H1B petition due to change of employer--regular vs. premium processing?

yfehgh

Registered Users (C)
I have a few questions on H1B petition that I want to ask your advice.

I have been laid off recently (was on H1B status) and found another employer
who is going to file an H1B for me. The attorney representing the employer is
going to file H1B petition using regular processing and advised me that I can
start working once a fedex receipt is received. I think premium processing
would be better for reasons below:

1) with regular processing, I will have limitation on travel abroad. I
understand if I have to travel abroad, I will not be able to get a H1B visa to
return as I do not have an actual approval notice. Is that correct?

2) the company attorney said there is no need to use premium processing because
the H1B petition will definitely be approved given the petition is filed within
60 days of my termination date with last employer (she mentioned H1B
portability allowed within 30-60 day windows). Also, that the chances that I
have to take consular processing is slight and that even if I have to go to
Canada for consular processing, there should be no problem for me to get a visa
to re-enter U.S. given I have no criminal record. However, I feel uncomfortable
with the regular processing because there is still too much uncertainty around.
What if 6 months after I start the job, I find that my H1B petition is denied
or I go to consular processing in Canada and then can not return to the US?
What is your advice on this, regular vs. premium processing. what are the
disadvantages of regular vs. premium processing?

3)I have also recently filed a I-539 to change to B2 during the layoff period
and it is pending. The company attorney now asked me to withdraw it and give
her a letter of such to file with H1B petition. Is this absolutely necessary. I
would prefer not to withdraw it just in case if H1B petition does not work out,
at least I can fall on a pending or hopefully by then an approved B2.

Thanks for your kind help.
 
Originally posted by yfehgh
I have a few questions on H1B petition that I want to ask your advice.

I have been laid off recently (was on H1B status) and found another employer
who is going to file an H1B for me. The attorney representing the employer is
going to file H1B petition using regular processing and advised me that I can
start working once a fedex receipt is received.
------- lawyer is not correct, you need the H1 transfer filing reciept from USCIS then join the new employer
I think premium processing
would be better for reasons below:

1) with regular processing, I will have limitation on travel abroad. I
understand if I have to travel abroad, I will not be able to get a H1B visa to
return as I do not have an actual approval notice. Is that correct?
------- you are correct, with premium processing you can get H1 approval notice in hand in 20-25 days( FYI if you are thinking of Visa revalidation in US from DOS it is going to be stoped in 3-4 months, better get approval notice through premium processing and send the passport for Visa revalidation the day you get approval, if you are thinking of Visa from US consulate from US consulate from India Bombay or Chennai they are creating lot of problems for H1 or H4 visa stamp) also make sure your new company lawyer file it as H1 to H1 TRANSFER and NOT as fresh NEW H1
2) the company attorney said there is no need to use premium processing because
the H1B petition will definitely be approved given the petition is filed within
60 days of my termination date with last employer (she mentioned H1B
portability allowed within 30-60 day windows).
------ I dont think if H1 transfred filed with recent pay stubs will be having any problems but NO law/regulation exist like 30-60 days window or door ( ask the lawyer to show law/regulation /Memo for 30-60 days window and he will NOT be able to show you)

Also, that the chances that I
have to take consular processing is slight and that even if I have to go to
Canada for consular processing, there should be no problem for me to get a visa
to re-enter U.S. given I have no criminal record. However, I feel uncomfortable
with the regular processing because there is still too much uncertainty around.

------ request employer/lawyer to file through Premium processing and if they are not ready to pay extra$1000 then you pay to employer and employer can pay the fees with his company check

What if 6 months after I start the job, I find that my H1B petition is denied
------- you will be out of status from the day H1 is denied and your stay will be illegal in US.

or I go to consular processing in Canada and then can not return to the US?

------ if Visa rejected in Canada you cannot enter US from Canada and you have to go directly from Canada to your home country, get H1 visa and then enter US.
What is your advice on this, regular vs. premium processing. what are the
disadvantages of regular vs. premium processing?
-----with premium processing you will have the results in hands in 20-25 days from filing date
3)I have also recently filed a I-539 to change to B2 during the layoff period
and it is pending. The company attorney now asked me to withdraw it and give
her a letter of such to file with H1B petition. Is this absolutely necessary. I
would prefer not to withdraw it just in case if H1B petition does not work out,
at least I can fall on a pending or hopefully by then an approved B2.
-------- go with the lawyer advice, if dont belive in him go to other lawyer and seek paid legal advice
Thanks for your kind help.
 
dittio on that...
an wold be employer also claims that I can start eith the fed ex receipt statiing that they have mailed my h1b transfer papers to INS...? :(
 
Originally posted by subash1977
dittio on that...
an wold be employer also claims that I can start eith the fed ex receipt statiing that they have mailed my h1b transfer papers to INS...?

----- join only when you get reciept from USCIS

:(
 
Premium Processing Fees

Hi:

Can somebody post what would be fees for Premium processing and regular processing for H1b extension.

Thanks,
RK
 
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