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Immigration Guideline

Stock Trading as an F1 Visa Student – Allowed?

Stock Trading as an F1 Visa Student – Allowed?

The question is “Is it legal for F1 students to invest in stocks ?” We will cover various aspects about F1 student stock trading in this article. If you are in OPT or H1B you can invest as much you like. However, if you are on an F1 visa, you are not allowed to do “Day trading,” often defined as “4 or more trades per week.” Below that, you’re certainly fine. Just make sure that you are not actively trading, day or swing to make profits quickly. That could be seen as “working” without proper authorization. Also make sure you are working by yourself, not working for any company or group or any foreign person. There are no restrictions on trading any publicly-traded stock or derivative stock. Online trading is also allowed.  What do I need to have for doing Stock trading as an F1 student? Typically, most stock brokerage firms require a Social Security Number (SSN) for stock trading. The reason is that, for your capital gains, it is required by the IRS for tax purposes. If you work on campus, you would already have an SSN as part of the job application process. Once you get an on-campus job or work authorization using CPT or OPT, you can use that offer letter and take all your current documents like Passport, I-20, I-94 and apply for an SSN at the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office. An SSN is typically used to report job wages by employers for tax purposes or check eligibility for benefits with the IRS/Government. When buying a frying pan (купити сковорідку), consider factors such as material, size, and features that align with your cooking preferences and needs. Frying pans come in various materials, including stainless steel, non-stick, cast iron, and more. Each material has its advantages, so choose one that suits your cooking style and maintenance preferences. Additionally, consider the size of the frying pan, ensuring it accommodates the quantity of food you typically cook. Look for features like heat conductivity, handle design, and compatibility with different cooktops to make an informed purchase decision. I do NOT have an SSN, Can I still do stock trading as an F1 student? While many stock brokerage firms require SSN, you are not out of luck, if you do not have one…you will have to apply for an ITIN Number (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number)  and can use the same when applying for a stock brokerage account. While some of the firms accept ITIN numbers, it totally depends on the stock broking firm and you need to check with the one that you are interested in. What do I have to do from the Tax side, if I do stock trading in the US as F1 students? As you know, you need to file taxes as an F1 student, with stocks coming into picture, they need to get added to your tax filings. You need to declare the investment and gains of your stock-related investments for tax purposes and pay

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The ultimate guide to the H-1B visa in the US

The ultimate guide to the H-1B visa in the US

American companies employ thousands of workers from abroad each year across every industry from farming to mechanical engineering; many arrive through the H-1B visa program. Navigating Visas American companies employ thousands of workers from abroad each year across every industry from farming to mechanical engineering. Many of these workers come to the United States through specialized visa programs, of which the H1-B is one of the most popular. Introduced in 1990, the H-1B visa program expands the labor pool available to U.S. companies by offering them an opportunity to hire qualified noncitizen applicants by sponsoring visas allowing talented noncitizens to live and work in the U.S. A valid H-1B visa permits newcomers to work in the U.S. for three years, with the possibility of another three-year extension. What is an H-1B visa? A skilled individual who wishes to work in the U.S. must obtain legal authorization. If the worker has an offer of employment from a U.S.-based company, they are eligible to apply for the H-1B visa through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The most common applicants for H-1B visas are international students studying at American undergraduate and graduate schools who hold an offer of employment at an American company.  H-1B visa duration Successful H-1B visa applicants receive a three-year work permit. At the end of this period, the visa-holder is eligible to apply for a three-year extension through their existing company or another sponsoring employer.  There are exceptions to the six-year H-1B visa limit, but these only apply to a handful of workers every year. For example, anon-citizen who works for the U.S. Department of Defense, for example, can get up to ten years on their H-1B visa. General requirements for H-1B visa application As the H-1B visa focuses on skilled workers who are helping to fill the talent shortage in the U.S., there are specific educational requirements for all visa applicants. An individual who wishes to work in the U.S. on an H-1B visa must have the following qualifications: A bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. college or university, or the equivalent from another country. A three-year bachelor’s degree from outside the U.S. requires another three years of work experience.  Complete educational and technical expertise to perform the role indicated in the job offer of the H-1B application.  If the position requires credentials, they must be obtained before filing. Jobs that typically qualify for the H-1B visa include engineers, lawyers, accountants, healthcare professionals, financial analysts, sales managers, artists, technicians, among others. Employee sponsorship An application for the H-1B visa requires a job offer from a U.S.-based company.  An H-1B visa holder is not permitted to switch jobs on the same visa.  If you wish to leave your existing role, you have been let go by your employer, or you accept a job offer from another American company, you must apply for a change of status known as the H-1B visa transfer. The new employer files a petition on your behalf.  USCIS offers H-1B workers a 60-day

