sircaustic
07-22 09:50 PM
Responses are welcome...
Thanks!
Thanks!
adibhatla
02-18 12:15 PM
I am in same situation. MTR approved to reopen 485 but online status not changed still shows 'denial notice sent'.
bkn96 - Can you pls tell me how long the processing took to approve the MTR. Greatly appreciate your help in this matter.
bkn96 - Can you pls tell me how long the processing took to approve the MTR. Greatly appreciate your help in this matter.
milind70
07-26 09:39 AM
My attorney tells me they don't give employees copies of labor applications.
Is this normal? Would I need it in future - if I switch jobs 180 days after 485 etc?
Labor and 140 is property of the employer, most of the cases it is not provided to the employee. And yes thats pretty normal.
But if your employer instructs the attorney he can share the copies of the same with you.
Is this normal? Would I need it in future - if I switch jobs 180 days after 485 etc?
Labor and 140 is property of the employer, most of the cases it is not provided to the employee. And yes thats pretty normal.
But if your employer instructs the attorney he can share the copies of the same with you.
Macaca
04-22 09:07 AM
Passing On H-1b Costs to the Employee? (http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/FeesArticle07.18.2006.pdf) -- Smart Business Practice or DOL Violation?, by Michael F. Hammond and Damaris Del Valle
After all the costs associated with an H-1B petition are totaled, the sum can be alarming. In order to offset this cost, some employers ask that the beneficiary, the employee who is being hired, reimburse the company in whole or in part. Which costs may and may not be paid by the beneficiary can be a tricky matter. What follows is an analysis of H-1B costs and who may pay what.
All deductions from an H-1B worker’s pay fall into three categories: authorized, unauthorized, or prohibited. Authorized deductions can be taken without worry of whether or not such a deduction will lower the employee’s rate of pay below the required wage rate. Unauthorized deductions, counter to what the term may connote, can be taken from an employee’s wage but are considered non-payment and are only allowed if the beneficiary’s wage rate, after the deduction(s), is greater than the required amount listed on the Labor Condition Application (LCA). Unauthorized deductions cannot push the employee’s wage below either the prevailing wage rate or the actual wage rate, i.e. salaries of those similarly employed and qualified at the work site. Prohibited deductions may not be taken from the employee’s pay regardless of the effect they would have on the required wage rate.
The most straightforward of the deductions is the prohibited deduction. The Training Fee associated with the H-1B petition is the only prohibited deduction associated with the cost of filing an H-1B petition. Rajan v. International Business Solutions, Ltd. and the language in the relevant regulation make it very clear that the Training Fee is to be paid by the employer or a third party; it is not to be reimbursed in part or whole by the employee. This fee must be completely shouldered by the employer or a party who is not the employee.
Deductions are considered by the Department of Labor (DOL) to be authorized if:
The deduction is reported as such on the employer’s payroll records,
The employee has voluntarily agreed to the deduction and such agreement is documented in writing (a job offer which carries a deduction as a condition of employment does not meet this requirement),
The deduction is for a matter that is principally for the benefit of the employee,
The deduction is not a recoupment of the employer’s business expenses,
The amount deducted does not exceed the fair market value or the actual cost (whichever is lower) of the matter covered, and
The amount deducted is not more than 25% of the employee’s disposable earning.
An Education Evaluation arguably qualifies as an authorized deduction. Similar to a translation fee, which is payable by the employee, the employee is benefiting from the evaluation and will be able to use it in the future in his/her private capacity if s/he so wishes. Of course, if the employee is paying for the evaluation, then s/he must be able to acquire a copy of the evaluation so that the future benefit upon which his/her payment is presumed is a real possibility.
Attorney’s fees associated with obtaining H-4 status for family members accompanying the Beneficiary may qualify as authorized deductions since the Beneficiary is the party who primarily benefits from such fees. In addition, attorney fees associated with visa issuance, assuming that international travel is not a requirement for the position, could be properly considered as authorized deductions. In order to properly deduct the attorney fees associated with these processes, it is important that the attorney break down the specifics of how much is being charged for each element of the H-1B process- this will allow the employer to deduct those fees associated with the retention of the visas for the accompanying family members without concerning itself with the deduction requirements necessary for unauthorized deductions.
