All language subtitles for 1hr green cards through employment 2hr marriage, fiance and family green cards

Oh, well, good grief, girlfriend.

I hope you get an H1B position before
then.

But keep applying for an
H1B, unless you really don't

want... do you really not
want to work on your OPT?

I haven't find a job who is after my H1B.

Okay, come talk to me.

Because are you in your first OPT,
your first year?

Right?

No.

Are you in your STEM extension?

Second year.

Of OPT, right?

Are you on a STEM extension?

Yeah.

Okay.

Okay.

So come chat with me.

Let's talk about some options.

Okay?

But I wouldn't go to H4 immediately.

Okay.

All right.

Thanks, Mia.

You bet.

Appreciate it.

Mohamed?

Oh, hi.

Thank you for your talk.

I'm really not researching much about this
and, you know, don't know much about.

I'm in my about to be fourth year PhD in
material science engineering.

Fantastic.

And...

So I got a bit confused.

I wrote it in the chat.

So is H1B like connected to a lottery?

I mean, do you...

Yes.

Okay.

Okay.

So you apply for an H1B and you have to
be, as you said, chosen for it.

Right.

So you have to, you apply.

So what you're doing is you register.

Were you here from the beginning,
sir?

And I apologize if I didn't make it clear
enough.

You apply, you register in March.

You're chosen by the end of March.

And then you... All right.

If you're chosen, then you do the lottery.

Yes.

And my other question was like,
what are the odds to be chosen?

Never know.

Never know.

That's why, that's why you want to apply
as many times as possible.

Were you here from the beginning,
Mohamed?

Kind of.

Yeah.

Okay.

So do you remember
where... Yeah, go ahead.

Sorry.

Yeah, no, I was doing something else.

I was preparing coffee.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah.

No, I hope it was great.

Okay.

No.

So, and again, because I'm kind of close to
the time and I want to make sure that I...

What I'd say is I'm doing the same thing
tonight.

It's my last one.

Okay.

But I would say come because it's this one
that applies to you.

It is that you're going
to register and if you're

chosen, then that's when
you're going to know.

And then the other thing is if you,
in your case, if you graduate in April,

you have a STEM major, you'll have four
chances of lottery, two drawings each.

Okay.

So I'd just say come
tonight and I can...

Hopefully it'll make
a little bit more sense.

Okay.

Okay.

I will.

And I'm happy to answer any questions you
have.

Okay.

Thank you so much.

Okay.

Enjoy your coffee.

Okay.

Take care.

All right.

Okay.

Okay.

So here's this, guys.

It's 1258.

I'm happy to answer any more questions.

I really am.

If you adjust in the next minute,
raise your hand.

If after that minute, you
don't raise your hand, then

I'm going to just end it and
we'll go to the next thing.

So, Mohamed, I've answered you.

So, A02370684.

What can I ask for you?

Hello.

Hi.

I have a couple of questions.

Okay.

So about the lottery.

So aren't there countries where you can do
the lottery?

Okay.

So here's a different... I think you're
talking about the diversity visa lottery.

And that's what I'm going to talk in the
next hour.

There's two lotteries.

Okay.

This is the H1B lottery.

There's something
called the diversity visa

lottery that is part of
getting a green card.

It opens sometime in October.

It goes for one month generally.

And if you're part of your...

If you're from certain countries,
you can apply for them.

So that's called the diversity visa
lottery.

And what you'll want to do there is Google
diversity visa lottery 2026.

What country are you from, sir?

Oh, I'm from South Korea.

I don't know if you're a part of it,
but come to the next... or just Google it.

That's the diversity visa lottery.

I don't know if you're
in the country that

cannot apply because
we give too many visas.

But that's how you'll find out.

And it begins in October.

And the diversity visa
lottery is basically you apply

if you're one of the countries
that is allowed to apply.

You apply in that one month period.

You're notified the next May or actually
they make you log in the next May.

And then you file your application you've
chosen between October 1 of 25 to

September 30th of 26.

But yeah, there's two different visas.

So look at... Yes.

Yeah.

Diversity visa lottery 2026.

So basically they are two type of a
lottery.

This... yeah.

What you're talking about in this
presentation is F-1 visa.

H-1B.

H-1B.

H-1B.

Yes.

So my other question is like I'm a
fourth year PhD student and I will...

I'm planning on graduating either
August or December next year.

So if I... then my question is if I apply
for OPT to start in August but end up,

you know, extending my semester until
December.

What will happen to my OPT?

So it's going to be your... remember you
can't apply for an H-1B.

Okay.

So let's do this.

If it's August 2025, you're going to do
August 25.

So let's say August 25 to 26, 26 to 27,
27 to 28.

Okay.

So you're going to apply in 25,
26, 27, 28.

And you are covered under the cap gap
because... but oh, I'm sorry.

You can't apply in 25 because you haven't
graduated.

So you'll have three chances.

Okay.

Because you have to graduate June 30th.

So if you graduate in August of 25.

You'll have three years, two chances of
the drawing.

You graduate in December of 26.

I'm assuming December 26.

Your OPT will go from January 26 to 27.

January of 26.

Okay.

You graduate.

Are you graduating December 26?

Is that what you're thinking?

Maybe?

So like my question is like if I apply for
the OPT to start August because...

Then you'll have three chances of lottery.

I'm thinking to graduate August.

But something like... if
like something comes up

and I have to extend it to
my semester to December.

But I already applied the OPT to start in
August.

Oh, I see.

Go and talk to your international officer.

I have no idea.

That's as far as OPT.

I just know that in your case with a STEM
major.

I mean, I would just go and talk to your
advisor.

Find out when you think you're going to
graduate and then come in with me.

Because then I can give you a more
concrete answer.

All right.

And one more last question.

Okay.

So OPT.

A short question.

So OPT and H1B.

So once I graduate...

If I graduate this August next year, then
should I like to apply for OPT and the H1B?

Yeah.

You always have to apply for OPT.

Because H1Bs you can only apply one time a
year.

And that would be in April.

Of the next year.

So you would have to have OPT.

All right.

So OPT is part of your F1.

H1B is a visa that many people apply for
after their H1.

Or while they're on OPT, they file for an
H1B.

Okay?

All right.

Okay.

Thank you.

No problem.

Thanks.

David?

Hi.

Can you hear me?

Yes.

Awesome.

So my situation is...

I am graduating this April.

And I want to apply for OPT.

How early should I apply for that?

Go and talk to your company.

Go and talk to the university.

What school do you go to?

BYU.

Go and talk...
Who's your advisor?

I forgot his name, but I can check later.

Sam, Vanessa, Rob, Miles.

Rob.

It's Rob.

Rob.

Go chat with Rob.

Rob will tell you when to file.

Okay.

And then the other thing is...

Okay.

You want to apply for OPT.

Do you need to have a
job already lined up or... No.

So I don't...

I know the answer,
but I don't want to give it

because in case I'm
wrong, go and talk to Rob.

Generally speaking, you're only allowed so
many days unemployment.

You can also volunteer, et cetera,
et cetera.

But go talk to Rob.

Okay.

And then once you get your OPT,
I just do H1S.

Yes.

Go ahead.

Okay.

If...

Are you allowed to be in the process to
apply for a marriage-based green card

while you're in the process of applying
for an OPT?

Oh, absolutely.

Absolutely.

Yes.

Yes.

Okay.

Okay.

All right.

That's everything.

Thank you.

Thank you, David.

Come to my third hour.

Okay.

Pamela.

Hi, Kim.

I chatted with you before, so it's nice to
see you.

Hi.

Nice to see you, Pamela.

Hello.

Okay.

So I'm doing agriculture
and a lot of the positions that

I'm looking at in terms of
employment, they're government.

Like US citizen and all that.

And I'm Canadian.

So I don't...

And I'm interested in it, but like can I
apply for a marriage-based green card?

Can I even apply to that or not?

Like have you had
any... Look at the TN.

If they require US citizenship,
obviously, or PR, you can't.

But I believe TN, you
know, I think you can

work on the TN visa,
but I'm going to be honest.

That's the hardest part about majors like
that.

You're going to have to
find another company that's

not a governmental
company that will allow you to.

I'm sure there's some governmental
company, you know, that will at least

allow you to do an A to an B, but I'm not
sure who they are.

Okay.

And then just one quick, one more quick
question.

Like, if I'm here on my property,
it's a vacation property and I'm living

here now as a student, like,
does that apply any way to

like PR, do I have to file
anything, that kind of stuff?

Because like, I'm here.

I don't understand.

You're here.

What do you mean?

Like, I'm living in my home here.

Do I have to file anything that this is my
residence for now?

Oh.

I'm not, I'm not renting.

Well, what school do you go to?

SUU.

SUU.

So, I mean.

I think your question
there, you probably

should talk to Kerry or
Jamie, but I'm not sure.

Kerry?

Okay.

I'll talk to Kerry.

Okay.

All right.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay.

Let me tell you who I have, guys.

I have Chan.

I have Friska.

I have Ryan.

I think that's all I have.

And then I have, yes.

And then I'm going to
take a quick break, like, and

then we're going to just
move on to green cards.

So, Chan.

Chan, Friska, and Ryan.

Go ahead.

Hi, Kim.

Can you hear me well?

Uh-huh.

Yes.

Thanks.

So, I actually, my case is really weird.

I came here, it's barely, I know a little
bit about the information about F1 visa.

And I actually have the bachelor degree
internationally already.

I come from Cambodia.

I got my bachelor degree in architecture.

And I didn't know that we can do the
evaluation of our degree here.

And this is one of my questions.

Uh-huh.

I want to know, like, if my degree is not
equivalent for here, or it's not,

like, it's not equal for the education
system here, so what should I do?

So, Chan, talk to me separately.

Talk to me separately, because we'll
brainstorm some ideas, schedule to see me.

You might have to get a master's here.

Go and look at the rules for architecture.

I think there's something on Doppel,
what you need.

Okay.

So, if it's not the equivalent,
then what you can do is argue the

three-for-one rule and
see if you can argue

that you still have a
bachelor's equivalent.

That's what I do.

Okay.

And I have one more quick question,
too.

Sure.

Like, I come here because of F1 visa,
like, you know, and I attend in Salt Lake

Community College to study associate
degree in construction management.

Uh-huh.

And I am willing to do a bachelor's
degree.

Uh-huh.

I would like to transfer to
the UWU to get a bachelor's

degree there, but some people
say it's not a STEM major.

But when I look up into the website of the
school, it said it is a STEM major.

So how do we know it is a STEM major or
not?

The PDSO at your school.

What school do you want to go to?

Right now?

Salt Lake Community College.

What school do you want to go to?

UWU.

University.

Valley University.

Utah Valley University.

Utah Valley University.

Yeah.

Go talk to Junko.

Go talk to Junko or Machiko.

And they'll let you know.

Machiko.

Yeah.

Junko or Machiko.

Okay.

I have a lot of questions, too.

Yeah.

So maybe I should...
Just schedule me.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Schedule a time to meet with me.

Okay.

But everyone, if your questions are in
F1s, OPTs, you don't need to meet with me

because I'm going to tell you to go talk
to your schools.

I only deal with work visas.

So anything dealing with F1s or OPTs,
please talk to your schools.

Okay?

Okay.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

You bet.

Pleasure.

Okay.

Two last things, guys.

And then I'm going to take a five-minute
break and we're going to the next one.

Friska, go ahead.

And then last minute, guys,
if you have not signed that

one document, I'm going to
have Becca put it in one time.

If you're not on that, then I can't send
you a link for a free consult.

So just make sure you're on that and
she'll put the link one more time.

Okay.

Friska, go ahead.

So I've already graduated last April.

Do you think I can still see you?

Like for... Are you on your OPT?

Yeah, I am.

Yeah.

Okay.

Cool.

And another one for
the diversity visa, I used

to be on J1 visa, and
then I switched to F1 visa.

I assume I need to waive my status or
something, right?

You still have to do the two-year hope for
NC.

Yeah.

Okay.

Hmm.

Yes.

Well, okay.

Then I'll just sign up and then I'll see
you later.

Yes.

But go in the meantime, go and look at the
diversity visa lottery waiver.

Okay.

Okay.

Oh, yeah.

Okay.

I'll do that.

I mean, I'm sorry.

Look for the two-year
home residency and file

the ask for to get a
no objection letter.

Okay.

Yeah.

Okay.

All right.

Great.

Thank you.

Ryan, last question.

Hi.

So I'm a former H1B applicant.

We did it three times,
and the first time there

were some complications
with the documentation.

The second time we then landed up in the
lotto.

The third time we landed up in the lotto,
the company then filed for a green card.

And so they basically said
I had to go back to school

because the green card was
going to take too long to process.

So I'm back at the U now, and we're just
doing that.

But I wanted to find out, can I still
apply in the meantime?

I mean, for an H1B through another
institution if I decide to?

Yeah.

You can apply for whoever you want to.

Yeah.

And are the schools also subject
to... But realize if you apply... No.

Universities and schools... Universities
are not subject to the H1B cap.

Okay.

But they also still have to apply in
April, though.

But here's the thing.

No, no, no.

You can apply any time for universities.

They can do year-round.

Oh.

Okay.

Thank you.

That's perfectly clear.

Thank you.

All right.

No problem.

Okay, guys.

