AC-21 and H1-B transfer

andanda

New Member
Hi,

I have I-141 approved and my I-485 has been pending for more then 180 days. Meanwhile have transferred from company A to company B.

The lawyer from company A has told me that I can begin working for company B on the EAD and still pursue the H-1B change of employer since
it's safe to have that as a backup, especially with security check delays on the AOS.

The company B lawyer’s opinion is that this is not feasible. They say that I have to forego the H1-B transfer since that should have been transferred prior to my commencement of work for company B.

Could you please advice!!!!

Thank you for your support.
 
The company B lawyer’s opinion is that this is not feasible. They say that I have to forego the H1-B transfer since that should have been transferred prior to my commencement of work for company B.

Well, they're both wrong - sort of.

You should have waited until Company B filed the H-1 transfer petition with USCIS. At that point you could have started working with B. However, B can still file an H-1 petition on your behalf now; you will just need to leave the US and return at some point to return to H-1 status.
 
Thank you for your reply. The lawyer states that working using an EAD and then moving back to H-1B is not the normal process for an H-1B change of employer. She said I need to forego the H1-B. I need to check with Rajiv's office if this is the case.
 
The lawyer states that working using an EAD and then moving back to H-1B is not the normal process for an H-1B change of employer.

She's absolutely correct. It's not "normal". But it is perfectly doable. Perhaps you should consider an attorney who is capable of some flexibility?
 
andanda,
I asked Rajiv the same question in one of his conference calls, and his answer was if I use EAD to work then I will loose my H1 status. If I want to be back on H1 status again then I will have to leave USA for 1 year and then get on to H1. But I am really sure if this is what has to be done.

Good Luck.

Thank you for your reply. The lawyer states that working using an EAD and then moving back to H-1B is not the normal process for an H-1B change of employer. She said I need to forego the H1-B. I need to check with Rajiv's office if this is the case.
 
Changing job on H1 after 6 months from I -485 filing without EAD

Hi ,

My employer tells me that they won't be filing for an EAD for me since I have 2 more years left on my H1-B. I have the following questions:

1. 6 months from I-485 filing, can I switch jobs only on basis of my H1-B? If yes, will my new employers have to apply for H1 transfer or will they have to apply for an EAD?

2. What are the advantages of having an EAD over H1-B? Is it true that if I have an EAD, it is easier to switch job rather than using the H1? My lawyer tells me that if I switch job on my EAD, my new employers won't have to file anything. Is this true? Are there any risks associated with this?

Bottom line is that I would want to know the pros and cons of EAD over H1-B and vice-versa. It would be great if any of the gurus can please help me with this.

Thanks
Ajay
 
1. 6 months from I-485 filing, can I switch jobs only on basis of my H1-B? If yes, will my new employers have to apply for H1 transfer or will they have to apply for an EAD?

The employer NEVER applies for an EAD, nor can they. You can apply for an EAD yourself. Just send in an I-765 form with a copy of your I-485 receipt.

Is it true that if I have an EAD, it is easier to switch job rather than using the H1? My lawyer tells me that if I switch job on my EAD, my new employers won't have to file anything. Is this true?

Absolutely true.

Bottom line is that I would want to know the pros and cons of EAD over H1-B and vice-versa.

The major advantage of the EAD is you can work without sponsorship, in any job. The major drawback is that you cannot bring dependents to the US on an H-4, since there is no dependent status for an adjustee.
 
Thank you Real Canadian for helping me out here. You said:

The employer NEVER applies for an EAD, nor can they...

I don't think that is true because my employer(lawyers representing my employer) has been applying for EAD for all my colleagues who do not have more than 6 months on their H1B... They told me that since I have more than 6 months on my H1-B they won't go for an EAD application at this time. They say that this constraint is not from their side but it is my employer's policy and that they'll go forward applying for EAD if my employer gives a "go ahead".
Could you please clarify this a little bit more? Also, shall I push my employer to apply an EAD for me(they will have to make an exception against their policy) or shall I live with my H1 B peacefully (2 more years remain on it) and use H1 if I want to switch my job 6 months from now.

Thanks
Ajay
 
How to get back on H1?

RealCanadian,
If one has used up 6 years on H1 and started working on EAD (with AOS pending) then if that person wants to get on H1B again is it possible to do that after working on EAD?

You don't need to leave the US for a year to go back to H1, just to reset the 6-year clock.
 
I don't think that is true because my employer(lawyers representing my employer) has been applying for EAD for all my colleagues who do not have more than 6 months on their H1B

Please review the I-765 form. It is filled out by the alien, and there is nowhere for the employer to sign or provide any data. The fact that your employer's attorney has been doing this on your behalf does not make it their petition.

LaborCleared said:
If one has used up 6 years on H1 and started working on EAD (with AOS pending) then if that person wants to get on H1B again is it possible to do that after working on EAD?

If you're eligible for a 7th-year H1, it's possible. You may need to leave the US, get a visa stamp and re-enter.
 
What is my Status?