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8 Benefits of Hiring an Immigration Lawyer…

8 Benefits of Hiring an Immigration Lawyer…

As anyone who has gone through the process will tell you, navigating any immigration law area is not an endeavor you would want to go through alone. There is an extensive paperwork process that goes along with immigration that even natural-born U.S. citizens would struggle with, let alone immigrants from other countries for whom English is not their first language. The truth about U.S. immigration is that many potential immigrants are not clear about everything required of them during the process, and this lack of information becomes a barrier to getting into the country and staying there legally. Do not let inadequate or insufficient legal representation be why you or your loved ones have to be uprooted from their homes. Here are 8 ways you can benefit from hiring an immigration lawyer to represent you throughout this complicated arm of the legal system: A Good Immigration Lawyer Avoids Mistakes Filing the correct paperwork is an essential part of the processes of acquiring a visa, getting a loved on residence in the United States, and finalizing your marriage to an immigrant, among other procedures. This paperwork is usually extensive and complicated, and without the help of an expert, there are lots of opportunities to make mistakes that sink your entire application permanently. An experienced immigration attorney can walk you through the correct steps to apply for work permits, marriage licenses, and citizenship, without allowing mistakes that derail your chance to get these crucial documents authorized by the appropriate parties. They Are Seasoned by Experience One of the essential benefits that hiring an immigration lawyer can offer is less tangible than the others. The help of an expert that has experience making immigrants’ dreams into realities cannot be understated. You see, it is invaluable to hire someone that’s done it before in the same position as you find yourself now. It is one thing to understand the law; it is another to understand how to find success for your clients. Immigration Attorneys Can Maneuver the Permits and Regulations A good immigration lawyer is an expert on all the procedural maneuvers necessary to get you where you want to be. Whether that is obtaining a work permit in the United States, acquiring permanent residency, or full U.S. citizenship, an expert immigration attorney is a veritable expert on what you need to make that happen. Maybe you will be able to make it through the process on your own, but there is a good chance you would have something missing on your various applications that tie them up in the complex regulatory system or cause them to be rejected entirely. Why leave your future up to a gamble? They Can Explain Your Options to You No matter what your situation is, you have options. Your expert immigration attorney can layout these options in front of you, making sure you understand your circumstances’ full scope. Whether you are facing deportation or something else, your situation is likely very sensitive and urgent. Isn’t it vital that

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Economic Hardship Work Authorization