The circumstances surrounding the Premium Processing Fee determine if deduction of the fee is to qualify as authorized or unauthorized. While the speedy decision that the Premium Processing Fee guarantees often benefits both the employer and the employee, it is important to take notice of which party requests and benefits most from premium processing. If the employee has decided to utilize premium processing for his/her own personal benefit, then the employer may be reimbursed by the employee in accordance with the requirements established by the DOL for authorized deductions. If the employer is the party desiring premium process and who will benefit from such processing, then any deductions from the employee’s pay are unauthorized and, as such Deduction of attorney’s fees associated with the filing of the LCA or H-1B and the Base Fee (or I-129 Fee) are considered to be unauthorized. These fees are considered to be the employer’s business expenses and, for this reason, are not authorized deductions. These fees may be deducted from the employee’s pay so long as they do not drop the rate of pay below the required wage rate.
It is not clear whether or not the Fraud Fee which was implemented in March 2005 is unauthorized or prohibited. The language of the act regarding the Fraud Fee states that “the Secretary of Homeland Security shall impose a fraud prevention and detection fee on an employer filing a petition.”10 Almost identical language is used in the Act to refer to the Training Fee.11 Such similarity could be read to mean that the restrictions of the Training Fee also apply to the Fraud Fee. However, 20 C.F.R. 655 is explicit in saying that the employee cannot pay the Training Fee; no such statement is made regarding the Fraud Fee. The regulation regarding the Training Fee, 20 C.F.R. 655, predates the creation of the Fraud Fee, which may explain this discrepancy. Nonetheless, the language referring to the Fraud Fee is not explicitly prohibitive and an employer may decide to be reimbursed by the employee. If an employer chooses to do so, any deductions from the employee’s salary to pay for this fee must meet the DOL requirements for unauthorized deductions. 12
Before any payments are made by the employee or deductions are taken from his/her pay to reimburse the employer, it must be determined if such deduction is permitted and if so, whether or not it is authorized or unauthorized. Once these preliminary determinations are made, appropriate steps must be taken to ensure that the DOL’s requirements are met. As a practical matter, there are very few circumstances in which the prospective employee could legally be made to pay for the costs associated with the H-1b process without an employer risking non-compliance and causing significant record keeping.
After all the costs associated with an H-1B petition are totaled, the sum can be alarming. In order to offset this cost, some employers ask that the beneficiary, the employee who is being hired, reimburse the company in whole or in part. Which costs may and may not be paid by the beneficiary can be a tricky matter. What follows is an analysis of H-1B costs and who may pay what.
All deductions from an H-1B worker’s pay fall into three categories: authorized, unauthorized, or prohibited. Authorized deductions can be taken without worry of whether or not such a deduction will lower the employee’s rate of pay below the required wage rate. Unauthorized deductions, counter to what the term may connote, can be taken from an employee’s wage but are considered non-payment and are only allowed if the beneficiary’s wage rate, after the deduction(s), is greater than the required amount listed on the Labor Condition Application (LCA). Unauthorized deductions cannot push the employee’s wage below either the prevailing wage rate or the actual wage rate, i.e. salaries of those similarly employed and qualified at the work site. Prohibited deductions may not be taken from the employee’s pay regardless of the effect they would have on the required wage rate.
The most straightforward of the deductions is the prohibited deduction. The Training Fee associated with the H-1B petition is the only prohibited deduction associated with the cost of filing an H-1B petition. Rajan v. International Business Solutions, Ltd. and the language in the relevant regulation make it very clear that the Training Fee is to be paid by the employer or a third party; it is not to be reimbursed in part or whole by the employee. This fee must be completely shouldered by the employer or a party who is not the employee.