It is 9... It's 1-10.

I'm going to just take a five-minute quick
break, and I will come on.

Becca's going to come on here and...

Excuse me.

Becca's going to come on right now and put
on the next...

Start the next presentation.

It's on green cards.

It's the next step, how to get green
cards.

And then the last hour is marriage to U.S.

citizens.

So... Or family-based.

So, anyhow, talk to you in a minute.

And thanks for attending.

Thanks for taking time to meet with me.

So I am going to put you...

Just going to put you on mute for a
minute, and I will be back at 1-15.

Thanks, everyone.

Hi, everyone.

Okay.

Did I do this?

Can you hear me?

Yes.

Oh, fantastic.

Okay.

Thanks for coming, everyone.

Thanks for sharing this afternoon with us.

It is 1-18.

My hope, okay, is to do the presentation
so it's done by the end of the week.

I am going to turn my phone off.

But I will finish up at
1-45, 1-40, 1-45, and

then I will answer any
questions you have.

I have to tell you I am not looking at the
chats.

My paralegal, Becca, is looking at them.

So it is much better if
you just raise your hands

and at the end I will answer
any questions you have.

I am happy to answer.

That's why I do these seminars.

So for those of you who I haven't met yet,
my name is Kim.

I am an immigration attorney.

I am an immigrant from Vietnam.

Came here at the end of Vietnam War.

My mom doesn't...

Refuse to speak Vietnamese because it was
very painful for her.

So...

And the reason why I do this is I think
for every person who's an immigrant,

you always remember where you come from.

And if not, you should.

But I do this because when
my parents came to America,

there was no way they could
have afforded an attorney.

I also grew up in the foster care system.

So I was lucky that I had teachers that
guided me.

And I just want to make sure this is kind
of my paying it forward, is to make sure

that immigrants like you, who are like me,
have an idea of what the pathway is for.

So last hour, I did H-1Bs, which is your
temporary.

So remember, you're on a student visa or
on a J-1.

You come on a student visa.

You use your CPT.

Before you graduate, you apply for OPT.

While on your OPT, you apply for an H-1B.

You hopefully get an H-1B.

And then you have a green card and you can
do self-sponsor.

There's various ways you can file a green
card.

Hopefully you get a green card by the time
you get after you get a green card.

Five years later, you
file for naturalization

if you choose to and
then sponsor anyone else.

So this one is on green cards.

OK.

Also, if you have...

So let me tell you how my screens are set
up.

Ahead of me is my PowerPoint.

And that's what I try to look into.

On the left hand side is I have my gallery
so I can see who's here.

And then on my right hand side, I
have the list of people who are attending.

At the end of this seminar, I mean,
yesterday, Becca and I were sitting down

trying to figure out my schedule.

I give everyone a free 20 minute
consultation.

As long as, here's the thing, as long as
you are a full time student in Utah or at

BYU-Idaho, you've attended this and you're
either a student or you're on your OPT.

As long as you meet those requirements,
I'm happy to meet with you.

If you are not a full time student or on
your OPT, then I do charge you a fee to

meet with me and just we'll follow up from
there.

But the point of these
meetings are to take what

we've talked about today
and apply it to your lives.

So please make sure when you meet with me,
you have your questions ready.

When I send you the email with your link,
please do not share it with anyone.

I already have a lot of, almost 400 people
I need to meet with.

It's not fair to all of you if somebody
else joins.

Also, when I send you the email,
for those of you who are interested in the

National Inches Waiver, extraordinary
ability, outstanding researcher,

I'm going to have you fill out a form.

And the reason why is if you have that
filled out before, then we can look at it

during your meeting and we
can decide, yes, you are a good

candidate or no, you might
want to build your resume more.

OK, so with that in mind, please just come
prepared.

And if you need to cancel, please cancel
in advance.

All right.

Pathway to green card.

OK, so let's do this here.

OK, there's a lot of different ways to
apply for a green card.

Diversity Visa Lottery, extraordinary
ability, outstanding researcher,

special handling,
investment, multinational

manager, perm and
national interest waiver.

Very briefly.

OK.

All right.

Diversity Visa Lottery.

Every year, the government gives out
50,000 visas to countries in the world

where we do not.

They do not have a lot of people
immigrating here.

This is last year's list.

I need to make sure everyone's clear with
this.

As of two days ago, there was not this
year's information.

And Diversity Visa Lottery 2026.

You will want to find out.

It should start October one, October two.

These were last year's dates.

If you're not part of the
countries that are listed

above it again, this
is last year's countries.

Then you should apply for the Diversity
Visa Lottery.

It's free.

If you are married, have both you and your
spouse apply.

It's a great thing to apply for.

People do get it.

How it works is you apply through the
designated time.

Then the next May they have your visa.

You log into your account.

You will not get an email for them.

Log into your account.

See if you were chosen.

If you were chosen.

So let's do now.

This year you're going to apply 2025,
October month.

Let's just say that you'll May 2025.

You'll see if you're chosen.

Then if you were chosen, then you'll start
looking at the visa bulletin.

And applications will be accepted between
October one, 2026 to September 30th.

Excuse me.

October one.

2025 to September 30th, 2026.

And it's going to be based on the numbers
that are listed in the visa bulletin.

How they choose this is they choose it
based on continent and also the Oceanus.

So again, and not everyone that's chosen
gets an H-1B or gets a green card.

So you'll want to stay on top of that.

But that's the Diversity Visa Lottery.

The next one is Extraordinary Ability.

We'll file.

We had one for this last year.

It was an Olympian.

It is possible to get one.

This is also the hardest green card to
get.

So what I tell people is if you don't
think you're extraordinary, if you can't

meet that, then maybe look at the National
Interest Waiver.

But if you believe you meet it,
then certainly apply.

There's one thing that they add in.

I call it the smell test.

It's the overall test.

Even if you meet the show us three of ten,
that's not enough.

They need to overall feel or determine
that you meet the requirements.

Best thing to do is to go to... and Becca,
if you'll put this in the chat.

Becca will give you two links.

One is for permanent visas and the other
is for temporary visas.

What we're discussing now is permanent
visas.

You'll want to go look at Extraordinary
Ability and somewhere in that list,

somewhere as you click on it, will be a
list of what you will need to submit.

If you do not believe you have those
documents, I would not apply.

There are certain companies in the U.S.

where they will take those...

They will help you build your resumes.

They will help you join associations.

They will help you be on panels.

So I would go and visit one of
those... work with one of those

companies to help you build
your resume for Extraordinary.

The reason why people like Extraordinary
Ability is because you can self-sponsor

yourself, but you can also do it with
National WBY, which is a easier standard.

You can self-sponsor yourself, and also,
you do not need a labor certification.

Now, many people ask what, you know,
they hear of EB1, EB2, EB3.

Extraordinary Ability is EB1, okay?

Outstanding Researchers and Professors,
EB1.

And Multinational Managers, EB1,
okay?

So, Extraordinary Ability, if you meet the
qualifications, apply, and there's no

labor certification, it's self-sponsored,
okay?

Okay?

Outstanding Researchers and Professors.

For those of you wanting
to do academia, this

is a great major,
this is a great option.

Notice that they've made it harder.

They changed the rules this last year.

It's harder to get.

You have to make sure, it's just that
you're a professor, okay?

You're going to have to make sure you
publish, that you research, and you have

to make sure that you have international
recognition.

It's no longer, they've always said
international recognition, but they're

stricter on it right now, okay?

And they really are looking at outstanding
achievements.

You have to be an attention seeker.

You have to be on your
track, and have been a

researcher or professor for
at least three years, okay?

Now, again, no labor certification needed,
and, but you do need employer.

What I like, though, more for academia is
special handling.

For any of you that
apply for a position,

okay, in academia, here's
what I would suggest.

Ask the university if they processed your
case under special handling.

And here's what they had to do.

They had to advertise the job position in
a national journal.

It could be online for 30 consecutive
days, at least 30 days.

If they advertise in a national journal,
and then if they do what is called a

competitive recruitment, and you were
chosen as more qualified than any U.S.

worker, okay, then they can file for
special handling.

It's a fantastic process.

They don't have to re-recruit again.

There's certain things they have to do.

They just have to have your entire
application filed within the 18 months,

and universities love this, okay?

So look to see if they will participate in
special handling, okay?

All of that was EB-1, okay?

So again, extraordinary, extraordinary,
outstanding researcher and professor.

Those are actually, yeah, those are EB-1s.

There's another EB-1 that I'm coming up
to.

Sorry, I forgot that.

Next one, investment visa.

If you have these amounts of money,
you can invest in a business.

There are law firms that specialize
investment visas.

I would go to one of them.

I would not go to another law firm that
does not specialize in it.

I would definitely go to one that
specializes in it.

There are regional centers that they can
help you set up your investment.

Again, this is not a visa that you definitely
do what you want to do on your own.

You have to provide jobs for at least 10 U
.S.

workers, and what they will do is they
will give you initially a two-year

conditional green card,
and then before the end

of the two-year, they'll
have you apply again.

And they're strict on it.

So not everyone always gets approved,
okay?

So you need to then meet
the requirements and then

they will give you a
10-year green card, okay?

So that's a possibility to get an
investment visa, okay?

And any country, even China where it's
hard to get some other visas, China,

every country can apply for an investment
visa.

The other EB-1 is multinational manager
executive.

If you were in the last seminar,
I talked about intra-company transfers,

the L-1, where you are employed at a
parent company or an affiliate.

So it's basically somebody who's been
employed at a company.

So in that case, it would be somebody
who's been employed abroad as a manager

executive or somebody with specialized
knowledge for at least one year, okay?

And then they're transferred over to a US
company that has a qualifying relationship

as a manager executive or specialized
knowledge.

That is for the L-1A.

For the green card
process of it, it's the same

thing, except it only
applies to managers abroad.

If you are a manager executive,
this is a great, great visa to get, okay?

It's EB1, you do need an employer,
no labor service, okay?

The one that we're going to most people
apply for is PERM, okay?

And that's what, you know, that's what,
that's what I would say 60% of students,

I mean, those NH1s apply for.

So, last two things
I'm going to talk about

is PERM and National
Interest Waiver, okay?

So, let's start with PERM.

The idea of PERM is that the U.S.

government is giving you a job, and in
their mind, they're taking it away from a U.

S.

worker, or they're not taking it away,
but they want to make sure if they give

you a green card that you're not taking
away a job from a U.S.

worker.

So, Congress has set it up so that they
run, they go through this PERM process.

And what PERM means is that it's a testing
of the labor market.

They're going to take your position.

They're going to do a blind ad,
okay?

They're going to do a blind ad,
and basically, anyone that applies for

your position that is reasonably
qualified, okay, they'll have to interview

them and determine if that person meets
the minimum education, training,

or experience of the requirement of the
position, or if they don't, can they do

the job with reasonable on-the-job
training, okay?

So, when you do a
green card, the traditional

route under EB-2,
where it's a master's...

where if you, if the position
requires a bachelor's and

five years experience or a
master's, that falls into EB-2.

If the position requires less than a
bachelor's and five years experience,

it's an EB-3, okay?

But they're both under PERM.

So, how this works to get a green card
this way, there's three steps.

First is PERM.

That is through the Department of Labor.

That's what we're going to discuss now.

Once you get a labor certification,
after you finish the PERM process,

you take that labor certification in step
two, and that goes to U.S.C.

I.S., okay?

Step two is when the
government will ask the company

for proof that they have
the ability to pay you, okay?

And also that government will want to make
sure that you have letters or

documentation that you met the
requirements of the position.

That you can do about 15 days.

Once that's approved, you can apply for a
green card, and that's step three.

And I call that that you're a good person
one.

That's where they're going to do your
background check.

That's where you have your medical exam.

That's where they're going
to see if you've worked

without authorization or
violated any of the laws.

That's step three.

Once that step is done, then you have your
green card.

A couple months ago,
I would say it would

take two and a half to
three and a half years.

Right now, because visas are backlogged,
it could take four, four and a half.

But I'm hoping visas
will no longer... will be

able to catch up again
and have visas available.

In that case, again, we're hoping two
and a half to three and a half years, okay?

So step one, PERM, through the Department
of Labor, okay?

And again, the reason
why you want to do an H-1B,

it's like somebody I just
spoke to a minute ago.

If you start your green card while you're
on an F-1 visa and your OPT ends and

you're not chosen for an H-1B,
many employers would just stop your

process because they don't have a way to
keep you.

They'll tell you to leave the country.

And if they have you leave the country and
you're not working remotely, or there's no

way that you can continue working for
them, they have no incentive to keep you.

And so it's better.

If you're on an H-1B,
because if you're on an

H-1B, then you can
continue to get extensions.

So those of you who came to last hour's
seminar, I talked about the H-1B.

Remember, it's like three years initially,
get another three years.

Then at the end of, if you want to stay
past the sixth year, you have to have a

PERM submitted or an I-140 approved by the
end of your fifth year, okay?

If so, then you can continue to get
extensions on your H-1B.

So that's why it's smart to be on your
H-1B.

So, PERM.

First off, you need to have a job offer,
okay?

And you have to have an employer sponsor.

It must be for a full-time position.

You come up with a job description.

You have to make sure that it's the
minimum education, training, and

experience required for the position.

And that, here's the
other thing, that you met

the requirements before
you came to the company.

