The H-1B is a temporary professional work visa which is employer specific and is issued on a conditional basis. H1B aliens may only work for the petitioning US employer and only in the H1B activities described in the petition. As long as alien continues to provide H1B services for a US employer, most changes will not mean that an alien is out of status. An H1B alien may work on full time or part time (as per what was filed in LCA) and remain in Status. An H1B alien may also be on vacation, sick/maternity/paternity leave, or on strike without affecting his or her status.

USCIS must be informed of material changes in the employment approved by the USCIS in the initial petition. When "material" changes occur requiring USCIS notification, an amended petition must be filed with the USCIS.

The regulations only state that the petitioner (employer) must file an amended petition to reflect any material changes in the terms and conditions of the alien's employment. A material change is a change that directly impacts the alien's continued eligibility for H-1B classification. The regulations do not contain any specific examples of situations where an amended petition should be filed. The determination must be made on a case-by-case basis.

"Assume an employer obtains approval of an H-1B visa petition to employ an individual as a Loan Administrator for a three-year period at an annual salary of $27,000. If, after a one year period, the employer seeks to employ that H-1B employee as a Finance Coordinator, performing some of the same duties, but adding responsibilities, including supervisory duties, at a salary of $35,000, would an amended petition be required? If so, would such an employer be penalized for filing an amended petition after the change had already taken place, as opposed to filing an amended petition prospectively?"

In other words, whether when a material change occurs, an amended H-1B petition, including a new labor condition application, is required.

Answer:
A promotion to a higher position within the same occupation would not normally require the filing of an amended petition provided that the alien is required to utilize the same academic training as was required in the former petition. For example, the promotion of an accountant to a supervisory accountant would not require the filing of an amended petition if the supervisory accountant would still be required to possess the theoretical knowledge of accounting normally possessed by an H-1B accountant.

An amended petition would most likely not be required since, based on the information which was furnished, the alien would still be required to utilize the knowledge of an H-1B Loan Administrator in the performance of his or her supervisory duties.

There is nothing in the current regulations which specifies when the amended petition should be filed. She concluded that "a petitioner would not be penalized for filing an amended petition after the occurrence of the material change." Of course, the amended petition must be filed, at the latest, within a reasonable amount of time following the material change.

An amended petition would also be required if the corporate structure of the employer goes through a significant change, or if the H-1B worker is transferred to a different legal entity within the employer's corporate structure.

Is an amended petition required if there is a change in job location but not any other changes in employment? Yes, according to the USCIS's interpretation of "material". An amended petition would be required if an H-1B worker is transferred to a location outside the area of employment indicated on the Labor Condition Application (LCA) filed in connection with the H-1B petition. Since a valid LCA is required by statute for all H-1B workers, the USCIS believes that the requirement of a different LCA is a material factor, thus triggering the need to file an amended form I-129 [H-1B petition].

A change in salary does not generally require filing an amended H-1B petition, unless the change is so dramatic that it indicates a significant change in responsibility or duties.

Under the provisions of the AC21 law, amended H-1B petitions are not required when the petitioning employer is involved in a corporate restructuring where:

• the new corporate entity succeeds to the interests and obligations of the original petitioning employer; and
• the terms and conditions of employment remain the same, except for the identity of the petitioner.

The eligible forms of corporate restructuring may include, but are not limited to, mergers, acquisitions or consolidations. Forthcoming regulations will define the eligible forms of corporate restructuring, and the type of evidence required, including the manner in which that evidence should be submitted for extension of stay requests by the new corporate entity.

The status requires no affirmative action on the part of the employer in these corporate restructuring scenarios. In these instances, the previous approval and previously issued approval notice remains valid. Therefore, the INS will not issue amended approval notices bearing the new company name. Although not necessary, if an employer wishes to obtain an approval notice bearing a new company, the appropriate procedure for obtaining a new approval notice will continue to be through the filing of an amended Form I-129 with fee.

An H-1B applicant for admission who no longer works for the original H-1B petitioner and now works for a new corporate entity claiming exemption from the requirement to file an amended H-1B petition may be admitted at a POE if:

• he is otherwise admissible;
• unless exempt, he is in possession of a valid, unexpired passport and non-immigrant visa; and
• he presents a letter from the new corporate entity stating that:
  • the new corporate entity has succeeded to the interests and obligations of the original H-1B petitioning employer; and
  • the terms and conditions of employment of the H-1B non-immigrant remain the same.