H1B Faqs

1. How to check whether my H1 B visa is still valid or revoked by my previous employer.

Answer: Unfortunately there is no way to see this information. You can lookup the case status using the EAC number, but this do not gets updated in real time and sometimes never gets updated.


2. I am thinking of doing a H1B Transfer, will my current employer A come to know about this?
I have done my H1 transfer, I do not want my current employer A to know this.
Will USCIS inform my current employer A about the H1 transfer?
Answer: USCIS do not informs about the H1 transfers. Infact there is no way your employer A can know about the transfer unless you or your secret keeper friends lets your employer know.

3. I am on H1b, can I start a company, or partner in a company, start a franchise like Subway ?  
Answer: Short answer: No, you can't. Long answer: H1B visa is only to work for the employer who has sponsored your VISA. You can start a business, partner until you get a Green Card.

Bribe: Asking money for Police verification for the passport

Those who don't know the process by which the Indian passports are made; the police verification is a important step. One constable (from the Police Station under which the passport application jurisdictional falls) visits the passport applicant home.

This is to verify if the person physically lives there and is not fake or fictitious.

There is no fee involved, but the visiting police man/ constable always asks for money (read bribe).

Last month (May 2009) a constable visited my in-laws who live in Bikaner, Rajasthan and asked for Rs. 1,500 (500 per head).

What if we don't accept the "offer"; the file is sent back to the passport office with some fictitious reason or kept in cold bag in the police station for good.

Paying 500 Rupees i guess it a good bargain versus following up with passport/police and calling anti-corruption agency.

What your take ?

posts with the same issue:

http://www.rtiindia.org/forum/...

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/.......

Private Pilot License: Lets start Flying.

Work-in-progress

As I am writing this post I am searching the ways to get a Private Pilot License. I read an article 2 days back here: http://www.desicrunch.com/Articles/privatepilot.html. And I just started dreaming on flying a small plane looking below at the green fields and river. Sitting besides is my wife and 2 friends behind.

Isn't this amazing!!!

First let me burst all the myths that are in your mind right now.

1. The whole process is easy. I do not mean getting license is cake walk because this is where you do the hard work. I just mean the “process”

2. Non-US citizens can fly.

3. Its not that expensive. USD 5000-USD 10000

4. No upright fee, Pay as you go.

Total cost:

1	Medical exam	$ 080.00
2	Written Exams	$ 150.00
3	TSA Security Clearance	$ 130.00
	Total	$ 360.00

Steps to earn a Private Pilot License:

1. Get 3^rd Class medical exam
2. Search for a Pilot Training School
3. Get introductory flight.
4. Get clearance from TSA
5. Begin training and log Hours
6. Pass Written Exams
7. End

1. Get 3^rd Class medical exam

To get a Private/recreational one needs an Third Class Medical Certificate. The following link explains more. This is just a Medical examination need to be passed via a FAA designated doctor. The doctor will certify that the prospect candidate is okay for flying. FAA recommends getting the Third Class Medical Certificate before starting the actual training. http://www.faa.gov/pilots/become/medical/

Usually the medical certificate and student pilot certificate are one and the same and are issued by a doctor, called an aviation medical examiner, who has been approved by the FAA to administer the medical exam.

Save yourself the extra step by being sure to request a combination medical and student pilot certificate when you visit the medical examiner

The combination medical/student pilot certificate is easy to carry in your logbook, wallet, or purse and required to be in your possession when you fly solo. The difference between the regular medical certificate and the combination medical and student pilot certificate is that, on the back of the medical/student pilot certificate, there is space for the flight instructor's signature before you fly solo.

To locate a FAA Doctor (Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)) follows: http://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/

2. To locate a Flight School near you.

This is probably tough step. It’s tough because it is for the student to select a training school that suits the most to him, it can be in terms of cost, distance, flight trainer, etc.

Start here http://flighttraining.aopa.org/learntofly/school/flight_schools/ and search the schools that are near your place. Call them and let them know that you are interested to flying and getting PPL/Sports/ Recreational license.

I guess the possible lists of questions to be asked are:

1. How can I get started?
2. Cost of introductory flight, read more about in Step 3.
3. Cost per hour of Flying (Wet/Dry) and Trainers fee. Wet means that the cost of Gas is included and Dry means not.
4. How ling it will take to earn a license. It’s kind of vague question, because it entirely depends on ones capability, but just to get an idea.