So sometimes I'll have a person come in.

One of my favorites
was having a professor

come and say, Kim, I
need to be a professor.

I need a PhD, and you need 20 years of
work experience.

And I said, you don't.

And so, but that person had 20 years of
work experience.

And I said, you can't do that because you
have to do the minimum requirements.

Or I'll have a teacher come and say,
Kim, to be a teacher, a third-grade

teacher, I need a master's degree and
three years of experience.

You don't need that.

A bachelor's will do.

So what you have to do is you have to put
the minimum education, training,

and experience.

Now, sometimes people will say,
but Kim, the position requires a master's,

and I got my master's while I worked at
this company.

You can't do that.

And the reason why is if you could have
done the job from the beginning with a

bachelor's, the minimum requirements is
not a master's.

Okay?

So that's the first thing is your attorney
or I or whomever will sit down with you

and come up with you and the company a
position, duties and requirements.

Now, if you want to know who's filing for
a green card, go to the Sunday paper,

Salt Lake Tribune.

All attorneys have, all
companies have to advertise for

perms in the Salt Lake Tribune
for two consecutive Sundays.

If you want to see what jobs are,
go there.

It's a requirement.

But it's, again, duties and requirements,
right?

And then once we come up with that, then we
need to have you get verification letters.

So this is, again, going back to my H-1B
one.

Remember how I said you want to get letters
from your prior employers when you leave.

And you also want to make sure you don't
burn any bridges.

And the reason why is
when you do your green card

application, you have to prove
you meet the requirements.

So if you put in the job description or
the requirements, it requires two years

experience in a mechanical engineering,
as a mechanical engineer.

If you don't have a letter from an
employer saying you had two years of

experience, then you don't meet the
requirements.

Now, this also goes back to verification
letters, goes back to last hour where I

said you cannot use any
experience you've gained

at the same employer
that's sponsoring you.

Because that's not fair, according to
Congress or USCIS, to U.S.

workers.

So again, what I usually have my clients
do is get as much experience you can

on-campus in your job or on-campus when
you're working.

Try to, you know, get jobs or have duties
with jobs that are related to your degree.

Then, when you're using
your CPT, you know,

use your CPT to get more
work experience, okay?

Excuse me.

And then when you do OPT, again,
get more work experience.

And then, obviously, you can do the same
with your full-time job.

So, if you have a lot of work experience,
So what you would want to do is if you got

all of your experience from the same
employer, the problem is when they file a

green card for you, you can't use any of
that experience unless the position

they're hiring you for or filing for you
is 50% different.

So if it's not 50% different, then all
they can use for their green card

application for you is what you had the
day before you started working,

which is usually a degree.

Now you can use any experience you can
have abroad.

You can use any
experience you've had since

you're 18 years old, as
long as it's documented.

You can get letters from your professor.

So if it says you require demonstrable
ability to code in using Java,

you have a professor that
can say, hey, he worked on a

project and they demonstrated
the ability to code in Java.

Those are the things you need.

Now, if you don't have any of that,
then I suggest you go to another employer.

Go to their three-year mark, then port
your HMB to another employer and make sure

the other employer is willing to sponsor
you for a green card.

And then the other thing is,
remember, this submission

has to be done before
the end of your fifth year.

So you don't want to wait too long.

Right now.

OK, so let me go back.

So come up with a job description,
duties, requirements.

We get your letters.

Then we follow what is called the
prevailing wage document.

That's where we send
that to the Department

of Labor and they come
back with the wage.

That takes five to six months to get back.

Right.

So you get the prevailing wage back.

We then advertise.

Advertisements, mandatory Salt Lake Tribune,
job service, a posting at the company.

Then you have to choose three other ways.

I usually choose five because I'm always
worried something's not going to be,

they're not going to accept anything.

Radio, television, company website,
online website, another college,

a local paper, headhunters.

Never use headhunters.

And they have to use, choose at least
three of these.

All of this is occurring in about a 30 day
period.

And then what happens is for me,
I put everything within 30 days.

I keep my company ad up two more weeks,
one or two more weeks.

So the government can never
come back and say, Kim, you took

down the ad on the last day
and no one had a chance to apply.

So I keep it up a week or two beyond that.

Then there's what is called a 30 day
window.

It's quiet period.

After that entire time.

If the company does not find a qualified
worker who's ready, who meets the minimum

requirements and who cannot do the job
without reasonable on the job training and

who's not ready, willing
and able to accept the

position, then they can
submit your application.

That is the end of the fifth year.

That has occurred before the end of fifth
year.

Realistically, job offer, you know,
you come up with that in about a month.

Prevailing wages, six months.

Five to six months.

Sometimes it goes to seven to eight.

So just to warn you, recruitment is 90
days and then you hit submit.

So that's why you don't want to wait too
long.

You don't want to start a year four in
case there's any glitch.

Your three is a much better time.

People ask me all the time.

Can I start earlier?

Yes, you can start earlier.

But remember, you can't use any experience
at the company that sponsors you.

Interviewing.

I have my company's interview.

I'm a little bit different.

My rule is a 50% rule and it is to benefit
my non-citizen.

Okay.

Realize that if the number one way,
if you look at the bulk of decisions,

the number one reason why they
deny cases is because the officer

will go back and look at the
applicants that have applied.

And if they feel like somebody was
qualified and you did interview them,

that is the easiest way for them to throw
out a case.

So I tell my clients, look, set up a 30
minute zoom call, have a zoom

conversation, make notes, then find out a
way if they are not qualified,

document that.

That's what I have my clients do.

That then gives you the safety of saying
to the government, look, we interviewed

and this person was not qualified because
of this.

One of my examples was
many years ago, somebody,

we've got two years of
counseling experience.

The applicant that looked golden, we did
not want to hire, said she had two years.

So my client called them
and found out that that

employee had actually
never been a counselor.

But she was, it was a game person.

She's the one that ran all the crafts.

Okay.

And she ran the crafts.

And what she did was she counted that as
counseling.

So then we could call that on her.

The other one is we
called a person, they said,

hey, we called a company
to do a reference check.

And they said, wait a minute, this person
gets in fights a lot.

Okay.

Well, you don't want them.

They, you know, et
cetera, et cetera, whatever

it is, but you want to
have those interviews.

So I usually say 60%, okay.

Or 50%.

You know, at the end of that, assuming
there's no qualified workers, they hit submit.

Right now it's taking 13 months, 13 months
and 11 days to, to review per person.

Okay.

Assuming then you get an approval and not
an audit.

Then you go on to step two.

Step one, I'm finding
out with is close to two

years because of how
long it takes to audit.

Okay.

And because of the processing time.

So again, this is why you
want to be an H1B because

you want to continue
to get those extensions.

That's why when it's hard, if you're
starting while you're on your F1 or TN,

you don't have that extension unless
you're on an H1B.

So you get that approved.

Second step is with immigration.

Okay.

You file proof that you meet the
requirements, the letters, et cetera.

And also the company has
to give tax returns or if they

have a more than a hundred
employees, a letter from a CFO.

Step two can do that in 15 days.

Last step is where I said that you're a
good person.

That's medical background check.

You haven't worked with that
authorization, et cetera.

Okay.

That's the steps to a green card.

Okay.

Many employers don't love that,
but they're willing to do it.

So again, here's our options.

Again, prepare, submit the prevailing
wage, get the letters, obtain the wage,

recruitment, options, file perm,
13 months waiting period, file 140,

file for adjustment.

Okay.

That's the main idea of perm.

National interest waiver.

So this is the one that many of my PhD
students want to apply for.

I am going to be sending out a
questionnaire about this.

Everyone thinks that they have what's in
the national interest.

It's a very hard burden.

It's possible, but it's hard.

Okay.

You don't have to have a degree.

However, it's better if you do.

So to have a national interest waiver, you
either have to have one advanced degree.

So foreign bachelor's degree
in five years experience,

or even a bachelor's degree
in five years experience.

Okay.

Or a mass or a higher ed masters or PhD.

Okay.

So you either have to have an advanced
degree or you have to be exceptional.

Okay.

So you have to prove you're exceptional.

And if you can prove that you're
exceptional.

Okay.

Then that's the first group.

I mean, that's the foundation.

So you have to have advanced degree or be
exceptional.

Okay.

Assuming you have that, Then you go back
to the three prong, okay?

The three prong is that what you can do,
so your plan, your endeavor, okay?

Okay, because you're going to give the
government, you're saying, look,

I don't, you don't need, you don't want me
to do that labor certification,

because what I have is in the national
interest of the United States, okay?

I have something that I can add to them,
contribute to the United States that has

substantial merit and national importance.

How do you figure this out?

I go to the White House website.

I go to look at the White House
initiatives.

I go look at every cabinet, education,
agriculture, etc.

And I go look and I see what, what are
their initiatives?

What are their goals?

What are their plans?

What is the government trying to improve
in or advance in in the next couple years?

Or right now, like NASA, astronomy,
education, whatever it is, okay?

And then I in the next three years or
whatever time period that you have,

try to build your resume, try to make sure
that you are researching that you're

making presentations, you are
collaborating, you're, you're doing peer

reviews, and on that one subject or in a
very narrow type subject, not too narrow,

because then you can't show that
substantial that has national importance.

Cool.

So you want to prove
again, that what you have a

substantial merit and
national importance, okay?

then the second thing
is you want to OK, that

prove You are in the best
position to advance that.

A lot of times it's professors because of
whom they're teaching, right, but that you

want to prove that you have patents,
you've done research, and you've published

it, you've been asked to speak in it,
you've written, whatever it is,

you want to say, I'm in that position to
make a difference, okay.

So for instance, an example is,
there was once a person that was a special

ed teacher who applied and said,
look, special ed teacher, some school

district, I'm going to apply for national
interest waiver.

The government's position is, yes,
it's got substantial merit, but you are

not well positioned to advance that,
okay.

So that's what they were going to look at.

And then the last one is an easy one that,
because of all of this, it's in the

country's best interest to not have you do
a labor cert, okay.

Well positioned.

What they're going to look at,
your education, your skills, your

knowledge, again, documented by third
parties.

They're going to look at your record of
success in related or similar efforts.

They're going to look at your model plan.

And then the evidence they're wanting,
and it's not always academic, but many

times, it's not always academic,
but many times, it's not always academic.

Many times, it is.

So, scholarly articles, people writing
about you, you being quoted, people

following your research, people teaching
what your model is, contracts,

patents, expert opinions, and that's a big
thing.

For NIWs, you need to get letters from
experts in the field, better yet,

that don't know you, okay, or have never
worked with you, who can say that you have

made a difference in the field,
okay?

So, that's the evidence.

Last thing is, okay, that's a thank you.

So, with that in mind, that's my
presentation.

What I'm going to do now is, I'm going to
invite anyone that wants to ask any

questions, please just raise your hand,
please make sure that your question is

succinct, and I'm going
to just answer whatever

questions I have for
the next 20 minutes.

I'll be a little later to my next one.

Becca, will you put one last, oh,
no, you have it here, or no, put one last

time the link in the chat.

Again, if you want your free consultation,
please...

estrope... listed here.

Now for those of you who want to do a NIW,
I should mention this to other people,

in your...

when you sign up, tell me you want to do a
NIW, but please don't do a NIW unless you

really think you qualify,
she's going to, in the email I

give you, I'm going to give
you links to each of these areas.

I'm also going to have you for an NIW to
please fill out a form, okay, I'll give

you the form, it's going to be in Word,
take your CV.

I'll give you the FAQ, email的 그게 dire
raids Because as I was telling you,

Everybody, please mean this to individual
folks.

Copy and paste whatever you need there,
and then we can actually use that time

wisely to decide if you qualify for a
national interest waiver.

If not, all I'm going to do is tell you
the rules again.

It's not going to do any good.

So please come prepared
for anyone with extraordinary

ability, national
interest waiver, or O-1s.

Please fill out the form in advance.

Okay, final thing.

You will not get the link until Friday or
Monday at the latest.

Please do not sign up on my website for
your free consult, though I am going to

show you something real fast, and that is
if you go to my website at some time in

the future, so not right now, and go to...
let me show you what it is.

I offer all students a
free one-time consultation

that's not related
at all to this seminar.

Cancer, whatever questions you have.

Okay, this is my website.

If I can do this, this is my website.

You're going to put schedule with me.

Okay, and then, you know, just fill out
the part for a free consultation.

Here's when I give the free consultation.

I will give it for every university you
attend, okay, and also for any level.

And many times, if you
email me, sometimes I'll

even give it to you while
you're on OPT again.

So you can get free consultation.

Just sign up there and then communicate
with me.

Okay, let's do some quick questions here.

Anyone that has questions, please raise
your hand.

Let's be succinct and let's move on.

Okay, Ignacio.

Your turn.

Can you hear me?

Yes.

So here's my situation.

So I'm currently in my
first year OPT, and I

will be applying for my
two extensions for STEM.

My company is willing to help me with doing
the H-1B visa and also with a green card.

So my free question will be, what's the
process that I will be following,

when I will need to
start doing the H-1B and

when I will need to be
doing the green card?

When did you graduate?

December.

Okay, and your OPT is from January and
you're a STEM major?

Are you a STEM or non-STEM major?

STEM.

