Working in multiple disciplines/occupations on H1B

[geowrian 22,337]

Yes you can study. No, you cannot engage in any other employment activities for which your existing H-1B status does not permit (such as working for another employer without an appropriate concurrent petition, or a transfer).

 

If you obtain a new visa and re-enter the US on that (or change status within the US), you can work in accordance with the terms of that new status.

Note that you cannot have more than 1 status in the US at a time...so as long as you have H-1B status, you are bound by that employer for employment (at least until you find a new one that sponsors you).

 

You are free to seek other statuses or visas, which may be better in line with your long term employment goals. O-1 is one such option, if you can meet the high requirements for it.

You can also see if your current employer is willing to petition you for a green card, in which case you would then be free to work for any employer or multiple employers.

 

3 hours ago, Vinny69 said:

Maybe more knowledgeable people should actually reply here rather than posting with replies starting with "i think, Maybe, I heard" If someone doesnt know the answer, just dont post.

3 hours ago, Vinny69 said:

I'm not suspecting any violations, I came here for information, which you are not giving me or are not capable of giving me. Stop increasing your post count, you're not helping. If you dont know something, or are unable to help, stop posting.

As already stated, telling people not to post is a violation of the TOS ("Restrict or inhibit any other user from using and enjoying the Forums.").

 

I'll just add a reminder that these forums are for assistance and opinions, not legal advice. Please keep that in mind in the responses you receive.

[Ryan H 3,812]

~~~Closed for review~~~

 

***Thread back open, the verbiage that ran afoul of the specific provision of the TOS has been cited in the previous post.  Further TOS violations will warrant Administrative Action.***

Edited June 14, 2018 by Ryan H

[topazfae 31]

Just no.  I'm surprised that you are on your 4th H1b.  I thought there was a limitation on the number of H1b that you can renew.  I know it was up to 6 years unless you are in the process of obtaining a green card which is what happened to me.  I applied for a green card while I was renewing my H1b for 2nd term of 3 years.  But at that time, the process to obtain a green card was incredibly long (took me 4 years to get it), so I had two options - go for 3rd H1b since I am in the process or get work authorization.  We opted for Work authorization because, we assume I should be getting a green card anytime (it was third year of waiting).  And the work authorization is much cheaper than H1b.  Fortunately, at the end of my work authorization, I got my green card.  The point is - you are on H1b for one reason - which is to work for that company for a specific job title. You can't change th ejob title. I can't change my title at all while I was on H1b but my job duties changed.  Once I get my green card - my title has been changed.

 

Don't jeopardize your chance of getting a green card by working illegally.  To study, you can study on H1b but you are expected to work full-time at that company using your title.  You can't get paid by another company or anything.  It will jeopardize your case.  Why don't you apply for a green card?  Have your company sponsor you for a green card.  

[CEE53147 559]

You can study while on H-1B. Modeling does not require a college degree.  I know of no reputable university that offers such a degree.

 

Reputable universities do not offer CPT other than as part of an established curriculum; they cannot create ony just for you.

 

You have a good thing going with your IT job. Don't risk it.

[Vinny69 9]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I'm in no way trying to work illegally. I have my green card applied and my I140 approved. I'm just finding legal ways to work in another discipline, thats all 

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

A green card applied and i-140 approved?

When an employer files a i-140 petition on behalf of a foreign worker, by law it's because that employer is unable to find a US worker. Shouldn't you be working for that employer that filed the PERM if they need you for that position, rather than look for work in another discipline? 

[Vinny69 9]

1 minute ago, WeGuyGal said:

A green card applied and i-140 approved?

When an employer files a i-140 petition on behalf of a foreign worker, by law it's because that employer is unable to find a US worker. Shouldn't you be working for that employer that filed the PERM if they need you for that position, rather than look for work in another discipline? 

Well, I want to continue working in that discipline, just wanted to do fashion/modeling on the side or as an alternate profession. 

[topazfae 31]

How long one can stay in USA on H1B visa?

The H1B visa duration is limited to 6 years. If required to come again on H1B visa, then one has to stay outside USA, for at least one year, before re-entering.You may be eligible for extension beyond 6 yrs if your green card process and your labor is pending for more then 365 days or you have applied for 485/AOS.

 

Since you have applied for the green card - wait until you get it, then you can work 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th job all you want to.  Right now, you can't do anything but work for the company who sponsored you.  Not sure when you applied for green card, since you're on your 4th H1b and it should be anytime that you will get your green card.  Just wait it out.

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

6 minutes ago, Vinny69 said:

, just wanted to do fashion/modeling on the side or as an alternate profession. 

Since you're keen on it, perhaps something in your country where you're likely to have work privileges?

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

11 minutes ago, WeGuyGal said:

A green card applied and i-140 approved?

When an employer files a i-140 petition on behalf of a foreign worker, by law it's because that employer is unable to find a US worker. Shouldn't you be working for that employer that filed the PERM if they need you for that position, rather than look for work in another discipline? 

Well, this just shows up yet another loophole in the whole H1B process, right? Seen countless posts by people who dump their employers as soon as they get their green cards.  But as long as the law allows someone to change jobs or professions once they get a green card, OP can do it if s/he wants despite it not being, what, the moral approach?

[Boiler 45,486]

There are issues changing employers and obviously one reason Employers are reluctant to go through the process.

 

Obvious solution here is to wait until you have EAD and then you work multiple jobs.

[Vinny69 9]

11 minutes ago, SusieQQQ said:

Well, this just shows up yet another loophole in the whole H1B process, right? Seen countless posts by people who dump their employers as soon as they get their green cards.  But as long as the law allows someone to change jobs or professions once they get a green card, OP can do it if s/he wants despite it not being, what, the moral approach?

Whats immoral about working in a certain profession and earning money ? I'm not going to be robbing people or commit crime as soon as I get my green card. I pay more taxes in one year than 5 people earn. Why do we all forget that around 400 years ago, immigrants came to this country and made this country what it is today. What was immoral was them killing off the original inhabitants. This was a digression, dont want to start a war here. 

 

 

Edited June 14, 2018 by Vinny69

[Vinny69 9]

I'm sorry to bring all this up, its just that people have started considering immigrants as peasants and unwanted insects. 

Edited June 14, 2018 by Vinny69

[Boiler 45,486]

You are not an immigrant you are currently here on a temporary work visa.

[SusieQQQ 11,586]

8 minutes ago, Vinny69 said:

Whats immoral about working in a certain profession and earning money ? I'm not going to be robbing people or commit crime as soon as I get my green card. I pay more taxes in one year than 5 people earn. Why do we all forget that around 400 years ago, immigrants came to this country and made this country what it is today. What was immoral was them killing off the original inhabitants. This was a digression, dont want to start a war here. 

 

 

I didn’t say it was immoral. It was in response to the post that you “should” be working in the area you are getting your green card sponsored for. I just pointed out the law allows you to do so. Please don’t ascribe all sorts of things to me and others when you have no clue about us. Isn’t it blindingly obvious that everyone on this forum is here is because either they or a close relative are an immigrant? Why on earth do you suppose we would be anti immigrant? Pointing out problems with what you plan to do etc doesn’t make anyone anti immigrant. 

And you don’t want  to get into a who pays more tax debate, trust me.

Edited June 14, 2018 by SusieQQQ