USCIS Letter Addresses Travel After Change of Status

Temporary Visas > H-1b Visa > USCIS Letter Addresses Travel After Change of Status

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Mintz Levin         One Financial Center

Cohn Ferris        Boston, Massachusetts 02111

Glovsky and        617 542 6000

Popeo pc             617 542 2241 fax

                          www.mintz.com

                                                                                                                                        Susan J. Cohen

Direct Dial 617 348 4468

scohen@mintz.com

July 16, 2004

Via Federal Express

Mr. Efren Hernandez

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

425 Eye Street, NW

Washington, DC 20536

Re:       Request for Guidance

Dear Mr. Hernandez:

            I am seeking your guidance concerning the “last action rule”.  Assume a person files for a change of status from F-1 to H-1B status in July, 2004 and the H-1B petition and change of status request are both approved in August, 2004, but effective December 1, 2004.  Assume further that the individual travels abroad on September 1, 2004 and returns to the U.S. on September 15, 2004 in valid F-1 status.  If the person remains in the U.S. from September 15, 2004 until December 1, 2004, will that individual’s change of status to H-1B automatically take effect on December 1, 2004?  If not, what must the individual do to effectuate the change of status?

            I look forward to hearing from you.

                                                                        Very truly yours,

                                                                        Susan J. Cohen

                                                                                 U.S Department of Homeland Security

                                                                                  425 I Street, NW

                                                                                  ULLICO Bldg., 3^rd Floor

                                                                                  Washington DC 20536

                                                                                   US Citizenship

                                                                     And Immigration

                                                                     Services

MS. Susan J. Cohen

Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo PC

One Financial Center

Boston, MA 02111

Dear Ms. Cohen:

            Thank you for your July 16, 2004 correspondence in which you pose a question about the effective date for an F-1 visa holder’s change of status to H-1B.

            A change of status takes effect automatically on the effective date noted on the Notice of Action (Form I-797), even if there is an intervening admission as in your proposed scenario.  The Form I-797 should have a tear-off Form I-94 that would be proof of the change of status.  The “Last Action Rule” does not affect the change of status in this case because the last action is the taking effect of the change of status.

            If you have any questions regarding this or any other matter, please do not hesitate to contact this office.

                                                            Sincerely,

                                                            Efren Hernandez

                                                            Chief, Business and Trade Services Branch

                                                            Office of Adjudications

                                                            www.uscis.gov