Okay, so then your OPT, I'm just roughly
would be January 24 to 25, 25 to 26,

26 to 27.

Okay, you're not covered under the cap
gap.

Um, so you can apply, however, in,
sorry, so you graduate in 23, right?

So it starts, okay, so you're gonna apply
in 25, 26.

Okay, you're gonna apply in 25,
26.

Okay, I'm thinking, when does your OPT
end?

Sorry, I'm just trying to think.

You have 24 to 25, 25 to 26, 26,
27, right?

Is that right?

You have, so your OPT, if you have your
STEM extension ends in 27, correct?

Right.

Is that right?

If you do your three years?

Ignacio?

Yeah, can you hear me?

Okay, yeah.

So I'm assuming he does.

So in that case, you're gonna apply in 25
and 26.

You are not covered under the cap gap for
27.

So what I would suggest
is, you get, you apply

for the H and B,
hopefully you get chosen.

Okay?

And if not, then... Okay, so let's talk,
what country are you from, Ignacio?

Chile.

What?

Chile.

Chile.

Okay.

Okay, so let's talk about applying for a
green card.

It's like what I just said.

The problem you have is if they apply for
an H1B or green card for you right now and

you don't get chosen the H1B, okay,
then at some point, you're going to have

to stop working.

Now, some people may say because you have
your H1B one that that's an option.

Realize when you fall
for an H1B one, though,

you have to show ties
to your home country.

That's going to be the challenge there.

And you have to show that you have
non-immigrant intent, which will be very

hard to show if you have a green card
pending.

Does that make sense?

So that's the risk you have is that
whether or not... and I also would say if

you start your green card while you're on
an F1, don't leave the country.

Because if you leave the country,
the officer at the border can say,

wait a minute, you're on a TN,
you're on an F1, you're on a, you know,

not TN, H1B one, you can't come in because
you have a green card pending.

So I'd say don't leave the country.

And then just have a game plan with your
company if you don't get chosen for an

H-1B, and then realize
when you change to

an H-1B one, that could
be very problematic.

So if I don't get the H-1B, but I get the
H-1B one, can I apply for the H-1B?

Yeah, you can keep applying for the H-1B.

Yes, but if you're not chosen,
then you have the problem

again of proving you have
ties to your home country.

That's going to be your hardest thing when
you apply for an H-1B one.

Got it.

And then I got the H-1B, and then you
mentioned in the last, in the previous

meeting, that probably around year
four after your extension... Year three.

I do a year three.

And again, if you're at the same
company...

So I've done a green card for people that,
you know, I did one for somebody at UVU

where they just graduated, but they had so
much work experience from abroad.

Does that make sense?

If you have other work experience,
it works.

As long as it's progressive work
experience related to your position that.

..

Yeah.

Then that would work.

But if you've spent
all of your time with

one employer, that's
where it's complicated.

And talking about the work experience,
the work experience I get from university

and internships, does that count for
applying?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Perfect.

Yeah.

So I applied in year four after my H-1B
extension for the green card.

You said that... Yeah.

The problem you have is can they hit
submit before the end of the fifth year?

That's what you have to make sure.

Okay.

So as long as they can hit submit,
because remember, it's a long process,

that's going to be your problem.

I mean, that's going to... not a problem.

They just... you should just plan ahead.

All of this is planning ahead,
which I'm glad you're doing.

Okay.

Thank you so much.

Okay.

Come meet with you if you'd like.

Thanks, Ignacio.

And Ignacio, sometimes
what people do with their

free consultations, they'll
have the company come.

So they'll have the company join.

So, you know, in case they want to
strategize.

Okay?

Yeah.

Great.

Great.

Great.

Pamela?

So just to confirm the H-1B, even though
it has a dual intent, you still have to

show that you have ties to your home
country?

H-1B-1.

Oh.

H-1B-1, not H-1B.

Okay.

So, okay.

Okay.

And then... and sorry, and just to... so
all those steps that you're talking about,

the interview process, putting it out to
tenure and all that, that's what the

company has to know what to do in order to
get a green card for you, correct?

Okay.

Okay.

That's a lot of due diligence on there.

It's a ladies a lot.

That's a lot.

That's why you want to be in a nature and
be with them.

Because then they love you and they don't
want to train you.

Train someone else.

Does that make sense?

They're willing to do this.

They're like, please, I'll do it.

And usually they have an attorney who
takes care of it.

Oh, okay.

Yes.

Thank you.

Yes, you bet.

No problem.

Okay.

Pashan?

Pashana?

Yeah.

Hi.

Hi there.

Hello.

What can I help you with?

Yeah.

So I'm currently doing my PhD in the
University of Utah.

And basically, I'm in my fourth year.

And I'm kind of willing to, you know,
like, apply for NIW.

And I just don't know, like, right now,
I have some decent paper one, which is

already published, and the other is coming
soon.

So what are the basic requirements?

Like before I graduate, can I apply for
the NIW?

And how long it takes and everything?

I would not apply for NIW.

NIW until you graduate.

Make sure you have more than just school
awards.

Okay.

I would publish more.

I don't know.

Again, let me send you the checklist.

And then come meet with me.

And, you know, fill out the checklist.

And then, you know,
if you, if you qualify,

then yes, I would
definitely not do it now.

What country are you from, sir?

I'm from Nepal.

Nepal.

Oh, beautiful country.

We enjoyed your company, your country.

We visited there.

Thank you.

So if you premium process NIW,
it's $45.

Thank you.

And then you just have to file for
adjustment of status.

Okay.

But I would wait.

But again, the links that we give you on
NIW, please go read it.

I tell people all the time, go look at
YouTube.

Go look at TikTok.

Go look at what other people who file.

I mean, somebody's talked about it,
right?

But realize you're competing against all
of those individuals.

And you have to have, figure out what your
endeavor is.

And do you have a plan?

Does that make sense?

Because you may have a great field,
right?

Mm-hmm.

But... Okay.

My next Zoom, Naomi, I'm thinking it's
going to start at 1.10 because I'm going

to quickly go through these questions.

So thanks for asking.

Okay, great.

Okay, here's what I have, guys.

I have one more question.

Unless anybody wants to add, ask
questions, I have just answered.

Prasad, do you have anything else?

No.

Thank you.

Okay, great.

All right, guys.

So if anyone puts up
their hand in the next 30

seconds, I'm more than
happy to answer their questions.

If not, then, you know.

And again, I would write this down,
right?

It's a little tricky, but I'll try to
answer it.

I'd rather answer your question here,
if at all possible, so everyone can learn

from, than you just coming just for your
one time consultation.

So if you want to ask a question,
this is your time.

Okay, right.

So right now I have Ryan and Maggie.

So if there's anybody else after that,
I have Ryan and Maggie.

Okay.

Sorry, I know I was on the previous
session.

I was waiting to find out.

So I am specialized in
undersea fiber cables,

which is not a very
common certification.

Would that grant me potentially an O1
type?

So I'm a DWDM certified engineer,
so an undersea fiber cable certified

engineer, and there aren't many of them in
the world.

So the question is, does that stand as an
O1 type?

Do you have international and national
awards?

International awards.

Yep.

Yeah.

So as long as you have international and
national awards and that you, if you've

been cited, I mean, I'd need to know more
about you.

So I haven't been cited personally, but
I mean, I have done a lot of big projects.

Okay.

So what you're wanting is
maybe, I don't know about O1

because you'd have to look
there, but when do you graduate?

So my MSIS is graduating December next
year.

Okay.

And so what I would do is in this next
year, build your resume.

I mean, I'm going to send you this form.

Okay.

When I send you the thing, fill it out,
then let's wait.

Does that make sense?

Okay.

I can't tell you.

I mean, just because you have something
novel does not mean you qualify.

That's what I'm trying to figure out.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Just because you're novel, because
remember the main thing for NIW is that

you are well positioned to advance it.

So you've got to figure out if you are
well positioned.

Okay.

So I'll send you the form.

Thank you.

Okay.

You bet.

And really, Ryan,
like on your thing, write

NIW, but have your
form filled out in advance.

Okay.

Yeah.

Okay.

And have your CV ready.

Okay.

I think Maggie is my last question.

Go ahead, Maggie.

Yes.

Thank you.

I was just wondering if it's... I've
heard before that there are internet...

I don't know if you can hear me.

Sorry.

Okay.

The international students can open
companies.

Is that correct?

Yep.

So that was in the last session,
which you're more than happy.

What country are you from?

Paraguay.

Paraguay.

Beautiful country.

I've heard.

I've not gone there, but I've heard it's
beautiful.

Thank you.

What you're looking is E1, E2,
treaty trader, treaty investor.

So yes.

Yes.

If you want to... I'm
not sure if... Becca, can

you put the link for the
non-immigrant again?

If you go back, Maggie, and look at there,
see Paraguay is one of the countries.

And if so, as long as you have a substantial
investment, you can start a business.

Even as an international student?

But realize this, but you have to get an E
visa.

Does that make sense?

Okay.

So you can't start it on an F1 visa.

You have to... I'm just looking real fast.

You have to get...

Okay.

You have to be approved for E1 at the
beginning.

Let me look real fast.

Yes, Paraguay.

Yes, you are able to establish one.

Yes.

Oh, perfect.

And last question.

If I'm an OPT, can I open a company or I
still have to change?

For the first year, I believe again,
what school do you go to?

Ensign college.

Okay.

Go and ask... Oh, Rebecca.

Go ask Rebecca and find out first.

But here's the thing, Maggie.

Let me think real fast.

Let me just mention one thing.

Everybody wants to go work.

Sometimes, though, your best, your future
is your education.

Because if your E1 fails, or if you don't
get it for E1, your E1 only exists,

you can have an E1 because you
have a, excuse me, you continue

to have the E1 as long as your
company continues to do well.

But if your company doesn't do well,
then you no longer have an E1.

So I always tell people, it's your
education.

Get your degree.

That's where you can get a lot of work
experience.

Tell me again, what is, what are you
studying?

I'm doing communications and I'm
graduating next semester.

And are you doing a bachelor's,
master's?

Bachelor's.

Bachelor's.

Okay, come meet with me.

Let's, let's talk.

And for those of you
who we want to like soft

jobs like that, find me
some jobs with Indeed.

All of you, like, use your time wisely.

Guys, 20 minutes, I'm giving, I charge
$1.75 a half an hour.

I'm giving you 20 minutes.

Please just come prepared.

If you have questions, you want me to look
at Indeed, you want me to look at your

resume, whatever you want me to do,
please have it ready.

Okay?

Okay.

So I can just go
through and say, hey, this

wouldn't count, this
accounts, this wouldn't count.

Does that make sense?

Perfect.

Thank you.

Okay, no worries.

And now let me look at one last thing real
fast.

I think I ended on, gosh, what was that
first sentence?

I'm just trying to look at degrees.

I cannot remember where I ended.

I was just looking to see if I can look at
any degrees.

Here, let me see.

I think I stopped at, okay, so I'm going
to just tell you H1Bs.

Okay, guys, because you guys have made the
effort to come here.

One last thing, marketing, specialized
degree, make sure you go to a larger

company and make sure your position,
make sure they can justify your degree

marketing and know
that it's market research,

market research analyst
is a hard one to get.

Computer science is great.

I think I talked to my
person for agriculture,

my PhDs, I'm not quite
sure what they're in.

But one of your emails.

So I'm assuming it's STEM.

Again, for all my STEM, all of you
graduate in April, guys.

For those of you who have an associate's,
get a bachelor's, language pedagogy,

great one, public health.

The main thing with public health is
you've got to figure out who will hire you.

And if it's public health, and it's the
state or community level, sometimes they

won't sponsor you because it's a state
level.

So you'll want to see if you can do a
hospital.

Biology is great.

Nursing, I believe that my paralegal put
in the chat, the nursing memo,

you'll want to read that.

Software engineering, MSIS is great.

Animation, that is a great one.

My question is STEM, I'm not sure.

Definitely in something like that,
graduating in April, it's a great major.

You just want to make
sure that you can find, you

might have to go to a place
that does more animation.

And I know BYU has lots of contacts.

Business is not always the best guys.

Business, if you're going to do business,
make sure it's business management.

And always have an emphasis.

The emphasis has to be written on the
trends.

It cannot be, I took five classes.

It has been on the transcript.

Business administration does not work
unless it's a bachelor's.

Finance is good.

Just make sure you are in a position where
it clearly requires a degree.

Journalism, you've got to make sure that
it's not like a first city paper or first

paper where there are people that can do
the job without the degree.

That's going to be a harder one.

Biomedical is fine.

Information systems fine.

Emergency medical, my question there is
what exactly you're going to do with that.

If it's working as an EMT, etc.

But that won't qualify.

So let's look into that.

Biostatistics should be fine.

French, the one with French, make sure
that you're either teaching or you are,

if you can get a teaching certificate,
that's best.

If you're going to work for a university,
great.

Translation would be hard.

Biochemistry is great.

MBA is great.

If you can do an MBA at BYU with a STEM
major, that's great.

Geospatial, that's great.

Communication, that's always hard with
communications.

You just have to make sure when you're
doing communications, you are specifying.

PR, marketing, etc.

It's got to be on your passport.

Music composition is so admirable.

You have to make sure you're going.

That's going to be a harder one because
you've got to be somewhere, probably at a

university where you can prove the
position cards.

