Macaca
04-22 09:07 AM
Passing On H-1b Costs to the Employee? (http://www.hammondlawfirm.com/FeesArticle07.18.2006.pdf) -- Smart Business Practice or DOL Violation?, by Michael F. Hammond and Damaris Del Valle
After all the costs associated with an H-1B petition are totaled, the sum can be alarming. In order to offset this cost, some employers ask that the beneficiary, the employee who is being hired, reimburse the company in whole or in part. Which costs may and may not be paid by the beneficiary can be a tricky matter. What follows is an analysis of H-1B costs and who may pay what.
All deductions from an H-1B worker’s pay fall into three categories: authorized, unauthorized, or prohibited. Authorized deductions can be taken without worry of whether or not such a deduction will lower the employee’s rate of pay below the required wage rate. Unauthorized deductions, counter to what the term may connote, can be taken from an employee’s wage but are considered non-payment and are only allowed if the beneficiary’s wage rate, after the deduction(s), is greater than the required amount listed on the Labor Condition Application (LCA). Unauthorized deductions cannot push the employee’s wage below either the prevailing wage rate or the actual wage rate, i.e. salaries of those similarly employed and qualified at the work site. Prohibited deductions may not be taken from the employee’s pay regardless of the effect they would have on the required wage rate.
The most straightforward of the deductions is the prohibited deduction. The Training Fee associated with the H-1B petition is the only prohibited deduction associated with the cost of filing an H-1B petition. Rajan v. International Business Solutions, Ltd. and the language in the relevant regulation make it very clear that the Training Fee is to be paid by the employer or a third party; it is not to be reimbursed in part or whole by the employee. This fee must be completely shouldered by the employer or a party who is not the employee.
Deductions are considered by the Department of Labor (DOL) to be authorized if:
The deduction is reported as such on the employer’s payroll records,
The employee has voluntarily agreed to the deduction and such agreement is documented in writing (a job offer which carries a deduction as a condition of employment does not meet this requirement),
The deduction is for a matter that is principally for the benefit of the employee,
The deduction is not a recoupment of the employer’s business expenses,
The amount deducted does not exceed the fair market value or the actual cost (whichever is lower) of the matter covered, and
The amount deducted is not more than 25% of the employee’s disposable earning.
An Education Evaluation arguably qualifies as an authorized deduction. Similar to a translation fee, which is payable by the employee, the employee is benefiting from the evaluation and will be able to use it in the future in his/her private capacity if s/he so wishes. Of course, if the employee is paying for the evaluation, then s/he must be able to acquire a copy of the evaluation so that the future benefit upon which his/her payment is presumed is a real possibility.
Attorney’s fees associated with obtaining H-4 status for family members accompanying the Beneficiary may qualify as authorized deductions since the Beneficiary is the party who primarily benefits from such fees. In addition, attorney fees associated with visa issuance, assuming that international travel is not a requirement for the position, could be properly considered as authorized deductions. In order to properly deduct the attorney fees associated with these processes, it is important that the attorney break down the specifics of how much is being charged for each element of the H-1B process- this will allow the employer to deduct those fees associated with the retention of the visas for the accompanying family members without concerning itself with the deduction requirements necessary for unauthorized deductions.
The circumstances surrounding the Premium Processing Fee determine if deduction of the fee is to qualify as authorized or unauthorized. While the speedy decision that the Premium Processing Fee guarantees often benefits both the employer and the employee, it is important to take notice of which party requests and benefits most from premium processing. If the employee has decided to utilize premium processing for his/her own personal benefit, then the employer may be reimbursed by the employee in accordance with the requirements established by the DOL for authorized deductions. If the employer is the party desiring premium process and who will benefit from such processing, then any deductions from the employee’s pay are unauthorized and, as such Deduction of attorney’s fees associated with the filing of the LCA or H-1B and the Base Fee (or I-129 Fee) are considered to be unauthorized. These fees are considered to be the employer’s business expenses and, for this reason, are not authorized deductions. These fees may be deducted from the employee’s pay so long as they do not drop the rate of pay below the required wage rate.
