Hi all,

I'm having a serious issue with my H1-B visa. My H1 expired on October, 2009.  My company filed for extension but  just got RFE few days ago. I'm currently on bench and do not have project in hand. However, according to RFE, company has to give all the information regarding my current project's client and other information. What do you guys suggest?
PS: My company is asking for money to run a payroll, which was very unethical especially after I worked for them all these years. How long will it take the labor department to take action after I report them that they never had paid me during the bench period?

Thanks

I am not surprised that your consulting company is asking money from you to run your payroll. i think they are asking you so that you can get the extension and I don't see any other options here unless you get the job or the company put their own money on your payroll which is highly unlikely.

i understand that these consulting are chors but think about your future too. this is a bad time so make your decisions carefully. if you are out of money ask your consulting company to help you if you worked with them for a very long time. otherwise, put some money in it, you'll lose some money which will go to Uncle Sam as a tax but you'll get an extension which will give you more money in future. 

this is a bad time. 

Three years and you did not get your GC yet? I will be three next year, but hope to have my GC done by then...

and fire them right away....

HEY BUDDY,,,,U CAN BE IN TROUBLE OKIE IF U SUE,,,WELL,THE COMPANY MIGHT BE IN TROUBLE TOO,,,,BUT U ARE ALSO THERE AS THEIR EMPLOYEE WHICH IN ACTUAL IS ILLEGALLY PROCESSED IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN,SO THINK AT IT AND JOIN ANY INSTITUTE OR COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO MANTAIN UR STATUS

HOPE THIS HELPS

Hi all,

Thanks for your comments.
Dolphin - I agree with you that little investment from me will give me chance to make more money in future. However, for the extension, you also need to have current project, client information and supervisor contacts, which I doubt they can provide. Moreover, this is not the first time they have asked for money. They did the same thing about 9 months back when I was in bench for 2 months. How many times can I pay around 900-1300 in this market? I'm already broke!I will be starving if I don't get a job in next 2 months, which is not impossible in this situation.
MN_Nepali - I used to think a same way! I applied for labor on Feb, 2008  on EB2. My case was audited and is still pending after all these years. Good luck to you!
manmohan bahun- I won't take your suggestion for granted. I'm researching this option too. However, I don't really feel like going back to school since this will revert me back to same status I was in few years back!

Thanks

Ramitekailo,

Hi Pyaradeshbashiharu,

Thanks for your valuable information and trying to wake me up and people like me. I'm planning to go to TX DOL within this week. I found further information at http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/forms/fts_wh4.htm and WH-4 form at http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/forms/wh-4.pdf
I'm planning to go to Arlington, TX office.
However, should I do it ASAP or should I wait for the USCIS decision? Will I have enough time to leave US if I wait for the decision to get denied?..

Thanks

Ramitekailo,

Good luck to you and good luck to us also because if these desi consultancies stop taking us ....i don't know what will happen to us and new graduates     

FreeH1B,

Thanks Pyaradeshbasiharu,

I thought I might need a good lawyer though..so that they can argue aggressively and are good at the subject matter.What do you suggest?

Free H1B - I understand your problem. I was on the same boat. But trust me, except very few lucky ones, who get long term projects or who get hired by clients or get their GC approved, most of them are there doing 2-3 months projects and sitting on bench for 2-3 months! Please, go for it if you don't find any other companies! You might end up getting good long term projects! Good luck!

Thanks

"I thought I might need a good lawyer though..so that they can argue aggressively and are good at the subject matter.What do you suggest?"

"R we so fking retard that No good company will take us..."

Yeah indeed..... got MS degree with gpa 3.8 ..... hunted job before and after graduation for almost 6 months....couldn't find.....worked in fast food in 7.50/hr for almost 3 months.....

somebody told me that Indian consultancies gives training and place in project....went there ....did training and got project ......i'm in my 4th year since the first project (excluding training etc).......out of 4 year ...i hardly stayed 6 months in bench that is because proj got over and took time to find another one (i'm happy with that as well.... as i was soo exhausted from proj and really want to take break during that time).....even more luckily during these recession and INS tighten rules and regulation....never happened to go to bench.....

i started with 27/hr while they were actually charging 80 -90/hr......know i'm getting 75% of my billing rate and currently getting 43/hr.....i'm enjoying with dhoti (more precisely desi) bhai ...... and my EAD is about to come within month or two

In conclusion.....i was fu(king retarded after graduation but not any more......once i'll get my PR....i'll go for permanent job (i can't go right now as client don't want to go for PR sponsorship) and settle down at nice place

to all, during these time, consultant are getting more opportunity then those who are laid off from company after working for 7-8 years because consultant are exposed to more clients, exposed to lots of different tools and consultant knows how to struggle...so start your carrier as a consultant not as perm employee.....

 

In USA
Never trust-

1. Your consulting company
2. Your girl

They are good as long as there is something they get from you. They make you cry at the end.

"Yeah indeed..... got MS degree with gpa 3.8 ..... hunted job before and after graduation for almost 6 months....couldn't find.....worked in fast food in 7.50/hr for almost 3 months....."

Free H1B- I'm very happy for you. I'm not jealous at all. I wish you all the best for your future. I've few friends from consultancies doing good! Even in this recession you are bouncing, that's great!
But I agree with DJ Tantrik! Eventually, most of the consulting companies make you cry at the end! I must agree with you on the girl too since you seem to be more experienced than me!I know you had that becky..Yeah! I'm talking about Namrata Shrestha...LOL..

Free H1B,

Have your heard of Consultancies hiring or training someone with a degree in Finance?

Hi Pyaradeshbashiharu,

Thanks for your help. Please, check the inbox for my new query.

Thanks

i agree that most consultancies are bloodsuckers, but u can't just blame onthem and act innocent. you knew how they did business, and how u got your projects, now that the things are not working cuz of the recession, you're an innocent victim. that don't make sense. take responsibily of your situation, they used u and u used them to get jobs and to maintain status, and some company used u both to get cheap labor without giving full benefits of a regular company. problem lies withing us. we're just greedy deep down.