Economics is great.

It's sometimes hard to find a position there,
but you have a PhD that should be fine.

Animation, we've talked about.

Biochemistry and applied science.

Okay, so let me end with this.

The degrees that are not the best.

Therapist.

Therapist is great, but
the problem you have

is you need to make
sure you have the license.

And then a lot of
therapy companies, it's

sometimes hard,
depends if they'll sponsor it.

I do find a lot do.

Oh gosh, let me think.

Oh, the STEM codes, you can
cross-reference with your degree.

Your STEM codes, you want to go and talk
to universities.

Your universities have their own STEM codes
and they'll tell you if it works or not.

Okay, interdisciplinary studies,
not a great one.

Business administration, not a great one.

Hotel, hospitality, travel, not a great
one.

Construction management, if it's a good
one, as long as you work for a bigger firm.

So far, I will get back on for my next
one, which is marriage based at 210.

So thank you for coming.

And I hope to meet with you if you choose
to.

And you don't have to choose to,
guys.

Like, you don't have to meet with me, just
go on later on to fill out the other one.

If you don't meet with me in the next
month, though, on your consultations,

I don't carry this out to like three
months.

Okay.

Contractor work will not work,
my friend.

You've got to have like go to Pixar,
Disney, etc.

Okay.

Thanks, everyone.

See you in five minutes.

And this next one is marriage-based,
family, etc.

In fact, it might be... yeah, five
minutes.

I just got to go read a document.

Okay.

Thanks, everyone.

Sorry, guys.

I usually start talking in these and then
realize that I forgot to unmute.

Hi, everyone.

Thanks for coming.

I appreciate you coming.

So this third hour is on marriage or
family-based.

So this is if you're married to a U.S.

citizen, you have somebody you want to
bring over on a fiancé visa, or if there's

another marriage-type relationship or
family relationship.

So if you've come here before,
sorry about this.

I'm going to say this real fast.

My name is Kim.

I'm an immigration attorney.

I've practiced since 1995.

I'm an immigrant from Vietnam.

I am very excited to help immigrants.

I love education.

I'm a true tiger mom and instilled in my
children the importance of education.

When I came to America with my mom after
the... or at the end of the Vietnam War,

it was a difficult time, as you can only
imagine.

And I, so I know my mom could not have
afforded, could not have afforded an attorney.

So my purpose here is to always help
immigrants.

I've done these seminars for like 20 plus
years.

And my purpose for this one is to help you
know how, what to do if you marry a U.S.

citizen.

So feel free to take any pictures you'd
like to.

I don't share the PowerPoint, but you can
take whatever pictures.

Let me tell you how my, this is oriented.

The front of here, I've got a camera.

I've got my laptop.

It's got the PowerPoint.

I'm looking there.

To my left, I have the gallery of who's
here.

To my right is the people who have signed
up for a free consult.

So at the end of this I give everyone a
free consultation.

I really do.

I've done it for years.

Um, I send you out a link by the very
latest end of day Monday.

Please do not sign up on my website for a
free consult.

I do give students a
free consult in addition to

this one, but that's not
where you sign up for.

When you sign up for this consultation,
please make sure that you come prepared.

I don't review forms, but I will answer
whatever questions you have.

If you need to cancel, please cancel in
advance and just please come prepared.

And please do not share this link with
anyone else that did not attend the seminars.

It's not fair to you or to anyone else
that did not take that time.

And then again, so I'm looking at where
I'm at.

And I do see that I'm not sure maybe
you've come to any other seminars.

But as of right now, I'm seeing 31 people
in the lobby and I only see one,

two, three, four that came for family
base.

And we just find that have signed up for a
free consult.

So if you're wanting a
free consult, you have to

sign up here because
this is where we notify you.

OK, so here it goes.

And if you've already signed up for
another, if you've already attended

another seminar and you've already put
something there, then that's totally fine.

So, bye.

This is how we do it.

All right.

So with that in mind, if you're married to
a U.S.

citizen, these are the forms you file.

You want to make sure everything is filed
in a hard copy.

Right now, there's no way to do online.

OK.

Even though it looks like there is,
not for every single application.

OK.

Or not for this benefit.

So these are the forms you need to fill
out.

Of these forms, the citizen only needs to
file the G.1.1.4.5 or fill out the G

.1.1.4.5, the petition for alien
relatives.

And the affidavit of support.

OK.

Otherwise, the non-citizen is going to be
the person that fills out everything else.

Of this, the base forms are the I-130 and
the I-45.

If you choose to file
for tribal authorization,

just know that it's taking
13 months right now.

And we're finding recently
with our own clients that

we're having cases
approved 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 months.

The most we're seeing is 18 months.

Very few are more than that.

And so the chances are
more likely than not or at least

average that you're going to
get an approval notice before.

You're going to have your green card
approved before your travel document arrives.

So in that case, as long as you're OK,
losing that money or forfeiting that money

for travel if you don't need it.

So Jess, my thing is, if you know you want
to absolutely travel, somebody's really

sick and you absolutely have to do it,
then apply for travel authorization.

If something happens and you have that
application filed and you need to travel

for an emergency, your parents are dying,
your grandma's dying, if there's something

really important like that, somebody's
really hospitalized, there's an emergency,

many times the government will expedite
your travel authorization.

But if it's just I want to
go on a cruise, I want to go

on a trip, my high school
reunion, they will not do that.

So travel authorization is optional.

As far as employment authorization,
employment authorization is taking about

six and a half months to get back.

It's $260 if you file it with everyone,
everything else.

For those of you on
student visas, I always

tell you, if you apply
for it, don't use it.

Put it in a drawer and only use it once
your F-1 visa is done.

Once that is done, and you've maxed on
your OPT, that's when I would use it.

Otherwise, I would not use it.

It's only as insurance.

And the reason why is because as a student
visa, if you use as a student on a student

visa, you just have to keep student visa
rules.

And so if you use your work authorization
outside of student visas, then they could

say that's a technical violation of your
application.

So again, I would not suggest you use it,
but you're welcome to apply.

Okay, what do you do?

So you're going to
take all of those forms,

and then these are the
civil documents, right?

So these are some of the documents that
you will need.

If you're not sure what that document is,
that's what I would Google.

For Canadians, you will need your long form
birth certificate and not the short form.

If you need, everything needs to be
translated that's in a foreign language.

It cannot be done by a family member.

I just have so many that I refer people
to.

If you need something translated,
do not get a kickback, not met the person.

I just know she does a good job.

So feel free if you're needing to have
something translated and don't have

resources or somebody, you know,
this is somebody I would suggest.

Yeah, so there's that.

Okay, beyond that, here are the other
documents you need.

When you attach your passport,
again, it's copies.

Give them a copy of any page that has any
writing or stamps on it.

You'll need if you have a criminal record,
you need to have a final court disposition.

Make sure you get it certified.

All your I-20s and employment
authorization documents.

And then any documents proving your joint
marriage.

That's very, very important.

You have to prove that you've commingled
funds.

Okay, biggest problem that people have the
hardest thing is to make sure this is what

most people come back visit me on is
affidavit support.

Okay, the sponsoring this case,
your spouse must prove they make enough

money to sponsor you to
take care of you in case so

that you don't have to go
in government assistance.

And just you know, they also
are saying that they were going

to support you if you do not
make over the poverty guidelines.

And this occurred, this is their
obligation continues until you die,

which hopefully won't die.

You leave the US permanently, you work for
10 years, or you become a citizen.

Okay, so that's the affidavit support.

So how this works is they will take how
many people are in your family.

So I'm now going to bother somebody.

Alice, are you there?

Yes.

Okay, Alice, are you married?

Are you getting married?

Getting married.

Okay.

And how many people will be in your
family?

Just me and my husband.

Okay, is your husband a does he work?

Yes, he works.

Okay.

Did he make more than 25 550 last year?

Yes.

Okay.

Then and does he make that this year?

Yes.

Okay, great.

Then you will only the he will need to
fill out an affidavit support.

You do not need a joint sponsor.

He's just gonna have to
include his tax returns and current

employment letter and proof
that he makes that amount.

Okay.

So in your case, that's what he's going to
do.

Okay.

Is there anyone on this zoom where their
spouse does not make if it's just them and

their spouse where
they do not make they did

not make 25 550 last
year and or this year?

Me.

Anyone there?

Okay, so you're in that case.

Hi there.

Mary, do you know, did your spouse make
anything on the file tax returns last year?

They did, but they're self employed.

He's self employed.

So how much?

What do you think?

What do you think it was?

How much?

15.

Okay, so that's great.

So let's say he made 15,550.

Okay, so what you would
do is you take 25 550 subtract

out his total income that
leaves a difference of 10,000.

You have two options now.

And remember, oh,
everyone, you can only use

the citizens income,
not the non citizens.

So that's a difference of 10,000.

You times it by three.

Do you have assets in the amount of 30,000
liquid assets?

I was like this or Mary, this would be for
one case.

And they could be both of you for one
case savings account, bank accounts, etc.

Do you have that?

No.

Yeah, very few people do.

Okay.

In that case, then you will need a joint
sponsor.

Okay.

A joint sponsors anyone in the US that's a
permanent resident or US citizen.

Okay.

What they do is they take your they take
the number of people in their family that

are on their tax returns, and they add
you.

So Tommy, it's Mary, right?

Mary, how many?

Who would you choose as your joint
sponsor?

Um, probably his father.

Okay, how many people are in his family
that would be considered under tax return?

Um, right now, just no one.

Huh, just him?

Maybe, maybe one, maybe one, maybe just
him.

So to smile.

Oh, so counting like his father and his
mom, and then him.

Okay, so let's say three.

Okay.

So then they're gonna add one more person,
which is you for.

Now, when you're saying him, is that are
you saying your husband?

Yes, yes.

Okay.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, you
want to put your husband

because he already
has his own tax returns.

So you're gonna put your your in laws,
right.

And you so you add you.

So that means your in laws then have to
make 32,000 275.

Do you think they made that?

Yes.

Okay, great.

Then, then in that case, then your
husband, sir, you would filenog the

evidence support with all the documents
you are?

Yes.

File 1-2 with all the documents that I've
listed here.

Now let's say your in-laws did not.

Let's say your dad only made $30,000.

So then, or let's say he made $30,000.

That would mean you would take $2,275,
you times it by 5, and then he can use

assets proving that he makes that much
money.

Okay?

So what it is, is you're going to take
your... how it works is that you take the

poverty guidelines, you
take what is called the

total income, so it's
line 9 of the tax return.

You make sure that your line 9,
which is your total income, sorry guys,

it says current income,
it's really total, that

is your total income
that's listed on line 9.

You have to make sure that your total income
is higher than the poverty guidelines.

If it isn't, then the difference,
okay, you subtract out and if it's...

So, if you're using assets, you can use
assets, then it's three times the

difference for sponsors and five times the
difference if it's joint sponsors.

Then they can use their assets.

If they can use their assets, then the
affidavit support is met.

Okay?

So, this is the thing for affidavit
support.

For self-employment, sir, it sounds like
you're self-employed.

You're going to have to give them a copy
of your business license.

And for your tax return, you're going to
see here, self-employed, you'll have to

make sure that you're giving them all
these schedules.

Okay?

So, that is what an affidavit support is.

Okay?

Does anyone up to this point have any
questions before I go on?

About affidavit supports, about anything
else?

No.

Everyone good?

Anyone else?

Because this is the hardest thing.

Affidavit supports.

This is the number one request for
evidence, is affidavit supports.

Everyone good?

Okay?

All right.

Then, beyond that, then, they're wanting
bona fide documents.

Everybody needs to have them.

Rental agreements, tax
returns, credit cards, all of

these things, they want to
see both of your names in.

Sometimes, life is hard.

You're like, oh, never going to get to
that.

But you have to make sure it's in both of
your names.

This is the way that it protects the
non-citizen.

I always tell my non-citizens,
look, your spouse is a citizen.

You know, it's you that
we're trying to protect

to make sure you
come here or stay here.

Many times, I have people come to me and
say, Kim, we didn't file because I was busy.

We didn't have money.

We did whatever it is.

Okay?

It is in the non-citizen's best interest
to file.

And the reason why is, if anything happens
to your marriage, and you have a child in

the U.S., or you buy a house in the U.S.,
whatever that is, and you don't have a

visa status that will allow
you to stay here, you're

either going to become illegal
or you're going to go home.

If you go home, your child's a U.S.

citizen.

Your house is owned by you, and you're
abroad.

So I would always say, make this a
priority to file for your green card.

Also, for any of you going to school and
wanting to work later, you will have a

better chance of getting
a green card or getting a

job offer if you already
have a green card together.

Okay?

So that's what they're wanting is joint
documents.

And then for joint
documents, you want to have

it from the time you're
married and the time...

you get citizenship.

And the reason why is to get
citizenship based on marriage,

you have to show that your
marriage, you have joint documents.

So at all times, it's joint documents.

Before you file, make sure you have your
current form additions.

Make sure your passport photos,
if you're applying for everything,

it's six passport photos of the
non-citizen, two of the citizen.

If you're applying only
for travel, if you're applying

just for travel work and
the main one, it's four.

If you're not applying for any of them,
it's just two.

And then you want to make sure that your
forms are signed with a wet signature.

Digital signatures are not allowed.

