Hi All,
I am hoping that someone can help me with my situation here.
Situation:
I am working at a very large software company (as a vendor) on H1B since March 2011 through a reputable Indian-US company (Company 1) and got my last paycheck on 6/1/2012 and have been on bench (unpaid) since.
I have good relations with my employer (Company 1) and they will not pull the plug on my H1B visa (for a few weeks) although they have told me they don’t have any projects for me and that I should start looking out for other jobs. I started applying to other companies/consultants a few weeks back and have a job offer from a big co. through a small desi staffing company (Company 2). Consequently, if I take this offer, I will be on Company 2’s payrolls.
I have valid B1/B2 and Canadian visas as well.
Questions (under the assumption that my current employer doesn’t pull the plug on my H1B visa):
1. I am interviewing with other companies and know that I will convert a good full time job at a reputable company within 6-8 weeks from now.
Is it a bad idea to be unpaid while on H1B for up to 6-8 weeks?
2. After Company 2 starts my visa process, how soon can I join them?
I have read on the internet that I can join them upon the receipt of H1B transfer case from the USCIS. Is that true? If yes, how long does this usually take for normal and premium processing after an application has been filed?
3. If I get an offer from Company 3 after my H1B transfer process to Company 2 has started, can I start my H1B transfer process with Company 3 in parallel?
4. If yes to Point 3, is it a bad idea to do that? Or do the US immigration authorities see it as an issue/red flag where an individual is having multiple H1B transfer petitions at the same time?
5. If yes to Point 3, is the process for H1B transfer to Company 3 different with respect to what stage the H1B transfer process to Company 2 is at?
6. If I am moving to Company 2 with a good chance of changing employers again within 8 weeks from now, does it matter whether I go for Normal or Premium H1B processing with respect to H1B transfer to Company 2?
Company 2 is asking me to pay for 50% of H1B transfer fees, so I would like to avoid paying extra money, unless required for my scenario. If required, I can pay the money, no issues with that.
7. If I am moving to Company 2 with a good chance to change employers within 8 weeks, is it a bad idea to join a small co. (Company 2) with respect to my future prospects of changing employers in the US?
From my end, I have all paperwork in perfect order till date (with respect to tax/all paystubs/offer letter etc.)
8. If my H1B transfer petition to Company 2 gets approved and Company 1 finds a project for me, do I necessarily have to join Company 2 as my H1B visa has been transferred?
I have read that I don’t have to. Why is that?
9. Can it happen that my H1B transfer to Company 2 gets denied for any reason? If yes, in what scenarios? From my end, I have all paperwork in perfect order till date (with respect to tax/all paystubs/ offer letter etc.)
10. Any other potential issues to consider in this case?
Thanks you so much for all the help! I am very anxious and need immediate help on this!
Thanks,
NJ
I am hoping that someone can help me with my situation here.
Situation:
I am working at a very large software company (as a vendor) on H1B since March 2011 through a reputable Indian-US company (Company 1) and got my last paycheck on 6/1/2012 and have been on bench (unpaid) since.
I have good relations with my employer (Company 1) and they will not pull the plug on my H1B visa (for a few weeks) although they have told me they don’t have any projects for me and that I should start looking out for other jobs. I started applying to other companies/consultants a few weeks back and have a job offer from a big co. through a small desi staffing company (Company 2). Consequently, if I take this offer, I will be on Company 2’s payrolls.
I have valid B1/B2 and Canadian visas as well.
Questions (under the assumption that my current employer doesn’t pull the plug on my H1B visa):
1. I am interviewing with other companies and know that I will convert a good full time job at a reputable company within 6-8 weeks from now.
Is it a bad idea to be unpaid while on H1B for up to 6-8 weeks?
2. After Company 2 starts my visa process, how soon can I join them?
I have read on the internet that I can join them upon the receipt of H1B transfer case from the USCIS. Is that true? If yes, how long does this usually take for normal and premium processing after an application has been filed?
3. If I get an offer from Company 3 after my H1B transfer process to Company 2 has started, can I start my H1B transfer process with Company 3 in parallel?
4. If yes to Point 3, is it a bad idea to do that? Or do the US immigration authorities see it as an issue/red flag where an individual is having multiple H1B transfer petitions at the same time?
5. If yes to Point 3, is the process for H1B transfer to Company 3 different with respect to what stage the H1B transfer process to Company 2 is at?
6. If I am moving to Company 2 with a good chance of changing employers again within 8 weeks from now, does it matter whether I go for Normal or Premium H1B processing with respect to H1B transfer to Company 2?
Company 2 is asking me to pay for 50% of H1B transfer fees, so I would like to avoid paying extra money, unless required for my scenario. If required, I can pay the money, no issues with that.
7. If I am moving to Company 2 with a good chance to change employers within 8 weeks, is it a bad idea to join a small co. (Company 2) with respect to my future prospects of changing employers in the US?
From my end, I have all paperwork in perfect order till date (with respect to tax/all paystubs/offer letter etc.)
8. If my H1B transfer petition to Company 2 gets approved and Company 1 finds a project for me, do I necessarily have to join Company 2 as my H1B visa has been transferred?
I have read that I don’t have to. Why is that?
9. Can it happen that my H1B transfer to Company 2 gets denied for any reason? If yes, in what scenarios? From my end, I have all paperwork in perfect order till date (with respect to tax/all paystubs/ offer letter etc.)
10. Any other potential issues to consider in this case?
Thanks you so much for all the help! I am very anxious and need immediate help on this!
Thanks,
NJ
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