Post Student Years: Immigration Options February 2011 Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Kate Kalmykov, Esq. Philadelphia – New York

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Hot Topics in Immigration Law Agenda H-1B Visas H-1B Requirements H-1B Alternatives Introduction to Permanent Residency EB-5 Immigration Through Investment Q&As

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP H-1B Visas Basic requirements  Job Offer  Prevailing Wage  Bachelors or higher degree  Specialty occupation Procedure and processing times

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP H-1B Visas Part-time or full-time Length of approval Extensions Portability Spouses and Employment Authorization Travel

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP H-1B Quota What is it and what does it mean? 20,000 for US awarded advanced degrees 65,000 H-1Bs  FY 2010 gone by December 2009  FY 2011 gone by January 2011  FY2009 gone by April 2008  FY2008 gone by April 2007  FY2007 gone by May 2006

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Travel and Status Issues for H-1B Approvals Change of status vs. consular visa issuance Travel after April 1 Maintaining status until October 1  “Cap gap” relief

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP 2011 Issues (FY2012 H-1Bs) ■ Fewer job offers ■ Impact of layoffs ■ Increased USCIS scrutiny of petitions filed by investors and entrepreneurs ■ Increased scrutiny of third-party worksites ■ TARP – no longer an issue b/c it expires 2/2011

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP H-1B Issues for Start-Ups Must establish company with employer tax I.D. number Can company be owned by H-1B employee?  Must be W-2 employee  Company separate entity from owner/employee Company right of control over employee Company must prove  Financial ability to pay salary  Real job to be done by H-1B  Place of business

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP H-1B Issues for Start-Ups Other employees or owners required?  Ability to hire/fire Importance of business plan/financial projections Prevailing Wage  CEO vs. function-descriptive position

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Avoiding H-1B Quota Exemption based on employer  Universities  Non-profits affiliated with universities Increased scrutiny of affiliations  Non-profits or gov’t research organizations  or place of employment, law says “at”

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Avoiding H-1B Quota Exemption based on employee  Previously counted  Singapore/Chile  Concurrent employment

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Can’t avoid the quota, planning strategies? Filing April 1 for Oct 1 start date  CAP GAP Relief Going from quota exempt to quota subject  Portability?  Concurrent employment?  Working “at” University or non-profit

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Other Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Options Treaty (E) Visas ■ Must be national of treaty country  ■ Owned at least 50% by treaty nationals ■ Eligible if ■ Owner/Investor or ■ Manager, supervisor or essential employees

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Other Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Options Treaty (E) Visas  Two Options:  E-1 Treaty Trader  E-2 Treaty Investor  Visa for 1 to 5 years  Each entry limited to two years  Visa and entry can be extended indefinitely  Spouse eligible for employment authorization

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP ■Treaty traders (E-1)  “Substantial” import or export  Majority of trade between U.S. and treaty country  For manager, supervisor or “essential skill” employees Other Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Options Treaty (E) Visas

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Other Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Options Treaty (E) Visas ■ Treaty investors (E-2)  “Substantial” investment  Amount Varies depending upon investment  For start up business plan & financial projections critical  Number of employees  Needs of business  Likely profitability and growth potential

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Intracompany Transferee (L-1) Visas ■National of any country ■No quota ■Length of visa  Start up 1 year  Established business 3 years  Maximum length 7 years for L-1A or 5 years for L-1B

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Intracompany Transferee (L-1) Visas ■Spouse eligible for EAD ■Must be “international” business  Business outside U.S. with at least 50% common ownership  Must be employed by that business one year ■Type of employment (in U.S. and overseas companies)  Manager or executive  “Specialized knowledge” employee

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Intracompany Transferee (L-1) Visas Start-up issues  Place of business  Employees  Capitalization  Need for “manager”  Business plan and financial projections

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Mexican & Canadian NAFTA Professional Worker (TN) Visa Allows citizens of Canada and Mexico to work in the U.S. as NAFTA professionals Profession must be on the NAFTA list Position in the U.S. requires a NAFTA professional Must have employer sponsor Applicant has to have qualifications of the profession

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP More Alternatives to H-1B Alternative Employment Visas:  O-1  E-3 (Australians)  J-1 (limited applicability)  I visa (journalists – disseminate news abroad)  OPT Extension- STEM

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP More Alternatives to H-1B Alternative Visa Options (cont’d)  EAD through spouse’s status J-2 E L-2 I-485

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP What is Permanent Residency? Authorization to Live & Work Indefinitely in the United States “Immigrant Visa” The “Green Card” or “Form I-551” Not always ‘forever’ – may be abandoned or taken away

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Immigrant Versus Non-Immigrant Visas Immigrant Visa  Green Card/Permanent Residency Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV)  H, F, J, O, etc  Limited duration  Specific to employer/institution  Specific to purpose (work/study/tourism)

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Permanent Residency Quotas Annual Limit on Permanent Residency Per Country Limit – 7% Allocated by:  Priority Date – place in line  Preference Category

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP How Do I Apply? Family Investment Asylum Employment

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Permanent Residency Quotas Employment Based Preference Categories:  First Preference (EB-1) Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Researcher, Multinational Executive  Second Preference (EB-2) Nat’l Interest Waivers, Advanced Degreed Professionals, Bachelors plus 5 years exp.  Third Preference (EB-3) Skilled Worker (2+ years experience), Bachelor’s Degree  Fifth Preference (EB-5) Investment in the U.S. that creates at least 10 U.S. jobs

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Permanent Residency Quotas, Where are We Now? “Oversubscribed” versus “Available”  Available if: Visa Bulletin indicates “C” = current Priority date earlier than posted date

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Permanent Residency Quotas, Where are We Now? All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed CHINA- mainland born INDIAMEXICO PHILIPP- INES/ DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Employment Based 1stCCCCC 2ndC08JUL0608MAY06 CC 3rd01JUL0522JAN0415MAR0208JAN0401JUL05 5thCCCCC Visa Bulletin March 2011

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP EB-5: Greencard Through Investment No quota delay Amount of investment  $1,000,000 or  $500,000 in “targeted employment area” Type of investment  Generally cash  “At risk”

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP EB-5: Greencard Through Investment Employment creation  10 new or 10 additional full-time jobs  U.S. citizens or permanent residents Lawful source of funds  Extensive documentation required  Can be gift Must prove giftor's source of funds  Can borrow money

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP EB-5: Greencard Through Investment Nature of investor’s relationship to business  Do not have to be employee (but can)  Do not have to be owner (but can) Two possibilities  Individual investment See above  Regional center investment Over 100 USCIS – approved regional centers Mostly $500,000 investment Indirect employment creation ok

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Employment Based (EB) Permanent Residency Considerations Employer-sponsored or self-sponsored Labor certification or extraordinary/national interest/exceptional/ EB-5 Multiple petitions Multi-Step Process Non-Immigrant Status?

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Travel Issues Potential Problems  Intent to return – F & J vs. H &O  Visa interview delays (PIMS)  Security clearances  Technology Alert List  222(g)

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Contact Information Kate Kalmykov, Esq.  Telephone:  Fax:  Websites:     Follow us!