You have to have a medical packet.

So, Becca, would you kindly put the link
in?

You have to get a medical exam by an
approved doctor.

Okay, you have to get the medical exam by
an approved doctor.

You also have to make sure everything is...
Okay, so that's what you have to file.

So, forms, civil documents, all the other
documents I mentioned, your checks,

your medical exam, and your photos.

Okay, once you have all of this together,
you're going to file with USCIS.

There are... you have to make sure they're
separate checks, and then you file.

Make sure whatever you do, you keep a copy
of everything.

I keep all of mine in one scanned
document.

So if there's ever a problem, they have
the file.

This is the final one.

I have a copy of it.

Tracking number, I always send everything
by UPS or FedEx.

I love FedEx.

Never do the normal postal service.

Once your case has been received,
you can check your processing times.

You can set up a My USCIS account.

You need to notify
USCIS if you move, and

you need to start
gathering joint documents.

Keep doing the joint documents.

Okay, the process is you file.

You get your receipt notices.

You get your biometric notices.

Which is fingerprints.

If they need more documents, you get your
RFE, a request for evidence.

Then you will usually get work and travel
if you filed for it.

And then it's your interview.

Most of the time right now, they're
waiving interviews.

I find that people who have filed for the
medical... submit their medical exam and

joint documents are getting their green
cards pretty quickly without an interview.

Okay, beyond that, tips of preparing.

If there is an interview, if there's an
interview, dress up, tell the truth,

review your documents, and bring more
documents.

to prove that your marriage is bona fide.

Okay, realize at the interview, if you have
one, they're going to ask you questions.

I had one this last couple weeks where
they made the people turn away from each

other, gave them each a
piece of paper, had them write,

if you've seen the
proposal, something like that.

You know, make sure you know each other's
favorite color or your favorite pizza,

each other's parents' names, where you
went on vacation, when's the last movie.

I mean, if you're married, you don't have
to study, right?

You know this.

But they could interview you, and if so,
that's what they'll interview you on.

Okay, now, when you get your green card,
the rule is, if on the date you receive

your green card, if you've
been married less than

two years, you will get
a two-year green card.

If you've been married more than two
years, you will get a 10-year green card.

That's just a test.

It's a two-year period.

If you get a two-year green card, the 90
days before it ends, you must file an I-751.

Okay, do not file an I-90.

You have to file an I-751 to convert it to
a 10-year.

And again, you have to show bona fide
marriages.

Now, once you've been a
permanent resident for three years,

okay, or two years, nine
months, you can file for citizenship.

Okay, do not commit any crimes.

Do not do domestic violence.

I mean, don't do them anyhow.

But if you if you have any of these
problems, it's, it's going to affect you.

Let's talk about domestic violence.

That's a... for every reason, don't do it,
right?

If you're ticked off at each other,
go on a walk.

You know, do a timeout.

Never do anything like that.

But if you do do something like that,
it will, it will affect you or possibly

forgetting a green card, and definitely
citizenship.

So just be aware of that.

Pitfalls for getting a green card.

You're here illegally, you've worked
without authorization, you've claimed to

be a citizen, you have a criminal record,
you can't find a joint sponsor,

and you can't prove your marriage is bona
fide.

That proving your marriage is bona fide is
really important, guys.

Documentation.

Last thing is some of you've heard about
keeping families together.

That is for those
individuals whose spouses

come in across the
border without inspection.

If they've come across the border without
inspection, and they meet these

requirements, they can apply for a green
card.

Right now, there's a stay on it,
where USCIS will accept applications,

but they will not approve them.

Okay, so that's family based.

As far as fiance, this is for US citizens.

If you want to file for a fiance visa for
somebody, then you have to file it.

It takes a long, long time.

It takes right now about 15 months to get
a fiance visa.

You have to, once they get the visa from
abroad, they come into the US,

you get married within 90 days,
and then you file for the green card.

I had a similar situation for my son,
married somebody from Vietnam.

I said, guys, a fiance visa will take
forever and a day, just get married.

My son got married, they lived in Vietnam.

And then she came over nine months later
on a green card.

It's just a better option than going
through the fiance visa route.

Remember, USCIS
monitors, You do not have to

post your social media
and electronic devices.

You do not have to post on social media.

But if you do, be very careful what you're
posting.

Avoid giving the government any reason to
even question your marriage.

One of the things that I had for one of my
clients several years ago, it was a client

I inherited because they got a notice of
intent to deny.

The government didn't believe they were
really married.

So what they did is they went
and looked at their plane record

and it looked like both my
clients had tried to get married.

And they traveled somewhere else with
another person.

Because of that, they questioned them.

They also brought them in for an
interview.

And at that interview, they asked each of
them what they ate for dinner the last

week and how they spent the last weekend.

And each of them gave a separate answer,
a different answer.

And because of that, we had a fraud case.

So just have a legitimate marriage,
follow all the rules, and just give joint

documents, make sure you have
your medical exam, trying to think

if there's anything else I'm
going to tell you about marriage.

based just the faster ones are the ones
that get their medical exam.

And yes, you have to get your COVID shot.

So that in mind, I am happy to answer any
questions.

And I am looking now.

And again, I know a lot of you have come
to my earlier seminars.

But I see 32 people are here and I have 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6 people.

And again, if you don't need a meeting,
that's totally fine.

But if you are needing wanting to apply this
or wanting to apply this, you can do it.

But if you are needing to discuss your
case, I've got to have you fill this out.

Because sometimes people
reach out to me afterwards

and say, Hey, I attended,
but I didn't fill it out.

I can't add them because I don't know if
they attended.

The only way I know is if you fill this
out.

So again, if you're wanting your free
consult, please sign.

But I'm here.

Ask me any questions you have.

If you don't have any, then we will call
it a day.

But if you'll just raise
your hand, and I have

time and I'm happy to
answer any questions.

Hey, hello again, Pavla.

What can I help you with?

So, just to confirm, with the COVID shots,
do exemptions work on that or no?

Oh, Pavla, those are a nightmare.

I won't do them.

A child like Sadie does not accept
exemption.

Okay, here's the idea of exemption.

You really have to have an exemption.

And that is if you've taken or had a shot,
if you've been vaccinated in any other

ways, you've had your flu shot,
you've had anything else, and this is the

only shot you won't have, they'll deny
you.

I just tell people, don't fight that
battle, you'll get denied.

Hands up.

You'll get denied.

Is this also part of the H1 B as well?

No, but whenever you apply for a green
card.

It will.

Yes.

Green cards will not be issued without it.

Yes, but not for the H1.

Thank you.

Okay, you bet.

Juan?

Pavla, let me tell you, I got a call from
someone the other day.

They didn't even get a request for
evidence.

They just denied them outright.

And the doctor, yeah.

You guys have, I think in the States,
you have two of the measles and whatever.

I went with the Canadian nurse,
and I have immunity to all three,

and it was okay, you know what I mean?

Yeah, as long as you can get something
from, again, talk to the doctor,

but I had, somebody called me,
and they, the person who did the civil

surgeon, they made some sort of note,
and it got denied.

So just make sure that if you can show
the, I mean, as long as it's, you've got

it well documented that you have an
exemption, and you have exemptions for

others, and it is life protective,
then that's different.

But sometimes if you're just like,
I don't want to take it.

I'm like, okay, it's your, it's on you.

So, okay.

All right.

Thanks.

Bye, Pamela.

Pamela, I expect you to be in all of mine
tonight.

Okay.

See ya.

Thank you so much, Kim.

If not, in fact, can you bring me a Diet
Coke?

I think yesterday, I ate seven of them and
two handfuls of peanut M&Ms.

Diet Coke noted.

Oh my gosh, right?

So, okay.

All right.

I went to Topgolf the other day,
and they have Diet Pepsi.

I'm like, really?

So, you know.

Okay.

Ryan, I'm all yours.

What's up?

So, I wanted to ask, so my parents filed
for my green, well, change of status.

And so, I have a 797C, and
I wanted to find out, can I,

you said to hold off on the
work permitting with that.

Wait, wait.

Your parents filed for you?

How old are you?

I'm married.

Got kids.

Okay.

Did they file, when did they file for you?

So, my sister filed for us in 2016,
but my parents filed for us this year.

Okay.

Then it will not.

It will not happen any time in the near
future, but because.

But I have a date of 22 months on the
system, though.

Okay.

But that's different.

Okay.

So, let me show you what I mean.

And I'm glad you're here.

So, the way it works is that
even if they approve your

I-130, that doesn't mean
a visa number is available.

So, let me show you what I mean.

So, how it is issued, okay, is they issue
it according to the visa bulletin.

So, this is the visa bulletin for October.

Okay.

So, let me see.

Let me see which dates I use.

Okay.

Tell me what dates I use here.

Can you see my screen?

Yes.

Okay.

So, if I go through adjustment of status,
current month of adjustment of status,

family sponsor, I'm going to go to my
filing chart.

Okay.

So, your sister, your parents filed the
I-130 for you, right?

Uh-huh.

Okay.

Here's what happens.

The government, even if
that's approved, okay, you have

to go to the charts to see
if there's a visa available.

So, you are the married sons and daughters
of citizens, right?

You're F-3?

Yep.

Okay.

So, they said to go for the filing.

F-3, right now, they're processing July 1,
2011.

Wow.

Does that make sense?

So, they're 13 years behind.

So, the date doesn't necessarily mean
anything then on the system then?

Your date is your priority date.

So, the date they gave you was a priority
date.

And what they're looking at is how long
it's going to take to process your I-130.

So, your I-130 is what they filed.

But the only way that
you can get a green card,

okay, is you have to show
that a visa is available.

Okay?

So...

Okay.

Let's see.

Put it here.

Should be notified.

So, final dates is when they notify you
that, yes, you should.

Okay.

Individual seeking to file...unless
otherwise stated, which they did state,

seeking to file application for adjustment
status must use a final action chart to be

able to file a visa below for determining
when they can file for applications.

Okay?

So, your chart, they told us to use a
filing though.

That means that you cannot file until this
date is reached.

So, every month they come up with a new
visa bulletin and they give you a date.

Some days it's not a date for a day
though.

Okay?

Does that make sense?

Yeah.

So, let's go back.

So, yeah.

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

But yeah.

So, that's why you want to do...

Okay.

That's why you want to do...oh,
did I do 23?

Oh, dang it.

Let me do 24.

Maybe I screwed up.

Okay.

Let's look here.

So, let's look.

Visa bulletin 2024.

Okay.

So, I'm going to go here.

So, they say it's...okay, they click here.

It tells, which Visa bulletin you use,
which chart?

And my chart is the filing.

24.

I just want to make sure I did the right
year.

So I go down here, brothers and sisters,
F3, filing.

Yeah, July 1st, 2011.

So let's just do this just because.

I'm going to have us do Visa October 2023,
Visa Bulletin.

Okay.

So I'm going to go back there.

So I'm going back a year.

And so what you're looking at is when your
I-130 is going to be approved.

Okay.

It's not when you can file a Visa.

Okay.

So I-130 is... I'm looking at 2020.

Oh no, they're making me do 2023.

Okay.

Let me... they're not giving me that year
back.

So they keep going back.

But let's just try this.

Let's try Visa Bulletin 4.

Visa Bulletin.

Let's do this.

Let's see what months they can give me.

Current.

Current.

Upcoming.

Yeah, they're not very helpful here.

But the bottom line is that you... here.

Fiscal year, 23.

Okay.

So let's look at June 23, Visa Bulletin.

Just because.

Okay.

I'm going to go here.

I'm going to click here and see which
chart to use.

I'm going to go here.

I'm going to scroll down.

They're going to tell me to use filing.

Oh crap.

They're going to... okay.

Here.

We're just going to go back and figure out
which one we want to use.

So if I go here, and it is June 2023.

I'm just going to use filing.

If I go here for filing.

Last year on this date, they were February
8, 2010.

Or February 10, 2008.

Let's see.

No.

Yeah.

February 10, 2008.

Does that make sense?

Yeah.

So in that case, keep doing your H-1B.

You cannot... now you said
somebody applied for some of your...

did your sibling
file for you too?

Yeah, I did it in 2014.

Okay.

So they're processing right now
February 1, or they're processing... Yeah.

Nope.

Now let's do 2004.

Let's see what they're processing right
now for siblings.

And yeah.

What other questions do you have while I
look at this?

Yeah, that was pretty much it.

I mean, the question is, I mean,
I was told I could file for a temporary

work permit in the process because we
filed it in the U.S.

Nope.

Nope.

Okay.

Yeah.

Sorry.

No, that's fine.

I'm glad you didn't spend all that money.

Last year for the... right now it's March
1 to the name.

So it hasn't moved.

Okay.

So.

Okay?

Cool.

Thank you.

You bet.

All right.

Geronimo?

I'm sorry.

Yeah.

No, you're all good.

So I just wanted to ask, like,
what the kind of, like, general roadmap of

getting a green card through marriage
while on OPT looks like?

Because right now
I'm pretty sure I have a

STEM major and I'm
graduating this December.

So I'm hoping that I'll have the three
years.

Apply right away.

Apply right away because you... because
you... well, one, you want to just get on

your own path and some
companies will not hire you,

especially governmental,
without being a green card.

But like I said before, you're on your
STEM.

Keep doing your STEM, but apply for your
green card.

