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

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

#131

Post by nina_c » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 5:29 PM UTC

proberts wrote: post #115

nina_c wrote: post #82

Hi Peter, thank you for taking time to help us. I already have my EAD and just waiting for my green card to be issued. I was expecting my priority date to be current this month however USCIS suddenly had a retrogression back to Jan 2017 plus the covid-19 outbreak so I figure it will probably take more time for them to issue my green card. For the meantime, I can work with my EAD, however due to covid-19, I learned th…

As a general rule yes, you can work for another company on your EAD, but you should consult with an attorney regarding the continued viability of your green card application.

Thank you Peter.

My EAD will expire on Sept this year. We have filed for an extension since we don't know when will my green card be issued.

Another question is, will my unemployment for a period of time affect the processing of my EAD/Green Card?

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

#132

Post by 0xname » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 5:29 PM UTC

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?

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

#133

Post by codegeek » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 5:29 PM UTC

Peter, have you ever seen small companies (15 employees) getting approved for L1A visa ? The company has a foreign subsidiary where some team members work even though overall we are a small firm. Does the size matter when requesting visa such as L1A ? Not a consulting firm but a SAAS product based company if that matters.

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

#134

Post by kaisix » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 5:30 PM UTC

This may appear as off-topic compared to other questions here. I am interested to know what software you use as part of your daily work. So, what software do you use and what piece of software is missing for attorneys ?

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

#135

Post by proberts » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 5:30 PM UTC

callenq wrote: post #107

Hi Peter, I run callenq.com, a company that helps tax attorneys skip the IRS telephone hold time when they call the IRS. Is there a market for this type of service for immigration attorneys? Are the hold times long and do you need to call several times a week? USCIS Call Center Agent (800-375-5283) National Visa Center Officer (603-334-0700)

There are terrible hold/wait times calling USCIS in particular so there might be a market (but I'm an awful judge of these things).

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

#136

Post by chrismeller » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 5:30 PM UTC

proberts wrote: post #97

chrismeller wrote: post #94

If you’re a US citizen who has been living in the EU and is now being “encouraged” to return home, but have a significant other that you don’t wish to be separated from... what would you suggest? Should they just go for the 90 day tourist visa and roll the dice on being able to get a fiancé visa, etc later?

You should contact the US Embassy where you are living or speak with your Congressional representative in the U.S. but likely, unless it is dangerous where you are, you and your partner will need to go through the standard marriage-based/fiancee process and having your partner enter on a tourist visa and then apply for a green card is legally impermissible and risky - although might be forgiven in the end.

If the US Embassy has closed, what would you recommend?

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

#137

Post by graeme » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 5:30 PM UTC

I have an E1 visa. Live in Canada, run a business online with customers mostly in the US.

Haven’t really used it. I still meet the criteria. Has renewal gotten harder? I’ve heard it has. The first time I got it the embassy wanted all kinds of reporting to prove my income was from US sources.

Don’t care too much about having it, but would renew if renewal isn’t too hard.

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

#138

Post by proberts » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 5:30 PM UTC

nrmitchi wrote: post #104

Hey Peter, thanks for taking the time. With the current shutdown of "non-essential" travel between Canada and the US, would it still be possible to obtain a new TN status at the POE at the current time?

Yes but not via a land-crossing, only via air (and sea).

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

#139

Post by danfan88 » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 5:30 PM UTC

Hi,

My work authorization on L1 runs out on may 22nd. I do have an approved H1B consular notify petition, but due to covid I'm unable to get a consulate appointment or travel to activate it, and there's no premium processing to change status while I'm here. Do I have any options to extend my work auth given the current situation? I don't have any time left on my L1 to recapture.

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

#140

Post by proberts » Fri, Apr 03, 2020, 5:32 PM UTC

graeme wrote: post #137

I have an E1 visa. Live in Canada, run a business online with customers mostly in the US. Haven’t really used it. I still meet the criteria. Has renewal gotten harder? I’ve heard it has. The first time I got it the embassy wanted all kinds of reporting to prove my income was from US sources. Don’t care too much about having it, but would renew if renewal isn’t too hard.

Yes, as a general rule (although there are variations among Consulates), it's tougher now to get an E-1 or E-2 visa and that applies to renewals as well.