Israeli Business Network-DC Strategy and Solutions for Today s

Israeli Business Network-DC Strategy and Solutions for Today’s Immigration Challenges By: Michael L. Kabik, Esq. © 2008 Immigration, Nationality & Consular Practice Group Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, Maryland 20852 -2743 Telephone: (301) 231 -0937 Facsimile: (301) 230 -2891 E-Mail: mkabik@srgpe. com Web Site: www. shulmanrogers. com February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 1

Work Visas and Permanent Residence H-1 B “Specialty Occupation” F-1 Optional Practical Training (“OPT”) Visa Alternatives to H-1 B & OPT PERM Greencard Sponsorship February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 2

H-1 B “Specialty Occupation” H-1 B – “Specialty Occupation” Employer-Specific Professional • Requires Bachelor’s degree or equivalent – CIS work experience 3: 1 rule 3 Year validity period • 6 year max. • Extensions beyond 6 year max. in limited circumstances H-1 B Cap = 195, 000 in FY-2003 H-1 B Cap = 65, 000 in FY-2004 and later February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 3

H-1 B “Specialty Occupation” H-1 B “Portability” Greatly simplifies mobility among employers H-1 B workers can start new employment • Upon filing of new “non-frivolous” H-1 B Petition – Subject to final approval of new H-1 B Petition • Need not wait for approval of H-1 B Petition to begin work February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 4

H-1 B “Specialty Occupation” H-1 B “Portability” Requirements • Lawfully admitted to U. S. • New petition filed prior to expiration of authorized stay – CIS has discretion to forgive “lapse in status” • No prior employment w/o authorization February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 5

H-1 B “Specialty Occupation” H-1 B Cap FY-2008 H-1 B Cap reached 4/2/07 • First day of H-1 B filing window for FY-2008 10/1/07 start dates Only non-cap H-1 B’s approvable until FY 2009 (start dates beginning 10/1/08) File H-1 B Petition for FY-2009 start dates up to 6 months early • Beginning 4/1/08 February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 6

H-1 B “Specialty Occupation” H-1 B Cap Exemptions Institutions of higher education Nonprofit entities related to or affiliated with institutions of higher education Nonprofit research organizations Governmental research organizations February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 7

H-1 B “Specialty Occupation” H-1 B Cap Exemptions Holders of U. S. Masters or higher degrees • 20, 000 H-1 B cap exemptions each fiscal year • FY-2007 cap reached 4/30/07 February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 8

H-1 B “Specialty Occupation” H-1 B Cap Exemptions Prospective H-1 B employees previously granted H-1 B status • In the past 6 years • Not left U. S. for >1 year attaining H-1 B status • Not previously worked for a cap-exempt organization/not counted against the H-1 B cap in past 6 years February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 9

F-1 OPT F-1 – Optional Practical Training University students 1 year cumulative validity period (per degree) includes • Breaks during degree • Post degree Limited to field related to academic study Non-employer specific February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 10

F-1 OPT F-1 – Optional Practical Training Impact of future expirations F-1 60 -day grace period • Without employment authorization Past FY’s CIS “Cap Gap” regulation for F-1 with D/S • Maintenance of valid status February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 11

H-1 B and F-1 OPT H-1 B cap issues for F-1 OPT Recruitment Strategic planning to avoid • Delayed start new H-1 B employees • Interruptions to existing employees changing to H-1 B status February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 12

H-1 B and F-1 OPT Strategic Planning FY-2008 H-1 B cap exhausted on first day of filing 4/2/07 When will FY-2009 H-1 B cap hit? Accelerate future H-1 B Filings for F-1 OPT’s Identify potential employees not subject to H-1 B cap February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 13

Visa Alternatives to -1 B & OPT H E-1 – Treaty Trader L-1 – Intracompany Transferee O-1 – Extraordinary Ability J-1 – Trainee February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 14

E-1 Treaty Trader E-1 – Treaty Trader Employer Specific No prior employment req’d (unlike L-1) Treaty must exist – U. S. & other country Majority ownership/control of U. S. entity • At least 50% by treaty country nationals Alien must be citizen of treaty country 2 Year maximum visa validity period • Indefinite extensions February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 15

E-1 Treaty Trader Application Options • Primary jurisdiction @ U. S. embassies and consulates abroad – No CIS approval required • Alternative application to CIS if in U. S. – If depart U. S. , must apply for visa @ U. S. embassy or consulate abroad • Change/Extension of status with CIS in U. S. February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 16

E-1 Treaty Trader E-1 Special Requirements Trade • Exchange, purchase, or sale of goods, services or technology Substantial • No minimum dollar threshold • Volume of trade • Number of transactions • Includes binding contracts • Continued course of trade February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 17

E-1 Treaty Trader E-1 Special Requirements Principally with U. S. • 50%+ of total volume of international trade of the U. S. entity must consist of trade between U. S. and treaty country Duties • Supervisory, Executive, Managerial • Highly Specialized Essential Skills • Not including “ordinarily skilled” workers February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 18