It's in your best interest.

Just apply for your green card.

And then what you want to
make sure if you delay it is that

you get your work authorization
before your OPT expires.

Okay.

So, but like, I'm not currently married,
but like, if I got married during my OPT.

..

Which screen do you guys see?

Am I sharing a screen?

I can't tell if I'm sharing a screen.

Yeah, you are.

Why am I sharing a screen?

This is so funny.

Okay.

I don't want to share a screen.

Hold on.

Let's see what I'm doing here.

Am I sharing a screen still?

Becca?

Yeah, you are.

Okay.

How do I not share... I have no idea why
I'm sharing a screen where it says share.

Yeah.

Do you want to fix me?

Okay.

Keep going.

What other question do you have?

Oh, duh.

I'm looking at the wrong one.

I'm such a dork.

Thanks, Becca.

You're the bomb.

Okay.

Okay.

Go ahead.

Sorry.

Thanks.

So that was the only thing because like
my... the plan was... is to like try and

get married during my OPT and then do the
green card application.

So would it just be kind of like the same?

Yeah.

Same thing.

Okay.

And then... no, I guess that's it.

But let's do this.

If you're going towards the end of it...
so let's say you're on your second or

third year realize to not have a gap in
your employment, right?

You have to time it.

So right now it's taking six and a half
months to get work authorization.

Okay.

So if you're filing it, let's say you're on
your OPT right now and it expires next.

..

expires in December, right?

You don't have enough time.

That means you're going to have some
period of time you can't work.

Okay.

Okay.

All right.

Sounds good.

Thank you so much.

You bet.

Thank you.

All right.

Mary?

Yes.

So I...

I got married two months ago.

And I wanted to see
if it's possible to do a

study abroad from my
school because I'm at BYU.

I wouldn't.

You're married to a citizen, right?

Yeah.

Yeah.

I mean, you could.

The problem is it's just going to be
dependent on the officer at the border

because you have immigrant intent.

Unless you can prove
to the officer at the border

that you don't have an
intention to file a grid card.

Oh.

Otherwise, the officer at the border could
decide, totally could decide that you have

an immigrant intent and not get you a grid
card and not let you reenter.

Instead, I'd file for the grid card,
get your travel permission, and then go.

So basically, even if it's from school,
right?

Like, it's a school program.

It would... okay.

Because I haven't started filing for a
grid card yet.

I'm still on a student visa.

I still have three years of school.

And I bought tickets
to go to Japan, like, in

October because I haven't
started the process yet.

Because I know that once I start,
it could get cancelled.

Does that also... is that any problem with
that?

With what you just said?

I wouldn't leave the U.S.

I would not leave the U.S.

Do you intend to get a grid card?

Yes.

Okay.

Then the officer at the border could
technically deny you.

For leaving the U.S.

right now?

Even though I haven't started the process?

Right.

Because it's not starting the process.

It's what's in your mind.

What is your intention?

Well, I'm going to Japan because...

So, I'm going to Japan because my
grandpa, my grandfather is sick and he...

they're getting baptized.

And so, I don't know if like... it's a
terminal sickness also.

Yeah, I mean, it's up to you.

It's just depending on the officer.

The officer at the border is going to be
the one that decides whether or not...

see, the issue is your intention.

When you got... when you
come in on the... to the U.S.

on a student visa.

It's a non-immigrant visa.

You're not supposed to have the intention
to immigrate.

You're supposed to have the intention to
come to school and go home.

When you marry a citizen, they...

their position is that you intend to
immigrate.

Okay.

And so, you have to
beat that... you have to

prove to them you're
not going to immigrate.

You're just going to go to
school and then afterwards

you're going to go back
to your home country.

Or you guys don't know where you're going
to live.

Yeah, how does how does me going to Japan
right now change that like my intention

because I'm just because you're because
you're married, and they're going to think

that you because you want to file a green
card.

That is your intention.

So filing the green card is what goes
against you being on a student visa.

It's not the good things you're going to
do by visiting by leaving.

It's the officer at the border,
saying, but wait, you're

on a student visa, and
you're married to a citizen.

Because even if you go visit your
grandfather you're still on a student visa.

Now, the officer could have no problem.

It just depends on the officer that the
strict interpretation law is you're not

supposed to have an intent to immigrate.

Do people leave the US Yes.

Uh huh.

You know, do most people come back in by
probably.

Yeah.

Sometimes when they won't let you back in.

Yes.

So I just don't understand why why that
has any conflict with my intention,

even though I'm a student visa.

Because you're married to a citizen.

Right.

I am married to a citizen.

Because you intend to immigrate.

That's the point.

You're married.

That's why I asked you, are you planning
to get a green card?

You're planning to file a green card
that's an immigrant intent.

You're planning to immigrate.

Okay.

That's what they're saying.

I'm not disagreeing with how why
frustrating it is.

I'm just saying.

No, I'm just trying to understand.

I'm not even frustrated.

I'm just trying to understand.

Yeah, sorry.

I just spilled something.

But yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Do you understand?

Immigrate.

You're trying to because now let's say you
didn't know.

Let's say your thing is, you know,
I can.

I can't.

I don't know where I'm going.

We're going to graduate.

We might go back home.

We might go to another country.

I have no idea what we're gonna do.

If that is your honest thing.

Then when you come across the board,
you know, they give you a hard time.

You say, yeah, I don't know what I'm going
to do.

And then, you know, it's whether or not.

Oh, you're so nice.

My tech.

I heard me.

It's whether or not they believe you.

And then when you come back in,
do not file for a green card for a while.

Because if you file for a green card,
you're the best.

If you file for a green card right away,
they're going to say you've committed fraud.

So that's what it's.

Yeah.

I know that you can file for a green card
for at least three months until you you're

you've been in the country.

Yeah, it's just the officer.

I don't know.

That's why, I mean, I'm telling you the
strict part of law.

Yeah, so the intent is that I want to
get... I got married to immigrate.

And wouldn't that be the case where
everybody else that's a student and gets

married and... Yeah, but
they're not leaving the country.

But they're not leaving the country.

Doesn't that make them more of a bias that
they are here to immigrate because they're

staying here because they don't want to
leave the country?

Yeah, but they're not having to talk to a
person at the border.

Do this.

Mary, feel free to schedule a meeting with
me.

They're not leaving the country.

It's coming back into it.

Oh, coming back into the country when I
come back from Japan.

That's when they could, like, stop me?

Right.

That's it.

Oh.

That's what I mean.

Sorry if I wasn't clear.

I see.

I see what makes sense.

Yeah.

But anyone here, they don't leave.

That's fine.

No one cares.

Okay.

Yeah.

Thank you.

Mary, you might be fine.

But I'm going to tell you this very
quickly.

Okay.

And I'll tell you what.

My son, the only day
I've ever wanted to quit

being an understudy, my
son got engaged to someone.

He was AP.

He set her apart when she was on a
mission, but she didn't serve Vietnam.

She went to London.

Yeah.

Long story short, he goes back there.

They get engaged.

Blah, blah.

We file an application for them to come
here for a reception.

Okay.

All the things get everything in place.

Here's what they got denied at the
consulate.

And here's the reason why.

They said my
daughter-in-law, who's 26 at

that time, they were
too young to get married.

I can't fight that.

Does that make sense?

I have one officer in Vietnam who said my
son, who's 22, and my daughter-in-law,

who's 26, could not get married because
they were too young.

That's what I mean by discretion.

Okay.

The officers have their discretion, and you
just have to decide what you want to do.

Okay?

Okay.

All right.

Let me move on.

Okay.

Okay.

Thank you.

Alia, you bet.

Thanks.

Go ahead.

What can I help you with?

Hi.

Good evening.

Hi there.

I came a bit late.

But I am on a work visa.

I'm not on a student visa.

I'm on the H2B visa.

I've been in the U.S.

for, like, a year and a couple days now.

How do I... I'm currently studying for
surgical tech associate's degree,

two years program.

I am trying to, like, after graduation,
I get my degree, like, get a visa.

I'm not sure if the H2B can do it.

I don't think it can.

A visa, so I'm allowed to stay in the U.S.

and work and then... So,
Alia, here's what I'm doing.

You're in the seminar for marriage to a U
.S.

citizen.

I am presenting the A2 and B1 and the
green card one more time this afternoon.

Okay.

Come to that one.

Unless you're marrying a citizen,
I can't help you with this one.

No worries.

Yeah.

No worries.

Come to the one at 5 o'clock or 6 o'clock
today.

If you go back to the email.

Right.

Yeah.

It's my last ones are tonight.

Okay.

Okay.

Sorry.

Okay.

Thank you.

Come tonight.

I'd be happy to answer your questions.

Okay?

Thank you.

Okay.

Okay.

Seunghee?

And then Alia.

Yeah.

Go ahead.

Yeah.

So I'm applying for my green card and then
also I'm graduating this December.

My major is in business and I'm hoping to
work right after my graduation.

But I noticed that OPT is I-785,
785.

And then work as the right person.

So my work permit that I'm filing through
green cards are same but different.

So I'm just so confused and they tell me,
oh, you might get OPT before your work

permit or you will get, you might get work
permit before your OPT.

So like...

Here's what I do.

Have you filed yet, Seunghee?

No, I haven't.

Okay.

I haven't filed any of it.

You're married, right?

I am.

And when do you graduate again?

This December.

Okay.

Here's what I do.

Apply for your OPT.

Definitely apply for your OPT.

You want to maintain your F1 visa until
you get a green card through marriage.

So file for your OPT.

It's a different code.

It is I-765, but they're in different code
sections.

Okay.

So file for your I-765 based on your OPT.

It will come a lot faster.

Then file for your
green card and you can

choose to file for work
authorization or not.

If you file for work authorization,
it's $260.

But I tell people to not use it until the
end.

Until the end of their OPT period.

So you don't want to violate your F1.

What is your major?

Global supply chain management.

Is that a STEM major?

What is it?

It says a STEM major.

No, it's not.

Okay.

Then my, in my mind, this is how I would
strategically do this.

I would apply for OPT.

It will converse.

Apply for work on, apply for marriage.

Assuming you apply in January, it will
take six and a half months to get back.

Right.

As if it fits today.

Could take longer.

But that will then come in June.

June, July, August.

Right?

And that's good because your OPT will
expire next January and you want to have

work authorization that's valid so that
there's no gap in your employment.

You don't have to apply for an H1B,
but I'd apply for both STEM.

Right.

I'd apply for your OPT and your marriage.

So my international
student office told me that

getting an OPT will
take four to six months.

Which office are you with?

BYU.

Okay.

Who's your advisor?

Christy.

Okay.

Christy's fantastic.

Whatever Christy says it is, is what it
is.

However, you can premium process it.

Plus, if you file right
now, you know, four to six

months means that you'll
get it in January or so.

Right?

January, February.

So I'd file.

I mean, you can file for both.

Is that what I'm saying?

Does that make sense?

You can file for marriage and you file for
OPT.

But you're saying I should not file them
at the same time?

No.

Is that what you're saying?

You file them at the same time?

No.

File them at the same time.

You just, there's just a period that you
can file for your OPT.

So let me say it again.

Okay.

So right now you're married.

So file based on your marriage.

Right?

Right.

And then, and once
you file, right now it takes

six and a half months to
get a work authorization.

Okay.

It could take longer.

For sure.

I'm not sure what it is.

Okay.

But that's as of today.

Meanwhile, your OPT, you can file that at
the same time.

Right?

But that's only for one year.

So it depends if you want that insurance,
because if it's only for one year, right?

And so it's from January, you know,
to January, right?

You want to make sure that you have OPT,
you have your family based EAD before

January 2025, or that
you're a green card holder,

or January 2026, or
you're a green card holder.

That makes sense.

My point is, why would I need to file both
of them?

And then, because filing OPT is a process.

Okay.

Because it's only $460.

And premium is $1600.

And then... Okay.

So don't premium it.

Just do $460.

And if it takes six months, then...

But if I also apply for work permit,
I will... it will take six months and I

will get work permit at the same time OPT
because my friend applied.

Okay.

But here's the problem.

And then... It took her
six months for OPT.

Okay.

Right.

But here's the issue.

And it's totally up to you with this,
right?

Is when you're on...
the minute you use your

family based EAD,
it's a technical violation.

It's a violation of your F-1 visa.

But I will be done with my F-1 visa
because...

No, it's a technical... it's still... if
you... you could still have your OPT.

So again, I'm going to say that's what I
would do.

But if you want to apply for one or the
other, it doesn't bother me.

Like whichever one you want to do,
if you'd rather do your family based,

do your family based.

Does that make sense?

I like insurance.

I like to know if something doesn't work
out, I have a backup.

I see your point that you're saying,
can both of them will come back?

Can both of them come at the same time?

Well, what if something happens to your
marriage?

Or what if your OPT card doesn't?

Or what if now it takes nine months?

Does that make sense?

Then at least you have two options.

That's all I'm saying.

But it's up to you.

Would you be recommending to still apply
for OPT no matter what?

I would.

I advise my clients.

But again, you do whatever works best for
you because you're right.

It may come at the same time.

And then you're like, Kim, I don't really
want to use my OPT.

That will terminate your OPT.

I mean, it will terminate your F-1.

That will terminate your F-1.

And then you'll have a marriage base.