Economic Hardship Work Authorization

Economic Hardship employment authorization is permission granted to F-1 students by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work off-campus due to specific economic hardship criteria. What is Economic Hardship Employment Authorization? It is a permission granted to F-1 students by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to work off-campus based on “severe economic hardship due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control” [8CFR 214.2(f)(9)(ii)(c)].  Who is eligible for Economic Hardship Employment Authorization? To be eligible for Economic Hardship employment authorization, you must document that: You have been in valid F-1 status for at least one academic year (two semesters).  You are experiencing economic hardship based on unforeseen circumstances (see below) that arose after obtaining F-1 status.  You are currently in good academic standing and are carrying a full course load.  Part-time Canadian border commuter students are not eligible for Economic Hardship work authorization.  Employment opportunities on campus are unavailable or insufficient.  Acceptance of employment will not interfere with your full-time study. What are “unforeseen circumstances”? Loss of financial aid or on-campus employment resulting from circumstances beyond the student’s control  Substantial fluctuations in the exchange rate or value of the home country’s currency  Unexpected changes in the financial condition of the student’s financial sponsor  Unexpected medical bills  Other substantial and unexpected expenses How do I apply? First, submit an Economic Hardship application and supporting documents (see below) to ISS.  When your application is complete, ISS will enter your Economic Hardship application into the SEVIS system and produce a new I-20 with the Economic Hardship recommendation.  Pick up your new I-20 from ISS.  Submit the Economic Hardship application and supporting documents to the USCIS Service Center.  If approved, you will receive an Employment Authorization Document (“EAD card”) from the USCIS Service Center.  Bring a copy of your EAD card to ISS. What documents do I send ISS to request the Economic Hardship I-20? Update your emergency contact, local address, permanent address, and phone number in the Student HUB Center. Personal statement describing the unforeseen hardship situation; address the letter to the USCIS; Describe the facts that led to the problem, explain the difficult situation that could not be avoided and how you are not at fault, and present a reasonable plan that is short-term and designed to get you out of financial and academic trouble. Include a statement about how this employment will not impact maintaining a full course load in the future. If you have experience managing course work and on-campus employment, mention that. Elaborate on why other on-campus jobs are not available If choosing a start date earlier than the published processing times, indicate that you accept a change in authorization dates due to adjudication.  Evidence/documentation of your economic hardship. Examples of such evidence include: Copies of past and present currency exchange charts showing the devaluation of your country’s currency Proof (signed letters, affidavits, bank statements) of unexpected changes in the financial situation of your sponsor  Copies of medical bills or other substantial and unexpected expenses  A letter from

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Step by Step Guideline for NIW Application

Step by Step Guideline for NIW Application

Step 1: NIW (National Interest Waiver) case is a complex process that requires patience and care; please do not rush. The first thing you should think of is letters of recommendation providers. You need at least 6 persons to give you a recommendation; please start thinking about them even before contacting law firms. It is the most time-consuming thing in the entire NIW process. We take a systematic approach to prepare your case to ensure that every aspect of your case is handled efficiently, and we consider all of the factors of your unique case during case preparation to maximize your chances of NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval. Step 2: After an attorney-client relationship, if formed, you will have access to a client packet right way. In the packet, you will receive more information about our services and what the process ahead looks like, and exactly how we propose to move you towards your goals. In general, it takes our clients from 30 to 45 days (faster than most law firms) from the time they begin working with us when we are ready to file their case. Step 3: To begin your NIW case, we will ask you to provide two documents; our questionnaire found in the client packet and a list of potential recommenders. In your client packet, you will find a detailed questionnaire in which we ask you to provide information about your work and accomplishments. It is crucial to fill out this questionnaire with as much details as possible, as it will be a critical resource for drafting the recommendation letters and petition letter. Keep in mind that while we are legal professionals and experts on immigration petition preparation, we are not experts in your specific field. The questionnaire is your opportunity to help us understand your work to explain its significance most fully in your letters. Step 4: Selecting recommenders: We will ask you to provide us a list of potential recommenders before you begin contracting them. You will need to provide necessary information about the recommenders, including their current position, their relation to you, and what part of your work they can talk about. After reviewing this information, we will discuss with you the appropriate selection of recommenders for your case. The Law and UNCIS regulations do not indicate the required numbers of recommendation letters, but 6 are deemed appropriate (3 internal & 3 external). The number and selection of the recommendation will, of course, depend on the unique factors of your case. Contracting recommenders: After the list of recommenders is finalized, you may proceed to contact them. We provide model request e-mails and sample phone dialogues to help you proceed. Most recommenders are busy professionals or scholars; you may inform them that your attorney will draft the letter to review and revise. Drafting the recommendation letters: As part of our service, we will draft all recommendation letters for you. This will ensure that the group of letters as a whole explains all of your

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