Immigration Attorney
Temporary Employees
(1) Admission of temporary employees —(i) General. Under section 101(a)(15)(H) of the Act, an alien may be authorized to come to the United States temporarily to perform services or labor for, or to receive training from, an employer, if petitioned for by that employer. Under this nonimmigrant category, the alien may be classified as follows: under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(c) of the Act as a registered nurse; under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the Act as an alien who is coming to perform services in a specialty occupation, services relating to a Department of Defense (DOD) cooperative research and development project or coproduction project, or services as a fashion model who is of distinguished merit and ability; under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Act as an alien who is coming to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature; under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) of the Act as an alien coming to perform other temporary services or labor; or under section 101(a)(15)(H)(iii) of the Act as an alien who is coming as a trainee or as a participant in a special education exchange visitor program. These classifications are called H–1C, H–1B, H–2A, H–2B, and H–3, respectively. The employer must file a petition with the Service for review of the services or training and for determination of the alien’s eligibility for classification as a temporary employee or trainee, before the alien may apply for a visa or seek admission to the United States. This paragraph sets forth the standards and procedures applicable to these classifications.
(ii) Description of classifications. (A) An H–1C classification applies to an alien who is coming temporarily to the United States to perform services as a registered nurse, meets the requirements of section 212(m)(1) of the Act, and will perform services at a facility (as defined at section 212(m)(6) of the Act) for which the Secretary of Labor has determined and certified to the Attorney General that an unexpired attestation is on file and in effect under section 212(m)(2) of the Act. This classification will expire 4 years from June 11, 2001.
(B) An H–1B classification applies to an alien who is coming temporarily to the United States:
( 1 ) To perform services in a specialty occupation (except agricultural workers, and aliens described in section 101(a)(15) (O) and (P) of the Act) described in section 214(i)(1) of the Act, that meets the requirements of section 214(i)(2) of the Act, and for whom the Secretary of Labor has determined and certified to the Attorney General that the prospective employer has filed a labor condition application under section 212(n)(1) of the Act;
( 2 ) To perform services of an exceptional nature requiring exceptional merit and ability relating to a cooperative research and development project or a coproduction project provided for under a Government-to-Government agreement administered by the Secretary of Defense;
( 3 ) To perform services as a fashion model of distinguished merit and ability and for whom the Secretary of Labor has determined and certified to the Attorney General that the prospective employer has filed a labor condition application under section 212(n)(1) of the Act.
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(C) An H–2A classification applies to an alien who is coming temporarily to the United States to perform agricultural work of a temporary or seasonal nature.
(D) An H–2B classification applies to an alien who is coming temporarily to the United States to perform nonagricultural work of a temporary or seasonal nature, if there are not sufficient workers who are able, willing, qualified, and available at the time of application for a visa and admission to the United States and at the place where the alien is to perform such services or labor. This classification does not apply to graduates of medical schools coming to the United States to perform services as members of the medical profession. The temporary or permanent nature of the services or labor described on the approved temporary labor certification are subject to review by USCIS. This classification requires a temporary labor certification issued by the Secretary of Labor or the Governor of Guam prior to the filing of a petition with USCIS.
(E) An H–3 classification applies to an alien who is coming temporarily to the United States:
( 1 ) As a trainee, other than to receive graduate medical education or training, or training provided primarily at or by an academic or vocational institution, or
( 2 ) As a participant in a special education exchange visitor program which provides for practical training and experience in the education of children with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.
(2) Petitions —(i) Filing of petitions —
(A) General. A United States employer seeking to classify an alien as an H–1B, H–2A, H–2B, or H–3 temporary employee must file a petition on Form I–129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, as provided in the form instructions.
(B) Service or training in more than one location . A petition that requires services to be performed or training to be received in more than one location must include an itinerary with the dates and locations of the services or training and must be filed with USCIS as provided in the form instructions. The address that the petitioner specifies as its location on the Form I–129 shall be where the petitioner is located for purposes of this paragraph.
(C) Services or training for more than one employer. If the beneficiary will perform nonagricultural services for, or receive training from, more than one employer, each employer must file a separate petition with USCIS as provided in the form instructions.
(D) Change of employers. If the alien is in the United States and seeks to change employers, the prospective new employer must file a petition on Form I–129 requesting classification and an extension of the alien’s stay in the United States. If the new petition is approved, the extension of stay may be granted for the validity of the approved petition. The validity of the petition and the alien’s extension of stay must conform to the limits on the alien’s temporary stay that are prescribed in paragraph (h)(13) of this section. Except as provided by 8 CFR 274a.12(b)(21) or section 214(n) of the Act, 8 U.S.C. 1184(n), the alien is not authorized to begin the employment with the new petitioner until the petition is approved. An H–1C nonimmigrant alien may not change employers.
(E) Amended or new petition. The petitioner shall file an amended or new petition, with fee, with the Service Center where the original petition was filed to reflect any material changes in the terms and conditions of employment or training or the alien’s eligibility as specified in the original approved petition. An amended or new H–1C, H–1B, H–2A, or H–2B petition must be accompanied by a current or new Department of Labor determination. In the case of an H–1B petition, this requirement includes a new labor condition application.
(F) Agents as petitioners. A United States agent may file a petition in cases involving workers who are traditionally self-employed or workers who use agents to arrange short-term employment on their behalf with numerous employers, and in cases where a foreign employer authorizes the agent to act on its behalf. A United States agent may be: the actual employer of the beneficiary, the representative of both the employer and the beneficiary, or, a person or entity authorized by the employer to act for, or in place of, the employer as it agent. A petition filed by a United States agent is subject to the following conditions;
( 1 ) An agent performing the function of an employer must guarantee the wages and other terms and conditions of employment by contractual agreement with the beneficiary or beneficiaries of the petition. The agent/employer must also provide an itinerary of definite employment and information on any other services planned for the period of time requested.
( 2 ) A person or company in business as an agent may file the H petition involving multiple employers as the representative of both the employers and the beneficiary or beneficiaries if the supporting documentation includes a complete itinerary of services or engagements. The itinerary shall specify the dates of each service or engagement, the names and addresses of the actual employers, and the names and addresses of the establishment, venues, or locations where the services will be performed. In questionable cases, a contract between the employers and the beneficiary or beneficiaries may be required. The burden is on the agent to explain the terms and conditions of the employment and to provide any required documentation.
( 3 ) A foreign employer who, through a United States agent, files a petition for an H nonimmigrant alien is responsible for complying with all of the employer sanctions provisions of section 274A of the Act and 8 CFR part 274a.
(G) Multiple H–1B petitions. An employer may not file, in the same fiscal year, more than one H–1B petition on behalf of the same alien if the alien is subject to the numerical limitations of section 214(g)(1)(A) of the Act or is exempt from those limitations under section 214(g)(5)(C) of the Act. If an H–1B petition is denied, on a basis other than fraud or misrepresentation, the employer may file a subsequent H–1B petition on behalf of the same alien in the same fiscal year, provided that the numerical limitation has not been reached or if the filing qualifies as exempt from the numerical limitation. Otherwise, filing more than one H–1B petition by an employer on behalf of the same alien in the same fiscal year will result in the denial or revocation of all such petitions. If USCIS believes that related entities (such as a parent company, subsidiary, or affiliate) may not have a legitimate business need to file more than one H–1B petition on behalf of the same alien subject to the numerical limitations of section 214(g)(1)(A) of the Act or otherwise eligible for an exemption under section 214(g)(5)(C) of the Act, USCIS may issue a request for additional evidence or notice of intent to deny, or notice of intent to revoke each petition. If any of the related entities fail to demonstrate a legitimate business need to file an H–1B petition on behalf of the same alien, all petitions filed on that alien’s behalf by the related entities will be denied or revoked.
(ii) Multiple beneficiaries. More than one beneficiary may be included in an H–1C, H–2A, H–2B, or H–3 petition if the beneficiaries will be performing the same service, or receiving the same training, for the same period of time, and in the same location H–2A and H–2B petitions for workers from countries not designated in accordance with paragraph (h)(6)(i)(E) of this section should be filed separately.
(iii) Naming beneficiaries . H–1B, H–1C, and H–3 petitions must include the name of each beneficiary. Except as provided in this paragraph (h), all H–2A and H–2B petitions must include the name of each beneficiary who is currently in the United States, but need not name any beneficiary who is not currently in the United States. Unnamed beneficiaries must be shown on the petition by total number. USCIS may require the petitioner to name H–2B beneficiaries where the name is needed to establish eligibility for H–2B nonimmigrant status. If all of the beneficiaries covered by an H–2A or H–2B temporary labor certification have not been identified at the time a petition is filed, multiple petitions for subsequent beneficiaries may be filed at different times but must include a copy of the same temporary labor certification. Each petition must reference all previously filed petitions associated with that temporary labor certification. All H–2A and H–2B petitions on behalf of workers who are not from a country that has been designated as a participating country in accordance with paragraphs (h)(5)(i)(F)( 1 ) or (h)(6)(i)(E)( 1 ) of this section must name all the workers in the petition who fall within these categories. All H–2A and H–2B petitions must state the nationality of all beneficiaries, whether or not named, even if there are beneficiaries from more than one country.
(iv) [Reserved]
(3) Petition for registered nurse (H–1C) —(i) General. (A) For purposes of H–1C classification, the term “registered nurse” means a person who is or will be authorized by a State Board of Nursing to engage in registered nurse practice in a state or U.S. territory or possession, and who is or will be practicing at a facility which provides health care services.
(B) A United States employer which provides health care services is referred to as a facility. A facility may file an H–1C petition for an alien nurse to perform the services of a registered nurse, if the facility meets the eligibility standards of 20 CFR 655.1111 and the other requirements of the Department of Labor’s regulations in 20 CFR part 655, subpart L.
(C) The position must involve nursing practice and require licensure or other authorization to practice as a registered nurse from the State Board of Nursing in the state of intended employment.
(ii) [Reserved]
(iii) Beneficiary requirements. An H–1C petition for a nurse shall be accompanied by evidence that the nurse:
(A) Has obtained a full and unrestricted license to practice nursing in the country where the alien obtained nursing education, or has received nursing education in the United States;
(B) Has passed the examination given by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), or has obtained a full and unrestricted (permanent) license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of intended employment, or has obtained a full and unrestricted (permanent) license in any state or territory of the United States and received temporary authorization to practice as a registered nurse in the state of intended employment; and
(C) Is fully qualified and eligible under the laws (including such temporary or interim licensing requirements which authorize the nurse to be employed) governing the place of intended employment to practice as a registered nurse immediately upon admission to the United States, and is authorized under such laws to be employed by the employer. For purposes of this paragraph, the temporary or interim licensing may be obtained immediately after the alien enters the United States.
(iv) Petitioner requirements. The petitioning facility shall submit the following with an H–1C petition:
(A) A current copy of the DOL’s notice of acceptance of the filing of its attestation on Form ETA 9081;
(B) A statement describing any limitations which the laws of the state or jurisdiction of intended employment place on the alien’s services; and
(C) Evidence that the alien(s) named on the petition meets the definition of a registered nurse as defined at 8 CFR 214.2(h)(3)(i)(A), and satisfies the requirements contained in section 212(m)(1) of the Act.
(v) Licensure requirements. (A) A nurse who is granted H–1C classification based on passage of the CGFNS examination must, upon admission to the United States, be able to obtain temporary licensure or other temporary authorization to practice as a registered nurse from the State Board of Nursing in the state of intended employment.
(B) An alien who was admitted as an H–1C nonimmigrant on the basis of a temporary license or authorization to practice as a registered nurse must comply with the licensing requirements for registered nurses in the state of intended employment. An alien admitted as an H–1C nonimmigrant is required to obtain a full and unrestricted license if required by the state of intended employment. The Service must be notified pursuant to §214.2(h)(11) when an H–1C nurse is no longer licensed as a registered nurse in the state of intended employment.