And I'm not saying your marriage doesn't
work.

I just say as an attorney, I sometimes see
marriages not work out.

And so then I have somebody who does not
have another game plan.

They don't have a plan B, and now there's
an issue.

Okay?

Okay.

I know we are almost out of time.

I have another concern having USCIS
officers seeing me filing both of them and

then denying one I-765 because of
conflict.

No.

No.

There's nothing conflicting.

At all.

Okay.

Nothing conflicting.

Okay.

So I don't have to worry about it.

Not whatsoever.

Okay.

Thank you so much.

Okay.

No worries.

Good luck.

Okay.

Juan?

Bye-bye.

Bye-bye.

Juan?

Yeah.

Thank you.

Go ahead.

You bet.

It's maybe a little bit connected to the
conversation we've been having so far.

Sure.

So pretty much, I'm a sophomore.

So I got married.

Should I fill the green card documents
right now?

I don't know.

I don't know if I need it.

But it's just... You would.

Because here's the nice thing.

One, you'll become permanent resident.

Right?

It'll be easier for you to have jobs.

You don't have to keep all the rules of
the F-1.

Right?

Right now, they're happening really
quickly.

Right?

So we're having them approved anywhere
between six, seven, eight, nine months.

And it just helps you because you're a
green card holder.

I mean, that's the bottom line.

It doesn't... You may not need it, but it
also takes away all the F-1 restrictions.

Okay.

That's good to know.

So then...

So then when I get the green card, my F-1
visa will be immediately canceled later?

Yep.

Yep.

Okay.

And my last question...

Well, my second question.

The physical exam, does it expire?

Like, do you have to do it like... Right
now, they're saying they don't expire.

But I would just... I mean, the
medical exam is pretty easy.

You can do it within 10 days.

Have you done the medical already?

No.

I was just wondering.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Just do your medical file right away.

One, they're being processed really
quickly right now.

That's where Seunghee was.

They are processing them really quickly
right now.

Okay.

That's good to know.

Yeah.

Yeah.

And my last question for the affidavit of
support.

So me and my wife are filing together.

But since maybe we were going to need a
joint sponsor from her parents,

do we need to file with them instead?

I was a little bit confused about that.

Oh.

So you... Your wife...

Who's this non-citizen?

Is it... Who's the citizen?

She's the citizen.

I'm the international.

Okay.

Okay.

So... So...

Then your wife would fill out an I-864 and
your in-laws would fill out an I-864.

So both of you would.

Okay.

Okay.

That's good to know.

I thought like we needed to file it
together.

No.

Not taxes.

No.

Just the I-864.

Okay.

That's good to know.

Thank you.

All right.

All right.

Thank you, An.

Take care.

Angie?

Hello.

Hi.

I just wanted to find out, everything that
you're seeing, does it also apply to like

a permanent resident here?

Like someone who has a green card?

Okay.

Okay.

So permanent resident is a little bit
different.

So it goes back to the visa bulletin.

Okay.

So what you do then
with the permanent

resident, okay, is are
you a permanent resident?

Is your spouse?

My spouse is.

Okay.

So what you do is you file the I-130.

Okay.

And then you want to make
sure that... Let's see here real fast.

You want to make sure that you're going
back to that visa bulletin and you're

waiting to see when your priority date is
up.

Okay.

So let's see if I do this.

So it's the same thing.

Once your priority date is up,
then you can file the I-130.

Okay, also if he received his green card
like just recently or like I mean the day

after he received his green card,
can I like start filing?

Like can I start the process or
like it has to be... No, no problem.

Yeah, no problem.

Let me show you, share with you.

Let's see if I have this here.

Okay, here's a visa bulletin.

Think?

Right.

So in your case, if you go on the visa
bulletin, you'd be spouses and children of

permanent residents, F2A.

They just told us this filing deadline.

Okay.

So filing, okay, under that it's July 15,
2024.

So let's do this.

The day he becomes a
permanent resident, I'd wait

probably three days or
something like file the I-130.

Then once you get filed the I-130,
you'll get a priority date.

Then every month you go to this visa
bulletin and you find out.

What date they're doing.

When your date comes
right here for F2A, then

you can file the rest
of your application.

Okay.

Also, when I filed
the first one, I still do

not have like work
authorization, nothing.

So if I'm not on OPT or like any kind of
like student visa and all that,

I'm still like violating my right to like
I'm an illegal resident here.

Could you explain that?

Could you say that again, please?

So if like I'm not on OPT yet.

Or like I haven't started, like I'm still
on like, or maybe I'm done with school.

I'm done with like OPT, but then I'm now
about to like file for that.

Am I violating my residency here?

Like am I an illegal resident?

So this is a really good question.

Yeah, here's a question.

Here's a great.

That's a great question.

So just so you know, when you file your
I-45, you have to maintain your status.

You cannot go out of status.

So you must keep your F-1 visa.

Okay, because unlike marriage to a U.S.

citizen, it's different when you're filing
under a permanent resident.

So you need to make sure you maintain your
status at all times.

Okay.

So the fact that I've started filing
for...

The I-130 does not count.

The I-130 does not count.

It's the I-45.

Okay, so I have to be under like maybe OPT
or F-1 or something while doing that.

Right.

Just because the person is not a citizen.

Right.

Correct.

Okay.

Okay.

Thank you.

No problem.

Okay.

Thanks, Angie.

Valentina.

Valentina.

Valentina.

Yes.

Thank you.

Thank you so much.

I have a quick question.

So I'm not getting married
anytime soon, but my boyfriend and

I, we have plans to get married
once I'm done with school.

And I'm here with the F-1 visa and my visa
expires in two years.

July 2026.

So, and I'm planning my graduation is like
April 2026.

So.

So we're planning to get married like by
May.

And I was just wondering, like, is
there like a difficulty in change status?

Because once my visa is done, like...

You don't have to leave the country with a
visa.

No, the visa is what time you have to
enter.

As long as you're I-20, as long as you're
keeping with your F-1, as long as you're

maintaining your F-1, your I-20,
your OPT, you're fine.

Does that make sense?

Yeah.

The visa is just how long you have to
enter the country.

If you leave the country, you have to get
a new visa if it's past that date.

Does that make sense?

Okay.

Yes.

And once I get married, but I still have
my visa until July.

But like, do I have to... You don't do
anything because your visa does not...

It's your I-20 or I-94 that controls.

Just keep going to school.

Yeah.

Perfect.

Thank you so much.

You bet.

Okay.

Angie?

So let me tell you guys, I
have... Let me tell you who I have.

I have...

If there's anyone else, I have Angie and
David and Raj.

So if there's anyone else, please just
quickly raise your hand.

We're at... I'm
going to go to 310.

So go ahead, David.

There's also some comments in the chat.

Okay, perfect.

Let me do David, Raj, and then you can
tell me the comments.

Thanks.

David?

Hi.

Can you hear me?

Yes.

Awesome.

So I wanted to ask a couple questions.

The first one would be, do you have a
visa?

Yes.

So if I get married in
April, and also graduate in

April, and my visa ends in
September, is it okay to stay?

Is that the same thing you were telling-
Then just apply.

Yeah.

So you graduate in December or April,
right?

Apply for your OPT.

Yes.

Definitely apply for your OPT,
and then file for your marriage base.

Okay.

Awesome.

And then-Don't leave the country till you
get permission to travel.

Oh, okay.

So if I get married...

Like, even if I get married...

Before I apply for the green card process,
I'm not allowed to travel anymore?

The problem is when it's your intention.

It goes back to intention, okay?

Okay.

I always tell people, if you intend to
immigrate, I mean, if you went back now,

because you're getting married,
when's April, right?

So if you went out of the country now,
that's fine.

You can go home with Chris, with somebody.

But if you come in with
the intention, the difference

is, are you married
or are you not married?

What was your intention?

If you come into the country, when do you
file?

Does that make... there's a whole bunch of
different scenarios.

It's just, no.

But if you want to go home now, go home
at Christmas, just don't get married in.

.. I wouldn't get
married in April.

I mean, maybe do some... then it's... does
that make sense?

It's just going to depend on the officer.

Okay.

All right.

So then I should be okay to travel, like,
for Christmas, but before I get married.

..

Yeah, when are you getting married,
though?

April.

What day in April?

The 26th.

Okay.

Be careful, because you have this thing
called 30, 60, 90.

So, I mean, I'd be very... when would you
come back in the U.S.?

Like the first week of January,
probably?

You'd probably be okay.

Just be careful for the intention.

Okay.

Come back to a full course of study.

Okay?

Sounds... yeah, I would.

Yeah.

And then, just one last thing.

Do you recommend... like, are we allowed
to start the process of applying?

Like, for the green card before you get
married?

Like, when you start filling the
information?

Yeah.

Fill everything.

Just make sure you're...

You're filling it out as if you're filing
in December.

So, like, you have or April.

So, I wouldn't do it now.

Forms will change.

Forms may change by then, I'd wait until
then.

Oh, okay.

Okay.

Sounds good.

Thank you so much.

Thanks, David.

Okay.

Raj, and then, Chyna.

Raj?

Yeah.

Hey, I have a similar question,
like, going around.

Because I'm on my F1 visa, and...

and it's... like...

I'm applying for OPT
and graduating this

December, but I'm
getting married next month.

So I was wondering, so anyway,
I'm going to apply for my OPT.

So it takes like three or six months,
right?

To get my OPT back.

And should I apply both like at the same
time?

I think you said yes for someone else.

I filed for both.

I filed them at the same time.

Yeah, because remember
your OPT, your EAD for your

employment, for your
marriage-based one, is $260.

Okay.

All right.

So I have another question.

So I'm on a STEM program.

So you're saying like if I apply an OPT
and I got my OPT EAD card first,

then rather like if I
applied my green card like

in November, so I'll
probably get in seven months.

So should I, how do I terminate?

I wouldn't terminate.

I would say finish your F1 to the end.

Finish your OPT, maintain your status.

Okay.

When your OPT card is done, completely
done, STEM extension, when everyone is

complete and you don't have your green
card, then use your work authorization.

Okay.

So I got to finish my OPT and use my STEM
extension and then use my green card OPT,

or green card EAD card after that.

Correct.

Correct.

All right.

So I have a follow-up question with that.

Sorry.

No, you guys just have to hurry because
I've got to get the case filed.

So if you want to do it, so I've got Raj
and David.

Alice, I just noticed you joined.

It depends if I have time.

So let's just, we'll see how quickly, and
then Becca said there were some questions.

So I have to be done by 3.15.

So go ahead, Raj.

All right.

Yeah.

So I'm actually traveling to California,
December 20.

Is it fine if I travel during my OPT
waiting period?

Oh, I don't know.

Check with your international office on
that one.

I don't know.

I would check with the international
office on that one.

All right.

Thank you.

Okay.

You bet.

Okay.

David?

Yes.

Did you have a question?

Oh, yeah.

Would you recommend having a lawyer
through this process?

Or is it okay to use one of those agencies
that just kind of guides you?

Whatever you decide.

Yeah.

I never tell anyone that.

I think that's kind of self-serving.

So decide what you feel is best.

Okay?

Okay.

Thank you.

All right.

Thank you.

Take care.

Okay.

Chan, I think I've answered your question.

I think I've answered everyone here.

Alice, I think you're the...
if you want to quickly tell

me what your question is,
and I'll see if I can answer it.

Thank you, Kim.

I have a quick question.

Actually, I'm not married yet,
but my boyfriend he's a citizen,

but he's also in school, like me.

And he has been in school for years and
it's just like, the reason we don't want

to get married yet because he's like,
he's a student under the...

I have no idea.

You're going to have to ask the grant
people.

But as far as USCIS is concerned,
you're fine.

But I don't know.

You're going to have to ask the people who
issued the grant.

Does that make sense?

Yeah, I'm not sure.

So, yes, another quick question.

Like, if you're still in,
like, just a student like

me, so I bet he couldn't make
any money to support me.

So, do the joint sponsor.

Yeah, I need the joint sponsor.

Just get a joint sponsor.

Okay, thank you so much.

That's all my question.

You bet.

Okay, Becca, do you want to tell me my
questions real fast?

Yes.

Okay, so let's see.

This is at 2.07, so it's at 3.

Okay, there's not that.

Let me see.

Yeah,

I'm just looking.

Let's see.

I'm trying to figure out.

Jesse, if someone's on OPC with an E,
do you still need to file the paper for

doing the new working?

Okay, so Jesse, are you even here still?

I don't see Jesse here, so I'm not going
to.

Hopefully, he'll...

skip that one.

Okay.

This person, I don't think he's on either.

So, let me see if... Okay.

I think the best thing...

okay... I think I've answered that one.

I think I've answered that one.

EAD comes if you file.

I mean, it's...guys, everything is just
such a quick thing.

What I would do is just, schedule time to
meet with me.

That's probably the best thing is
scheduled time.

I'm happy to answer any questions that you
may have.

I apologize, I'm going to have to hop off.

But, you know, we will send you an email
with a link to meet with me if you'd like.

And if you have another question,
just come see me.

Alice, I'm sorry, I've got to run off and
file a brief.

So if you want, I'm doing this one more
time tonight.

Okay?

Thanks, you guys.

Sorry, I have to run.

Bye, guys.

See you tonight, if you'd like to come.