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& THOMPSONJANUARY 28, 2016
Top 3 Mistakes You Must Avoid in Your H-1B Application
COWLES & THOMPSON, PC
Presenters
Ann Massey BadmusAttorney at Law
Angela M. LopezAttorney at Law
COWLES & THOMPSON, PC
COWLES & THOMPSON, PC
•Ask Questions Anytime
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•Use your Q&A pane on your screen to type and send your questions.
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•Questions will be answered during the Q & A session.?
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Mistake #1FAILING TO PROPERLY DOCUMENT AND PROVE ELIGIBILITY
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H-1B Nonimmigrant Visas
A nonimmigrant (temporary) visa that allows a non-citizen to be employed in the United States for up to 6 years in a “specialty occupation” for a specific employer (“petitioner”).
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1 Specialty Occupation
2 Employee Qualifications
3 Employer-Employee Relationship
4 Valid Job Offer and Company
5 H-1B Cap-Exemption
PROV
ING
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What is a Specialty Occupation?
An occupation that requires highly skilled specialized knowledge and
A bachelor’s or higher degree (or its equivalent) in the specific specialty as a minimum for entry into the occupation
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Detailed Job Description
Daily duties and percentages of time spent on duties
Similar positions in the industry or in your business
Proof of Specialty Occupation
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Organizational chart with job descriptions of other positions
Expert opinions and reports
Professional associations
Proof of Specialty Occupation (cont.)
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Proof of Specialty Occupation (cont.)Department of Labor Online Wage Survey – www.flcdatacenter.com
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Employee Qualifications
Have completed a U.S. bachelor’s or higher degree (or its foreign equivalent) or
Have education, training, or experience in the specialty equivalent to the completion of such degree (3:1 rule) and
Possess full state licensure if required to practice in the state of employment
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Proof of Employee Qualifications
Diplomas and Degrees
Employment Experience Letters
Credential Evaluation or Expert Opinion
Professional License, if applicable
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Employer- Employee Relationship
Employment Contract/Offer Letter
Employee Manual/Benefits Summary
Performance Review
Client Contracts/Work Orders
Pay Records/W-2/Work Schedule
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Proving Valid Job Offer and Position
Federal Tax Returns
Unemployment Tax Reports
Organizational Charts
Payroll Records
Company History
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http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform
Validation Instrument for Business Enterprises (VIBE) Program
VIBE allows USCIS to electronically receive petitioning company information from D&B
Business activitiesFinancial standing, e.g. credit ratingNumber of employees, both on-site and globally.Relationships with other entitiesType of office, e.g. single officeType of legal entity.Company executives.Date of establishmentCurrent physical address.
H-1B Cap Exempt Categories
Employers Universities/CollegesNon-profit affiliates of universities/collegesGovernment or non-profit research facilities
Employment For profit employment at universities or their non-profit affiliated facilities
Physicians Physicians who received government-sponsored J-1 waivers of two year home residency requirement
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Proving H-1B Cap-ExemptionHigher Ed Public or Non-profit
Associate degree or higher
Proof of Accreditation
Non-Profit & Affiliated w/Higher Ed
501(c)(3) exemption letter
Agreement with Higher Ed, e.g. Clinical Training
Supporting letter from Higher Ed
Third-Party Employment
Agreement with Higher Ed or Non-Profit Affiliate Org
Supporting Letter from Exempt Facility
Educational or non-profit purpose
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Proving H-1B Cap-Exemption (cont.)
As of March 2011, USCIS will honor previous determinations of cap exemption if employer provides:
A copy of the previously approved cap-exempt petition (relevant pages of the Form I-129 and pertinent supplements);
A copy of the Form I-797 approval notice (issued after June 6, 2006) for the affiliation-based cap exempt petition; or
Documentation previously submitted with a petition in support of the claimed cap exemption.
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Mistake #2FAILING TO OBSERVE TIMELINES AND DEADLINES
H-1B Numerical Limitations - “H-1B Cap”
Quota of 65,000 new H-1B visas per fiscal year (except Free Trade Act (FTA) nationals)
20,000 per fiscal year for persons who hold US Master’s degrees or higher
Applies to first-time H-1B or previously cap-exempt H-1B employees
February Prepare petition
April 1 Apply for
H-1B
April 7 Lottery cutoff
May 1 Acceptance or Rejection
Notices
July Decision Notices
2017 FY H-1B Cap Timeline
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Prepare Now
Consult with an immigration attorney.
Gather necessary documents and information.
Prepare and conduct final review of H-1B petition.
File H-1B petition on April 1.
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Cap-Gap Timelines for F-1 StudentsPrevents gap between F-1 expiration and H-1B start date, in most cases.
If student has active OPT, can work until September 30, 2016 and remain in U.S. until H-1B decision is made. If H-1B approved, student can continue or resume work using H-1B visa. If H-1B denied, 60 day grace period begins on date of denial.
If student has expired OPT and H-1B is filed before expiration of 60 day grace period, student can remain in U.S. until H-1B decision. No work authorization during this period. If H-1B is approved, student can begin work. If H-1B denied, student must leave the U.S.
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H-1B Renewal TimelineEmployer must submit renewal petition before current H-1B visa expires.
Employee can continue to work up to 240 days after H-1B visa expires as long as renewal petition filed timely.
Premium processing available
Recommended: Apply for six months before visa expires or request premium processing if H-1B approval is needed for driver’s license renewal, travel plans, or other reasons.
H-1B Amended Petit ions8 CFR 214.2 – amended petition required for any material changes. You must file amended petition before changes occur.
Change in number of work hours, i.e. full-time to part-time
Change in duties from one specialty to another
Change in place of employment requiring a new LCA per 22 CFR 655.734
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Mistake #3FAILING TO PREPARE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND GOVERNMENT AUDITS
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International Travel
Visa Processing at U.S. Embassy (www.usembassy.gov)
Administrative Processing Delays
Petition Returns
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USCIS Audits
Random Selection
Unannounced Employer Site Visit
Email Demands for Documents
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Potential Consequences of Negative Findings
Denial of Pending Petition
Notice of Intent to Revoke Previously Approved Petition
Revocation of Previously Approved Petition
Criminal Penalties
Civil Fines
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Preparing for a USCIS Site Visit
Step 1
Review the H-1B petition
Step 2
Prepare compliance evidence file for inspector
Step 3
Identify company representatives who will meet with auditors
Step 4
Establish site visit procedures for reception, clients, and H-1B employee
Employers Take these steps immediately after the approval of your H-1B petition to prepare for a surprise site visit from the USCIS.
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Legal Notice
The information provided in this presentation is general in nature and should not be relied upon for specific situations. Because each case is different, you should consult with an experienced immigration attorney for your specific situation.
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Questions? Comments? Assistance?
Cowles & Thompson901 Main Street, Suite 3900
Dallas, Texas 75202214-672-2000 Telephone214-672-2020 Facsimile
immigration@cowlesthompson.comwww.cowlesthompson.comwww.ctimmigrationlaw.com