It is not clear whether or not the Fraud Fee which was implemented in March 2005 is unauthorized or prohibited. The language of the act regarding the Fraud Fee states that “the Secretary of Homeland Security shall impose a fraud prevention and detection fee on an employer filing a petition.”10 Almost identical language is used in the Act to refer to the Training Fee.11 Such similarity could be read to mean that the restrictions of the Training Fee also apply to the Fraud Fee. However, 20 C.F.R. 655 is explicit in saying that the employee cannot pay the Training Fee; no such statement is made regarding the Fraud Fee. The regulation regarding the Training Fee, 20 C.F.R. 655, predates the creation of the Fraud Fee, which may explain this discrepancy. Nonetheless, the language referring to the Fraud Fee is not explicitly prohibitive and an employer may decide to be reimbursed by the employee. If an employer chooses to do so, any deductions from the employee’s salary to pay for this fee must meet the DOL requirements for unauthorized deductions. 12
Before any payments are made by the employee or deductions are taken from his/her pay to reimburse the employer, it must be determined if such deduction is permitted and if so, whether or not it is authorized or unauthorized. Once these preliminary determinations are made, appropriate steps must be taken to ensure that the DOL’s requirements are met. As a practical matter, there are very few circumstances in which the prospective employee could legally be made to pay for the costs associated with the H-1b process without an employer risking non-compliance and causing significant record keeping.
After all the costs associated with an H-1B petition are totaled, the sum can be alarming. In order to offset this cost, some employers ask that the beneficiary, the employee who is being hired, reimburse the company in whole or in part. Which costs may and may not be paid by the beneficiary can be a tricky matter. What follows is an analysis of H-1B costs and who may pay what.
All deductions from an H-1B worker’s pay fall into three categories: authorized, unauthorized, or prohibited. Authorized deductions can be taken without worry of whether or not such a deduction will lower the employee’s rate of pay below the required wage rate. Unauthorized deductions, counter to what the term may connote, can be taken from an employee’s wage but are considered non-payment and are only allowed if the beneficiary’s wage rate, after the deduction(s), is greater than the required amount listed on the Labor Condition Application (LCA). Unauthorized deductions cannot push the employee’s wage below either the prevailing wage rate or the actual wage rate, i.e. salaries of those similarly employed and qualified at the work site. Prohibited deductions may not be taken from the employee’s pay regardless of the effect they would have on the required wage rate.
The most straightforward of the deductions is the prohibited deduction. The Training Fee associated with the H-1B petition is the only prohibited deduction associated with the cost of filing an H-1B petition. Rajan v. International Business Solutions, Ltd. and the language in the relevant regulation make it very clear that the Training Fee is to be paid by the employer or a third party; it is not to be reimbursed in part or whole by the employee. This fee must be completely shouldered by the employer or a party who is not the employee.
Deductions are considered by the Department of Labor (DOL) to be authorized if:
The deduction is reported as such on the employer’s payroll records,
The employee has voluntarily agreed to the deduction and such agreement is documented in writing (a job offer which carries a deduction as a condition of employment does not meet this requirement),
The deduction is for a matter that is principally for the benefit of the employee,
The deduction is not a recoupment of the employer’s business expenses,
The amount deducted does not exceed the fair market value or the actual cost (whichever is lower) of the matter covered, and
The amount deducted is not more than 25% of the employee’s disposable earning.
An Education Evaluation arguably qualifies as an authorized deduction. Similar to a translation fee, which is payable by the employee, the employee is benefiting from the evaluation and will be able to use it in the future in his/her private capacity if s/he so wishes. Of course, if the employee is paying for the evaluation, then s/he must be able to acquire a copy of the evaluation so that the future benefit upon which his/her payment is presumed is a real possibility.
