masuda, funai, eifert & mitchell, ltd. chicago * los angeles * schaumburg

MASUDA, FUNAI, EIFERT & MITCHELL, LTD.

CHICAGO * LOS ANGELES * SCHAUMBURG

www.masudafunai.com

Presenter Information

Mr. Bob White

Masuda Funai

Schaumburg Office - (847) 734-8811

Chicago Office – (312) 245-7500

rwhite@masudafunai.com

www.masudafunai.com

2015 Update On Immigration Changes

Affecting Students

2015 Update On Immigration Changes

Affecting Students

Current Immigration Information

Complimentary

Immigration Legal Updates

Are Available In The

Immigration Group Section At

www.masudafunai.comwww.masudafunai.com

Issues in Student Programs

1. Overview of Government Agencies –

USCIS, ICE (SEVP & CTCEU),

CBP, DOL & DOS

2. SEVIS Procedures & Problem A. Reporting Address Changes

1. F-1/J-1 Status - SEVIS System 2. USCIS - www.uscis.gov/AR-11

Issues in Student Programs3. Employment Options – OPT and AT

A. OPT for F-1 Students1. 12 Month OPT

- CPT vs OPT- When to Apply – 30 Day Rule- Student Responsibilities During OPT - Work (Paid or Volunteer) At Least 20 Hours/Week in Job Related To Major

- Notify School of Changes

- Periods of Unemployment

Issues in Student Programs3. Employment Options – OPT and AT

2. 17 Month OPT Extension for STEM Grads- Eligibility Requirements

1. STEM Major (Not Minor or Concentration) 2. E-Verify Company (www.uscis.gov/e-verify)

- When To Apply – What Is The Deadline?- Student Responsibilities During OPT - Work (Paid or Volunteer) At Least 20 Hours/Week in Job

Related To Major, Unless Self Employed Owner

- Notify School of Changes & Student’s 6 Month Validation Report- Periods of Unemployment (No 10-Day Grace Period)- Employer’s Responsibilities- Future of STEM OPT (Executive Actions)

Issues in Student Programs3. Employment Options – OPT and AT

B. Increased Enforcement in F-1 ProgramC. AT for J-1 Students

4. International TravelA. Pre-GraduationB. Post-Graduation

- 12 Month OPT- 17 Month STEM OPT Extension- H-1B Cap Gap “Plus” Relief

C. I-94 Card Automation (www.cbp.gov/I94)

H-1B Nonimmigrant Process

1. What is H-1B Status?

2. Overview of the Procedure –1. Labor Certification Application through

Department of Labor (DOL)2. Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker

through the USCIS3. H-1B Visa through U.S. Consulate

H-1B Process – Step One

1. Labor Condition Application (LCA)A. Wages – Actual Wage vs. Prevailing Wage

- Prevailing Wage – www.flcdatacenter.com

B. Working ConditionsC. Work StoppageD. Warnings

2. Dependent vs Non-Dependent H-1B Employer - Other Possible Attestations

3. LCA Public Access File

H-1B Process – Step Two

1. What Occupations Qualify for H-1B Classification?

2. Foreign National Must Qualify A. Academic BackgroundB. Employment Experience

3. Must Have Valid License

H-1B Process – Step Three

1. Visa ProcessingA. When Should I Apply For a Visa?B. How Long Does It Take & What Is The

Procedure?http://usembassy.state.gov/ - Nonimmigrant

Visa Page in Consular Section

D. Could I Be Denied An H-1B Visa?E. Can I Apply for the Visa in Canada or

Mexico?F. Who Is Exempt from the Visa

Requirement?

2015 H-1B Issues – Part 1

1. Managing H-1B Quota A. What is the H-1B Quota? B. Government’s Fiscal Year Defined C. When Is the Initial Filing Period? D. When was the Quota Met in FY 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013,

2014 & 2015 E. Random Selection Process (aka H-1B

Lottery)

F. Future of the Quota

2015 H-1B Issues – Part 2

2. Exemptions to H-1B Quota

A. A. Advanced Degree Exemption – 20,000 Cap

- When Was Cap Met? - Random Selection Process (aka H-1B Lottery) - Future of Advanced Degree Exemption

B. Institution of Higher Education – No Cap C. Non-Profit Research Organizations – No

Cap - Issues With University/Non-Profit Research

Exemption

D. Is Each Petition Subject to the Quota?

2015 H-1B Issues – Part 3

3. Managing Your Status – A. When should I apply for H-1B status?

B. F-1/J-1 to H-1B Change of Status 1. H-1B Cap Gap vs. Cap Gap Plus

- When Does H-1B Cap Gap Relief Expire? 2. Do I Have to Be Concerned About the

Quota? YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! - Apply in Multiple Quotas - CPT

Options - Manage Graduation Date - New Course of Study

- 17 Month STEM OPT Extension - Dependent Status

2015 H-1B Issues – Part 4

3. Managing Your Status (Continued) -D. Changing Employers & H-1B

PortabilityE. Other Nonimmigrant Options – TN,

H-1B1, E-3, L, O and E Visa

4. Aggressive Review of H-1B Petitions – Consulting & Small Companies

5. How Long Can I Remain As H-1B Nonimmigrant?

2015 H-1B Issues – Part 5

6. What Status Will My Dependents Receive?A. Can My Dependents Work and Obtain an SSN?B. Can My Dependents Travel Internationally?

7. H-1B Processing Fees A. Basic Fee, H-1B User Fee, H-1B Fraud Fee and New

Enhanced H-1B Fraud Fee

B. Premium Processing (Optional)

8. Future of H-1B Fees/Procedures (Executive Actions)

9. When Should I Start the Green Card Process?

Green Card Process

1. Diversity Visa Lottery (FY2016 DV Lottery – October 1, 2014 to November 2, 2014)

2. Family-Based Green Cards- Repeal of DOMA

3. Employment-Based Green Cards

4. Future of Green Cards

MASUDA, FUNAI, EIFERT & MITCHELL, LTD.

CHICAGO * LOS ANGELES * SCHAUMBURG

www.masudafunai.com