(C) A nurse shall automatically lose his or her eligibility for H–1C classification if he or she is no longer performing the duties of a registered professional nurse. Such a nurse is not authorized to remain in employment unless he or she otherwise receives authorization from the Service.
(vi) Other requirements. (A) If the Secretary of Labor notifies the Service that a facility which employs H–1C nonimmigrant nurses has failed to meet a condition in its attestation, or that there was a misrepresentation of a material fact in the attestation, the Service shall not approve petitions for H–1C nonimmigrant nurses to be employed by the facility for a period of at least 1 year from the date of receipt of such notice. The Secretary of Labor shall make a recommendation with respect to the length of debarment. If the Secretary of Labor recommends a longer period of debarment, the Service will give considerable weight to that recommendation.
(B) If the facility’s attestation expires, or is suspended or invalidated by DOL, the Service will not suspend or revoke the facility’s approved petitions for nurses, if the facility has agreed to comply with the terms of the attestation under which the nurses were admitted or subsequent attestations accepted by DOL for the duration of the nurses’ authorized stay.
(4) Petition for alien to perform services in a specialty occupation, services relating to a DOD cooperative research and development project or coproduction project, or services of distinguished merit and ability in the ield of fashion modeling (H–1B) —(i)(A) Types of H–1B classification. An H–1B classification may be granted to an alien who:
( 1 ) Will perform services in a specialty occupation which requires theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and attainment of a baccalaureate or higher degree or its equivalent as a minimum requirement for entry into the occupation in the United States, and who is qualified to perform services in the specialty occupation because he or she has attained a baccalaureate or higher degree or its equivalent in the specialty occupation;
( 2 ) Based on reciprocity, will perform services of an exceptional nature requiring exceptional merit and ability relating to a DOD cooperative research and development project or a coproduction project provided for under a Government-to-Government agreement administered by the Secretary of Defense;
( 3 ) Will perform services in the field of fashion modeling and who is of distinguished merit and ability.
(B) General requirements for petitions involving a specialty occupation. ( 1 ) Before filing a petition for H–1B classification in a specialty occupation, the petitioner shall obtain a certification from the Department of Labor that it has filed a labor condition application in the occupational specialty in which the alien(s) will be employed.
( 2 ) Certification by the Department of Labor of a labor condition application in an occupational classification does not constitute a determination by that agency that the occupation in question is a specialty occupation. The director shall determine if the application involves a specialty occupation as defined in section 214(i)(1) of the Act. The director shall also determine whether the particular alien for whom H–1B classification is sought qualifies to perform services in the specialty occupation as prescribed in section 214(i)(2) of the Act.
( 3 ) If all of the beneficiaries covered by an H–1B labor condition application have not been identified at the time a petition is filed, petitions for newly identified beneficiaries may be filed at any time during the validity of the labor condition application using photocopies of the same application. Each petition must refer by file number to all previously approved petitions for that labor condition application.
( 4 ) When petitions have been approved for the total number of workers specified in the labor condition application, substitution of aliens against previously approved openings shall not be made. A new labor condition application shall be required.
( 5 ) If the Secretary of Labor notifies the Service that the petitioning employer has failed to meet a condition of paragraph (B) of section 212(n)(1) of the Act, has substantially failed to meet a condition of paragraphs (C) or (D) of section 212(n)(1) of the Act, has willfully failed to meet a condition of paragraph (A) of section 212(n)(1) of the Act, or has misrepresented any material fact in the application, the Service shall not approve petitions filed with respect to that employer under section 204 or 214(c) of the Act for a period of at least one year from the date of receipt of such notice.
( 6 ) If the employer’s labor condition application is suspended or invalidated by the Department of Labor, the Service will not suspend or revoke the employer’s approved petitions for aliens already employed in specialty occupations if the employer has certified to the Department of Labor that it will comply with the terms of the labor condition application for the duration of the authorized stay of aliens it employs.
(C) General requirements for petitions involving an alien of distinguished merit and ability in the field of fashion modeling. H–1B classification may be granted to an alien who is of distinguished merit and ability in the field of fashion modeling. An alien of distinguished merit and ability in the field of fashion modeling is one who is prominent in the field of fashion modeling. The alien must also be coming to the United States to perform services which require a fashion model of prominence.
(ii) Definitions .
Prominence means a high level of achievement in the field of fashion modeling evidenced by a degree of skill and recognition substantially above that ordinarily encountered to the extent that a person described as prominent is renowned, leading, or well-known in the field of fashion modeling.
Regonized authority means a person or an organization with expertise in a particular field, special skills or knowledge in that field, and the expertise to render the type of opinion requested. Such an opinion must state:
( 1 ) The writer’s qualifications as an expert;
( 2 ) The writer’s experience giving such opinions, citing specific instances where past opinions have been accepted as authoritative and by whom;
( 3 ) How the conclusions were reached; and
( 4 ) The basis for the conclusions supported by copies or citations of any research material used.
Specialty occupation means an occupation which requires theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge in fields of human endeavor including, but not limited to, architecture, engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, social sciences, medicine and health, education, business specialties, accounting, law, theology, and the arts, and which requires the attainment of a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specific specialty, or its equivalent, as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States.
United States employer means a person, firm, corporation, contractor, or other association, or organization in the United States which:
( 1 ) Engages a person to work within the United States;
( 2 ) Has an employer-employee relationship with respect to employees under this part, as indicated by the fact that it may hire, pay, fire, supervise, or otherwise control the work of any such employee; and
( 3 ) Has an Internal Revenue Service Tax identification number.
(iii) Criteria for H–1B petitions involving a specialty occupation —(A) Standards for specialty occupation position. To qualify as a specialty occupation, the position must meet one of the following criteria:
( 1 ) A baccalaureate or higher degree or its equivalent is normally the minimum requirement for entry into the particular position;
( 2 ) The degree requirement is common to the industry in parallel positions among similar organizations or, in the alternative, an employer may show that its particular position is so complex or unique that it can be performed only by an individual with a degree;
( 3 ) The employer normally requires a degree or its equivalent for the position; or
( 4 ) The nature of the specific duties are so specialized and complex that knowledge required to perform the duties is usually associated with the attainment of a baccalaureate or higher degree.
(B) Petitioner requirements. The petitioner shall submit the following with an H–1B petition involving a specialty occupation:
( 1 ) A certification from the Secretary of Labor that the petitioner has filed a labor condition application with the Secretary,
( 2 ) A statement that it will comply with the terms of the labor condition application for the duration of the alien’s authorized period of stay,
( 3 ) Evidence that the alien qualifies to perform services in the specialty occupation as described in paragraph (h)(4)(iii)(A) of this section, and
(C) Beneficiary qualifications. To qualify to perform services in a specialty occupation, the alien must meet one of the following criteria:
( 1 ) Hold a United States baccalaureate or higher degree required by the specialty occupation from an accredited college or university;
( 2 ) Hold a foreign degree determined to be equivalent to a United States baccalaureate or higher degree required by the specialty occupation from an accredited college or university;
( 3 ) Hold an unrestricted State license, registration or certification which authorizes him or her to fully practice the specialty occupation and be immediately engaged in that specialty in the state of intended employment; or
( 4 ) Have education, specialized training, and/or progressively responsible experience that is equivalent to completion of a United States baccalaureate or higher degree in the specialty occupation, and have recognition of expertise in the specialty through progressively responsible positions directly related to the specialty.
(D) Equivalence to completion of a college degree. For purposes of paragraph (h)(4)(iii)(C)( 4 ) of this section, equivalence to completion of a United States baccalaureate or higher degree shall mean achievement of a level of knowledge, competence, and practice in the specialty occupation that has been determined to be equal to that of an individual who has a baccalaureate or higher degree in the specialty and shall be determined by one or more of the following:
( 1 ) An evaluation from an official who has authority to grant college-level credit for training and/or experience in the specialty at an accredited college or university which has a program for granting such credit based on an individual’s training and/or work experience;
( 2 ) The results of recognized college-level equivalency examinations or special credit programs, such as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), or Program on Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction (PONSI);
( 3 ) An evaluation of education by a reliable credentials evaluation service which specializes in evaluating foreign educational credentials;
( 4 ) Evidence of certification or registration from a nationally-recognized professional association or society for the specialty that is known to grant certification or registration to persons in the occupational specialty who have achieved a certain level of competence in the specialty;
( 5 ) A determination by the Service that the equivalent of the degree required by the specialty occupation has been acquired through a combination of education, specialized training, and/or work experience in areas related to the specialty and that the alien has achieved recognition of expertise in the specialty occupation as a result of such training and experience. For purposes of determining equivalency to a baccalaureate degree in the specialty, three years of specialized training and/or work experience must be demonstrated for each year of college-level training the alien lacks. For equivalence to an advanced (or Masters) degree, the alien must have a baccalaureate degree followed by at least five years of experience in the specialty. If required by a specialty, the alien must hold a Doctorate degree or its foreign equivalent. It must be clearly demonstrated that the alien’s training and/or work experience included the theoretical and practical application of specialized knowledge required by the specialty occupation; that the alien’s experience was gained while working with peers, supervisors, or subordinates who have a degree or its equivalent in the specialty occupation; and that the alien has recognition of expertise in the specialty evidenced by at least one type of documentation such as:
( i ) Recognition of expertise in the specialty occupation by at least two recognized authorities in the same specialty occupation;
( ii ) Membership in a recognized foreign or United States association or society in the specialty occupation;
( iii ) Published material by or about the alien in professional publications, trade journals, books, or major newspapers;
( iv ) Licensure or registration to practice the specialty occupation in a foreign country; or
( v ) Achievements which a recognized authority has determined to be significant contributions to the field of the specialty occupation.
(E) Liability for transportation costs. The employer will be liable for the reasonable costs of return transportation of the alien abroad if the alien is dismissed from employment by the employer before the end of the period of authorized admission pursuant to section 214(c)(5) of the Act. If the beneficiary voluntarily terminates his or her employment prior to the expiration of the validity of the petition, the alien has not been dismissed. If the beneficiary believes that the employer has not complied with this provision, the beneficiary shall advise the Service Center which adjudicated the petition in writing. The complaint will be retained in the file relating to the petition. Within the context of this paragraph, the term “abroad” refers to the alien’s last place of foreign residence. This provision applies to any employer whose offer of employment became the basis for an alien obtaining or continuing H–1B status.
(iv) General documentary requirements for H–1B classification in a specialty occupation. An H–1B petition involving a specialty occupation shall be accompanied by:
(A) Documentation, certifications, affidavits, declarations, degrees, diplomas, writings, reviews, or any other required evidence sufficient to establish that the beneficiary is qualified to perform services in a specialty occupation as described in paragraph (h)(4)(i) of this section and that the services the beneficiary is to perform are in a specialty occupation. The evidence shall conform to the following:
( 1 ) School records, diplomas, degrees, affidavits, declarations, contracts, and similar documentation submitted must reflect periods of attendance, courses of study, and similar pertinent data, be executed by the person in charge of the records of the educational or other institution, firm, or establishment where education or training was acquired.
( 2 ) Affidavits or declarations made under penalty of perjury submitted by present or former employers or recognized authorities certifying as to the recognition and expertise of the beneficiary shall specifically describe the beneficiary’s recognition and ability in factual terms and must set forth the expertise of the affiant and the manner in which the affiant acquired such information.
(B) Copies of any written contracts between the petitioner and beneficiary, or a summary of the terms of the oral agreement under which the beneficiary will be employed, if there is no written contract.
(v) Licensure for H classification —(A) General. If an occupation requires a state or local license for an individual to fully perform the duties of the occupation, an alien (except an H–1C nurse) seeking H classification in that occupation must have that license prior to approval of the petition to be found qualified to enter the United States and immediately engage in employment in the occupation.
(B) Temporary licensure. If a temporary license is available and the alien is allowed to perform the duties of the occupation without a permanent license, the director shall examine the nature of the duties, the level at which the duties are performed, the degree of supervision received, and any limitations placed on the alien. If an analysis of the facts demonstrates that the alien under supervision is authorized to fully perform the duties of the occupation, H classification may be granted.
