H. Ronald Klasko, Esq.
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Philadelphia
1800 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Floor 17
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215.825.8600
rklasko@klaskolaw.com
New York
317 Madison Ave., Suite 1518
New York, NY 10017
212.796.8840
www.klaskolaw.com

H. Ronald Klasko, Esq.
 Ron Klasko is the Managing Partner of Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP and has been providing immigration assistance and solutions to universities, hospitals, and research institutions for over 25 years.

Ron is a past National President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and served for 3 years as the bar association’s General Counsel. His firm is the first immigration law firm global partner of NAFSA: Association of International Educators.
Mr. Klasko has been invited by more than 25 universities and hospitals to address students and scholars.
 Ron has been selected as one of six top tier immigration lawyers in the US by
Chambers Global . He is selected annually for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America .
The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers 2007 and 2008 Corporate
Immigration Law editions selected Ron as the “most highly regarded” immigration lawyer in the world. He is a frequent author and lecturer on hospital and universityrelated immigration law topics and is a former Adjunct Professor of Immigration Law at
Villanova University Law School.
 Ron is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Law. He has helped thousands of students navigate the complicated process of obtaining working visas and green cards.
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

2011 Issues
 Fewer job offers/less quota problems
 Fewer employers willing to sponsor
 Impact of layoffs/unemployed U.S. workers
 Mixed bag for investors and entrepreneurs
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Employment Options for the F-1 Student
 20 hours per week on campus
 OPT after complete studies
 Options for the entrepreneur
 On-campus employment must be services for students
 OPT employment must be related to studies
 See “Murky F-1 Employment Issues”
( http://www.klaskolaw.com
)
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

General H-1B Issues


 U.S. employer
 Pay fees
 Post notice
 Keep public examination file
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

H-1B Visas

 Job Offer
 Part-time or full-time
 Bachelors or higher degree
 Determine U.S. equivalence of foreign degree
 Combination of education and experience
 Specialty occupation
 Job requires bachelors or higher degree in specific field
 Prevailing wage
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

H-1B Visas

 File Labor Condition Application with DOL
 File H-1B petition with CIS
 Change of status or consular visa issuance
 Processing time
 3 to 5 months
 15 days or less with premium processing
(cont’d)
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

H-1B Visas
(cont’d)

 3 year initial approval and 3 year extension
 6 year maximum – any combination of employers
 Extensions beyond 6 years
 Recapture time out of U.S.
 1 year extension if file labor certification application or immigrant petition one year before expiration
 3 year extension if immigrant petition approved and quota backlog
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

H-1B Visas
(cont’d)

 Present or prior H-1B
 Commence employment upon new employer filing petition

 H-4 cannot work

 Dual intent
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

H-1B Quota
 What is it, and what does it mean?
 65,000 visas
 Separate quota for US-educated advanced degree holders
 20,000 visas
 Separate options for Canada, Mexico, Australia, Chile and Singapore
 TN-1, E-3, H-1B
 Prospects for change
 Timing
 April 1 filing date
 October 1 start date
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Quota-Exempt Employment

 Universities
 Nonprofit institutions affiliated with universities
 Employed “at” university
 Nonprofit or government research organization
 Concurrent employment
 Previous H-1B
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Strategies to Enhance
Chances of Getting H-1B
 Obtaining masters degree
 Filing multiple years
 Filing first day
 Using previously-obtained degree
 Combination of education and experience
 Start your own business
 Apply as H-1B employee?
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

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

H-1B Issues for Start-Up Business
 Must establish company with employer tax I.D. number
 Can company be owned by H-1B employee?
 Must be W-2 employee
 Company separate entity from owner/employee
 Company right of control over employee
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

H-1B Issues for Start-Up Business
 Company must prove
 Financial ability to pay salary
 Profits and/or capitalization
 Real job to be done by H-1B
 Place of business
(cont’d)
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

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

Other Visa Options
 F-1
 Going back to school

Advantages of Masters or PhD
 Working overseas for U.S. employer
 Entering U.S. as B-1

 Eligibility for L-1 after one year
Look at spouse’s status
 Spouse of J,E and L can work
 Country-Specific Options: TN-1, E-3, H-1B1
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Other Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Options
Treaty (E) Visas
 Must be national of treaty country
 http://www.travel.state.gov./visa
 Company must be owned at least 50% by treaty country nationals
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Other Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Options
Treaty (E) Visas
(cont’d)
 Visa for 1 to 5 years
 Each entry limited to two years
 Visa and entry can be extended indefinitely
 No quota
 Spouse can work
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Other Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Options
Treaty (E) Visas
(cont’d)
■
 “Substantial” import or export
 Majority between U.S. and treaty country
 Can be manager, supervisor or “essential skill” employee
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Other Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Options
Treaty (E) Visas

