If you have a question on immigration matters, write Ask-visalaw@visalaw.com. We can’t answer every question, but if you ask a short question that can be answered concisely, we’ll consider it for publication. Remember, these questions are only intended to provide general information. You should consult with your own attorney before acting on information you see here.
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Do you know of any J program organizations that could do a J for an au pair?
Go to http://exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges/private/AuPair_Sponsors.pdf . These are the officially designated agencies and are the only ones that can sponsor J-1 visa applicants.
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My parents came from India and they have the Green Card and SSN, but they don’t want to stay in the US forever, they just want to visit us. Is there any way they will give back the Green Card and SSN back to US Gov. and will get Visitor Visa for say 10 to 20 Years?
They can surrender their green cards at a US consulate and then apply for visitor visas at the consulate. They would not surrender the SS number. That remains for life.
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I am a citizen of Iran and have been in US for the last 5 years on F1 visa. Should I register myself or is it for the Iranian citizens who enter the US after 9/11/2002? Something like this is mentioned on the first line of the longer issue of the bill, but I’m not sure. Could you please clarify?
It only applies for people entering after 9/11/02. So if you leave and reenter the US, you will be subject to the new rule.
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Is it ok for an H1B visa holder to take 3 month vacation that includes 1 month paid vacation (which is part of the benefit package) and remaining non-paid vacation? The employee has full intent to come back and continue to work for the same employer. If yes, then are there any conditions/retrictions? (Scenario: maternity/sick leave).
As long as the same vacation benefit is available to the company’s American workers, this is normally permissible. Benching – where you are involuntarily put on unpaid leave while an employer hunts for more work for you – is not permitted, however.
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I really appreciate if someone please let me know the exact website for “online case status check system” thank u
Go to https://egov.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/cris/jsps/caseStat.jsp.
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I have a I-485 pending. I did not file the I-131 advanced parole when I filed my I-485. Now I need to travel abroad. How do I get a travel permit? Can I file I-131 at the local INS office? If I wait to get my I-485 approved and get my passport stamped, can I use that to leave the US and come back? Thanks.
You would file the I-131 with a copy of the filing receipt from the I-485. The application would be sent to the INS office handling the I-485. As for waiting to travel until after the I-485 is approved, you will get a one year I-551 stamp in your passport which is the legal equivalent of the green card. You can travel freely with that stamp.
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Do I need to get new Social Security Card if I changed my status to a green card holder?
If you have become a permanent resident you might want to change the card to remove an annotation regarding only being valid with a work visa. The number does not change so you don’t need to worry about that.
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