L-1 Intracompany Transferee L-1 – Intracompany Transferee Employer specific Alien must be employed abroad by foreign entity • 1 continuous year out of prior 3 years • In “Executive, ” “Managerial, ” or “Specialized Knowledge” position • Transfer to U. S. to fill “Executive, ” “Managerial, ” or “Specialized Knowledge” position February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 19

L-1 Intracompany Transferee L-1 – Intracompany Transferee Foreign entity must be related to U. S. company • Same company • Subsidiary • Affiliate February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 20

L-1 Intracompany Transferee L-1 – Intracompany Transferee Ownership/Control • 50%+ ownership • Effective control – With <50% ownership February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 21

L-1 Intracompany Transferee L-1 – Intracompany Transferee Qualifying Organization • Doing business in U. S. and other country • During whole period of transfer February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 22

L-1 Intracompany Transferee L-1 – Intracompany Transferee L-1 A -- Executives & Managers L-1 B -- Specialized Knowledge Personnel Visa Validity Terms • 5 -7 Year Maximum (3 years initially) • Start-ups (1 year initially) EB-1 Greencard Benefit February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 23

O-1 Extraordinary Ability O-1 – Extraordinary Ability Employer specific Aliens of “Extraordinary Ability” • Sciences, Arts, Education, Business & Athletics 3 Year maximum visa validity period • Unlimited extensions EB-1 Greencard Benefit February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 24

O-1 Extraordinary Ability O-1 Criteria Receipt of a major internationally recognized award • e. g. , the Nobel Prize Receipt of 3/10 of other forms documentation February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 25

O-1 Extraordinary Ability O-1 – 3/10 Criteria Nationally/Intl’ly recognized prizes/awards • for excellence in the field of endeavor Membership in associations in the field • which require outstanding achievements • as judged by recognized nat’l or int’l experts Published material about the person • in professional or major trade publications or other major media February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 26

O-1 Extraordinary Ability O-1 – 3/10 Criteria Participation (on a panel or individually) as a judge of the work of others in the field Original scientific, scholastic, artistic, athletic or business-related contributions • of major significance in the field Authorship of scholarly articles in the field • in professional journals or major media February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 27

O-1 Extraordinary Ability O-1 – 3/10 Criteria Employment in a critical or essential capacity • for organizations or establishments that have distinguished reputations High salary or other high remuneration • in relation to others in the field Other comparable evidence February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 28

J-1 Trainee J-1 – Trainee Exchange Visitor Designation Training not available in home country Dept. of State jurisdiction Apply via DOS approved Program Sponsors 18 Month maximum February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 29

PERM Greencard Sponsorship Permanent Residence Sponsorship Based upon shortage of qualified U. S. workers • In metropolitan area of job location • Willing to work for the “prevailing wage” Requires attempted job recruitment February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 30

PERM Greencard Sponsorship PERM Process Electronic Filing • Decisions expected within 60 -120 days Pre-filing recruitment and compliance • 90 -120 days average February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 31

PERM Greencard Sponsorship PERM Requirements Prior employer recruitment Attestations • Compliance • Non-discrimination Strict recruitment requirements DOL audits • Up to 5 years after filing February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 32

PERM Greencard Sponsorship Employer Recruitment Window • 180 days to 30 days before filing Professional positions • 2 Sunday ads in general circulation newspaper • Or 1 Sunday ad in newspaper and 1 ad in professional journal February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 33

PERM Greencard Sponsorship Employer Recruitment 3 out of 10 alternate forms of recruitment • 1. • 2. • 3. • 4. • 5. February 27, 2008 Job Fair On-Campus Recruiting Employer Website Trade or Professional Organization Job Search Website Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 34

PERM Greencard Sponsorship Employer Recruitment 3 out of 10 alternate forms of recruitment • 6. Private Employment Firm • 7. Employee Referral Program • 8. Campus Placement Office • 9. Local or Ethnic Newspaper • 10. Radio or TV ads 1 of above can be within 30 days of filing February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 35

PERM Greencard Sponsorship Other Requirements Job Order with State Workforce Agency Prevailing Wage Request with State Workforce Agency Internal Posting at Employer Site In House Media Posting February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 36

PERM Greencard Sponsorship Other Requirements Must interview qualified applicants Can only reject for lawful, job-related reasons Prepare and retain recruitment report No restrictive requirements unless justified by business necessity February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 37

PERM Greencard Sponsorship DOL Audit Must maintain audit file for 5 years, including: • Recruitment report justifying those disqualified • Proof of business necessity • Proof of advertising and alternate forms of recruitment • Prevailing Wage Determination • Posting Notice Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, February 27, 2008 Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 38

Legal Disclaimer Facts of individual cases differ The information provided herein is general in nature and should not be relied upon Consult with an experienced immigration attorney with regard to specific cases February 27, 2008 Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy & Ecker, P. A. 39