Deductions are considered by the Department of Labor (DOL) to be authorized if:
The deduction is reported as such on the employer’s payroll records,
The employee has voluntarily agreed to the deduction and such agreement is documented in writing (a job offer which carries a deduction as a condition of employment does not meet this requirement),
The deduction is for a matter that is principally for the benefit of the employee,
The deduction is not a recoupment of the employer’s business expenses,
The amount deducted does not exceed the fair market value or the actual cost (whichever is lower) of the matter covered, and
The amount deducted is not more than 25% of the employee’s disposable earning.
An Education Evaluation arguably qualifies as an authorized deduction. Similar to a translation fee, which is payable by the employee, the employee is benefiting from the evaluation and will be able to use it in the future in his/her private capacity if s/he so wishes. Of course, if the employee is paying for the evaluation, then s/he must be able to acquire a copy of the evaluation so that the future benefit upon which his/her payment is presumed is a real possibility.
Attorney’s fees associated with obtaining H-4 status for family members accompanying the Beneficiary may qualify as authorized deductions since the Beneficiary is the party who primarily benefits from such fees. In addition, attorney fees associated with visa issuance, assuming that international travel is not a requirement for the position, could be properly considered as authorized deductions. In order to properly deduct the attorney fees associated with these processes, it is important that the attorney break down the specifics of how much is being charged for each element of the H-1B process- this will allow the employer to deduct those fees associated with the retention of the visas for the accompanying family members without concerning itself with the deduction requirements necessary for unauthorized deductions.
The circumstances surrounding the Premium Processing Fee determine if deduction of the fee is to qualify as authorized or unauthorized. While the speedy decision that the Premium Processing Fee guarantees often benefits both the employer and the employee, it is important to take notice of which party requests and benefits most from premium processing. If the employee has decided to utilize premium processing for his/her own personal benefit, then the employer may be reimbursed by the employee in accordance with the requirements established by the DOL for authorized deductions. If the employer is the party desiring premium process and who will benefit from such processing, then any deductions from the employee’s pay are unauthorized and, as such Deduction of attorney’s fees associated with the filing of the LCA or H-1B and the Base Fee (or I-129 Fee) are considered to be unauthorized. These fees are considered to be the employer’s business expenses and, for this reason, are not authorized deductions. These fees may be deducted from the employee’s pay so long as they do not drop the rate of pay below the required wage rate.
It is not clear whether or not the Fraud Fee which was implemented in March 2005 is unauthorized or prohibited. The language of the act regarding the Fraud Fee states that “the Secretary of Homeland Security shall impose a fraud prevention and detection fee on an employer filing a petition.”10 Almost identical language is used in the Act to refer to the Training Fee.11 Such similarity could be read to mean that the restrictions of the Training Fee also apply to the Fraud Fee. However, 20 C.F.R. 655 is explicit in saying that the employee cannot pay the Training Fee; no such statement is made regarding the Fraud Fee. The regulation regarding the Training Fee, 20 C.F.R. 655, predates the creation of the Fraud Fee, which may explain this discrepancy. Nonetheless, the language referring to the Fraud Fee is not explicitly prohibitive and an employer may decide to be reimbursed by the employee. If an employer chooses to do so, any deductions from the employee’s salary to pay for this fee must meet the DOL requirements for unauthorized deductions. 12
Before any payments are made by the employee or deductions are taken from his/her pay to reimburse the employer, it must be determined if such deduction is permitted and if so, whether or not it is authorized or unauthorized. Once these preliminary determinations are made, appropriate steps must be taken to ensure that the DOL’s requirements are met. As a practical matter, there are very few circumstances in which the prospective employee could legally be made to pay for the costs associated with the H-1b process without an employer risking non-compliance and causing significant record keeping.
more...
Rb_newsletter
02-23 03:22 PM
Ofcourse your intention was opposite to H1b's guidance. But in tax returns it is going to be mentioned as just 1099. Everyone who deposited money in savings account will receive a 1099 and will have to report it to IRS at the time of filing. I don't think USCIS is going to drill into this.
