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I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

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Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#181

Post by proberts »

jumana wrote: post #177

Hi, I got an L1B visa to travel to USA in February. My start date is April 1 but couldn't travel due to the ban. What happens to the visa if I dont enter within the entry deadline? Is there an entry deadline or they mark the date of arrival as your timer that ticks?

No entry deadline since this was all done in good faith. You should be fine traveling to the US on your L-1 visa when you're able to. Possibly carry a letter from your employer confirming your employment.

Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#182

Post by kirubakaran »

princeharry86 wrote: post #157
proberts wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is a complicated issue and more nuanced than this but providing a service to a company in exchange for a benefit constitutes work requiring work authorization. If you'd like to discuss the particulars, please email me separately.

Hi Peter, can you please share your email details. Thanks, Harish

If you click on his username, you'll see it in his profile.

Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#184

Post by knes »

Hi Peter,

I was previously on an L1 in the US. Changed job and petition on an O-1. I exited the country and went to Canada to "wait it out" while going through the process. COVID19 happen and I'm now stuck in Vancouver.

I just saw that the USCIS is now closed for an in-person interview (and get the stamp in the passport) until the 3rd of May.

all of my stuff is still in California, is there any way for me to go back to the US and wait it out?

Can I use any emergency reason to still do the in person?

Thx for doing this!

Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#185

Post by jumana »

Two friends of mine did education evaluation for United States visa. Both have dual degrees, that is masters degree combined with bachelor's. So they have one degree certificate that says masters as it was done together. The education evaluation came out as equivalent bachelors in America. Is this normal as it sounds wrong to me. I feel like they should be able to petition this as dual degrees are part of many curriculums

Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#187

Post by proberts »

ssn_deficient wrote: post #146

Hi Peter. I'm in the US on an E3. I arrived after the social security administration closed for covid19. How on earth do I get an SSN? I'm supposed to start work next week and I'd love to get paid eventually.

You are okay to be paid without an SSN. This is really a payroll processing issue, not an immigration/work authorization issue.

Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#188

Post by jumana »

proberts wrote: post #181
jumana wrote: post #177

Hi, I got an L1B visa to travel to USA in February. My start date is April 1 but couldn't travel due to the ban. What happens to the visa if I dont enter within the entry deadline? Is there an entry deadline or they mark the date of arrival as your timer that ticks?

No entry deadline since this was all done in good faith. You should be fine traveling to the US on your L-1 visa when you're able to. Possibly carry a letter from your employer confirming your employment.

Perfect thanks. Do they count the time in and allow you the lost months ? I fear I could loose months with this. Also can I get my green card process started while I am here or we have to wait until the entry? Thanks

Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#189

Post by proberts »

__s wrote: post #148
0xname wrote: post #132

As a Canadian, does the lack of a college degree significantly act as a disadvantage for visa programs such as TN/H1-B ? In the case of a pressing move to the US, what would be some options for someone with no degree?

So I was in this situation while being hired by Microsoft. Have nearly a decade of working experience. Ended up in Vancouver (grew up in Ontario) I think things can be easier once you've worked for the company for over a year

That's correct, you can still qualify for an L-1 (as a transferee after 1 year of employment outside the US) even if you don't have a degree and there are TN occupations that don't require a degree. Further, you can get an O-1 without a degree as well as an H-1B as long as (in the H-1B context) you have the equivalent of a bachelor's degree (essentially 12 years of professional experience).

Re: I’m Peter Roberts, immigration attorney who does work for YC and startups. AMA

#190

Post by thegreenswede »

Hello! My girlfriend is currently an au paire on J-1 Visa but wants to leave her current host family due to bad work conditions. She will attempt a rematch to find a new family and continue working under the program.

However, she knows some au paires in similar situations who filed for Tourist Visa whole working and still in the US, and then stopped working while waiting and being 'out of status' but remaining in the US due to the current conditions.

Would she be able quit her family, apply for tourist visa now, and stay with me during the lockdown while awaiting the decision (not working of course)?

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