Post Student Years: Immigration Options November 20, 2008 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Suzanne B. Seltzer, Esq. Kate Kalmykov, Esq. Philadelphia - New York

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Hot Topics in Immigration Law Agenda H-1B Visas H-1B Alternatives Extending Your OPT Permanent Residence Status Travel Issues Q&As

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP H-1B Visas Basic requirements  Job Offer  Prevailing Wage  Bachelors or higher degree  Specialty occupation Procedure and processing times Specialty occupation issues Part-time or full-time Length of approval Extensions Portability Spouses and Employment Authorization Travel

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP H-1B Quota What is it and what does it mean?  65,000 H-1Bs FY2009 gone by April 2008 FY2008 gone by April 2007 FY2007 gone by May 2006 FY2006 gone by August 2005 FY2005 gone by October 2004  20,000 for US awarded advanced degrees FY2009 gone by April 2008 FY2008 gone by April 2007 FY2007 gone by August 2006 FY2006 gone by January 2006

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Avoiding H-1b Quota Exemption based on employer  Universities  Non-profits affiliated with universities  Non-profits or gov’t research organizations  or place of employment, law says “at” Exemption based on employee  Previously counted  Singapore/Chile  Concurrent employment

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Can’t avoid the quota, planning strategies? Filing April 1 for Oct 1 start date  CAP GAP Relief Going from quota exempt to quota subject  Portability?  Concurrent employment?  Working “at” University or non-profit

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Alternatives to H-1B Alternative Employment Options O-1 E-3 (Australians) TN (Canadian/Mexicans) J-1 (new rules limiting applicability) E visas (treaty between home & U.S.) L visas (work for company overseas, transfer to U.S.) I visa (journalists – disseminate news abroad) OPT Extension- STEM

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Alternative Visa Options (cont’d)  EAD through spouse’s status J-2 E L-2 I-485

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Permanent Resident Status Family Investment Asylum Employment Diversity Visa Lottery

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Permanent Resident Status Employment Employer-sponsored or self-sponsored Labor certification or extraordinary/national interest/exceptional Multiple petitions

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Permanent Resident Status Employment (Cont.) Extraordinary ability  EB-1  Standards  Documentation  Reference letters National Interest Waiver  EB-2  Standards

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Permanent Resident Status Employment (Cont.) Labor Certification Application (PERM)  Employer Sponsored  Recruitment  Prevailing wage  Legal issues  Timing  First of 3 steps  EB-2 or EB-3

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Permanent Resident Status Adjustment of Status (I-485) Timing  Preference categories/quotas  Priority dates  Processing times Concurrent filing (I-140/I-485) Employment authorization Advance Parole

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Permanent Resident Status Adjustment of Status (I-485) Adjustment Portability H-1B Extensions  One Year  Three years Spouses

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Travel Issues Potential Problems  Intent to return – F & J vs. H & O  Visa interview delays  Security clearances  Technology Alert List  222(g) Possible solutions  Don’t travel  Canada/Mexico  Advance Parole

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Contact Information Suzanne B. Seltzer, Esq.  Telephone:  Fax:  Kate Kalmykov, Esq.  Telephone:  Fax: 