Here is my scenario. I'm on my 2nd EAD with 7th year extn on H1 valid till Apr 25th 2007. I applied for H1 extn/transfer through different company and USCIS RD is Apr 17,2007 and Notice date is May 9, 2007. My H1 extn/transfer got approved on July 5, 2007. What is my status from Apr 25th till new H1 approval date of July 5th? Am I in EAD now or still be in H1? Please shed some light.

Thanks,
 
U guys seem to be dumb on AC21 laws and H1B extension rules....better read the memos before you ask dumb questions...

Recapture of H1B/Extension
http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/RecaptureH1BL1102105.pdf

AC21 laws - I140/485 etc...
http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/AC21intrm051205.pdf


- filling of 485 offers you a status - and for that status, EAD is a privilege...
When an employee files I-9 (Employement Eligibility) form - they need to specify that whether they are working based on EAD or H1B....there, if you specify EAD...then you are in EAD status...
 
IneedsomeHelp....U are currently in dual status H1B and 485 status (EAD)....

Since you are pretty much maintaining H1B and did H1B extension...you are in H1B status...

If you want to switch to EAD status - tell your employer that...and you need to file a new I-9 form....

H1B status is always safer.....
as, in the worst case scenario of 485 denial...and resulting EAD denial....one may be forced out of US...
 
aj67US - applying EAD is pretty much employee's choice...

Once you have your 485 filed.....you can apply EAD - when you want...one can apply for EAD - after 3 months of filling 485...or after 9 months of filing 485...or U can chose to apply never....

EAD is a privilege offered by USCIS for 485 filers...U can exercise your privilege and use it whenever U want....

to file for EAD - you pretty much just need the proof of 485 filing...that's 485 receipt...

The same holds true for Advance Parole...
 
Banta4GC,
Thanks for posting the links to AC21 PDF.
I still have couple of questions.

Following are 2 faqs,I found helpful there:-
Question 10. Should service centers or district offices deny portability cases on the sole basis that the alien has left his or her employment with the I-140 petitioner prior to the I-485 application pending for 180 days?
Answer: No. The basis for adjustment is not actual (current) employment but prospective employment. Since there is no requirement that the alien have ever been employed by the petitioner while the I-140 and/or I-485 was pending, the fact that an alien left the I-140 petitioner before the I-485 has been pending 180 days will not necessarily render the alien ineligible to port. However, in all cases an offer of employment must have been bona fide. This means that, as of the time the I-140 was filed and at the time of filing the I-485 if not filed concurrently, the I-140 petitioner must have had the intent to employ the beneficiary, and the alien must have intended to undertake the employment, upon adjustment. Adjudicators should not presume absence of such intent and may take the I-140 and supporting documents themselves as prima facie evidence of such intent, but in appropriate cases additional evidence or investigation may be appropriate.


Question 11. When is an I-140 no longer valid for porting purposes?
Answer: An I-140 is no longer valid for porting purposes when:
Memorandum for Service Center Directors, et al. Subject: Interim Guidance for Processing Form I-140 Employment-Based Immigrant Petitions and Form I-485 and H-1B Petitions Affected by the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act of 2000 (AC21) (Public Law 106-313) Page 7
A. an I-140 is withdrawn before the alien’s I-485 has been pending 180 days, or
B. an I-140 is denied or revoked at any time except when it is revoked based on a withdrawal that was submitted after an I-485 has been pending for 180 days.



My Questions below:-
------------------------
I understand that trhe moment use use EAD/AP(either to transfer job or remain in same job without filing H1 extension or used AP to enter US), you lose your H1 status.

Are these scenarios possible:-
1. I-485 filed,but less than six months completed,transfer H1 from Company A to Company B(current H1 valid upto 2010).GC Process not started in Company B.In meantime,6 months elapsed and I-485 with Company A is still in process.Is there a way to use AC-21 here since my start date with Company B was before I-485 became portable.(Or only way out is re-start GC process at Company B and port the PD)??

2. Same situation as above,but say 6 months have elapsed after I-485 and then I am transferring H1 to Company B,but I do not file AC21 till I get dependant to US??Once dependant is in US,I file AC21.(Am I still not using the EAD or filing AC21 means EAD also has to be applied)

3. Say I485 is not filed yet with Company A,I transfer H1 to Company B and sometime down the line,my PD of labor filed with Company A becomes current and Company A files I-485,eventhough I have left them.I continue with Company B without filing GC.after 6 months,I can file AC21 and continue I-485 with company B??

Both 1,2 and 3 are possible looks like based on AC21 memo,since GC is for future employment,the only catch is I140 should never be revoked by Company A before 6 months elapses after I-485.??
Is that correct??

Thanks,
everonh1
 
Portability without starting the first job

Hi,

Company A applied for my H-1B (starting Oct.1) while I was working for them with OPT. After laying me off, I started working for company B with OPT. My visa was approved last week after transferring to PP and responding to RFE. I'm going to use my visa approval receipt to apply a new H-1B with comapny B. My attorney says it's too risky to apply for another visa through PP as they just processed our first petition. He suggests to apply through regular and use portability rule from Oct.1 to continue my job with company B until their H-1B is approved a few months later. My question is that can I use portability while I have never been in H-1B status with company A? Isn't it less risky to continue with PP instead?

Thank You.
 
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