa classifications require that a person maintain a foreign residence abroad and show that he or she is coming to 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'> temporarily. However, the law allows a person on an H-visa to have "dual intent," which is arguably the most beneficial aspect of obtaining this visa. Under the dual intent doctrine, a person may come to 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'> temporarily and lawfully seek permanent residence 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'> at the same time. Therefore, the filing of a labor certification (also known as PERM) or an employment based preference petition will not cause denial of an H-1B petition filed with the USCIS or an application for an H-1B visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad. </span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>The employer seeking the services of an H-1B visa holder and filing the necessary papers to obtain such services must be a "</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'> employer." The employer must demonstrate that the position is one requiring a professional in a specialty occupation and that the intended employee has the required qualifications. </span></p> <h2><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>II. WHAT IS "SPECIALTY OCCUPATION" </span></h2> <p><span class=SpellE><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>USCIS's</span></span><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'> definition of a specialty occupation is an occupation that requires a theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge, and the attainment of a bachelor's or higher degree in the specific specialty or its equivalent as a minimum for entry into the occupation. </span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Although this may seem like a great deal of jargon for most people, it is essentially a safe bet to look at the position and see if the normal minimum requirement for entry into the particular position is a bachelor's degree (or its equivalent). A position that would normally not require a bachelor's degree for entry into the field may qualify as a specialty occupation if the position is so complex or unique that only a person with a degree can perform the requisite duties. </span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Positions that are traditionally considered professional positions would most likely qualify as a specialty occupation. They include positions such as architects, engineers, lawyers, physicians, teachers in elementary or secondary schools, colleges or seminaries. The USCIS has indicated through decisions over the years that accountants, computer professionals, social workers, medical technologists, dieticians, economists, mechanical engineers, and librarians may also qualify as specialty occupations. </span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>After establishing that a particular position qualifies as a specialty occupation, the employer must show that the foreign worker sought meets the requirements needed to engage in a specialty occupation. The person must hold a U.S. bachelor's or higher degree from an accredited college or university and the degree must be required to qualify in the specialty occupation. If the person holds a foreign degree, then that degree must be determined to be the educational equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree. In some cases, a person may obtain an educational equivalency through a combination of education, specialized training or progressively responsible work experience. Three years of specialized experience is generally considered equivalent to one year of college education. </span></p> <h2><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>III. BURDENS ON THE EMPLOYER </span></h2> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>The effect of a foreigner's admission on the jobs of U.S. workers is a major issue in U.S. Immigration policy and law. Therefore, an employer who petitions for a nonimmigrant worker must comply with a number of conditions and regulations. In addition to showing that both the job requirements and the applicant's credentials or experience are "professional," the employer must also meet the Department of Labor ("DOL") requirements and file Form I-129 ("H-1B petition") with the USCIS for permission to employ the foreign national. </span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Prior to filing the H-1B petition with the USCIS, an employer must file a labor condition application ("LCA") with the Department of Labor. Employers affirm in the labor condition application that the wage offered to the applicant is at least as high as that paid by the employer to current employees for the same type of job, and the number equals or exceeds the prevailing wage for the job in the same geographical area; that working conditions will not adversely affect those workers similarly employed; that there is no strike or lockout at the employer's premises; and that the notice of the LCA has been given to current employees. </span></p> <h2><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>A. ADDITIONAL BURDENS ON H-1B "DEPENDENT" EMPLOYERS </span></h2> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>On October 21, 1998, the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 ("ACWIA") was enacted. Under the ACWIA, employers considered H-1B dependent will be required to file certain additional attestations and maintain records. An employer will be classified as dependent according to the following scale: </span></p> <ul type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3;tab-stops:list .5in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>1-25 full time equivalent employees in the U.S.: more than 7 H-1B's.</span></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3;tab-stops:list .5in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>26-50 full time employees in the U.S.: more than 12 H-1B's.</span><span style='font-family:Verdana'> </span></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; mso-list:l1 level1 lfo3;tab-stops:list .5in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>More than 50 full time employees in the U.S.: 15% or more H-1B's.