Are you on an H1B visa stuck overseas, not able to come back to the US because of the
Coronavirus? Watch this video, we’ll talk about some options and some ideas for you
to be able to handle the situation better. So, I'll see you on the other side. So in
this video, we'll talk about some options for H1B visa holders and other visa holders
that are stuck overseas, not able to come to the United States because they're no flights
and borders are closed but they are needed to go back to work. So many concerns, so many
questions that we get. So, let's talk about this in this video. But before that, make
sure to subscribe to our channel. If you’re here for the first time, click that bell to
be notified. We make videos every single week so I don't want you to miss any of the videos
that we make. So in this video, I wanted to address a lot of the concerns of our subscribers,
people that email our law firm, mostly, people that have worked visas, H1B or whatever visas,
they are stuck overseas, they’re not unable to come to the United States, the borders
are closed, they can't leave, but they need to come back because their job is depending
on that, right? So, if you have an H1B visa, you have an employer in the US that is depending
on you that is holding your visa, and the longer you spend outside of the US, that's
just risky for your visa. So, what are we to do in this case? So, first of all, it is
really important to understand that if somebody is not able to come back because the flights
were canceled, the borders are closed, it is really important to document that because
you're going to need that, first of all, when you come back for… if it's for CBP or for
anybody that you have to show that you were not able to come back because it wasn't your
fault, it was just things happen. So, make sure you document the reason why you couldn't
come back. The second thing that you want to do is have constant communication with
your employer because your employer needs to understand why you're not coming back.
We had a situation where somebody was working in a particular company and they had no communication
with the employer for 3, 4 weeks. And the employer assumes that the employee just kind
of abandoned the job. They don't want to come back. And so, they canceled that position.
By the time the person was able to come back to the US, he was not let in by the CBP because
CBP knew about it, because the employer withdrew that H1B already. Do you know what I mean?
So, it's really important to stay connected with the employer, to explain to them that
you cannot come back, it is not your fault because whatever the issue is. And make sure
that you also document all this communication because you're going to need that upon entry
back to the United States, and also when you are continuing to apply for a visa. Remember,
all the time that you spend outside of the US if you're an H1B visa, you can recapture
it in the future. So, it's not necessarily a bad thing that you’re overseas because
in the future when you finish the 6-year term on your H1B, you're going to be able to recapture
the time that you spend abroad. But what is really important to do is also monitor the
flight situation. For example, we have a lot of clients who are coming from India, and
India has specific flight arrangements through certain airlines on an emergency basis for
certain people that are leaving the US or coming to the US. So, there's a list and they
have a priority of lists and see… so, for people that are leaving the US, they're looking
at people that really have no way to stay here, they have no family, they have no ties
to the US. For people coming back to the US, again, it has to be some sort of a specific
reason, either an emergency or… for a moment right now, there are not enough flights available.
But as the weeks go by, and more and more flights are going to be available so make
sure that you monitor the situation and try to get on the first flight coming back. Because
remember, it all has to be reasonable. As long as you're reasonable and the reason that
you're not able to come is because there are no flights or the borders are closed, then
your employers will understand that CBP, is going to understand that, immigration is going
to understand that and you're going to be okay, and it's not going to impact the future
of your visa or any of your ability to extend or get a green card. So, this is really the
main thing that you're supposed to be doing. Keep track of documentation of why you're
not able to come. Keep monitoring the flights and situation in your particular country so
you're going to be able to show it in the future if you have to prove it. And most importantly,
stay in connection with your employer on a weekly basis until you're actually able to
come back to make sure that your job is safe, that arrangement for pay are also arranged
if you're not in the US, and everything else is secure and organized so when you do come
back to the US, it's not going to impact your H1B or your chances to be able to get a future
visa. So, these are the main tips that I have to say, that I have to share with you on this
because people are really concerned they don't really know what to do and this is something
that is clearly a problem for a lot of people that are stuck overseas because they went
on vacation because they went there for visa stamping. It's also important for people that
are waiting for their visas to be issued. So, right now, until the embassies are not
open, you're not able to actually go to your stamping. And that's a whole different story.
So again, stay in touch with the consulate or embassy that you're dealing with. And as
soon as they reopen, you should be able to get a hold of them and try to get your visa
stamping appointment as soon as possible. So, a lot of anxiety out there, a lot of people
are confused but it's going to be okay. Remember that there are many people in the same situation
as you are, and as long as you follow these steps, everything is going to be okay. These
are all logical things and people understand, both the employer and the government should
be accommodating and people do understand that it is a big issue, especially for people
that are stuck overseas. Remember the 60-day ban does not impact you. It's not impacting
people that are coming on visas. It's only for people that are applying for a green card
so that's not going to be an issue for you as well. So, we'll keep you posted as we track
the embassy openings, as we track flights and information like that. And hopefully,
you're all going to be safe and be able to come back to the US. So questions, let me
know in the comments here. Let me know what other concerns you have about this topic.
And I'll make another video as well. So, thank you for watching. Again, if you're here for
the first time, subscribe to our channel, share this video with somebody who may be
interested. And if you want to continue the discussion and get more information, follow
us in our Facebook group, where we continue the discussion about these topics and we answer
questions, and also share the same issues with other people just like you. The link,
is in the description of this video, to our Facebook group. And I want to see you there
as well. So, thanks for watching, and I'll see you in our next video.