It also depends on the amount on 1099 form. If it is as big as your salary say 60K/80K then it may catch the attention of the people.
Hey I am not an attorney and above is just my opinion. You should definitely consult with an attorney.
It also depends on the amount on 1099 form. If it is as big as your salary say 60K/80K then it may catch the attention of the people.
Hey I am not an attorney and above is just my opinion. You should definitely consult with an attorney.
srarao
07-23 12:05 PM
R.Pitcher
more...
reddymjm
05-05 04:15 PM
i third that too
justAnotherFile
07-14 07:04 PM
some of the countries like Phillipines may have more schedule A numbers. That is why the total number of EB for 2006 is 157xxx (above 140K).
If the schedule A usage was higher, then they may not reach 7% country limits yet for EB1,Eb2,EB3
If the schedule A usage was higher, then they may not reach 7% country limits yet for EB1,Eb2,EB3
more...
dh010447
03-23 01:51 PM
If the PWD is for a PERM application, there is no way to avoid using the DOL system. (NOTE: for H-1 PWD the online DOL system is NOT required).
There is no provision for expediting PWD's through the DOL online system. However, in typically unfair DOL fashion, it seems that PWD requests submitted in mid February are being approved in about 30 days or less while many submitted earlier are still languishing. So, submitting a second PWD request now might get you a PWD sooner than waiting for one submitted in January.
Another issue of concern about the new PWD system is that it has been generating wildly arbitrary determinations some of which reference SOC codes and experience levels different from those on the actual PWD request.
That's useful to know thought it was just mine that was taking forever. My PWD request was submitted January 27th. 9 weeks later still waiting. Should I just wait in the hope that my company's lawyer is keeping track and knows to submit another PWD request?
There is no provision for expediting PWD's through the DOL online system. However, in typically unfair DOL fashion, it seems that PWD requests submitted in mid February are being approved in about 30 days or less while many submitted earlier are still languishing. So, submitting a second PWD request now might get you a PWD sooner than waiting for one submitted in January.
Another issue of concern about the new PWD system is that it has been generating wildly arbitrary determinations some of which reference SOC codes and experience levels different from those on the actual PWD request.
That's useful to know thought it was just mine that was taking forever. My PWD request was submitted January 27th. 9 weeks later still waiting. Should I just wait in the hope that my company's lawyer is keeping track and knows to submit another PWD request?
sledge_hammer
06-09 05:25 PM
By "have not run payroll since last 6 months," if you mean you were on "bench", then you are already out of status. You have more important things to worry about than your I-140 denial, like making sure you have a job, and you're getting paid!
I'm sure you already know, but I'm going to say it again anyway - if you are here on H-1B, then you need to be working, and getting paid for it. There is no such thing as "bench" time.
You must be working for one of those bodyshops that don't pay you when you're not on a project. If you did not have projects, your employer should have still paid your salary, or terminated your employment. Find out from your employer if he has sent a H-1B cancellation request to USCIS. Finally, get your employer to pay you for the 6 months. If he refuses, then file a complaint with DOL.
Hi,
I just came to know from uscis website that my I140 is denied. I have not received any documents from uscis as my name is in beneficiary. It will goto my employer. Than If he respond than I will know.
I am currently on 7th year of h1 extension and having 2 weeks left on my h1. (22 june 2009)
Not on project rightnow and have not run payroll since last 6 months.
My employer is not responding to any of my emails and phone calls since 1 month.
GC Filed: march 2005 in traditional process (not in PERM) EB3
Labor approved : june 2006
I140 filed: Nov 2007 - Denied end of may 2009.
1) What are my options ?
2) Can I use my current approved labor to get extension in new company after h1 transfer?
3) If I transfer my h1 to another company, what about next year h1 extension? if company does not file GC at the time of h1 transfer. does 365 days rule apply in that ?
I'm sure you already know, but I'm going to say it again anyway - if you are here on H-1B, then you need to be working, and getting paid for it. There is no such thing as "bench" time.