(C) Duties without licensure. In certain occupations which generally require licensure, a state may allow an individual to fully practice the occupation under the supervision of licensed senior or supervisory personnel in that occupation. In such cases, the director shall examine the nature of the duties and the level at which they are performed. If the facts demonstrate that the alien under supervision could fully perform the duties of the occupation, H classification may be granted.
(D) H–1C nurses. For purposes of licensure, H–1C nurses must provide the evidence required in paragraph (h)(3)(iii) of this section.
(E) Limitation on approval of petition. Where licensure is required in any occupation, including registered nursing, the H petition may only be approved for a period of one year or for the period that the temporary license is valid, whichever is longer, unless the alien already has a permanent license to practice the occupation. An alien who is accorded H classification in an occupation which requires licensure may not be granted an extension of stay or accorded a new H classification after the one year unless he or she has obtained a permanent license in the state of intended employment or continues to hold a temporary license valid in the same state for the period of the requested extension.
(vi) Criteria and documentary requirements for H–1B petitions involving DOD cooperative research and development projects or coproduction projects —(A) General. ( 1 ) For purposes of H–1B classification, services of an exceptional nature relating to DOD cooperative research and development projects or coproduction projects shall be those services which require a baccalaureate or higher degree, or its equivalent, to perform the duties. The existence of this special program does not preclude the DOD from utilizing the regular H–1B provisions provided the required guidelines are met.
( 2 ) The requirements relating to a labor condition application from the Department of Labor shall not apply to petitions involving DOD cooperative research and development projects or coproduction projects.
(B) Petitioner requirements. ( 1 ) The petition must be accompanied by a verification letter from the DOD project manager for the particular project stating that the alien will be working on a cooperative research and development project or a coproduction project under a reciprocal Government-to-Government agreement administered by DOD. Details about the specific project are not required.
( 2 ) The petitioner shall provide a general description of the alien’s duties on the particular project and indicate the actual dates of the alien’s employment on the project.
( 3 ) The petitioner shall submit a statement indicating the names of aliens currently employed on the project in the United States and their dates of employment. The petitioner shall also indicate the names of aliens whose employment on the project ended within the past year.
(C) Beneficiary requirement. The petition shall be accompanied by evidence that the beneficiary has a baccalaureate or higher degree or its equivalent in the occupational field in which he or she will be performing services in accordance with paragraph (h)(4)(iii)(C) and/or (h)(4)(iii)(D) of this section. (vii) Criteria and documentary requirements for H–1B petitions for aliens of distinguished merit and ability in the field of fashion modeling —(A) General. Prominence in the field of fashion modeling may be established in the case of an individual fashion model. The work which a prominent alien is coming to perform in the United States must require the services of a prominent alien. A petition for an H–1B alien of distinguished merit and ability in the field of fashion modeling shall be accompanied by:
( 1 ) Documentation, certifications, affidavits, writings, reviews, or any other required evidence sufficient to establish that the beneficiary is a fashion model of distinguished merit and ability. Affidavits submitted by present or former employers or recognized experts certifying to the recognition and distinguished ability of the beneficiary shall specifically describe the beneficiary’s recognition and ability in factual terms and must set forth the expertise of the affiant and the manner in which the affiant acquired such information.
( 2 ) Copies of any written contracts between the petitioner and beneficiary, or a summary of the terms of the oral agreement under which the beneficiary will be employed, if there is no written contract.
(B) Petitioner’s requirements. To establish that a position requires prominence, the petitioner must establish that the position meets one of the following criteria:
( 1 ) The services to be performed involve events or productions which have a distinguished reputation;
( 2 ) The services are to be performed for an organization or establishment that has a distinguished reputation for, or record of, employing prominent persons.
(C) Beneficiary’s requirements. A petitioner may establish that a beneficiary is a fashion model of distinguished merit and ability by the submission of two of the following forms of documentation showing that the alien:
( 1 ) Has achieved national or international recognition and acclaim for outstanding achievement in his or her field as evidenced by reviews in major newspapers, trade journals, magazines, or other published material;
( 2 ) Has performed and will perform services as a fashion model for employers with a distinguished reputation;
( 3 ) Has received recognition for significant achievements from organizations, critics, fashion houses, modeling agencies, or other recognized experts in the field; or
( 4 ) Commands a high salary or other substantial remuneration for services evidenced by contracts or other reliable evidence. (viii) Criteria and documentary requirements for H–1B petitions for physicians —(A) Beneficiary’s requirements. An H–1B petition for a physician shall be accompanied by evidence that the physician:
( 1 ) Has a license or other authorization required by the state of intended employment to practice medicine, or is exempt by law therefrom, if the physician will perform direct patient care and the state requires the license or authorization, and
( 2 ) Has a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a foreign state or has graduated from a medical school in the United States or in a foreign state.
(B) Petitioner’s requirements. The petitioner must establish that the alien physician:
( 1 ) Is coming to the United States primarily to teach or conduct research, or both, at or for a public or nonprofit private educational or research institution or agency, and that no patient care will be performed, except that which is incidental to the physician’s teaching or research; or
( 2 ) The alien has passed the Federation Licensing Examination (or an equivalent examination as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) or is a graduate of a United States medical school; and
( i ) Has competency in oral and written English which shall be demonstrated by the passage of the English language proficiency test given by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates; or
( ii ) Is a graduate of a school of medicine accredited by a body or bodies approved for that purpose by the Secretary of Education.
(C) Exception for physicians of national or international renown. A physician who is a graduate of a medical school in a foreign state and who is of national or international renown in the field of medicine is exempt from the requirements of paragraph (h)(4)(viii)(B) of this section.
(5) Petition for alien to perform agricultural labor or services of a temporary or seasonal nature (H–2A) —(i) Filing a petition —
(A) General. An H–2A petition must be filed on Form I–129 with a single valid temporary agricultural labor certification. The petition may be filed by either the employer listed on the temporary labor certification, the employer’s agent, or the association of United States agricultural producers named as a joint employer on the temporary labor certification.
(B) Multiple beneficiaries . The total number of beneficiaries of a petition or series of petitions based on the same temporary labor certification may not exceed the number of workers indicated on that document. A single petition can include more than one beneficiary if the total number does not exceed the number of positions indicated on the relating temporary labor certification.
(C) [Reserved]
(D) Evidence. An H–2A petitioner must show that the proposed employment qualifies as a basis for H–2A status, and that any named beneficiary qualifies for that employment. A petition will be automatically denied if filed without the certification evidence required in paragraph (h)(5)(i)(A) of this section and, for each named beneficiary, the initial evidence required in paragraph (h)(5)(v) of this section.
(E) Special filing requirements. Where a certification shows joint employers, a petition must be filed with an attachment showing that each employer has agreed to the conditions of H–2A eligibility. A petition filed by an agent must be filed with an attachment in which the employer has authorized the agent to act on its behalf, has assumed full responsibility for all representations made by the agent on its behalf, and has agreed to the conditions of H–2A eligibility.
(F) Eligible Countries . ( 1 )( i ) H–2A petitions may only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, in a notice published in theFederal Register,taking into account factors, including but not limited to:
( A ) The country’s cooperation with respect to issuance of travel documents for citizens, subjects, nationals and residents of that country who are subject to a final order of removal;
( B ) The number of final and unexecuted orders of removal against citizens, subjects, nationals and residents of that country;
( C ) The number of orders of removal executed against citizens, subjects, nationals and residents of that country; and
( D ) Such other factors as may serve the U.S. interest.
( ii ) A national from a country not on the list described in paragraph (h)(5)(i)(F)( 1 )( i ) of this section may be a beneficiary of an approved H–2A petition upon the request of a petitioner or potential H–2A petitioner, if the Secretary of Homeland Security, in his sole and unreviewable discretion, determines that it is in the U.S. interest for that alien to be a beneficiary of such petition. Determination of such a U.S. interest will take into account factors, including but not limited to:
( A ) Evidence from the petitioner demonstrating that a worker with the required skills is not available either from among U.S. workers or from among foreign workers from a country currently on the list described in paragraph (h)(5)(i)(F)( 1 )( i ) of this section;
( B ) Evidence that the beneficiary has been admitted to the United States previously in H–2A status;
( C ) The potential for abuse, fraud, or other harm to the integrity of the H–2A visa program through the potential admission of a beneficiary from a country not currently on the list; and
( D ) Such other factors as may serve the U.S. interest.
( 2 ) Once published, any designation of participating countries pursuant to paragraph (h)(5)(i)(F)( 1 )( i ) of this section shall be effective for one year after the date of publication in theFederal Registerand shall be without effect at the end of that one-year period.
(ii) Effect of the labor certification process. The temporary agricultural labor certification process determines whether employment is as an agricultural worker, whether it is open to U.S. workers, if qualified U.S. workers are available, the adverse impact of employment of a qualified alien, and whether employment conditions, including housing, meet applicable requirements. In petition proceedings a petitioner must establish that the employment and beneficiary meet the requirements of paragraph (h)(5) of this section.
(iii) Ability and intent to meet a job offer —(A) Eligibility requirements. An H–2A petitioner must establish that each beneficiary will be employed in accordance with the terms and conditions of the certification, which includes that the principal duties to be performed are those on the certification, with other duties minor and incidental.
(B) Intent and prior compliance. Requisite intent cannot be established for two years after an employer or joint employer, or a parent, subsidiary or affiliate thereof, is found to have violated section 274(a) of the Act or to have employed an H–2A worker in a position other than that described in the relating petition.
(C) Initial evidence. Representations required for the purpose of labor certification are initial evidence of intent.
(iv) Temporary and seasonal employment —(A) Eligibility requirements. An H–2A petitioner must establish that the employment proposed in the certification is of a temporary or seasonal nature. Employment is of a seasonal nature where it is tied to a certain time of year by an event or pattern, such as a short annual growing cycle or a specific aspect of a longer cycle, and requires labor levels far above those necessary for ongoing operations. Employment is of a temporary nature where the employer’s need to fill the position with a temporary worker will, except in extraordinary circumstances, last no longer than one year.
(B) Effect of Department of Labor findings. In temporary agricultural labor certification proceedings the Department of Labor separately tests whether employment qualifies as temporary or seasonal. Its finding that employment qualifies is normally sufficient for the purpose of an H–2A petition, However, notwithstanding that finding, employment will be found not to be temporary or seasonal where an application for permanent labor certification has been filed for the same alien, or for another alien to be employed in the same position, by the same employer or by its parent, subsidiary or affiliate. This can only be overcome by the petitioner’s demonstration that there will be at least a six month interruption of employment in the United States after H–2A status ends. Also, eligibility will not be found, notwithstanding the issuance of a temporary agricultural labor certification, where there is substantial evidence that the employment is not temporary or seasonal.
(v) The beneficiary’s qualifications —(A) Eligibility requirements. An H–2A petitioner must establish that any named beneficiary met the stated minimum requirements and was fully able to perform the stated duties when the application for certification was filed. It must be established at time of application for an H–2A visa, or for admission if a visa is not required, that any unnamed beneficiary either met these requirements when the certification was applied for or passed any certified aptitude test at any time prior to visa issuance, or prior to admission if a visa is not required.
(B) Evidence of employment/job training. For petitions with named beneficiaries, a petition must be filed with evidence that the beneficiary met the certification’s minimum employment and job training requirements, if any are prescribed, as of the date of the filing of the labor certification application. For petitions with unnamed beneficiaries, such evidence must be submitted at the time of a visa application or, if a visa is not required, at the time the applicant seeks admission to the United States. Evidence must be in the form of the past employer or employers’ detailed statement(s) or actual employment documents, such as company payroll or tax records. Alternately, a petitioner must show that such evidence cannot be obtained, and submit affidavits from persons who worked with the beneficiary that demonstrate the claimed employment or job training.