Attorney’s fees associated with obtaining H-4 status for family members accompanying the Beneficiary may qualify as authorized deductions since the Beneficiary is the party who primarily benefits from such fees. In addition, attorney fees associated with visa issuance, assuming that international travel is not a requirement for the position, could be properly considered as authorized deductions. In order to properly deduct the attorney fees associated with these processes, it is important that the attorney break down the specifics of how much is being charged for each element of the H-1B process- this will allow the employer to deduct those fees associated with the retention of the visas for the accompanying family members without concerning itself with the deduction requirements necessary for unauthorized deductions.
The circumstances surrounding the Premium Processing Fee determine if deduction of the fee is to qualify as authorized or unauthorized. While the speedy decision that the Premium Processing Fee guarantees often benefits both the employer and the employee, it is important to take notice of which party requests and benefits most from premium processing. If the employee has decided to utilize premium processing for his/her own personal benefit, then the employer may be reimbursed by the employee in accordance with the requirements established by the DOL for authorized deductions. If the employer is the party desiring premium process and who will benefit from such processing, then any deductions from the employee’s pay are unauthorized and, as such Deduction of attorney’s fees associated with the filing of the LCA or H-1B and the Base Fee (or I-129 Fee) are considered to be unauthorized. These fees are considered to be the employer’s business expenses and, for this reason, are not authorized deductions. These fees may be deducted from the employee’s pay so long as they do not drop the rate of pay below the required wage rate.
It is not clear whether or not the Fraud Fee which was implemented in March 2005 is unauthorized or prohibited. The language of the act regarding the Fraud Fee states that “the Secretary of Homeland Security shall impose a fraud prevention and detection fee on an employer filing a petition.”10 Almost identical language is used in the Act to refer to the Training Fee.11 Such similarity could be read to mean that the restrictions of the Training Fee also apply to the Fraud Fee. However, 20 C.F.R. 655 is explicit in saying that the employee cannot pay the Training Fee; no such statement is made regarding the Fraud Fee. The regulation regarding the Training Fee, 20 C.F.R. 655, predates the creation of the Fraud Fee, which may explain this discrepancy. Nonetheless, the language referring to the Fraud Fee is not explicitly prohibitive and an employer may decide to be reimbursed by the employee. If an employer chooses to do so, any deductions from the employee’s salary to pay for this fee must meet the DOL requirements for unauthorized deductions. 12
Before any payments are made by the employee or deductions are taken from his/her pay to reimburse the employer, it must be determined if such deduction is permitted and if so, whether or not it is authorized or unauthorized. Once these preliminary determinations are made, appropriate steps must be taken to ensure that the DOL’s requirements are met. As a practical matter, there are very few circumstances in which the prospective employee could legally be made to pay for the costs associated with the H-1b process without an employer risking non-compliance and causing significant record keeping.
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saimrathi
07-12 01:55 PM
I used the template on one of the other threads "I am a highly skilled... " attached the program for 7/14 Rally and the two letters from Zoe.. Express posted it to Arnie and it will be delivered tomm at Sacramento... Didnt save the word doc, so I wont be able to send it across.. sorry...
Can you send me the letter by PM or post it here? Would like to see the format. I could send one as well or fax it to him.
Can you send me the letter by PM or post it here? Would like to see the format. I could send one as well or fax it to him.
ss777
03-05 07:38 PM
Group insurance through an employer will not treat pregnancy as pre-existing. If group insurance is not available for this person, lookout for discount plans. Try in other states as well not just Oregon.
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pd_recapturing
07-10 06:47 AM
Is there any advantage of submitting I-485 application now except to become plantiff in law suit?
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eastindia
01-06 08:33 AM
February visa bulletin will be out this week any day.
What is the opinion of gurus who analysed that latest USCS numbers about dates? what do you predict?
What is the opinion of gurus who analysed that latest USCS numbers about dates? what do you predict?
ishakapoor
02-16 01:41 PM
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sunny1000
06-06 07:09 PM
I heard I-140 premium processing has been restarted. Is it true?
Where did you hear this? Can you please let us in on your source(s)?
