immigration options for students and scholars william a. stock, esq. klasko, rulon, stock &...

Immigration Options

for Students and Scholars

William A. Stock, Esq.Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLPKlasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Philadelphia New York1800 JFK Blvd. Suite 1700 317 Madison Ave. Suite 1518Philadelphia, PA 19103 New York, NY 10017215.825.8600 212.796.8840

wstock@klaskolaw.com www.klaskolaw.com

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

William A. Stock, Esq.

William A. Stock is a founding partner of Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP and has been providing immigration assistance and solutions to leading universities, research institutions, hospitals, multinational corporations, and individuals for nearly 15 years. .

Bill is featured in The Chambers Global Guide, The Best Lawyers in America, and other guides to prominent attorneys. He is active in the American Immigration Lawyers Association on a national level, and in 2000 he received AILA’s Joseph Minsky Award, given to the lawyer under age 35 who has made the most outstanding contributions to the field of immigration law.

Bill is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School and is a frequent author and lecturer on business-related immigration topics and currently is an Adjunct Faculty Member at Villanova University School of Law.

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Hot Topics in Immigration Law

Agenda

Current Issues in H-1B Visas Current Issues in J-1 Visas Current Issues in O-1 Visas 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 Travel

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

H-1B Quota

What is it, and what does it mean? Separate quota for US-educated advanced

degree holders Separate options for Canada, Mexico, Australia,

Chile and Singapore Prospects for change Timing

April 1 filing date October 1 start date

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Options for Dealing with H-1B Quota

Quota-exempt employment Strategies to enhance chances of getting H-1B Alternative visa options Applying for permanent residence directly

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Quota-Exempt Employment

Who is not subject to the quota?UniversitiesNonprofit institutions affiliated with universitiesEmployed “at” universityNonprofit or government research organizationConcurrent employmentPrevious H-1B

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Strategies to Enhance Chances of Getting H-1B

Obtaining masters degree Filing multiple years Filing first day Using previously-obtained degree Combination of education and experience Start your own business

Apply as H-1B employee

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Travel and Status Issues for H-1B Approvals

Change of status vs. consular visa issuance Travel after April 1 Maintaining status until October 1

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J-1 Visas

Who is subject to 2-year return? What does it mean to be subject? Options if subject:

Return home Where is home? Aggregating trips?

O-1 Waiver

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J-1 Visas (cont’d)

Waiver options No objection waiver HardshipPersecutionFederal government agency waiver

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O-1 Visas

Employer sponsored Standards Documentation Reference letters Processing time/issues Length of approval Extensions Spouses

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Permanent Resident Status

Family Investment Asylum Employment

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Permanent Resident StatusEmployment

Employer-sponsored or self-sponsored Labor certification or extraordinary/national

interest/exceptional Multiple petitions

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Permanent Resident StatusEmployment (cont’d)

Extraordinary ability/Outstanding Researcher EB-1 Standards Documentation Reference letters

National Interest Waiver EB-2 Standards

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Permanent Resident StatusEmployment (cont’d)

Labor Certification Application (PERM) Employer Sponsored Recruitment Prevailing wage Legal issues Timing First of 3 steps

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Permanent Resident StatusAdjustment of Status (I-485)

Timing Preference categories/quotas Priority dates Processing times

Concurrent filing (I-140/I-485) Employment authorization Advance parole

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Permanent Resident StatusAdjustment of Status (I-485) (cont’d)

Adjustment portability H-1B Extensions

One Year Three years

Spouses

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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

Questions ?

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Speaker Contact Information

William A. Stock, Esq.Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

wstock@klaskolaw.com

215-825-8600 (Philadelphia)

212-796-8840 (New York)

www.klaskolaw.com