(C) Evidence of education and other training. For petitions with named beneficiaries, a petition must be filed with evidence that the beneficiary met all of the certification’s post-secondary education and other formal training requirements, if any are prescribed in the labor certification application as of date of the filing of the labor certification application. For petitions with unnamed beneficiaries, such evidence must be submitted at the time of a visa application or, if a visa is not required, at the time the applicant seeks admission to the United States. Evidence must be in the form of documents, issued by the relevant institution(s) or organization(s), that show periods of attendance, majors and degrees or certificates accorded.
(vi) Petitioner consent and notification requirements —(A) Consent . In filing an H–2A petition, a petitioner and each employer consents to allow access to the site by DHS officers where the labor is being performed for the purpose of determining compliance with H–2A requirements.
(B) Agreements . The petitioner agrees to the following requirements:
( 1 ) To notify DHS, within 2 workdays, and beginning on a date and in a manner specified in a notice published in theFederal Registerif:
( i ) An H–2A worker fails to report to work within 5 workdays of the employment start date on the H–2A petition or within 5 workdays of the start date established by his or her employer, whichever is later;
( ii ) The agricultural labor or services for which H–2A workers were hired is completed more than 30 days earlier than the employment end date stated on the H–2A petition; or
( iii ) The H–2A worker absconds from the worksite or is terminated prior to the completion of agricultural labor or services for which he or she was hired.
( 2 ) To retain evidence of such notification and make it available for inspection by DHS officers for a 1-year period beginning on the date of the notification. To retain evidence of a different employment start date if it is changed from that on the petition by the employer and make it available for inspection by DHS officers for the 1-year period beginning on the newly-established employment start date.
( 3) To pay $10 in liquidated damages for each instance where the employer cannot demonstrate that it has complied with the notification requirements, unless, in the case of an untimely notification, the employer demonstrates with such notification that good cause existed for the untimely notification, and DHS, in its discretion, waives the liquidated damages amount.
(C) Process . If DHS has determined that the petitioner has violated the notification requirements in paragraph (h)(5)(vi)(B)(1) of this section and has not received the required notification, the petitioner will be given written notice and 30 days to reply before being given written notice of the assessment of liquidated damages.
(D) Failure to pay liquidated damages . If liquidated damages are not paid within 10 days of assessment, an H–2A petition may not be processed for that petitioner or any joint employer shown on the petition until such damages are paid.
(E) Abscondment . An H–2A worker has absconded if he or she has not reported for work for a period of 5 consecutive workdays without the consent of the employer.
(vii) Validity. An approved H–2A petition is valid through the expiration of the relating certification for the purpose of allowing a beneficiary to seek issuance of an H–2A nonimmigrant visa, admission or an extension of stay for the purpose of engaging in the specific certified employment.
(viii) Admission —
(A) Effect of violations of status . An alien may not be accorded H–2A status who, at any time during the past 5 years, USCIS finds to have violated, other than through no fault of his or her own (e.g., due to an employer’s illegal or inappropriate conduct), any of the terms or conditions of admission into the United States as an H–2A nonimmigrant, including remaining beyond the specific period of authorized stay or engaging in unauthorized employment.
(B) Period of admission . An alien admissible as an H–2A nonimmigrant shall be admitted for the period of the approved petition. Such alien will be admitted for an additional period of up to one week before the beginning of the approved period for the purpose of travel to the worksite, and a 30-day period following the expiration of the H–2A petition for the purpose of departure or to seek an extension based on a subsequent offer of employment. Unless authorized under 8 CFR 274a.12 or section 214(n) of the Act, the beneficiary may not work except during the validity period of the petition.
(C) Limits on an individual’s stay. Except as provided in paragraph (h)(5)(viii)(B) of this section, an alien’s stay as an H–2A nonimmigrant is limited by the term of an approved petition. An alien may remain longer to engage in other qualifying temporary agricultural employment by obtaining an extension of stay. However, an individual who has held H–2A status for a total of 3 years may not again be granted H–2A status until such time as he or she remains outside the United States for an uninterrupted period of 3 months. An absence from the United States can interrupt the accrual of time spent as an H–2A nonimmigrant against the 3-year limit. If the accumulated stay is 18 months or less, an absence is interruptive if it lasts for at least 45 days. If the accumulated stay is greater than 18 months, an absence is interruptive if it lasts for at least 2 months. Eligibility under paragraph (h)(5)(viii)(C) of this section will be determined in admission, change of status or extension proceedings. An alien found eligible for a shorter period of H–2A status than that indicated by the petition due to the application of this paragraph (h)(5)(viii)(C) of this section shall only be admitted for that abbreviated period.
(ix) Substitution of beneficiaries after admission. An H–2A petition may be filed to replace H–2A workers whose employment was terminated earlier than the end date stated on the H–2A petition and before the completion of work; who fail to report to work within five days of the employment start date on the H–2A petition or within five days of the start date established by his or her employer, whichever is later; or who abscond from the worksite. The petition must be filed with a copy of the certification document, a copy of the approval notice covering the workers for which replacements are sought, and other evidence required by paragraph (h)(5)(i)(D) of this section. It must also be filed with a statement giving each terminated or absconded worker’s name, date and country of birth, termination date, and the reason for termination, and the date that USCIS was notified that the alien was terminated or absconded, if applicable. A petition for a replacement will not be approved where the requirements of paragraph (h)(5)(vi) of this section have not been met. A petition for replacements does not constitute the notification required by paragraph (h)(5)(vi)(B)( 1 ) of this section.
(x) Extensions in emergent circumstances . In emergent circumstances, as determined by USCIS, a single H–2A petition may be extended for a period not to exceed 2 weeks without an additional approved labor certification if filed on behalf of one or more beneficiaries who will continue to be employed by the same employer that previously obtained an approved petition on the beneficiary’s behalf, so long as the employee continues to perform the same duties and will be employed for no longer than 2 weeks after the expiration of previously-approved H–2A petition. The previously approved H–2A petition must have been based on an approved temporary labor certification, which shall be considered to be extended upon the approval of the extension of H–2A status.
(xi) Treatment of petitions and alien beneficiaries upon a determination that fees were collected from alien beneficiaries. (A) Denial or revocation of petition . As a condition to approval of an H–2A petition, no job placement fee or other compensation (either direct or indirect) may be collected at any time, including before or after the filing or approval of the petition, from a beneficiary of an H–2A petition by a petitioner, agent, facilitator, recruiter, or similar employment service as a condition of H–2A employment (other than the lesser of the fair market value or actual costs of transportation and any government-mandated passport, visa, or inspection fees, to the extent that the payment of such costs and fees by the beneficiary is not prohibited by statute or Department of Labor regulations, unless the employer agent, facilitator, recruiter, or employment service has agreed with the alien to pay such costs and fees).
( 1 ) If USCIS determines that the petitioner has collected, or entered into an agreement to collect, such prohibited fee or compensation, the H–2A petition will be denied or revoked on notice unless the petitioner demonstrates that, prior to the filing of the petition, the petitioner has reimbursed the alien in full for such fees or compensation, or, where such fee or compensation has not yet been paid by the alien worker, that the agreement has been terminated.
( 2 ) If USCIS determines that the petitioner knew or should have known at the time of filing the petition that the beneficiary has paid or agreed to pay any facilitator, recruiter, or similar employment service such fees or compensation as a condition of obtaining the H–2A employment, the H–2A petition will be denied or revoked on notice unless the petitioner demonstrates that, prior to the filing of the petition, the petitioner or the facilitator, recruiter, or similar employment service has reimbursed the alien in full for such fees or compensation or, where such fee or compensation has not yet been paid by the alien worker, that the agreement has been terminated.
( 3 ) If USCIS determines that the beneficiary paid the petitioner such fees or compensation as a condition of obtaining the H–2A employment after the filing of the H–2A petition, the petition will be denied or revoked on notice.
( 4 ) If USCIS determines that the beneficiary paid or agreed to pay the agent, facilitator, recruiter, or similar employment service such fees or compensation as a condition of obtaining the H–2A employment after the filing of the H–2A petition and with the knowledge of the petitioner, the petition will be denied or revoked unless the petitioner demonstrates that the petitioner or facilitator, recruiter, or similar employment service has reimbursed the beneficiary in full or where such fee or compensation has not yet been paid by the alien worker, that the agreement has been terminated, or notifies DHS within 2 workdays of obtaining knowledge in a manner specified in a notice published in theFederal Register.
(B) Effect of petition revocation . Upon revocation of an employer’s H–2A petition based upon paragraph (h)(5)(xi)(A) of this section, the alien beneficiary’s stay will be authorized and the alien will not accrue any period of unlawful presence under section 212(a)(9) of the Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(9)) for a 30-day period following the date of the revocation for the purpose of departure or extension of stay based upon a subsequent offer of employment.
(C) Reimbursement as condition to approval of future H–2A petitions. ( 1 ) Filing subsequent H–2A petitions within 1 year of denial or revocation of previous H–2A petition. A petitioner filing an H–2A petition within 1 year after the decision denying or revoking on notice an H–2A petition filed by the same petitioner on the basis of paragraph (h)(5)(xi)(A) of this section must demonstrate to the satisfaction of USCIS, as a condition of approval of such petition, that the petitioner or agent, facilitator, recruiter, or similar employment service has reimbursed the beneficiary in full or that the petitioner has failed to locate the beneficiary. If the petitioner demonstrates to the satisfaction of USCIS that the beneficiary was reimbursed in full, such condition of approval shall be satisfied with respect to any subsequently filed H–2A petitions, except as provided in paragraph (h)(5)(xi)(C)( 2 ). If the petitioner demonstrates to the satisfaction of USCIS that it has made reasonable efforts to locate the beneficiary with respect to each H–2A petition filed within 1 year after the decision denying or revoking the previous H–2A petition on the basis of paragraph (h)(5)(xi)(A) of this section but has failed to do so, such condition of approval shall be deemed satisfied with respect to any H–2A petition filed 1 year or more after the denial or revocation. Such reasonable efforts shall include contacting any of the beneficiary’s known addresses.
( 2 ) Effect of subsequent denied or revoked petitions . An H–2A petition filed by the same petitioner subsequent to a denial under paragraph (h)(5)(xi)(A) of this section shall be subject to the condition of approval described in paragraph (h)(5)(xi)(C)( 1 ) of this section, regardless of prior satisfaction of such condition of approval with respect to a previously denied or revoked petition.
(xii) Treatment of alien beneficiaries upon revocation of labor certification. The approval of an employer’s H–2A petition is immediately and automatically revoked if the Department of Labor revokes the labor certification upon which the petition is based. Upon revocation of an H–2A petition based upon revocation of labor certification, the alien beneficiary’s stay will be authorized and the alien will not accrue any period of unlawful presence under section 212(a)(9) of the Act for a 30-day period following the date of the revocation for the purpose of departure or extension of stay based upon a subsequent offer of employment.
(6) Petition for alien to perform temporary nonagricultural services or labor (H–2B) —
(i) Petition . (A) H–2B nonagricultural temporary worker . An H–2B nonagricultural temporary worker is an alien who is coming temporarily to the United States to perform temporary services or labor without displacing qualified United States workers available to perform such services or labor and whose employment is not adversely affecting the wages and working conditions of United States workers.
(B) Denial or revocation of petition upon a determination that fees were collected from alien beneficiaries . As a condition of approval of an H–2B petition, no job placement fee or other compensation (either direct or indirect) may be collected at any time, including before or after the filing or approval of the petition, from a beneficiary of an H–2B petition by a petitioner, agent, facilitator, recruiter, or similar employment service as a condition of an offer or condition of H–2B employment (other than the lower of the actual cost or fair market value of transportation to such employment and any government-mandated passport, visa, or inspection fees, to the extent that the passing of such costs to the beneficiary is not prohibited by statute, unless the employer, agent, facilitator, recruiter, or similar employment service has agreed with the beneficiary that it will pay such costs and fees).
( 1 ) If USCIS determines that the petitioner has collected or entered into an agreement to collect such fee or compensation, the H–2B petition will be denied or revoked on notice, unless the petitioner demonstrates that, prior to the filing of the petition, either the petitioner reimbursed the beneficiary in full for such fees or compensation or the agreement to collect such fee or compensation was terminated before the fee or compensation was paid by the beneficiary.