Where did you hear this? Can you please let us in on your source(s)?
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reddy_h
10-25 12:17 AM
yes, really I missed that oppurtunity by 7 days. my only question is
Can she stay here until I94 expires? or for 180 days?
Thanks
Her H-4 is invalid once your GC is approved. But she will have some grace period to apply for I-485 if priority dates were still current. But since we do not anticipate the dates to move that fast and if she continues to stay for some more time, she will be out of status and subject to bars. Best option is to file for Follow to Join as soon as possible and may be leave the country for some time. Don't rely on this advice completely but consult a good lawyer as the laws keep changing.
Can she stay here until I94 expires? or for 180 days?
Thanks
Her H-4 is invalid once your GC is approved. But she will have some grace period to apply for I-485 if priority dates were still current. But since we do not anticipate the dates to move that fast and if she continues to stay for some more time, she will be out of status and subject to bars. Best option is to file for Follow to Join as soon as possible and may be leave the country for some time. Don't rely on this advice completely but consult a good lawyer as the laws keep changing.
more...
anil
04-02 11:20 AM
I would rather fight it here without sending her to India (it happened to me). If you (primary) are living here legally with all your past H1's available in hand, then you hire a gora lawyer. Don't go to Murthy or Rajiv Khanna, they charge hefty. Basically what you need to do is -
1) Your wife writes an affidavit on legal note explaining the whole story that she forgot, but has been maintaining the status legally until then. (the lawyer will help you with this). You have to build a case they you are living legally with a good intent but just forgot to renew...
2) Attach all H1/H4 copies of yourself and her with I-94.
3) Fill in H4 renewal application
3) Have the lawyer send all paperwork it to INS asap
When INS sees the legal note from attorney, they understand the case is legitimate and mostly approve her H4 renewal. This is what I did when it happened to my wife, and it got approved. However we delayed by 2 weeks. Worst case, you would fight the case in a federal court to prove your innocence, and they just approve it then.
1) Your wife writes an affidavit on legal note explaining the whole story that she forgot, but has been maintaining the status legally until then. (the lawyer will help you with this). You have to build a case they you are living legally with a good intent but just forgot to renew...
2) Attach all H1/H4 copies of yourself and her with I-94.
3) Fill in H4 renewal application
3) Have the lawyer send all paperwork it to INS asap
When INS sees the legal note from attorney, they understand the case is legitimate and mostly approve her H4 renewal. This is what I did when it happened to my wife, and it got approved. However we delayed by 2 weeks. Worst case, you would fight the case in a federal court to prove your innocence, and they just approve it then.
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Krilnon
02-08 04:45 PM
Voters: 89
freeskier89
Suspicious. :P
Anyways, yay.
freeskier89
Suspicious. :P
Anyways, yay.
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ivdude
10-02 02:00 PM
Literally, windsor(Canada) and Detroit (USA) are seperated by river, so keeping GC and PR is like riding in two boats ... not possible. While Canadians are liberal in allowing their immigrants to travel daily into US to conduct their jobs ( that brings easy tax $$), it would be inconvienent to track daily movements out of country for GC. Remember at US citizenship, you will be asked to provide detailed log of trvels outside the country. So trip to Windsor is technically outside the country.
I had Canadian PR and am giving it up, because I finally got GC. With GCI can trvel freely into Canada. Plus even before Canadian PR, I never lived in Canada nor do I plan to in future. So why bother.
Did you hand over PR Cards to canadian govt or nothing has to be done.
I had Canadian PR and am giving it up, because I finally got GC. With GCI can trvel freely into Canada. Plus even before Canadian PR, I never lived in Canada nor do I plan to in future. So why bother.
Did you hand over PR Cards to canadian govt or nothing has to be done.
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ys2jax
07-14 09:38 AM
i thought india EB quota had a hard constraint of 7% but 17000 seems to be much higher than that out of the total 140K, can somebody explain
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pady
08-28 11:45 AM
Hi, I got the Email response for my SR as follows. Not sure if this is a Standard Responde. throw your inputs.