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>The ACWIA has brought about undesirable changes for employers who are dependent on H-1B workers. It requires H-1B dependent employers and certain employers who have made misrepresentations or willfully violated a labor condition to make the following attestations:</span></p> <ul type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; mso-list:l0 level1 lfo6;tab-stops:list .5in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>The employer has not displaced, and will not displace any U.S. worker from an equivalent job in the same geographic area of employment within the period beginning 90 days before and ending 90 days after the date of filing of any visa petition supported by the LCA; and</span></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; mso-list:l0 level1 lfo6;tab-stops:list .5in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>With respect to placement of the H-1B applicant with another employer (where there are "indicia" of an employment relationship between the H-1B and the other employer), the employer has inquired of the other employer as to whether there has been or will be a displacement of a U.S. worker of the other employer in an equivalent job in the same geographic area of employment within the period beginning 90 days before and ending 90 days after the filing of the visa petition, and the employer has no knowledge of such displacement; and</span></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; mso-list:l0 level1 lfo6;tab-stops:list .5in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>The employer has taken good-faith steps to recruit for the offered position in the U.S., using procedures that meet industry wide standards and offering comparable compensation; and</span></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; mso-list:l0 level1 lfo6;tab-stops:list .5in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>The employer has offered the position to any equal or better qualified U.S. worker.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Under the ACWIA, U.S. workers who are employed by the employer are protected from displacement. With respect to the foregoing attestation, the statute makes clear that displacement does not include a discharge for inadequate performance, cause, or violation of work place rules, voluntary departure or situations in which the employee is offered a similar or better employment opportunity with the same employer.</span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>ACWIA does not require the new attestations for "exempt" workers. In order to be considered exempt, the H-1B worker must:</span></p> <ul type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; mso-list:l4 level1 lfo9;tab-stops:list .5in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>Receive wages including bonuses and similar compensation at least equal to $60,000 per annum; or</span></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; mso-list:l4 level1 lfo9;tab-stops:list .5in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>Have attained a Master's or higher degree or its equivalent in a specialty related to the intended employment.</span></li> </ul> <h2><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>B. ACWIA REGULATIONS ALREADY IN EFFECT</span></h2> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>The American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act (ACWIA) of 1998 has increased the number of H-1B visas available in Fiscal Years (Oct. 1 to September 30) 1999, 2000, and 2001. The schedule of allocations of H-1B numbers is as follows:</span></p> <ul type=disc> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; mso-list:l2 level1 lfo12;tab-stops:list .5in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>FY 1999: 115,000 visas</span></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; mso-list:l2 level1 lfo12;tab-stops:list .5in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>FY 2000: 115,000 visas</span></li> <li class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; mso-list:l2 level1 lfo12;tab-stops:list .5in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>FY 2001: 107,500 visas</span></li> </ul> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>In FY 2002, the number of H-1B visas available returns to 65,000 (the number prior to passage of ACWIA in 1998) and it remains at this level as of the revision of this article in 2010. Individuals extending H-1B visa status or changing employers are not subject to the cap, and the same exemption applies to individuals being sponsored by non-profit research organization or governmental research organizations, or institutions of higher education or non-profit organizations affiliated with or related to institutions of higher education. Citizens of </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Chile</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'> and </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Singapore</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'> are given preference within the visa cap and file an <a href="H1B1.htm">H-1B1</a> petition (as opposed to an H-1B petition). For persons who have completed a U.S. master’s degree, there is an additional cap of 20,000 visas available on top of the regular 65,000 visa cap. The master’s degree does not have to relate to the job offered in the H-1B petition.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Please browse the <a href="faq.htm">FAQ</a> section of our website for additional information and interesting tidbits which you can share with friends, family, and loved ones and, in rare cases, with custodians and mental health professionals.<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. <span class=SpellE>Arora</span>, Esq., is a prominent member of the Immigration & Nationality bar in New York City 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> <font size="-1"><a href="http://www.bitwords.com/custom-web-design.php">custom web design by Bitwords Media</a></font> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span class=GramE><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Copyright � 1999-2010 Ajay K. <span class=SpellE>Arora</span>, Attorney-at-Law, P.C.</span></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> All rights reserved.</span> </p> </div> <br> <font size="-1"><a href="http://www.bitwords.com/">Website design and developed by Bitwords Media</a></font> </body>