Hi There,
I am an Indian national who has been out of work since last May. I am looking at the possibility of finding a job soon and wanted to look at my option in adjusting my status. I have an H-1 that expires on Sep 1 and I can renew it till March 2004 (expiry of my 6 years).
To adjust my status in the US, I am looking at working as a contractor through a company where GC processing is fast like Wisconsin etc or go the marriage to an US citizen route. I have been dating an US citizen for about two months and we will need some more time before we can finalize this route. In the meantime, the work option seems the most viable.
Regarding the work option, how do I go about this? If a company makes me an offer tomorrow, what is the best way to start work? My lawyer was suggesting doing premium processing and picking up visa in India. Her explanation for this route was that technically, I have been out of status since I lost my job last May and thus should not do an H-1 transfer which can take a while and immigration might deem me illegal if I start working without a new visa. The flip side of this is that, if I do the premium processing route, there is the up to 15 day wait and having to stay in India for God knows how long as interviews/drop box appt. are taking a long time from reading other H-1visa candidates.
Your input and help is greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Johns
PS: Jim M., I would like your feedback please.
I am an Indian national who has been out of work since last May. I am looking at the possibility of finding a job soon and wanted to look at my option in adjusting my status. I have an H-1 that expires on Sep 1 and I can renew it till March 2004 (expiry of my 6 years).
To adjust my status in the US, I am looking at working as a contractor through a company where GC processing is fast like Wisconsin etc or go the marriage to an US citizen route. I have been dating an US citizen for about two months and we will need some more time before we can finalize this route. In the meantime, the work option seems the most viable.
Regarding the work option, how do I go about this? If a company makes me an offer tomorrow, what is the best way to start work? My lawyer was suggesting doing premium processing and picking up visa in India. Her explanation for this route was that technically, I have been out of status since I lost my job last May and thus should not do an H-1 transfer which can take a while and immigration might deem me illegal if I start working without a new visa. The flip side of this is that, if I do the premium processing route, there is the up to 15 day wait and having to stay in India for God knows how long as interviews/drop box appt. are taking a long time from reading other H-1visa candidates.
Your input and help is greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Johns
PS: Jim M., I would like your feedback please.