==================================
The status of this service request is:
Your case is currently under review. You should receive a decision or notice of other action within 60 days of the date of this letter.
If you have any further questions, please call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.
==================================
The status of this service request is:
Your case is currently under review. You should receive a decision or notice of other action within 60 days of the date of this letter.
If you have any further questions, please call the National Customer Service Center at 1-800-375-5283.
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sapota
10-18 06:03 PM
Thats not true.. A few days back I read on IV forum itself that around 10K were wasted this year too.
Was it reported from AILA or ombudsman or someone making prediction? A few days ago, USCIS issued a report saying that they approved 60k GCs due to the July fiasco. That should cover all available visa numbers for FY 2007.
From Oh law breaking news :
10/17/2007: Total of 60,000+ EB-485 Applications Adjudicated During July-August-September by NSC and TSC
* AILA has reported that during the period of July, August, and September 2007, Nebraska Service Center and Texas Service Center adjudicated 60,000 plus EB-485 applications. Since EB visa number was unavailable for the entire EB cases in August, presumedly a substantial portion of these cases could include those cases for which the EB visa numbers were pull out before July 2, 2007 in June and adjudicated throughout the period as reported by some I-485 applicants who reported that their I-485 applications were approved when the visa number was unavailable. Interesting.
Was it reported from AILA or ombudsman or someone making prediction? A few days ago, USCIS issued a report saying that they approved 60k GCs due to the July fiasco. That should cover all available visa numbers for FY 2007.
From Oh law breaking news :
10/17/2007: Total of 60,000+ EB-485 Applications Adjudicated During July-August-September by NSC and TSC
* AILA has reported that during the period of July, August, and September 2007, Nebraska Service Center and Texas Service Center adjudicated 60,000 plus EB-485 applications. Since EB visa number was unavailable for the entire EB cases in August, presumedly a substantial portion of these cases could include those cases for which the EB visa numbers were pull out before July 2, 2007 in June and adjudicated throughout the period as reported by some I-485 applicants who reported that their I-485 applications were approved when the visa number was unavailable. Interesting.
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MerciesOfInjustices
03-06 08:32 PM
All,
In every campaign, every battle, there is a bunch of people who move the agenda forward, and there is a bunch of people who sit on the sidelines predicting the worst. Gnashing their teeth, ruing their fate, wondering if the people who are working are working hard enough...
...Read our basic documents and educate yourselves. I'm continually shocked by the number of people caught in this jam who can't be bothered to read about the mess they are in. If you are wondering which documents -- go to the Resources for lawmaker meetings page -- that has a list of 5 with links.
best,
Berkeleybee
Well said!
There are 270,000 in retrogression and nearly double this number in back-logs. If you wonder where are they, I think you will end up spending all of your time doing that!
I hear the refrain everywhere that - "they" will do something because of the sheer numbers, and the basic fairness of the US!
Please do not count on it! Our hopes failed once last year, and it can very well happen again! The cause is just, but it can only succeed if there is a clamor for it! So, call your lawmakers, and send personal emails to others to make them do so.
Send personal emails to members of the Indian community urging them to recall their days of struggle, and now contribute to those in the struggling phase.
Organize 'chai-samosa' or 'idli-sambar' fund-raisers, for God's sake, if nothing else - to raise funds!
Time is of essence - we may have just a month or two to board this bus together, or wait for the next one, God knows when!
In every campaign, every battle, there is a bunch of people who move the agenda forward, and there is a bunch of people who sit on the sidelines predicting the worst. Gnashing their teeth, ruing their fate, wondering if the people who are working are working hard enough...
...Read our basic documents and educate yourselves. I'm continually shocked by the number of people caught in this jam who can't be bothered to read about the mess they are in. If you are wondering which documents -- go to the Resources for lawmaker meetings page -- that has a list of 5 with links.
best,
Berkeleybee
Well said!