 “Substantial” investment
 No exact amount
 Varies depending upon type of investment
 Relevant issues
 Amount of investment
 Number of employees
 Needs of business
 Likely profitability and growth potential
 Business plan and financial projections critical
(cont’d)
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Other Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Options
Treaty (E) Visas
(cont’d)
■
Visa applicant can be
 Investor or
 Manager, supervisor or essential employee
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

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

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

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

Extraordinary Ability (O-1) Visas



National or international renown
“One of a few at the top of his peers”
Must be employer or agent
 Can be own company
 Length of visa
 3 years
 1 year extensions
 Can extend indefinitely
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Trainee (H-3) Visa
 Corporate trainee
 Training not available overseas
 Formal training program required
 Productive employment incidental to training
 Training will qualify for position abroad
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Permanent Resident Status
 Family
 Employment
 Investment
 Asylum
 Lottery
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Family

 No quota wait
 EAD and AP within 3 months

 Long quota wait
 No interim benefits
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Asylum
 Individualized fear of persecution
 Race, religion, nationality, political opinion, social group, sexual persuasion
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Lottery



Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Permanent Resident Status
Investment (EB-5) http://www.eb5immigration.com


 $1,000,000 or
 $500,000 in “targeted employment area”
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Permanent Resident Status
Investment (EB-5)
(cont’d)

 Active business
 New business or expansion of existing business
 40% increase in net worth or number of employees
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Permanent Resident Status
Investment (EB-5)

 10 new or 10 additional full-time jobs
 U.S. citizens or permanent residents
 Saving 10 jobs in “troubled business”
(cont’d)
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Permanent Resident Status
Investment (EB-5)

 Extensive documentation required
 Can be gift
 Must prove giftor's source of funds
 Can borrow money
(cont’d)
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Permanent Resident Status
Investment (EB-5)
(cont’d)

 Do not have to be employee (but can)
 Do not have to be owner (but can)
 Cannot be purely passive
 Limited partner ok
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Permanent Resident Status
Investment (EB-5)

 Individual investment
 See above
 Regional center investment
 Over 130 USCIS – approved regional centers
 Mostly $500,000 investment
 Indirect employment creation ok
(cont’d)
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Permanent Resident Status
Investment (EB-5)
(cont’d)
 Some have long, successful history – some do not
 Pilot program
 Choosing a regional center
 Due diligence list at http://www.eb5immigration.com/choosing-aregional-center.php
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Permanent Resident Status
Employment
 Employer-sponsored or self-sponsored
 Labor certification or extraordinary/national interest/exceptional
 Multiple petitions
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Permanent Resident Status
Employment

 Extraordinary ability
 EB-1
 Extensive documentation required
 Reference letters critical

“One of a few at the top of his peers”
 National or international recognition
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
(cont’d)

Permanent Resident Status
Employment
 National Interest Waiver
 EB-2
 Standard
 Exceptional ability or advanced degree
 National priority
 National impact
 Extensive documentation required
 Reference letters critical
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
(cont’d)

Permanent Resident Status
Employment
(cont’d)

 Outstanding Researcher or Professor


EB-1
“Permanent position”
 Similar to extraordinary ability
 Multinational Manager
 EB-1
 Same as L-1 except must be manager or executive overseas
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Permanent Resident Status
Employment
 Labor Certification Application (PERM)
 EB-2 or EB-3
(cont’d)
 Employer must:



Pay attorney fees and advertising costs
Define “minimum requirements”
Engage in required recruitment
 Interview U.S. worker applicants
 Prove unavailability of qualified, interested, and available
U.S. worker
 Pay prevailing wage
 Not available to owner of business
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Permanent Resident Status
Employment
 Timing
 Electronic filing
 Possibility of audit
 First of three steps
(cont’d)
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Permanent Resident Status
Employment
(cont’d)
 I-140 Petition
 1 st step for EB-1 and national interest waiver
 2 nd step for PERM
 Employee documents education and experience
 If adjustment of status, file concurrently with I-485 if quota current
 If consular immigrant visa processing, approval sent to
National Visa Center
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Permanent Resident Status
Employment

(cont’d)
 Cannot file until quota is current
 Importance of filing
 Do not need to maintain visa status
 Can file for spouse and child
 Can get Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Permanent Resident Status
Employment
 Can get advance parole travel document
 Eliminate need to obtain visas
 Can still maintain and extend H-1B status
 Can leave employer if
 I-140 approved
 I-485 pending 180 days
 Similar occupation
 Permanent resident upon approval
 Timing and delay issues
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
(cont’d)

Materials
Please visit www.klaskolaw.com
to download this
PowerPoint presentation and relevant articles.
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP

Blog:
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
E-mail:
Telephone:
Websites: rklasko@klaskolaw.com
215-825-8600
(Philadelphia)
212-796-8840
(New York) www.klaskolaw.com
www.eb5immigration.com
www.eb1immigration.com
http://blog.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP