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抢占H-1B名额应注意的几点程序细节问题

随着4月2日开始的H-1B申请新季节即将到来，所有需要提交申请的外籍员工和雇主都在紧张地准备申请材料以便早日提交申请抢占名额。可能许多读者对於到底怎样就算抢到了名额还不是非常清楚。一般来说，只要你的申请在H-1B申请截止日期前及时提交到了移民局，并且被移民局接收审理，那么，除非该申请最终被拒绝，应该就可以认为是已经拿到了一个名额。即便是你的申请需要补充材料，移民局发出补件通知，也不会影响影响已经拿到的名额。如此看来，在抢占H-1B 名额时，首先要保证的就是及时让移民局接受你的申请材料。这里之所以用“接受”(accept)，而不是“收到”(receive)，是因为这两个动词对 H-1B申请的意义大不一样。如果移民局“收到”递交的H-1B申请，但因为申请材料中有不符合要求的情况而将申请件退回(不“接受”申请)，仍然没有占到名额，尤其在申请H-1B名额的后期，移民局的退件很可能导致延误H-1B名额的申请。因此，本文着重谈谈一些容易被忽视但可能会导致H-1B申请材料被移民局退回的程序方面应注意的细节问题。

第一，注意H-1B申请费用支票方面的问题。忘记在申请包裹里附带申请费支票，申请包裹一定会被退回。有下列情形之一的，也会被退回：支票上的日期不对；收款人的名字不对(申请费支票应开给“Department of Homeland Security”或者 “DHS”)；支票数目不正确；支票数目大写拼写不正确。 例如，$190拼写成Nineteen Hundred Dollars 或者One and Ninety Dollars, etc.; 支票上面有更改或涂写现象 (写支票写的不对，应换一张支票重写)；支票上面没有签名，等等。

第二，注意H-1B申请表格的签名问题。这里最关键的是检查申请表格是否有漏掉签名。如果雇主或忘记在其中一份表格上签名，可能会导致整个申请谢正权律师专文包裹被退回。 应尽量避免代签名。一旦有怀疑签名不真实，申请也会被退回。签名签在错地方，也会被退回。

第三，注意申请邮寄地址。地址不对，麻烦多多。一方面，无法立即要回错寄的包裹，也可能无法知道错寄的包裹在哪里；另一方面，还不能再寄一份申请。如果再寄一份申请，必须另交一份申请费。万一以前错寄的包裹也被移民局谢正权律师专文接受，一般要不会来多交的申请费。如果再寄一份申请时不附带申请费支票，等於白交，因为该邮件一定会被移民局退回。 因此，千万不要小看邮寄地址问题。

移民局今年改变了去年所有H-1B申请统一递交到Vermont Service Center的做法，而是按照H-1B申请中的外籍员工的工作地点的不同，分别提交到Vermont和California两个移民服务中心。另外，移民局谢正权律师专文特别说明，对於H-1B外籍员工工作所在地点与公司所在地分别位於不同州的情形，由公司所在地决定申请提交的地点。具体的申请地址如下：

一，工作地点位於中西部各州，包括Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin or Wyoming的申请，应提交到California Service Center。具体来说：

i. H-1B常规名额的申请递交地址为：

USCIS
California Service Center
ATTN: H-1B Cap
P.O. Box 10129
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-1012

ii. 美国硕士以上学历的名额的申请递交地址为：

USCIS
California Service Center
ATTN: H-1B U.S. Masters Cap
P.O. Box 10129
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-1012

iii. H-1B延期申请递交地址为：

USCIS
California Service Center
ATTN: H-1B Extensions
P.O. Box 10129
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-1012

iv. 其他I-129类申请递交地址为：

USCIS
California Service Center
ATTN: I-129
P.O. Box 10129
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607-1012

v. H-1B加急申请(Premium Processing)递交地址为:

Premium Processing Service
USCIS
California Service Center
P.O. Box 10825
Laguna Niguel, CA 92607
(在attention栏注明申请种类)

vi. 如用美国邮局(USPS)以外的递件服务(如UPS, FedEx, DHL等)邮寄地址如下：

非加急申请：

USCIS
California Service Center
24000 Avila Road
2nd Floor, Room 2312
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(在attention栏注明申请种类)

加急申请：

Premium Processing Service
USCIS
California Service Center
24000 Avila Road
2nd Floor, Room 2312
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(在attention栏注明申请种类)

二，工作地点位於Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, The District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, U.S. Virgin Islands or West Virginia，应该将申请提交到Vermont Service Center。具体来说：

i. H-1B常规名额的申请递交地址为：

USCIS
Vermont Service Center
ATTN: H-1B Cap
1A Lemnah Drive
St. Albans, VT 05479-0001

ii. 美国硕士以上学历的名额的申请递交地址为：

USCIS
Vermont Service Center
ATTN: H-1B U.S. Masters Cap
1A Lemnah Drive
St. Albans, VT 05479-0001

iii. 其他I-129类申请递交地址为：

USCIS
Vermont Service Center
ATTN: I-129
75 Lower Weldon Street
St. Albans, VT 05479-0001

iv. 加急申请(Premium Processing)递交地址为:

常规名额：
Premium Processing Service
USCIS
Vermont Service Center
ATTN：H-1B Cap
30 Houghton Street
St. Albans, VT 05478-2399

美国硕士以上学历名额：
Premium Processing Service
USCIS
Vermont Service Center
ATTN: H-1B U.S. Masters Cap
30 Houghton Street
St. Albans, VT 05478-2399

其他I-129类申请：
Premium Processing Service
USCIS
Vermont Service Center
ATTN: I-129
30 Houghton Street
St. Albans, VT 05478-2399

第四，注意申请表格的有效期和填写。移民局经常更新H-1B申请表格的具体内容，於是就出现新版本申请表格。另外，H-1B的申请表格中有些项非常关键，一旦漏填或填写错误，会导致整个申请被退回，相反，有些项目则不是非常关键，即使漏填，也不会导致申请被退回。这实际上是一个非常技术性的环节，有时需要懂行的人士检查发现。但我们发现移民局要求负责收件的合同工们特别注意申请表格上几项重要条款的填写，如果他们发现这几项填写有问题，申请也会被退回。

h4 extension letter & materials

Your name

Your address

County,State 75***

MMdd, 2006

USCIS

Texas Service Center

PO Box 851182

Mesquite, TX 75185-1182

Re: Form I-539 H-4 Extension Petition Beneficiary: KK LL

Dear Sir/Madam:

I would like to request an extension of my H4 status, dependant of an H1B.

My wife, TX_Kitty, has already been granted H1B extension to the period from MM/dd/2006 until MM/dd/2009, with receipt number of SRC-06-0**-***** and her I-94 as of ********.

Enclosed please find the following documents in connection with the above referenced petition:

1. Form I-539;

2. Copy of my original H4 approval notice and I-94;

3. Copy of marriage certificate in Chinese and English Translation showing my relationship with TX_kitty. We have been married since MMDD,YYYY;

4. Copy of my wife’s, TX_Kitty's, H1B approval notice and her I-94 showing she has been granted status to the period requested on my application;

5. Copy of my passport and my wife’s passport;

6. Copies of Bank Statement of TX_Kitty & KK LL with Chase Bank for 3 months;

7. Copies of my wife’s, TX_Kitty’s W-2 of 2005 and recent pay stabs;

8. Personal check payable to USCIS in the amount of $200.

It is respectfully requested that the petition be favorable adjudicated.

Thank you for your attention.

Yours truly,

KK LL

KL/kl

Enclosures

Re: I-129 H-1B Extension Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
MMDD, 2006

USCIS
Texas Service Center
PO Box 852211
Mesquite, TX 75185-2211

Re: I-129 H-1B Extension Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
Employer: AAA Corp
Beneficiary: BBB TX_KITTY

Dear Sir/Madam:

This letter is being submitted in support of our H-1B nonimmigrant visa extension petition of behalf of Ms. BBB TX_KITTY, a Chinese national. AAA Corp. desires the service of Ms. TX_KITTY in a unique position, which warrants her distinguished professional background and specialized skills. To this end, we take the liberty of detailing below the nature of our company as well as the professional position that Ms. L will hold and her qualifications for the same.

Incorporated in YEAR and headquartered in City, State, AAA Corp. is a professional consulting firm that provides a broad range of services. (Company Introduction, if you have company website, copy it)

AAA Corp. has over # full time professional staff with annual revenue of $$$ million. Our mission is to satisfy clients by delivering superior services on time and within cost constraints, as demonstrated by our successful completion of hundreds of projects over YEARS.

Due to our tremendous growth, we wish to continue to employ Ms. TX_KITTY in the professional capacity as a Programmer on a temporary basis for another period of thirty-six (36) months. Specifically, Ms. TX_KITTY will be required to perform the following duties:

• A;
• B;
• C;
• D;
• E.
The position offered to Ms. TX_KITTY requires the services of an individual who possess at the very minimum Bachelor’s Degrees in YOUR MAJOR plus YEARS of experience in YOUR BACKGROUD. In addition, this position also requires the candidate who have the capabilities in BLAH BLAH BLAH. Such an educational background is an essential prerequisite for the offered position and an absolute requirement for the performance of the job duties.

We believe that Ms. TX_KITTY possesses a unique combination of skills and professional academic accomplishments that make her an ideal candidate to take up the temporary position. Her academic background includes a Bachelor’s Degree of MAJOR from the University of ***, Beijing, China in YEAR. After years of ***industry practice, she came to the United States to pursue her study in MS MAJORs. In August 2000, she obtained her Master’s of Science in MAJOR from *** University, CITY, STATE .

Throughout years of research, design and development in the field of Ms. TX_KITTY’s endeavor, she has developed her specialty in ******BACKGROUND, extensive experience with ***industry, which are all essential for the position.

Currently, she is employed with us as a ***Programmer under H1-B status. Ms. TX_KITTY has the qualifications that we require for a position of this level. Upon the approval of this H1-B petition, we would like to continue to employ her under the terms and conditions of this petition.

Based on her working performance and a high level of academic achievement and experience, Ms. TX_KITTY will be compensated at an annual salary of $$$$, which is greater that the prevailing wage for similar positions and will not adversely affect the working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.

In view of our crucial need of Ms. TX_KITTY’s services, we respectfully request your favorable consideration and expeditious processing of the attached petition.

Thank you for your attention and cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,
AAA Corp.

BOSS PRING NAME
BOSS TITLE

谈谈H-1B申请中的费用问题

今天来谈谈H-1B申请中的费用问题。这个问题非常重要。即使H-1B申请材料全部符合要求，但是申请费支票有问题，移民局一定会将整个申请退回，从而耽搁H-1B申请。尤其是在H-1B名额所剩不多时，因费用不符合要求而被退件，会导致失去申请H-1B的名额和资格。

首先，需要交给移民局的申请费用。自2004年4月以来，移民局两次调整了H-1B的申请费用，目前的申请费用包括以下四个部分：

一. 表格申请费：$190
凡是为外籍员工申请H-1B的美国雇主均必须向移民局交纳这$190的基本表格申请费。也就是说，对於这$190的申请费，没有例外，所有H-1B申请都需要交。

二. 美国工人培训费：$1500或$750
2004年H-1B签证改革法案将原先暂停收取的美国工人培训费永久性恢复，并且将数额从以前的1000增加到1500，但是对于规模较小的美国雇主则网开一面，规定全职员工不足25人的雇主只需缴纳$750。

移民法上规定下列情形的H-1B申请毋需缴纳美国工人培训费：
(1). 提交H-1B申请的雇主是高等院校；
(2). 提交H-1B申请的雇主是高度院校下属的或与之相关联的非营利性机构或团体；
(3). 提交H-1B申请的雇主是非营利性研究机构，或政府部门的研究机构；
(4). 所提交的H-1B申请是为该外籍员工提交的第二次或第二次以上的延期申请；
(5). 所提交的H-1B申请是对以往H-1B申请的修正，而并无延长H-1B持有人居留时
间的要求；
(6). 所提交的H-1B申请是为了改正移民局的错误；
(7). 提交H-1B申请的雇主是小学或中学；
(8). 提交H-1B申请的雇主是从事对学生进行教学课程相关医学实习训练(established
curriculum-related clinical training of students)的非营利性团体。

这里需要澄清几点：
第一，并非所有的非营利性机构都毋需缴纳美国工人培训费。如果该非营利性机构是高校下属机构，则不需要缴纳，但是如果并非高校下属或相关联的机构，则必须是从事研究活动的非营利性机构。

第二，免交美国工人培训费与免受名额限制是两个概念。例如，如果提交H-1B申请的雇主是小学或中学，虽然毋需提交美国工人培训费，但是所提交的H-1B申请却要受H-1B名额限制。

第三，对於因延期而免交美国工人培训费的申请，该延期申请必须是同一雇主为同一员工提交的第二次或第二次以上的延期申请。换句话说，第一次申请得到的H-1B之后的第一次延期仍然需要交这笔费用。

第四，为智利和新加坡公民提交的H-1B申请，除了符合以上提到的毋需缴纳美国工人培训费的情形外，也需要缴纳这笔费用。

三. “打假”费或防伪费：$500
2004 年H-1B签证改革法要求雇主为每份新的H-1B申请支付$500美元“欺诈预防与侦查费”(Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee)。雇主为非H-1B身份的外籍员工申请转换成H-1B身份，以及H-1B持有人申请转换H-1B雇主均需要缴纳这$500。所有申请H-1B的雇主(包括教学科研非营利机构)都必须交这笔费用。但本公司(机构)为外籍员工申请H-1B延期不用交此费用。

四. 加急费：$1000
移民局对H-1B申请人提供了加急处理的选择，如果另付$1000的加急费，则可以使H-1B在15天之内得到结果。是否需要申请加急，应根据本人的情况具体分析。

对於申请费用，移民局接受公司支票和汇票。在以上四项申请费用中，1，2两项可以合并成一张支票或汇票支付，也可以分成单独的两张。而第3项则必须是单独的一张支票或本票。所有付给移民局的支票应开给“国土安全部”(Department of Homeland Security”。支票数额不对或者收款人名称不对，都有可能导致H-1B申请被移民局退回。此外，移民局不接受个人支票。

有条件的前提下自己做H1B延期

个人认为有条件的前提是：公司老板配合，同意签字，自己还保留原来的H1B申请材料。特别是要自己掏钱办H1B延期的朋友们。

1． 首先，办延期应该是至少在你H1B过期前的45天（我记得哪里读过，但也没有证据）
2．在向USCIS递交I-129表前，一定要到DOL的网站上申请LCA（临时劳工卡）9035表。无须象申请永久劳工卡（PERM）那样注册，直接进入网站申请，一般1到2分钟就给结果，通常是certified。要把这份certified LCA 9035表打印下来，由老板签字。如果你还有第一次办H1B的LCA复印件，只要按第一次的填写就好了，唯一变动的地方是prevailing wage要用现年的。

(www.lca.doleta.gov/,click Apply now,without register )
(prevailing wage need go to http://www.flcdatacenter.com/ then click OES Quick Search or OES search wizard.
you will choose state and your local area and job title
if you have original H1b application, it should show your job title with code.

for example, computer programmer should be 15-1021 )

3． USCIS网站上的I-129并不是可以在计算机上直接填写的。要到另一个网站上下载表格（至少我1月底准备时是这样的）。好像是从visapro.com上下载的。
4． 寄往USCIS的package的首页，应该有一封公司台头的信，如下：
5． ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

USCIS
Texas Service Center
PO Box 852211
Mesquite, TX 75185-2211

Re: Form I-129 H-1B Extension Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
Employer: ***.
Beneficiary: ***
Dear Sir/Madam:

Enclosed please find the following documents in connection with the above referenced petition:

1. Form I-129;
2. Certified Form ETA 9035E;
3. Employer’s letter in support of petition;
4. Copies of the alien beneficiary’s credentials;
5. Copy of alien beneficiary’s passport and H-1B approval notice;
6. Company check payable to USCIS in the amount of $1,690.

It is respectfully requested that the petition be favorable adjudicated.

Thank you for your attention.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6． Employer’s letter 应该跟第一申请相似，只是加一句要继续雇佣，并希望延期获得批准的话

7． 个人的材料除了护照，I-94以外，我还加了美国学历学位证书及成绩单，w-2表和三张近期pay-stubs.