Topic: Any News on the H1B applications filed on Apr 01 2008
what is your email address? I would rather send you the details there... |
Topic: Any News on the H1B applications filed on Apr 01 2008
I could not find anybody in Pittsburgh. If you are interested to work out with my lawyer (Washington, DC), I can send you his contact info. At the end of the day, the location is not a big deal, I have seen him only once. Most of our dealings were over the phone.
Let me know and best of luck! |
Topic: Any News on the H1B applications filed on Apr 01 2008
You mean a lawyer? Do not get a general practitioner, get a specialized immigration attorney. They charge approx. 2000-2500 USD fees per application. I think it is easier to work with somebody in your area; the international students’ centers of the local unies usually have a good idea about local practitioners. |
Topic: Any News on the H1B applications filed on Apr 01 2008
Darn, I will not go to work tomorrow...
Don't know any good lawyers in Pittsburgh. Check with the local University, they may know. All my friends that went there got good advice from the International Students Desk or whatever. If you find nothing I can check with my friends (it will be free :)))))))))))))))))))))))))
And do not forget to apply for the green card lottery(diversity citizenship or whatever) at the end of November. Afterall it is free...
Cheers. |
Topic: Any News on the H1B applications filed on Apr 01 2008
Molq
The petitioner for the H-1 B visa is your employer and he needs to sign a form if he wishes to be represented by an attorney (the G 28 form below)
http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=44bd4154d7b3d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
Who is going to pay the attorney, you or your employer, will depend on how you negociate it with your employer. If your employer wants to screw you, he most likely will not be willing to pay but you absolutely need to have an immigration attorney. I am a lawyer myself and I hired an immigration attorney because things are complex and USCIS rejects for the smallest mistake. The standard attorney fees are anywhere between 2000 and 2500 USD. I do not know where you are so it is hard to recommend a local counsel but get some names from your university International Students Bureau, they usually know who is good.
The fees for filing an H-1 B (I guess this is what you mean by sponsoring) vary depending on the size of the company and so on. The maximum for this year was 3,320 USD which includes a 1,000 USD fee for premium processing. These fees must be paid by your employer. USCIS does not accept checks issued by the visa beneficiary (your personal checks).
I think I answered all your questions, if you have more I will start billing you per hour :-)
Good luck, you have plenty of time! |
Topic: Any News on the H1B applications filed on Apr 01 2008
Hi there,
My advice is to hire a lawyer and stay away from consultants. It is more expensive but you need to be sure. The smallest mistake will result in the rejection of your application by the USCIS. Do not do it yourself, chances are you will screw it up. Your employer needs to sign an authorisation form G 27 I believe and the lawyer will do the rest.
There is no certainty though that you will get the visa because each year the number of applicants increases but the quota stays the same so the USCIS conducts a lottery. Make sure you submit before April 1st because the quota fills up on the opening day.
If you are lucky enough to make it, you will be able to work between June 2009 and the earliest day your H-1 B will become effective which is October 1, 2008.
Cheers and good luck |
Topic: Any News on the H1B applications filed on Apr 01 2008
Hi, Simi,
I also did not find this post on the official USCIS website, the last official communication being issued on April 14, 2008.
I am sure that the updates that have been posted on unofficial websites (e.g. AILA) carry much weight since they seem to be contradicting each other.
I am not sure either how reliable is the information, USCIS Office of Business Liaison provides over the phone but at least it comes directly from the source as opposed to the hear say that people post on the web.
Make your employer or consultant call the Office to check. You need to be on the line becauese the immigration officer asks for personal data before anwering any questions. Be aware that the Office does not answer questions about individual H1 B filings but provides a general update as to the treatement procedure and deadlines.
Hope this helps. |
Topic: Any News on the H1B applications filed on Apr 01 2008
Hmaria can you post the link to the AILA liaison article? Thanks.
I have somewhat conflicting information based on my employer's conversation with the USCIS Business Liaison today. They said that not all the receipts have been mailed out yet and USCIS is expecting to mail receipts and application packages until the end of June. They did not provide any specific information regarding my status.
I am not sure whether we should believe this or not. They also said that they do not plan to issue any press release informing H-1 B applicants about delays in the proceedings which I find outrageous given the fact that USCIS own press release of April 14 specified as deadline June 2.
Best wishes to all. If you chose to believe, there is still a chance. |