Recently I have discovered that apart from Flying Schools, there are many small and big Flying clubs. So instead of going to Flying Schools one may choose to learn flying from these Flying Clubs. I am explaining more about these Flying Clubs at the end of this blog.

3. Get introductory flight.

Schedule a introductory flight with training school(s). This is not

4. If you are non US Citizens: Get clearance from TSA [$130.00]

One needs to choose Category 3 while applying for the TSA clearance. Use this website to get Clarence from TSA https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov/.

They have listed step by step process to submit the application form. The Application Guide link (https://www.flightschoolcandidates.gov/afsp2/?acct_type=c&section=AG) explains what all the required is simple plain English. The requirements also include finger printing.

6. To schedule a Written FAA Knowledge Exams use this site. [$150.00]

http://www.catstest.com/html/applicants/faa/

Web Page that I read:

http://www.desicrunch.com/Articles/privatepilot.html [Motivation Point]

http://flighttraining.aopa.org/learntofly/welcome/ [Learning what the Flying License is all about]

http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aviation/media/faa-h-8083-27a.pdf - Information about the Pilot License

http://www.cessna.com/learn-to-fly.html

http://www.aopa.org/learntofly/index.html

[Complete How to become a PPL]

http://www.wikihow.com/Obtain-an-FAA-Private-Pilot's-License

*******************************************

Update April 29, 2010:

The beauty of this country (USA) is that things are really easy and straight forward. If you want to fly go ahead no issues, if you wanna lean robatic engineering go ahead no issues. hmm So I called a couple of people in and around Lansing, MI (48910) to get the information if I am missing something. And this is my advice to you too, call and meet as many people you can. These folks are experienced and can give you some good tips.

So I called 3 Different people:

LLC (Lansing Community College): They just do the aviation career and not just the Private Licensing.

Aric Newsted [anewstedaatgmaildotcom]: He is teaching at Flying Club at the capital airport in Lansing, MI. I never knew this, because his Flying Club is not listed in AOPA website. So this place is near close.

Kreem Walton: He is a flight instructor at various places and lastly

Dan Holtzclaw: He teaches in Pontaic, MI.

All sounded me reasonable. So like a link by link chain.

I guess I will visit the Grand Ledge (grandairaviation.com/) and Erec (www.oldsforgeflyers.com/)

Spartan Wings, Inc, Mason: http://www.spartanwings.com/10.html

This is my understanding on how the future looks like after this new memorandum on "employer-employee" relationship.

1. I see many H1B Employees getting affected. There will be many h1 transfers denial, denials in extensions. So either they will find a new real Full Time job, or get their H1 transferred to “big” consulting companies like K Force, TEK Systems, Infosys, Wipro, etc. Else failing this will force them going back to their home country. Many might change their status to H4 (if a spouse id working).

2. All major consulting companies will “have to” hire H1s like TEK System, K Force because since there will be no layer concept they wont be able to get consultants from some Body Shoppers.

3. Consultancy Companies aka Desi Companies, Body Shoppers, Job will close if they do not have large number of direct clients and most (90% if not 95%) of them don’t have . Even if they have small number of direct clients they will have to close down in future, because the economy is not very good and maintaining employees on bench is a expensive affair.

4. Many CGs process will stop, because of the reason mentioned in point 1 above.

5. Approx all categories of GC will have very less backlogs. We can even see a backlogs of 2-3 years if not 1-2 years in future.

6. Sharp decrease in H1 applying to GCs. Consider this how many true companies will sponsor their employees for GC knowing that most of them will leaver as soon as they get their Green Card.

7. Demand for EAD/GC/US Citizens will rise because consulting don’t have to do a H1 transfer i.e. no costs attached and no need to pay them on bench.

8. Some clients will face storage of consultants because many H1b will be going back to their home land because of H1 extension denied or consultants changing their job.

9. I see the concept of % salary going away and a relative low pay fixed income starting. With fewer options left for consultants, the companies will come in the driver’s seat. They will offer fixed salary in the range of 55 – 70K as suppose to 7—120K salaries.

10. Job market in some countries esp. India will witness many US return IT professionals.

11. A sight glitch in the real estate market since a little share is owned by many H1bs

I guess in the long run this will help all the parties involved.

My personal experience was very bitter. I was not treated as suppose to me when one comes to an alien country. My X-Desi company did not gave me Medical benefits (I got my own for 3 months). Yeah not getting paid on bench, I have complained to DOL regarding this.

Thanks for reading. Please post your comments.

Tobbaco, Gutka, Cigarettes, Alcohol- Why can't be all ban it once n for all.

Gutka eats away Mumbai youth's tongue

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Gutka-eats-away-Mumbai-youths-tongue/articleshow/5389821.cms

I was reading this article that tell that the mumbai youth is in trouble because of excessive use of Gutka, tobacco. After reading all this I felt sad and sorry for all the people who are into a habit of consuming

tobacco, alcohol, etc.

Something comes to my mind: Why can't we just ban all these things, close down all the factories.

Someone will immediately say Hey you can't do that simple because Millions of people will be affected and jobless.

Also someone says "What happened to freedom?". Someone also says that the govt is getting so much on revenue that is needed to make road, railways and other essential infrastructure.

It may seem at the first glance that this is an insane thing to be done.

But now my question is that Why can't a govt make Drugs such as Brown Sugar, Opium etc. legal. They also have the same effect as the others have. The only difference is that its fast as compared to smoking. But it can also generate revenue of the govt, it can also create jobs and then the govt. can give more options and freedom to its citizens. Now they have one more thing on the menu, you may choose to consume Opium.

Most of us will not agree to this. Can you tell me why ?

Coming back to the question of banning tobacco, alcohol, I fell we will do better if we compare both the aspects. One the one hand we have Jobs, Revenue and so called freedom. On the other hand we have better health, better environment, less expenses because not you do not buy them, less medical expenses, less violence. So what do you think about it ?

I do not buy the argument that a loss of revenue will be huge. We have an example of Gujarat which is a dry state meaning the liquor is not sold opening. ( i know there will be always some sort of smuggling). And Gujarat is one of the best state revenue wise. I admit this may be a weak example but if we compare the pros and cons down the line we can see the benefits of banning tobacco, alcohol, etc.

I am sure you will agree that there are somethings that can not be calculated in monetary terms, e.g. how would you determine the benefit of a man beating his wife after drinking because he has lost his senses versus a man not beating with wife. On a person committing a small crime such as shoplifting or pocket picking or big crimes like theft, kidnapping or even killing for getting money for his bad habit versus a person not doing at least for these bad habits.

A common sense thinking says that the crime with surely reduce, the heath problem related to tobacco and alcohol will minimize.

I admit that a major overhaul will be required to dilute the effect of banning these things. Such as govt. might have to open new avenue to provide jobs, plan some other ways of revenue etc.

Do not forget to comment about how do you feel about it, even a word will be an appreciation.

Thanks for reading

Remembering Gandhi: Time of India Home Page

Remembering Gandhi: This was the post on 2^nd October 2, 2009. This is the day of Gandhi Jayanti .

While seeing the home page of timesofindia.com, I can across this Photos Section. I felt so bad, and so guilt. As you can see just adjacent to the great leader’s photo and the lust pic.

I feel sorry for the editor. I am sure this is not what Gandhi ji wanted and of couse many of us.

This is how my H1B extension going on

1. 09/24/2009 sometime noon: My employer calls and say that I have got a query.
2. 
   
3. 09/27/2009 07:25 PM: I should not have this call. Called some1 I know from my previous project. He is leaving India for good. because of some H1B complication in extension. One of the main reason is that the Client is not giving him the client letter.
4. My wifes mold if offffffffffffff and so is mine.
5. 09/27/2009 07:41 PM: Called one of my friend, and told him the events. He suggested to relax.
6. 09/28/2009 around 8 AM: Mailed employer to talk to the attorney asap and send the answer to the query today itself.
7. 09/28/2009 12:46 PM: Called attorney, voice mail. Leaf him a V mail.
8. 09/28/2009 12:56 PM: Tried to call my employer but voice mail. Leaf him a V mail.
9. 09/28/2009 1:54 PM: Received call from my employer that he is going to send the doc via FedEx today.
10. 
    
11.