Suzanne B. Seltzer, Esq. Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP New York Philadelphia 317 Madison Avenue, Suite John F. Kennedy Blvd., Floor 17 New York, NY Philadelphia, PA Immigration Fundamentals

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Suzanne B. Seltzer, Esq. Suzanne B. Seltzer is a partner of Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer LLP. Ms. Seltzer is the Chair of the American Immigration Lawyer's Association (AILA) USCIS Benefits & Policy Liaison Committee, is a member of AILA’s InterAgency Liaison Committee, and recently completed her tenure as the Vermont Service Center (VSC) liaison and as a NAFSA Regulatory Ombudsman. Ms. Seltzer speaks and writes extensively on visa options for scientists and researchers. She is listed in Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, New York SuperLawyers, and the International Who's Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers. A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Ms. Seltzer received her law degree from Georgetown University’s Law Center (cum laude).

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Agenda Lawful Status in the U.S. Nonimmigrant Status Permanent Residence Status Travel Issues Q&As For more information, visit

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Maintaining Lawful Status The Lingo ‘Visa’  Permission to re-enter the U.S. after a trip abroad (stamp in passport)  Obtained at a consulate outside the U.S.  Valid visa not required inside the U.S.  Specific to classification – i.e. F, J, H, O For more information, visit

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Maintaining Lawful Status ‘Status’  Permission to remain in the U.S. for a fixed period  Denoted by ‘I-94’ card (For Fs – with I-20; for Js – with DS-2019)  Permissible activities in the U.S. determined by status  Can only hold status in one classification at a time (i.e. - cannot have an F and an H)  Depart US, give up status For more information, visit

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Maintaining Lawful Status I-94, Arrival/Departure Record  Two ways to obtain: Port of Entry – requires visa Change or Extension of status  Governs Status Denotes classification (F, J, H, O) Denotes period of stay Surrendered upon departure, given up with status For more information, visit

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Maintaining Lawful Status Passport  Must have unexpired passport, even if no plans to travel  Travel – valid for at least 6 months from date of return For more information, visit

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Maintaining Lawful Status Must have unexpired I-94 & passport Must be complying with terms of status  F-1 – attend class  H-1B – work only for petitioning employer Must update USCIS of current address  File AR-11: For more information, visit

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Status Violations & Unlawful Presence Status Violations  May be able to correct, usually by departing the U.S. and re-entering  F-1 – may require re-instatement into SEVIS  May be ineligible for change or extension of status Unlawful Presence  Overstaying date certain on I-94  Immigration official finds violation of F/J status For more information, visit

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Going from Nonimmigrant to Immigrant F-1 – attend school F-1 OPT – start work H-1B – continue working; maximum 6 years total H-1B – change employer, continues to count against 6 years maximum For more information, visit

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Nonimmigrant to Immigrant H-1B – change employer, requires new petition may start working under ‘H-1B portability’ 4 th Year H-1B status – start thinking about LPR maintain NIV status until LPR 6 years in H-1B, eligible for O-1? Eligible to file adjustment of status For more information, visit

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP J-1 Nonimmigrant to LPR J-1 two year home requirement O-1 waiverfulfill two years clinical all other apply LPR 3 years H-1B For more information, visit

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP How Do I Apply? Family Investment Asylum Employment DV Lottery For more information, visit

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 For more information, visit

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Permanent Residency Quotas Employment Based Preferences  First Preference (EB-1) Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Researcher, Multinational Executive  Second Preference (EB-2) National Interest Waivers, Advanced Degreed Professionals, Bachelors plus 5 years experience  Third Preference (EB-3) Skilled Worker (2+ years experience), Bachelor’s Degree For more information, visit

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Permanent Residency Quotas, Where Are We Now? Visa Bulletin for November 2011 Employment Based All Charge- ability Areas Except Those Listed CHINA- mainland born INDIAMEXICOPHILIPPINES 1 st CCCCC 2 nd C01NOV07 CC 3 rd 22DEC0522AUG0422JUL0222DEC05 Other Workers* 15NOV0522APR0315JUN0215NOV05 4 th CCCCC Certain Religious Workers CCCCC 5 th Targeted Employment Areas/Regional Centers and Pilot Programs CCCCC

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  Predictions from State Department for FY2012 EB-1 approvals are down almost 50% This will advance EB-2 in China or India China EB-3 will advance a little; India EB-3 not at all For more information, visit

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Travel Issues Potential Problems  Intent to return – F & J vs. H & O  Visa interview delays  Security clearances  Technology Alert List  222(g) Possible solutions  Don’t travel  Canada/Mexico  Advance Parole For more information, visit

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Materials Please visit to download this PowerPoint presentation and relevant articles. For more information, visit

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP For more information, visit

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP For Further Information Suzanne B. Seltzer, Esq. Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Telephone: (New York) (Philadelphia) Websites: Blog: