H-4 Visa

By Editorial Team , 20 December 2006

USCIS New Policy: Time spent in H-4 and L-2 does NOT count against H-1B and L-1 Time Limit

The USCIS has announced that after completing a policy review that it was clarifying that “any time spent in H-4 status will not count against the six-year maximum period of admission applicable to H-1B aliens.”  Likewise, the USCIS also announced that “time an alien has spent time in L-2 dependent status will not count against the time available to the alien in L-1A or L-1B status.”  The new policy was announced in a USCIS Interoffice Memorandum from Michael Aytes, Associate Director, Domestic Operations, to all Regional Directors and Service Center Directors, dated December 5, 2006
By Editorial Team , 20 December 2006

USCIS New Policy: Individuals eligible for 7th Year H-1B Extension are NOT required to be in the U.S., or in H-1B status.

The USCIS has announced that after completing a policy review that it was clarifying that “Aliens who are eligible for the 7th year extension may be granted an extension of stay regardless of whether they are currently in the United States or abroad and regardless of whether they currently hold H-1B status.”  The 7th year H-1B extension is available for individuals with Labor Certification (PERM, traditional, or RIR) applications or I-40 petitions pending for more than one year, and for individuals who have approved I-140 petition