( 2 ) If USCIS determines that the petitioner knew or should have known at the time of filing the petition that the beneficiary has paid or agreed to pay any agent, facilitator, recruiter, or similar employment service as a condition of an offer of the H–2B employment, the H–2B petition will be denied or revoked on notice unless the petitioner demonstrates that, prior to filing the petition, either the petitioner or the agent, facilitator, recruiter, or similar employment service reimbursed the beneficiary in full for such fees or compensation or the agreement to collect such fee or compensation was terminated before the fee or compensation was paid by the beneficiary.
( 3 ) If USCIS determines that the beneficiary paid the petitioner such fees or compensation as a condition of an offer of H–2B employment after the filing of the H–2B petition, the petition will be denied or revoked on notice.
( 4 ) If USCIS determines that the beneficiary paid or agreed to pay the agent, facilitator, recruiter, or similar employment service such fees or compensation after the filing of the H–2B petition and that the petitioner knew or had reason to know of the payment or agreement to pay, the petition will be denied or revoked unless the petitioner demonstrates that the petitioner or agent, facilitator, recruiter, or similar employment service reimbursed the beneficiary in full, that the parties terminated any agreement to pay before the beneficiary paid the fees or compensation, or that the petitioner has notified DHS within 2 work days of obtaining knowledge, in a manner specified in a notice published in theFederal Register.
(C) Effect of petition revocation. Upon revocation of an employer’s H–2B petition based upon paragraph (h)(6)(i)(B) of this section, the alien beneficiary’s stay will be authorized and the beneficiary will not accrue any period of unlawful presence under section 212(a)(9) of the Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(9)) for a 30-day period following the date of the revocation for the purpose of departure or extension of stay based upon a subsequent offer of employment. The employer shall be liable for the alien beneficiary’s reasonable costs of return transportation to his or her last place of foreign residence abroad, unless such alien obtains an extension of stay based on an approved H–2B petition filed by a different employer.
(D) Reimbursement as condition to approval of future H–2B petitions. (1) Filing subsequent H–2B petitions within 1 year of denial or revocation of previous H–2B petition . A petitioner filing an H–2B petition within 1 year after a decision denying or revoking on notice an H–2B petition filed by the same petitioner on the basis of paragraph (h)(6)(i)(B) of this section must demonstrate to the satisfaction of USCIS, as a condition of the approval of the later petition, that the petitioner or agent, facilitator, recruiter, or similar employment service reimbursed in full each beneficiary of the denied or revoked petition from whom a prohibited fee was collected or that the petitioner has failed to locate each such beneficiary despite the petitioner’s reasonable efforts to locate them. If the petitioner demonstrates to the satisfaction of USCIS that each such beneficiary was reimbursed in full, such condition of approval shall be satisfied with respect to any subsequently filed H–2B petitions, except as provided in paragraph (h)(6)(i)(D)( 2 ) of this section. If the petitioner demonstrates to the satisfaction of USCIS that it has made reasonable efforts to locate but has failed to locate each such beneficiary within 1 year after the decision denying or revoking the previous H–2B petition on the basis of paragraph (h)(6)(i)(B) of this section, such condition of approval shall be deemed satisfied with respect to any H–2B petition filed 1 year or more after the denial or revocation. Such reasonable efforts shall include contacting all of each such beneficiary’s known addresses.
(2) Effect of subsequent denied or revoked petitions. An H–2B petition filed by the same petitioner subsequent to a denial under paragraph (h)(6)(i)(B) of this section shall be subject to the condition of approval described in paragraph (h)(6)(i)(D)( 1 ) of this section, regardless of prior satisfaction of such condition of approval with respect to a previously denied or revoked petition.
(E) Eligible countries. ( 1 ) H–2B petitions may be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, in a notice published in theFederal Register,taking into account factors, including but not limited to:
( i ) The country’s cooperation with respect to issuance of travel documents for citizens, subjects, nationals and residents of that country who are subject to a final order of removal;
( ii ) The number of final and unexecuted orders of removal against citizens, subjects, nationals, and residents of that country;
( iii ) The number of orders of removal executed against citizens, subjects, nationals and residents of that country; and
( iv ) Such other factors as may serve the U.S. interest.
( 2 ) A national from a country not on the list described in paragraph (h)(6)(i)(E)( 1 ) of this section may be a beneficiary of an approved H–2B petition upon the request of a petitioner or potential H–2B petitioner, if the Secretary of Homeland Security, in his sole and unreviewable discretion, determines that it is in the U.S. interest for that alien to be a beneficiary of such petition. Determination of such a U.S. interest will take into account factors, including but not limited to:
( i ) Evidence from the petitioner demonstrating that a worker with the required skills is not available from among foreign workers from a country currently on the list described in paragraph (h)(6)(i)(E)( 1 ) of this section;
( ii ) Evidence that the beneficiary has been admitted to the United States previously in H–2B status;
( iii ) The potential for abuse, fraud, or other harm to the integrity of the H–2B visa program through the potential admission of a beneficiary from a country not currently on the list; and
( iv ) Such other factors as may serve the U.S. interest.
( 3 ) Once published, any designation of participating countries pursuant to paragraph (h)(6)(i)(E)( 1 ) of this section shall be effective for one year after the date of publication in theFederal Registerand shall be without effect at the end of that one-year period.
(F) Petitioner agreements and notification requirements. ( 1 ) Agreements. The petitioner agrees to notify DHS, within 2 work days, and beginning on a date and in a manner specified in a notice published in theFederal Registerif: An H–2B worker fails to report for work within 5 work days after the employment start date stated on the petition; the nonagricultural labor or services for which H–2B workers were hired were completed more than 30 days early; or an H–2B worker absconds from the worksite or is terminated prior to the completion of the nonagricultural labor or services for which he or she was hired. The petitioner also agrees to retain evidence of such notification and make it available for inspection by DHS officers for a one-year period beginning on the date of the notification.
( 2 ) Abscondment. An H–2B worker has absconded if he or she has not reported for work for a period of 5 consecutive work days without the consent of the employer.
(ii) Temporary services or labor —(A) Definition. Temporary services or labor under the H–2B classification refers to any job in which the petitioner’s need for the duties to be performed by the employee(s) is temporary, whether or not the underlying job can be described as permanent or temporary.
(B) Nature of petitioner’s need. Employment is of a temporary nature when the employer needs a worker for a limited period of time. The employer must establish that the need for the employee will end in the near, definable future. Generally, that period of time will be limited to one year or less, but in the case of a one-time event could last up to 3 years. The petitioner’s need for the services or labor shall be a one-time occurrence, a seasonal need, a peak load need, or an intermittent need.
( 1 ) One-time occurence. The petitioner must establish that it has not employed workers to perform the services or labor in the past and that it will not need workers to perform the services or labor in the future, or that it has an employment situation that is otherwise permanent, but a temporary event of short duration has created the need for a temporary worker.
( 2 ) Seasonal need. The petitioner must establish that the services or labor is traditionally tied to a season of the year by an event or pattern and is of a recurring nature. The petitioner shall specify the period(s) of time during each year in which it does not need the services or labor. The employment is not seasonal if the period during which the services or labor is not needed is unpredictable or subject to change or is considered a vacation period for the petitioner’s permanent employees.
( 3 ) Peakload need. The petitoner must establish that it regularly employs permanent workers to perform the services or labor at the place of employment and that it needs to supplement its permanent staff at the place of employment on a temporary basis due to a seasonal or short-term demand and that the temporary additions to staff will not become a part of the petitioner’s regular operation.
( 4 ) Intermittent need. The petitioner must establish that it has not employed permanent or full-time workers to perform the services or labor, but occasionally or intermittently needs temporary workers to perform services or labor for short periods.
(iii) Procedures. (A) Prior to filing a petition with the director to classify an alien as an H–2B worker, the petitioner shall apply for a temporary labor certification with the Secretary of Labor for all areas of the United States, except the Territory of Guam. In the Territory of Guam, the petitioning employer shall apply for a temporary labor certification with the Governor of Guam. The labor certification shall be advice to the director on whether or not United States workers capable of performing the temporary services or labor are available and whether or not the alien’s employment will adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed United States workers.
(B) An H–2B petitioner shall be a United States employer, a United States agent, or a foreign employer filing through a United States agent. For purposes of paragraph (h) of this section, a foreign employer is any employer who is not amenable to service of process in the United States. A foreign employer may not directly petition for an H–2B nonimmigrant but must use the services of a United States agent to file a petition for an H–2B nonimmigrant. A United States agent petitioning on behalf of a foreign employer must be authorized to file the petition, and to accept service of process in the United States in proceedings under section 274A of the Act, on behalf of the employer. The petitioning employer shall consider available United States workers for the temporary services or labor, and shall offer terms and conditions of employment which are consistent with the nature of the occupation, activity, and industry in the United States.
(C) The petitioner may not file an H–2B petition unless the United States petitioner has applied for a labor certification with the Secretary of Labor or the Governor of Guam within the time limits prescribed or accepted by each, and has obtained a favorable labor certification determination as required by paragraph (h)(6)(iv) or (h)(6)(v) of this section.
(D) The Secretary of Labor and the Governor of Guam shall separately establish procedures for administering the temporary labor certification program under his or her jurisdiction.
(E) After obtaining a favorable determination from the Secretary of Labor or the Governor of Guam, as appropriate, the petitioner shall file a petition on I–129, accompanied by the labor certification determination and supporting documents, with the director having jurisdiction in the area of intended employment.
(iv) Labor certifications, except Guam —
(A) Secretary of Labor’s determination. An H–2B petition for temporary employment in the United States, except for temporary employment on Guam, shall be accompanied by an approved temporary labor certification from the Secretary of Labor stating that qualified workers in the United States are not available and that the alien’s employment will not adversely affect wages and working conditions of similarly employed United States workers.
(B) Validity of the labor certification. The Secretary of Labor may issue a temporary labor certification for a period of up to one year.
(C) U.S. Virgin Islands. Temporary labor certifications filed under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) of the Act for employment in the United States Virgin Islands may be approved only for entertainers and athletes and only for periods not to exceed 45 days.
(D) Employment start date. Beginning with petitions filed for workers for fiscal year 2010, an H–2B petition must state an employment start date that is the same as the date of need stated on the approved temporary labor certification. A petitioner filing an amended H–2B petition due to the unavailability of originally requested workers may state an employment start date later than the date of need stated on the previously approved temporary labor certification accompanying the amended H–2B petition.
(v) Labor certification for Guam —
(A) Governor of Guam’s determination. An H–2B petition for temporary employment on Guam shall be accompanied by an approved temporary labor certification issued by the Governor of Guam stating that qualified workers in the United States are not available to perform the required services, and that the alien’s employment will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of United States resident workers who are similarly employed on Guam.
(B) Validity of labor certification. The Governor of Guam may issue a temporary labor certification for a period up to one year.
(C)–(D) [Reserved]
(E) Criteria for Guam labor certifications. The Governor of Guam shall, in consultation with the Service, establish systematic methods for determining the prevailing wage rates and working conditions for individual occupations on Guam and for making determinations as to availability of qualified United States residents.
( 1 ) Prevailing wage and working conditions. The system to determine wages and working conditions must provide for consideration of wage rates and employment conditions for occupations in both the private and public sectors, in Guam and/or in the United States (as defined in section 101(a)(38) of the Act), and may not consider wages and working conditions outside of the United States. If the system includes utilitzation of advisory opinions and consultations, the opinions must be provided by officially sanctioned groups which reflect a balance of the interests of the private and public sectors, government, unions and management.
( 2 ) Availability of United States workers. The system for determining availability of qualified United States workers must require the prospective employer to:
( i ) Advertise the availability of the position for a minimum of three consecutive days in the newspaper with the largest daily circulation on Guam;
( ii ) Place a job offer with an appropriate agency of the Territorial Government which operates as a job referral service at least 30 days in advance of the need for the services to commence, except that for applications from the armed forces of the United States and those in the entertainment industry, the 30-day period may be reduced by the Governor to 10 days;
( iii ) Conduct appropriate recruitment in other areas of the United States and its territories if sufficient qualified United States construction workers are not available on Guam to fill a job. The Governor of Guam may require a job order to be placed more than 30 days in advance of need to accommodate such recruitment;
( iv ) Report to the appropriate agency the names of all United States resident workers who applied for the position, indicating those hired and the job-related reasons for not hiring;
( v ) Offer all special considerations, such as housing and transportation expenses, to all United States resident workers who applied for the position, indicating those hired and the job-related reasons for not hiring;
( vi ) Meet the prevailing wage rates and working conditions determined under the wages and working conditions system by the Governor; and
( vii ) Agree to meet all Federal and Territorial requirements relating to employment, such as nondiscrimination, occupational safety, and minimum wage requirements.
(F) Approval and publication of employment systems on Guam—(1 ) Systems. The Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization must approve the system to determine prevailing wages and working conditions and the system to determine availability of United States resident workers and any future modifications of the systems prior to implementation. If the Commissioner, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, finds that the systems or modified systems meet the requirements of this section, the Commissioner shall publish them as a notice in theFederal Registerand the Governor shall publish them as a public record in Guam.
( 2 ) Approval of construction wage rates. The Commissioner must approve specific wage data and rates used for construction occupations on Guam prior to implementation of new rates. The Governor shall submit new wage survey data and proposed rates to the Commissioner for approval at least eight weeks before authority to use existing rates expires. Surveys shall be conducted at least every two years, unless the Commissioner prescribes a lesser period.
(G) Reporting. The Governor shall provide the Commissioner statistical data on temporary labor certification workload and determinations. This information shall be submitted quarterly no later than 30 days after the quarter ends.
(H) Invalidation of temporary labor certification issued by the Governor of Guam —( 1 ) General. A temporary labor certification issued by the Governor of Guam may be invalidated by a director if it is determined by the director or a court of law that the certification request involved fraud or willful misrepresentation. A temporary labor certification may also be invalidated if the director determines that the certification involved gross error.
( 2 ) Notice of intent to invalidate. If the director intends to invalidate a temporary labor certification, a notice of intent shall be served upon the employer, detailing the reasons for the intended invalidation. The employer shall have 30 days in which to file a written response in rebuttal to the notice of intent. The director shall consider all evidence submitted upon rebuttal in reaching a decision.
( 3 ) Appeal of invalidation. An employer may appeal the invalidation of a temporary labor certification in accordance with part 103 of this chapter.
(vi) Evidence for H–2B petitions. An H–2B petition shall be accompanied by:
(A) Labor certification. An approved temporary labor certification issued by the Secretary of Labor or the Governor of Guam, as appropriate;
(B) [Reserved]
(C) Alien’s qualifications. In petitions where the temporary labor certification application requires certain education, training, experience, or special requirements of the beneficiary who is present in the United States, documentation that the alien qualifies for the job offer as specified in the application for such temporary labor certification. This requirement also applies to the named beneficiary who is abroad on the basis of special provisions stated in paragraph (h)(2)(iii) of this section;
(D) Statement of need. A statement describing in detail the temporary situation or conditions which make it necessary to bring the alien to the United States and whether the need is a one-time occurrence, seasonal, peakload, or intermittent. If the need is seasonal, peakload, or intermittent, the statement shall indicate whether the situation or conditions are expected to be recurrent; or
(E) Liability for transportation costs. The employer will be liable for the reasonable costs of return transportation of the alien abroad, if the alien is dismissed from employment for any reason by the employer before the end of the period of authorized admission pursuant to section 214(c)(5) of the Act. If the beneficiary voluntarily terminates his or her employment prior to the expiration of the validity of the petition, the alien has not been dismissed. If the beneficiary believes that the employer has not complied with this provision, the beneficiary shall advise the Service Center which adjudicated the petition in writing. The complaint will be retained in the file relating to the petition. Within the context of this paragraph, the term “abroad” means the alien’s last place of foreign residence. This provision applies to any employer whose offer of employment became the basis for the alien obtaining or continuing H–2B status.
(vii) Traded professional H–2B athletes. In the case of a professional H–2B athlete who is traded from one organization to another organization, employment authorization for the player will automatically continue for a period of 30 days after the player’s acquisition by the new organization, within which time the new organization is expected to file a new Form I–129 for H–2B nonimmigrant classification. If a new Form I–129 is not filed within 30 days, employment authorization will cease. If a new Form I–129 is filed within 30 days, the professional athlete shall be deemed to be in valid H–2B status, and employment shall continue to be authorized, until the petition is adjudicated. If the new petition is denied, employment authorization will cease.
(viii) Substitution of beneficiaries. Beneficiaries of H–2B petitions that are approved for named or unnamed beneficiaries who have not been admitted may be substituted only if the employer can demonstrate that the total number of beneficiaries will not exceed the number of beneficiaries certified in the original temporary labor certification. Beneficiaries who were admitted to the United States may not be substituted without a new petition accompanied by a newly approved temporary labor certification.
(A) To substitute beneficiaries who were previously approved for consular processing but have not been admitted with aliens who are outside of the United States, the petitioner shall, by letter and a copy of the petition approval notice, notify the consular office at which the alien will apply for a visa or the port of entry where the alien will apply for admission. The petitioner shall also submit evidence of the qualifications of beneficiaries to the consular office or port of entry prior to issuance of a visa or admission, if applicable.
(B) To substitute beneficiaries who were previously approved for consular processing but have not been admitted with aliens who are currently in the United States, the petitioner shall file an amended petition with fees at the USCIS Service Center where the original petition was filed, with a copy of the original petition approval notice, a statement explaining why the substitution is necessary, evidence of the qualifications of beneficiaries, if applicable, evidence of the beneficiaries’ current status in the United States, and evidence that the number of beneficiaries will not exceed the number allocated on the approved temporary labor certification, such as employment records or other documentary evidence to establish that the number of visas sought in the amended petition were not already issued. The amended petition must retain a period of employment within the same half of the same fiscal year as the original petition. Otherwise, a new temporary labor certification issued by DOL or the Governor of Guam and subsequent H–2B petition are required.
(ix) Enforcement. The Secretary of Labor may investigate employers to enforce compliance with the conditions of a petition and Department of Labor-approved temporary labor certification to admit or otherwise provide status to an H–2B worker.
(7) Petition for alien trainee or participant in a special education exchange visitor program (H–3) —(i) Alien trainee. The H–3 trainee is a nonimmigrant who seeks to enter the United States at the invitation of an organization or individual for the purpose of receiving training in any field of endeavor, such as agriculture, commerce, communications, finance, government, transportation, or the professions, as well as training in a purely industrial establishment. This category shall not apply to physicians, who are statutorily ineligible to use H–3 classification in order to receive any type of graduate medical education or training.
(A) Externs. A hospital approved by the American Medical Association or the American Osteopathic Association for either an internship or residency program may petition to classify as an H–3 trainee a medical student attending a medical school abroad, if the alien will engage in employment as an extern during his/her medical school vacation.
(B) Nurses. A petitioner may seek H–3 classification for a nurse who is not H–1 if it can be established that there is a genuine need for the nurse to receive a brief period of training that is unavailable in the alien’s native country and such training is designed to benefit the nurse and the overseas employer upon the nurse’s return to the country of origin, if:
( 1 ) The beneficiary has obtained a full and unrestricted license to practice professional nursing in the country where the beneficiary obtained a nursing education, or such education was obtained in the United States or Canada; and
( 2 ) The petitioner provides a statement certifying that the beneficiary is fully qualified under the laws governing the place where the training will be received to engage in such training, and that under those laws the petitioner is authorized to give the beneficiary the desired training.
(ii) Evidence required for petition involving alien trainee —(A) Conditions. The petitioner is required to demonstrate that:
( 1 ) The proposed training is not available in the alien’s own country;
( 2 ) The beneficiary will not be placed in a position which is in the normal operation of the business and in which citizens and resident workers are regularly employed;
( 3 ) The beneficiary will not engage in productive employment unless such employment is incidental and necessary to the training; and
( 4 ) The training will benefit the beneficiary in pursuing a career outside the United States.
(B) Description of training program. Each petition for a trainee must include a statement which:
( 1 ) Describes the type of training and supervision to be given, and the structure of the training program;
( 2 ) Sets forth the proportion of time that will be devoted to productive employment;
( 3 ) Shows the number of hours that will be spent, respectively, in classroom instruction and in on-the-job training;
( 4 ) Describes the career abroad for which the training will prepare the alien;
( 5 ) Indicates the reasons why such training cannot be obtained in the alien’s country and why it is necessary for the alien to be trained in the United States; and
( 6 ) Indicates the source of any remuneration received by the trainee and any benefit which will accrue to the petitioner for providing the training.
(iii) Restrictions on training program for alien trainee. A training program may not be approved which:
(A) Deals in generalities with no fixed schedule, objectives, or means of evaluation;
(B) Is incompatible with the nature of the petitioner’s business or enterprise;
(C) Is on behalf of a beneficiary who already possesses substantial training and expertise in the proposed field of training;
(D) Is in a field in which it is unlikely that the knowledge or skill will be used outside the United States;
(E) Will result in productive employment beyond that which is incidental and necessary to the training;
(F) Is designed to recruit and train aliens for the ultimate staffing of domestic operations in the United States;
(G) Does not establish that the petitioner has the physical plant and sufficiently trained manpower to provide the training specified; or
(H) Is designed to extend the total allowable period of practical training previously authorized a nonimmigrant student.
(iv) Petition for participant in a special education exchange visitor program —(A) General Requirements. ( 1 ) The H–3 participant in a special education training program must be coming to the United States to participate in a structured program which provides for practical training and experience in the education of children with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.
( 2 ) The petition must be filed by a facility which has professionally trained staff and a structured program for providing education to children with disabilities, and for providing training and hands-on experience to participants in the special education exchange visitor program.
( 3 ) The requirements in this section for alien trainees shall not apply to petitions for participants in a special education exchange visitor program.
(B) Evidence. An H–3 petition for a participant in a special education exchange visitor program shall be accompanied by:
( 1 ) A description of the training program and the facility’s professional staff and details of the alien’s participation in the training program (any custodial care of children must be incidental to the training), and
( 2 ) Evidence that the alien participant is nearing completion of a baccalaureate or higher degree in special education, or already holds such a degree, or has extensive prior training and experience in teaching children with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.
(8) Numerical limits —(i) Limits on affected categories. During each fiscal year, the total number of aliens who can be provided nonimmigrant classification is limited as follows:
(A) Aliens classified as H–1B nonimmigrants, excluding those involved in Department of Defense research and development projects or coproduction projects, may not exceed the limits identified in section 214(g)(1)(A) of the Act.
(B) Aliens classified as H–1B nonimmigrants to work for DOD research and development projects or coproduction projects may not exceed 100 at any time.
(C) Aliens classified as H–2B nonimmigrants may not exceed 66,000.
(D) Aliens classified as H–3 nonimmigrant participants in a special education exchange visitor program may not exceed 50.
(E) Aliens classified as H–1C nonimmigrants may not exceed 500 in a fiscal year.
(ii) Procedures. (A) Each alien issued a visa or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status under sections 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b), 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(c), or 101(a)(15)(H)(ii) of the Act shall be counted for purposes of any applicable numerical limit, unless otherwise exempt from such numerical limit. Requests for petition extension or extension of an alien’s stay shall not be counted for the purpose of the numerical limit. The spouse and children of principal H aliens are classified as H–4 nonimmigrants and shall not be counted against numerical limits applicable to principals.