There are 270,000 in retrogression and nearly double this number in back-logs. If you wonder where are they, I think you will end up spending all of your time doing that!
I hear the refrain everywhere that - "they" will do something because of the sheer numbers, and the basic fairness of the US!
Please do not count on it! Our hopes failed once last year, and it can very well happen again! The cause is just, but it can only succeed if there is a clamor for it! So, call your lawmakers, and send personal emails to others to make them do so.
Send personal emails to members of the Indian community urging them to recall their days of struggle, and now contribute to those in the struggling phase.
Organize 'chai-samosa' or 'idli-sambar' fund-raisers, for God's sake, if nothing else - to raise funds!
Time is of essence - we may have just a month or two to board this bus together, or wait for the next one, God knows when!
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pointlesswait
01-28 05:21 PM
Obama's Father.. was from kenya :D
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tor78
08-20 03:22 PM
Just curious, how did they find out?
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sweet_jungle
11-17 12:26 AM
it is the primary applicat's status which matters. spouse can be on any non immigrant status to file for I-485.
Once spouse's I-485 will be filed, F1 will become invalid but will become AOS applicant. AOS is a status by itself and you will not be out of status. Spouse will be eligible for EAD and AP to work and travel. There is no need to convert back to H4 before filing for I-485.
The only danger is if for some reason, I-485 is denied, then AOS status becomes invalid and then it will be out of status. In that case, primary applicant should have maintained H1 status (used H1 transfer to change jobs instead of EAD and used H1 visa to travel instead of AP) and that can be used for re-instatement of status of spouse back to H4.
In summary, bringing back to H4 before filing for I-485 might be safer but may be impractical as the conversion will take time and in that time, one might miss the priority date window which will change month to month. Also, if spouse is using F1 to work, conversion back to H4 will require stoppage of work till EAD.
Once spouse's I-485 will be filed, F1 will become invalid but will become AOS applicant. AOS is a status by itself and you will not be out of status. Spouse will be eligible for EAD and AP to work and travel. There is no need to convert back to H4 before filing for I-485.
The only danger is if for some reason, I-485 is denied, then AOS status becomes invalid and then it will be out of status. In that case, primary applicant should have maintained H1 status (used H1 transfer to change jobs instead of EAD and used H1 visa to travel instead of AP) and that can be used for re-instatement of status of spouse back to H4.
In summary, bringing back to H4 before filing for I-485 might be safer but may be impractical as the conversion will take time and in that time, one might miss the priority date window which will change month to month. Also, if spouse is using F1 to work, conversion back to H4 will require stoppage of work till EAD.
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meridiani.planum
04-07 05:00 PM
Can we get an appointment with the President and explain the problems faced by EB immigrants....
1. Travel restrictions (no travel during H1 extension etc..)
2. Driver license issues
3. Wasted Visa numbers
4. Inefficiency of USCIS
5. Need to increase EB quota
just get in line there in the Rose Garden, right behind Al-Maliki as he explains why everything is going kaboooom in Iraq, and in front of Bernanke as he explains why everything is going kaboooom in the economy. When its your turn do tell the president about the inefficiency of the USCIS.
1. Travel restrictions (no travel during H1 extension etc..)
2. Driver license issues
3. Wasted Visa numbers
4. Inefficiency of USCIS
5. Need to increase EB quota
just get in line there in the Rose Garden, right behind Al-Maliki as he explains why everything is going kaboooom in Iraq, and in front of Bernanke as he explains why everything is going kaboooom in the economy. When its your turn do tell the president about the inefficiency of the USCIS.
senthil1
06-26 02:30 PM
My view is immigration intent part will not impact much. Just it is giving more power to consulate. Consulate may reject some candidates who are not having strong job offers. It is similar to F1 visa. But nowadays F1 visa rejections are very less compared to past
Could you please point out the section where it says dual intent for H1 will be removed ?
Could you please point out the section where it says dual intent for H1 will be removed ?
ekkatip
10-15 12:25 PM
SR --> Service request
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