You must be working for one of those bodyshops that don't pay you when you're not on a project. If you did not have projects, your employer should have still paid your salary, or terminated your employment. Find out from your employer if he has sent a H-1B cancellation request to USCIS. Finally, get your employer to pay you for the 6 months. If he refuses, then file a complaint with DOL.
Hi,
I just came to know from uscis website that my I140 is denied. I have not received any documents from uscis as my name is in beneficiary. It will goto my employer. Than If he respond than I will know.
I am currently on 7th year of h1 extension and having 2 weeks left on my h1. (22 june 2009)
Not on project rightnow and have not run payroll since last 6 months.
My employer is not responding to any of my emails and phone calls since 1 month.
GC Filed: march 2005 in traditional process (not in PERM) EB3
Labor approved : june 2006
I140 filed: Nov 2007 - Denied end of may 2009.
1) What are my options ?
2) Can I use my current approved labor to get extension in new company after h1 transfer?
3) If I transfer my h1 to another company, what about next year h1 extension? if company does not file GC at the time of h1 transfer. does 365 days rule apply in that ?
more...
vishal
04-15 02:30 PM
hi all,
since it is taking so long for the namechecks to get cleared. what usually happens after we do FP. how is the process initiated.
any response is appreciated
since it is taking so long for the namechecks to get cleared. what usually happens after we do FP. how is the process initiated.
any response is appreciated
eadguru
11-01 04:56 PM
Hi eadguru
I too got query for AP to send clear copies of all data pages of PP,
where did you make color copies and how much it would be ?
Do we need to take all pages from the passport !
Thanks
I did it in Kinkos, I took all data pages in color and empty pages in black and white. It cost me around $15. (For two people). I also included all I 94 Cards.
I too got query for AP to send clear copies of all data pages of PP,
where did you make color copies and how much it would be ?
Do we need to take all pages from the passport !
Thanks
I did it in Kinkos, I took all data pages in color and empty pages in black and white. It cost me around $15. (For two people). I also included all I 94 Cards.
more...
chanduv23
05-30 11:12 AM
They will change the text on house bill appropriately if they decide on points system and get support.
swamy
12-08 08:53 PM
Mark Krikorian's entry on Huckabee's plan. Naturally he's not happy with Any increase on immigration even.
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=YzI5MjhhNmQwZjhjMTNlOTgyNGQxN2NkNjQ3ZmIzNzM=
Its not just any Mark Krikorian, its our beloved 'bigot/racist Mark' - please make sure you always use that prefix or he will be very upset. He's already pissed that anytime the CIS' news releases are picked up by the newspapers/TV, they apparently describe CIS as merely an organization that wants 'stricter immigration' and deliberately leave out their illustrious founding by a courageous racist John Tanton. So - in confusion, ladys, jellyspoons , julia preston, nytimes et all - don't piss off our CIS ppl or they will deport your ass to wherever it came from! And don't think just because you were born here that you are safe cos there's a bill in the works that strips birthright citizenship retroactively!
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=YzI5MjhhNmQwZjhjMTNlOTgyNGQxN2NkNjQ3ZmIzNzM=
Its not just any Mark Krikorian, its our beloved 'bigot/racist Mark' - please make sure you always use that prefix or he will be very upset. He's already pissed that anytime the CIS' news releases are picked up by the newspapers/TV, they apparently describe CIS as merely an organization that wants 'stricter immigration' and deliberately leave out their illustrious founding by a courageous racist John Tanton. So - in confusion, ladys, jellyspoons , julia preston, nytimes et all - don't piss off our CIS ppl or they will deport your ass to wherever it came from! And don't think just because you were born here that you are safe cos there's a bill in the works that strips birthright citizenship retroactively!
more...
IfYouSeekAmy
05-17 10:14 AM
I used David Cohen at
Canada Immigration - Information on Immigration to Canada (http://www.canadavisa.com/)
Canada Immigration - Information on Immigration to Canada (http://www.canadavisa.com/)
reddymjm
12-10 10:16 PM
What year?..........2011 for EB2I and 2021 for EB3I. :(
For EB3 is no diffrence my friend, Decembere is = July, same movement.