(B) When calculating the numerical limitations or the number of exemptions under section 214(g)(5)(C) of the Act for a given fiscal year, USCIS will make numbers available to petitions in the order in which the petitions are filed. USCIS will make projections of the number of petitions necessary to achieve the numerical limit of approvals, taking into account historical data related to approvals, denials, revocations, and other relevant factors. USCIS will monitor the number of petitions (including the number of beneficiaries requested when necessary) received and will notify the public of the date that USCIS has received the necessary number of petitions (the “final receipt date”). The day the news is published will not control the final receipt date. When necessary to ensure the fair and orderly allocation of numbers in a particular classification subject to a numerical limitation or the exemption under section 214(g)(5)(C) of the Act, USCIS may randomly select from among the petitions received on the final receipt date the remaining number of petitions deemed necessary to generate the numerical limit of approvals. This random selection will be made via computer-generated selection as validated by the Office of Immigration Statistics. Petitions subject to a numerical limitation not randomly selected or that were received after the final receipt date will be rejected. Petitions filed on behalf of aliens otherwise eligible for the exemption under section 214(g)(5)(C) of the Act not randomly selected or that were received after the final receipt date will be rejected if the numerical limitation under 214(g)(1) of the Act has been reached for that fiscal year. Petitions indicating that they are exempt from the numerical limitation but that are determined by USCIS after the final receipt date to be subject to the numerical limit will be denied and filing fees will not be returned or refunded. If the final receipt date is any of the first five business days on which petitions subject to the applicable numerical limit may be received ( i.e. , if the numerical limit is reached on any one of the first five business days that filings can be made), USCIS will randomly apply all of the numbers among the petitions received on any of those five business days, conducting the random selection among the petitions subject to the exemption under section 214(g)(5)(C) of the Act first.
(C) When an approved petition is not used because the beneficiary(ies) does not apply for admission to the United States, the petitioner shall notify the Service Center Director who approved the petition that the number(s) has not been used. The petition shall be revoked pursuant to paragraph (h)(11)(ii) of this section and USCIS will take into account the unused number during the appropriate fiscal year.
(D) If the total numbers available in a fiscal year are used, new petitions and the accompanying fee shall be rejected and returned with a notice that numbers are unavailable for the particular nonimmigrant classification until the beginning of the next fiscal year. Petitions received after the total numbers available in a fiscal year are used stating that the alien beneficiaries are exempt from the numerical limitation will be denied and filing fees will not be returned or refunded if USCIS later determines that such beneficiaries are subject to the numerical limitation.
(E) The 500 H–1C nonimmigrant visas issued each fiscal year shall be allocated in the following manner:
( 1 ) For each fiscal year, the number of visas issued to the states of California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas shall not exceed 50 each (except as provided for in paragraph (h)(8)(ii)(F)( 3 ) of this section).
( 2 ) For each fiscal year, the number of visas issued to the states not listed in paragraph (h)(8)(ii)(F)( 1 ) of this section shall not exceed 25 each (except as provided for in paragraph (h)(8)(ii)(F)( 3 ) of this section).
( 3 ) If the total number of visas available during the first three quarters of a fiscal year exceeds the number of approvable H–1C petitions during those quarters, visas may be issued during the last quarter of the fiscal year to nurses who will be working in a state whose cap has already been reached for that fiscal year.
( 4 ) When an approved H–1C petition is not used because the alien(s) does not obtain H–1C classification, e.g., the alien is never admitted to the United States, or the alien never worked for the facility, the facility must notify the Service according to the instructions contained in paragraph (h)(11)(ii) of this section. The Service will subtract H–1C petitions approved in the current fiscal year that are later revoked from the total count of approved H–1C petitions, provided that the alien never commenced employment with the facility.
( 5 ) If the number of alien nurses included in an H–1C petition exceeds the number available for the remainder of a fiscal year, the Service shall approve the petition for the beneficiaries to the allowable amount in the order that they are listed on the petition. The remaining beneficiaries will be considered for approval in the subsequent fiscal year.
( 6 ) Once the 500 cap has been reached, the Service will reject any new petitions subsequently filed requesting a work start date prior to the first day of the next fiscal year.
(9) Approval and validity of petition —(i) Approval. The director shall consider all the evidence submitted and such other evidence as he or she may independently require to assist his or her adjudication. The director shall notify the petitioner of the approval of the petition on Form I–797, Notice of Action. The approval shall be as follows:
(A) The approval notice shall include the beneficiary’s(ies’) name(s) and classification and the petition’s period of validity. A petition for more than one beneficiary and/or multiple services may be approved in whole or in part. The approval notice shall cover only those beneficiaries approved for classification under section 101(a)(15)(H) of the Act.
(B) The petition may not be filed or approved earlier than 6 months before the date of actual need for the beneficiary’s services or training, except that an H–2B petition for a temporary nonagricultural worker may not be filed or approved more than 120 days before the date of the actual need for the beneficiary’s temporary nonagricultural services that is identified on the temporary labor certification.
(C) If the period of services or training requested by the petitioner exceeds the limit specified in paragraph (h)(9)(iii) of this section, the petition shall be approved only up to the limit specified in that paragraph.
(iii) Validity. The initial approval period of an H petition shall conform to the limits prescribed as follows:
(A)( 1 ) H–1B petition in a specialty occupation. An approved petition classified under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the Act for an alien in a specialty occupation shall be valid for a period of up to three years but may not exceed the validity period of the labor condition application.
( 2 ) H–1B petition involving a DOD research and development or coproduction project. An approved petition classified under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the Act for an alien involved in a DOD research and development project or a coproduction project shall be valid for a period of up to five years.
( 3 ) H–1B petition involving an alien of distinguished merit and ability in the field of fashion modeling. An approved petition classified under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the Act for an alien of distinguished merit and ability in the field of fashion modeling shall be valid for a period of up to three years.
(B) H–2B petition. (1) The approval of the petition to accord an alien a classification under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) of the Act shall be valid for the period of the approved temporary labor certification.
( 2 ) Notice that certification cannot be made attached —( i ) Countervailing evidence. If a petition is submitted containing a notice from the Secretary of Labor or the Governor of Guam that certification cannot be made, and is not accompanied by countervailing evidence, the petitioner shall be informed that he or she may submit the countervailing evidence in accordance with paragraphs (h)(6)(iii)(E) and (h)(6)(iv)(D) of this section.
( ii ) Approval. In any case where the director decides that approval of the H–2B petition is warranted despite the issuance of a notice by the Secretary of Labor or the Governor of Guam that certification cannot be made, the approval shall be certified by the Director to the Commissioner pursuant to 8 CFR 103.4. In emergent situations, the certification may be presented by telephone to the Director, Administrative Appeals Office, Headquarters. If approved, the petition is valid for the period of established need not to exceed one year. There is no appeal from a decision which has been certified to the Commissioner.
(C)( 1 ) H–3 petition for alien trainee. An approved petition for an alien trainee classified under section 101(a)(15)(H)(iii) of the Act shall be valid for a period of up to two years.
( 2 ) H–3 petition for alien participant in a special education training program. An approved petition for an alien classified under section 101(a)(15)(H)(iii) of the Act as a participant in a special education exchange visitor program shall be valid for a period of up to 18 months.
(D) H–1C petition for a registered nurse. An approved petition for an alien classified under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(c) of the Act shall be valid for a period of 3 years.
(iv) Spouse and dependents. The spouse and unmarried minor children of the beneficiary are entitled to H nonimmigrant classification, subject to the same period of admission and limitations as the beneficiary, if they are accompanying or following to join the beneficiary in the United States. Neither the spouse nor a child of the beneficiary may accept employment unless he or she is the beneficiary of an approved petition filed in his or her behalf and has been granted a nonimmigrant classification authorizing his or her employment.
(10) Denial of petition —(i) Multiple beneficiaries. A petition for multiple beneficiaries may be denied in whole or in part.
(ii) Notice of denial. The petitioner shall be notified of the reasons for the denial and of the right to appeal the denial of the petition under 8 CFR part 103. The petition will be denied if it is determined that the statements on the petition were inaccurate, fraudulent, or misrepresented a material fact. There is no appeal from a decision to deny an extension of stay to the alien.
(11) Revocation of approval of petition —(i) General. (A) The petitioner shall immediately notify the Service of any changes in the terms and conditions of employment of a beneficiary which may affect eligibility under section 101(a)(15)(H) of the Act and paragraph (h) of this section. An amended petition on Form I–129 should be filed when the petitioner continues to employ the beneficiary. However, H–2A petitioners must send notification to DHS pursuant to paragraph (h)(5)(vi) of this section. However, H–2A and H–2B petitioners must send notification to DHS pursuant to paragraphs (h)(5)(vi) and (h)(6)(i)(F) of this section respectively.
(B) The director may revoke a petition at any time, even after the expiration of the petition.
(ii) Immediate and automatic revocation . The approval of any petition is immediately and automatically revoked if the petitioner goes out of business, files a written withdrawal of the petition, or the Department of Labor revokes the labor certification upon which the petition is based.
(iii) Revocation on notice —(A) Grounds for revocation. The director shall send to the petitioner a notice of intent to revoke the petition in relevant part if he or she finds that:
( 1 ) The beneficiary is no longer employed by the petitioner in the capacity specified in the petition, or if the beneficiary is no longer receiving training as specified in the petition; or
( 2 ) The statement of facts contained in the petition or on the application for a temporary labor certification was not true and correct, inaccurate, fraudulent, or misrepresented a material fact; or
( 3 ) The petitioner violated terms and conditions of the approved petition; or
( 4 ) The petitioner violated requirements of section 101(a)(15)(H) of the Act or paragraph (h) of this section; or
( 5 ) The approval of the petition violated pargraph (h) of this section or involved gross error.
(B) Notice and decision. The notice of intent to revoke shall contain a detailed statement of the grounds for the revocation and the time period allowed for the petitioner’s rebuttal. The petitioner may submit evidence in rebuttal within 30 days of receipt of the notice. The director shall consider all relevant evidence presented in deciding whether to revoke the petition in whole or in part. If the petition is revoked in part, the remainder of the petition shall remain approved and a revised approval notice shall be sent to the petitioner with the revocation notice.
(12) Appeal of a denial or a revocation of a petition —(i) Denial. A petition denied in whole or in part may be appealed under part 103 of this chapter.
(ii) Revocation. A petition that has been revoked on notice in whole or in part may be appealed under part 103 of this chapter. Automatic revocations may not be appealed.
(13) Admission —(i) General. (A) A beneficiary shall be admitted to the United States for the validity period of the petition, plus a period of up to 10 days before the validity period begins and 10 days after the validity period ends. The beneficiary may not work except during the validity period of the petition.
(B) When an alien in an H classification has spent the maximum allowable period of stay in the United States, a new petition under sections 101(a)(15)(H) or (L) of the Act may not be approved unless that alien has resided and been physically present outside the United States, except for brief trips for business or pleasure, for the time limit imposed on the particular H classification. Brief trips to the United States for business or pleasure during the required time abroad are not interruptive, but do not count towards fulfillment of the required time abroad. A certain period of absence from the United States of H–2A and H–2B aliens can interrupt the accrual of time spent in such status against the 3-year limit set forth in 8 CFR 214.2(h)(13)(iv). The petitioner shall provide information about the alien’s employment, place of residence, and the dates and purposes of any trips to the United States during the period that the alien was required to reside abroad.
(ii) H–1C limitation on admission. The maximum period of admission for an H–1C nonimmigrant alien is 3 years. The maximum period of admission for an H–1C alien begins on the date the H–1C alien is admitted to the United and ends on the third anniversary of the alien’s admission date. Periods of time spent out of the United States for business or personal reasons during the validity period of the H–1C petition count towards the alien’s maximum period of admission. When an H–1C alien has reached the 3-year maximum period of admission, the H–1C alien is no longer eligible for admission to the United States as an H–1C nonimmigrant alien.
(iii) H–1B limitation on admission. (A) Alien in a specialty occupation or an alien of distinguished merit and ability in the field of fashion modeling. An H–1B alien in a specialty occupation or an alien of distinguished merit and ability who has spent six years in the United States under section 101(a)(15)(H) and/or (L) of the Act may not seek extension, change status, or be readmitted to the United States under section 101(a)(15) (H) or (L) of the Act unless the alien has resided and been physically present outside the United States, except for brief trips for business or pleasure, for the immediate prior year.
(B) Alien involved in a DOD research and development or coproduction project. An H–1B alien involved in a DOD research and development or coproduction project who has spent 10 years in the United States under section 101(a)(15) (H) and/or (L) of the Act may not seek extension, change status, or be readmitted to the United States under section 101(a)(15) (H) or (L) of the Act to perform services involving a DOD research and development project or coproduction project. A new petition or change of status under section 101(a)(15) (H) or (L) of the Act may not be approved for such an alien unless the alien has resided and been physically present outside the United States, except for brief trips for business or pleasure, for the immediate prior year.
(iv) H–2B and H–3 limitation on admission. An H–2B alien who has spent 3 years in the United States under section 101(a)(15)(H) and/or (L) of the Act may not seek extension, change status, or be readmitted to the United States under sections 101(a)(15)(H) and/or (L) of the Act unless the alien has resided and been physically present outside the United States for the immediately preceding 3 months. An H–3 alien participant in a special education program who has spent 18 months in the United States under sections 101(a)(15)(H) and/or (L) of the Act; and an H–3 alien trainee who has spent 24 months in the United States under sections 101(a)(15)(H) and/or (L) of the Act may not seek extension, change status, or be readmitted to the United States under sections 101(a)(15)(H) and/or (L) of the Act unless the alien has resided and been physically present outside the United States for the immediate prior 6 months.
(v) Exceptions. The limitations in paragraphs (h)(13)(iii) through (h)(13)(iv) of this section shall not apply to H–1B, H–2B, and H–3 aliens who did not reside continually in the United States and whose employment in the United States was seasonal or intermittent or was for an aggregate of 6 months or less per year. In addition, the limitations shall not apply to aliens who reside abroad and regularly commute to the United States to engage in part-time employment. An absence from the United States can interrupt the accrual of time spent as an H–2B nonimmigrant against the 3-year limit. If the accumulated stay is 18 months or less, an absence is interruptive if it lasts for at least 45 days. If the accumulated stay is greater than 18 months, an absence is interruptive if it lasts for at least two months. To qualify for this exception, the petitioner and the alien must provide clear and convincing proof that the alien qualifies for such an exception. Such proof shall consist of evidence such as arrival and departure records, copies of tax returns, and records of employment abroad.
(14) Extension of visa petition validity. The petitioner shall file a request for a petition extension on Form I–129 to extend the validity of the original petition under section 101(a)(15)(H) of the Act. Supporting evidence is not required unless requested by the director. A request for a petition extension may be filed only if the validity of the original petition has not expired.
(15) Extension of stay —(i) General. The petitioner shall apply for extension of an alien’s stay in the United States by filing a petition extension on Form I–129 accompanied by the documents described for the particular classification in paragraph (h)(15)(ii) of this section. The petitioner must also request a petition extension. The dates of extension shall be the same for the petition and the beneficiary’s extension of stay. The beneficiary must be physically present in the United States at the time of the filing of the extension of stay. Even though the requests to extend the petition and the alien’s stay are combined on the petition, the director shall make a separate determination on each. If the alien is required to leave the United States for business or personal reasons while the extension requests are pending, the petitioner may request the director to cable notification of approval of the petition extension to the consular office abroad where the alien will apply for a visa. When the total period of stay in an H classification has been reached, no further extensions may be granted.
(ii) Extension periods —(A) H–1C extension of stay. The maximum period of admission for an H–1C alien is 3 years. An H–1C alien who was initially admitted to the United States for less than 3 years may receive an extension of stay up to the third anniversary date of his or her initial admission. An H–1C nonimmigrant may not receive an extension of stay beyond the third anniversary date of his or her initial admission to the United States.
(B) H–1B extension of stay —( 1 ) Alien in a specialty occupation or an alien of distinguished merit and ability in the field of fashion modeling. An extension of stay may be authorized for a period of up to three years for a beneficiary of an H–1B petition in a specialty occupation or an alien of distinguished merit and ability. The alien’s total period of stay may not exceed six years. The request for extension must be accompanied by either a new or a photocopy of the prior certification from the Department of Labor that the petitioner continues to have on file a labor condition application valid for the period of time requested for the occupation.
( 2 ) Alien in a DOD research and development or coproduction project. An extension of stay may be authorized for a period up to five years for the beneficiary of an H–1B petition involving a DOD research and development project or coproduction project. The total period of stay may not exceed 10 years.
(C) H–2A or H–2B extension of stay. An extension of stay for the beneficiary of an H–2A or H–2B petition may be authorized for the validity of the labor certification or for a period of up to one year, except as provided for in paragraph (h)(5)(x) of this section. The alien’s total period of stay as an H–2A or H–2B worker may not exceed three years, except that in the Virgin Islands, the alien’s total period of stay may not exceed 45 days.
(D) H–3 extension of stay. An extension of stay may be authorized for the length of the training program for a total period of stay as an H–3 trainee not to exceed two years, or for a total period of stay as a participant in a special education training program not to exceed 18 months.
(16) Effect of approval of a permanent labor certification or filing of a preference petition on H classification —(i) H–1B or H–1C classification. The approval of a permanent labor certification or the filing of a preference petition for an alien shall not be a basis for denying an H–1C or H–1B petition or a request to extend such a petition, or the alien’s admission, change of status, or extension of stay. The alien may legitimately come to the United States for a temporary period as an H–1C or H–1B nonimmigrant and depart voluntarily at the end of his or her authorized stay and, at the same time, lawfully seek to become a permanent resident of the United States.
(ii) H–2A, H–2B, and H–3 classification. The approval of a permanent labor certification, or the filing of a preference petition for an alien currently employed by or in a training position with the same petitioner, shall be a reason, by itself, to deny the alien’s extension of stay.
(17) Effect of a strike —(i) If the Secretary of Labor certifies to the Commissioner that a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers is in progress in the occupation and at the place where the beneficiary is to be employed or trained, and that the employment of training of the beneficiary would adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. citizens and lawful resident workers:
(A) A petition to classify an alien as a nonimmigrant as defined in section 101(a)(15)(H) of the Act shall be denied.
(B) If a petition has already been approved, but the alien has not yet entered the United States, or has entered the United States but has not commenced the employment, the approval of the petition is automatically suspended, and the application for admission on the basis of the petition shall be denied.
(ii) If there is a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers in progress, but such strike or other labor dispute is not certified under paragraph (h)(17)(i), the Commissioner shall not deny a petition or suspend an approved petition.
(iii) If the alien has already commenced employment in the United States under an approved petition and is participating in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers, whether or not such strike or other labor dispute has been certified by the Department of Labor, the alien shall not be deemed to be failing to maintain his or her status solely on account of past, present, or future participation in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers, but is subject to the following terms and conditions:
(A) The alien shall remain subject to all applicable provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and regulations promulgated in the same manner as all other H nonimmigrants;
(B) The status and authorized period of stay of such an alien is not modified or extended in any way by virtue of his or her participation in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers; and
(C) Although participation by an H nonimmigrant alien in a strike or other labor dispute involving a work stoppage of workers will not constitute a ground for deportation, any alien who violates his or her status or who remains in the United States after his or her authorized period of stay has expired will be subject to deportation.
(18) Use of approval notice, Form I–797. The Service shall notify the petitioner on Form I–797 whenever a visa petition, an extension of a visa petition, or an alien’s extension of stay is approved under the H classification. The beneficiary of an H petition who does not require a nonimmigrant visa may present a copy of the approval notice at a port of entry to facilitate entry into the United States. A beneficiary who is required to present a visa for admission and whose visa will have expired before the date of his or her intended return may use a copy of Form I–797 to apply for a new or revalidated visa during the validity period of the petition. The copy of Form I–797 shall be retained by the beneficiary and presented during the validity of the petition when reentering the United States to resume the same employment with the same petitioner.
(19) Additional fee for filing certain H–1B petitions. (i) A United States employer (other than an exempt employer as defined in paragraph (h)(19)(iii) of this section) who files a Form I–129, on or after December 1, 1998, and before October 1, 2001, must include the additional fee required in §103.7(b)(1) of this chapter, if the petition is filed for any of the following purposes:
(A) An initial grant of H–1B status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the Act;
(B) An initial extension of stay, as provided in paragraph (h)(15)(i) of this section; or
(C) Authorization for a change in employers, as provided in paragraph (h)(2)(i)(D) of this section.
(ii) A petitioner must submit the $110 filing fee and additional $500 filing fee in a single remittance totaling $610. Payment of the $610 sum ($110 filing fee and additional $500 filing fee) must be made at the same time to constitute a single remittance. A petitioner may submit two checks, one in the amount of $500 and the other in the amount of $110. The Service will accept remittances of the $500 fee only from the United States employer or its representative of record, as defined under 8 CFR part 292 and 8 CFR 103.2(a).
(iii) The following exempt organizations are not required to pay the additional fee:
(A) An institution of higher education, as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965;
(B) An affiliated or related nonprofit entity. A nonprofit entity (including but not limited to hospitals and medical or research institutions) that is connected or associated with an institution of higher education, through shared ownership or control by the same board or federation operated by an institution of higher education, or attached to an institution of higher education as a member, branch, cooperative, or subsidiary; or
(C) A nonprofit research organization or governmental research organization. A nonprofit research organization is an organization that is primarily engaged in basic research and/or applied research. A governmental research organization is a United States Government entity whose primary mission is the performance or promotion of basic research and/or applied research. Basic research is general research to gain more comprehensive knowledge or understanding of the subject under study, without specific applications in mind. Basic research is also research that advances scientific knowledge, but does not have specific immediate commercial objectives although it may be in fields of present or potential commercial interest. It may include research and investigation in the sciences, social sciences, or humanities. Applied research is research to gain knowledge or understanding to determine the means by which a specific, recognized need may be met. Applied research includes investigations oriented to discovering new scientific knowledge that has specific commercial objectives with respect to products, processes, or services. It may include research and investigation in the sciences, social sciencies, or humanities.
(iv) Non-profit or tax exempt organizations. For purposes of paragraphs (h)(19)(iii) (B) and (C) of this section, a nonprofit organization or entity is:
(A) Defined as a tax exempt organization under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, section 501(c)(3), (c)(4) or (c)(6), 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3), (c)(4) or (c)(6), and
(B) Has been approved as a tax exempt organization for research or educational purposes by the Internal Revenue Service.
(v) Filing situations where the $500 filing fee is not required. The $500 filing fee is not required:
(A) If the petition is an amended H–1B petition that does not contain any requests for an extension of stay;
(B) If the petition is an H–1B petition filed for the sole purpose of correcting a Service error; or
(C) If the petition is the second or subsequent request for an extension of stay filed by the employer regardless of when the first extension of stay was filed or whether the $500 filing fee was paid on the initial petition or the first extension of stay.
(vi) Petitioners required to file Form I–129W. All petitioners must submit Form I–129W with the appropriate supporting documentation with the petition for an H–1B nonimmigrant alien. Petitioners who do not qualify for a fee exemption are required only to fill our Part A of Form I–129W.
(vii) Evidence to be submitted in support of the Form I–129W. (A) Employer claiming to be exempt. An employer claiming to be exempt from the $500 filing fee must complete both Parts A and B of Form I–129W along with Form I–129. The employer must also submit evidence as described on Form I–129W establishing that it meets one of the exemptions described at paragraph (h)(19)(iii) of this section. A United States employer claiming an exemption from the $500 filing fee on the basis that it is a non-profit research organization must submit evidence that it has tax exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, section 501(c)(3), (c)(4) or (c)(6), 26 U.S.C. 501(c)(3), (c)(4) or (c)(6). All other employers claiming an exemption must submit a statement describing why the organization or entity is exempt.
(B) Exempt filing situations. Any non-exempt employer who claims that the $500 filing fee does not apply with respect to a particular filing for one of the reasons described in §214.2(h)(19)(v), must submit a statement describing why the filing fee is not required.
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