post student years: immigration options february 2011 klasko, rulon, stock & seltzer, llp kate...
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Post Student Years: Immigration Options
February 2011
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Kate Kalmykov, Esq.
Philadelphia – New York
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Hot Topics in Immigration Law Agenda
H-1B Visas H-1B Requirements H-1B Alternatives Introduction to Permanent Residency EB-5 Immigration Through Investment 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
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H-1B Visas
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? 20,000 for US awarded advanced degrees 65,000 H-1Bs
FY 2010 gone by December 2009 FY 2011 gone by January 2011 FY2009 gone by April 2008 FY2008 gone by April 2007 FY2007 gone by May 2006
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Travel and Status Issues for H-1B Approvals
Change of status vs. consular visa issuance Travel after April 1 Maintaining status until October 1
“Cap gap” relief
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2011 Issues(FY2012 H-1Bs)
■ Fewer job offers■ Impact of layoffs■ Increased USCIS scrutiny of petitions filed by
investors and entrepreneurs■ Increased scrutiny of third-party worksites■ TARP – no longer an issue b/c it expires
2/2011
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
H-1B Issues for Start-Ups
Must establish company with employer tax I.D. number
Can company be owned by H-1B employee? Must be W-2 employee Company separate entity from owner/employee
Company right of control over employee
Company must prove Financial ability to pay salary Real job to be done by H-1B Place of business
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
H-1B Issues for Start-Ups
Other employees or owners required? Ability to hire/fire
Importance of business plan/financial projections Prevailing Wage
CEO vs. function-descriptive position
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Avoiding H-1B Quota
Exemption based on employer Universities Non-profits affiliated with universities
Increased scrutiny of affiliations Non-profits or gov’t research organizations or place of employment, law says “at”
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Avoiding H-1B Quota
Exemption based on employee Previously counted Singapore/Chile Concurrent employment
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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
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Other Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Options
Treaty (E) Visas■ Must be national of treaty country
http://www.travel.state.gov./visa
■ Owned at least 50% by treaty nationals
■ Eligible if ■ Owner/Investor or
■ Manager, supervisor or essential employees
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Other Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Options
Treaty (E) Visas Two Options: E-1 Treaty Trader E-2 Treaty Investor
Visa for 1 to 5 years Each entry limited to two years Visa and entry can be extended indefinitely
Spouse eligible for employment authorization
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
■ Treaty traders (E-1) “Substantial” import or export Majority of trade between U.S. and treaty country For manager, supervisor or “essential skill”
employees
Other Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Options
Treaty (E) Visas
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Other Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Options
Treaty (E) Visas■ Treaty investors (E-2)
“Substantial” investment Amount Varies depending upon investment For start up business plan & financial projections critical
Number of employees Needs of business Likely profitability and growth potential
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Intracompany Transferee (L-1) Visas
■ National of any country■ No quota■ Length of visa
Start up 1 year Established business 3 years Maximum length 7 years for L-1A or 5 years for L-1B
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Intracompany Transferee (L-1) Visas
■ Spouse eligible for EAD■ Must be “international” business
Business outside U.S. with at least 50% common ownership
Must be employed by that business one year■ Type of employment (in U.S. and overseas
companies) Manager or executive “Specialized knowledge” employee
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Intracompany Transferee (L-1) Visas
Start-up issues Place of business Employees Capitalization Need for “manager” Business plan and financial projections
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Mexican & Canadian NAFTA Professional Worker (TN) Visa Allows citizens of Canada and Mexico to work in
the U.S. as NAFTA professionals Profession must be on the NAFTA list Position in the U.S. requires a NAFTA
professional Must have employer sponsor Applicant has to have qualifications of the
profession
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
More Alternatives to H-1B
Alternative Employment Visas: O-1 E-3 (Australians) J-1 (limited applicability) I visa (journalists – disseminate news abroad) OPT Extension- STEM
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More Alternatives to H-1B
Alternative Visa Options (cont’d) EAD through spouse’s status
J-2 E L-2 I-485
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What is Permanent Residency?
Authorization to Live & Work Indefinitely in the United States
“Immigrant Visa” The “Green Card” or “Form I-551” Not always ‘forever’ – may be abandoned or
taken away
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Immigrant Versus Non-Immigrant Visas Immigrant Visa
Green Card/Permanent Residency
Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) H, F, J, O, etc Limited duration Specific to employer/institution Specific to purpose (work/study/tourism)
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Permanent Residency Quotas
Annual Limit on Permanent Residency Per Country Limit – 7% Allocated by:
Priority Date – place in line Preference Category
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
How Do I Apply?
Family Investment Asylum Employment
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Permanent Residency Quotas Employment Based Preference Categories:
First Preference (EB-1) Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Researcher,
Multinational Executive Second Preference (EB-2)
Nat’l Interest Waivers, Advanced Degreed Professionals, Bachelors plus 5 years exp.
Third Preference (EB-3) Skilled Worker (2+ years experience), Bachelor’s Degree
Fifth Preference (EB-5) Investment in the U.S. that creates at least 10 U.S. jobs
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Permanent Residency Quotas,Where are We Now? “Oversubscribed” versus “Available”
Available if: Visa Bulletin indicates “C” = current Priority date earlier than posted date
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Permanent Residency Quotas,Where are We Now?
All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed
CHINA-mainland born
INDIA MEXICO
PHILIPP-INES/ DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
EmploymentBased
1st C C C C C
2nd C 08JUL06 08MAY06 C C
3rd 01JUL05 22JAN04 15MAR02 08JAN04 01JUL05
5th C C C C C
Visa Bulletin March 2011
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
EB-5:Greencard Through
Investment No quota delay Amount of investment
$1,000,000 or $500,000 in “targeted employment area”
Type of investment Generally cash “At risk”
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EB-5:Greencard Through
Investment Employment creation 10 new or 10 additional full-time jobs U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Lawful source of funds Extensive documentation required Can be gift
Must prove giftor's source of funds Can borrow money
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
EB-5: Greencard Through
Investment Nature of investor’s relationship to business Do not have to be employee (but can) Do not have to be owner (but can)
Two possibilities Individual investment
See above Regional center investment
Over 100 USCIS – approved regional centers Mostly $500,000 investment Indirect employment creation ok
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Employment Based (EB) Permanent Residency Considerations
Employer-sponsored or self-sponsored Labor certification or extraordinary/national
interest/exceptional/ EB-5 Multiple petitions Multi-Step Process Non-Immigrant Status?
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Travel Issues
Potential Problems Intent to return – F & J vs. H &O Visa interview delays (PIMS) Security clearances Technology Alert List 222(g)
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Contact Information
Kate Kalmykov, Esq. Telephone: 212-796-8856 Fax: 212-297-1799 Email: kkalmykov@klaskolaw.com
Websites: www.klaskolaw.com http://blog.klaskolaw.com www.eb1immigration.com www.eb5immigration.com
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