Good one Buddy. To see some movement better than days movement July 2011 should be good.
For EB3 is no diffrence my friend, Decembere is = July, same movement.
Good one Buddy. To see some movement better than days movement July 2011 should be good.
more...
EndlessWait
12-06 08:01 AM
I have heard many cases where in the dependant gets their EAD faster than the prime applicant. My guess would be that USCIS is prioritizing H4 to get the EAD faster since the prime applicant already has the H1. That does not mean you won�t get your EAD ever but it looks like it is not a higher priority.
not EAD, but thanks for the reply.
not EAD, but thanks for the reply.
senthil
06-05 01:16 AM
my situation ---
im on 7th year H1B extn, going for 8th next year
- filed I-485 when current ( have EAD) and got married after retrogession
- for the spouse i had to stay and extend my H1B to make her H4 valid
- at this stage can i change employer on H1B and also for 8th year and further
extns ? has anyone on this situation by any chance .....
any inputs / suggestions will be of great help. thanks in advance
im on 7th year H1B extn, going for 8th next year
- filed I-485 when current ( have EAD) and got married after retrogession
- for the spouse i had to stay and extend my H1B to make her H4 valid
- at this stage can i change employer on H1B and also for 8th year and further
extns ? has anyone on this situation by any chance .....
any inputs / suggestions will be of great help. thanks in advance
coolblues
08-14 08:01 PM
Hi Mods, I am new to the forum so in case I asked this in the wrong section then do pardon me.
I am currently working on L1 visa and had applied for H1 visa for fiscal 2010. I did file the visa via a consultant based in ease coast. Now, i got an email 8 days back from CRIS that there was a RFE against my application.
And finally, earlier today I got another email from my consultant that my visa was denied.
My consultant says that he never received any RFE request from USCIS and all he got was a random rejection PDF from them (he in-fact says that I wasn't the only one ... he got 5 more denials today without getting the RFE)
My question to you folks is :
- Can he be lying and trying to cover-up the fact that he never bothered to respond back (even though the RFE came 2 months back)
- Can this actually happen (that RFE doesn't get delivered at all) ??
- He says he has asked the attorney to appeal further. Would that help. Also, how would I know if this guy has actually appealed or just gave another false assurance.
- Also what are my chances getting a H1B via the appeal route ?
Thanks in advance
I am currently working on L1 visa and had applied for H1 visa for fiscal 2010. I did file the visa via a consultant based in ease coast. Now, i got an email 8 days back from CRIS that there was a RFE against my application.
And finally, earlier today I got another email from my consultant that my visa was denied.
My consultant says that he never received any RFE request from USCIS and all he got was a random rejection PDF from them (he in-fact says that I wasn't the only one ... he got 5 more denials today without getting the RFE)
My question to you folks is :
- Can he be lying and trying to cover-up the fact that he never bothered to respond back (even though the RFE came 2 months back)
- Can this actually happen (that RFE doesn't get delivered at all) ??
- He says he has asked the attorney to appeal further. Would that help. Also, how would I know if this guy has actually appealed or just gave another false assurance.
- Also what are my chances getting a H1B via the appeal route ?
Thanks in advance
pmpforgc
10-31 02:49 PM
Hi
My sch-A appln. I-140 was approved on Oct-30.
I also got LUDs on I-485s of me and my family on Oct-31.
Does that suggest anything or it is just routine update after I-140 apporval?
Your experienced input will help.
My sch-A appln. I-140 was approved on Oct-30.
I also got LUDs on I-485s of me and my family on Oct-31.
Does that suggest anything or it is just routine update after I-140 apporval?
Your experienced input will help.
pyrosleepy
04-30 02:58 PM
Not Yet...But murthy.com says they are considering to reinstate PP for I-140. Check murthy.com for more information on this
I did not see it in murthy.com. Can you please paste the link or the text.
Thanks,
I did not see it in murthy.com. Can you please paste the link or the text.
Thanks,
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