Alex

I have recently had a successful job interview for a regular teaching
position in a Mississippi public school. My prospective position starting
day is in August, 2005. My prospective school has very little idea about
visas and certainly will NOT pay for my visa. They agree however to
co-operate to apply for H-1B.

I plan NOT to hire a lawyer and have downloaded "Do it Yourself U.S.
Immigration Kit" from
http://www.usavisanow.com/h1bvisakit.html

I am aware of that additional 25,000 quota and have a great hope to get my
H-1B by August.

I will appreciate any advice, especially from those who have obtained their
H-1b without lawyer assistance.

About myself: I am a Canadian citizen presently residing in Canada, have a
US Master`s degree (graduated in year 2000) and a valid Mississippi teaching
license.

Joe Feise

Alex wrote on 04/30/05 15:47:

    > I have recently had a successful job interview for a regular teaching
    > position in a Mississippi public school. My prospective position starting
    > day is in August, 2005. My prospective school has very little idea about
    > visas and certainly will NOT pay for my visa.


Well, there are a number of fees that the employer absolutely has to pay.

    > I am aware of that additional 25,000 quota and have a great hope to get my


Where did you get the 25K from? From that kit you donwloaded? It is 20K,
and they are not available yet.

    > I will appreciate any advice, especially from those who have obtained their


Get a lawyer...

-Joe
--
I am not a lawyer.
For reliable advice, consult a competent immigration attorney.

Ray

The earliest next issue date for H-1B visas is Oct 1st

http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/h1b.htm#apply

jjf

Alex wrote:
    > I have recently had a successful job interview for a regular teaching

    > position in a Mississippi public school. My prospective position
starting
    > day is in August, 2005. My prospective school has very little idea
about
    > visas and certainly will NOT pay for my visa.

It is the prospective employer who applies for authorization to
employ you as an H-1B, not you. and the law requires them to pay
certain of the fees. It is illegal for anyone else (especially
you) to pay them. You can pay for the visa itself if you need one,
but that's a small bit at the end of the process.

    > They agree however to co-operate to apply for H-1B.
    > I plan NOT to hire a lawyer and have downloaded "Do it Yourself U.S.
    > Immigration Kit" from http://www.usavisanow.com/h1bvisakit.html
    > I am aware of that additional 25,000 quota and have a great hope to
get my
    > H-1B by August.

That's an awareness that most people don't have ... Where did you
hear about this 25,000? I wouldn't get your hopes too high,
especially if your prospective employer doesn't know what they're
getting in to. If there is quota available for you, you may need
to use Premium Processing to be reasonably sure of getting
everything in place by August.

    > I will appreciate any advice, especially from those who have obtained
their
    > H-1b without lawyer assistance.
    > About myself: I am a Canadian citizen presently residing in Canada,
have a
    > US Master`s degree (graduated in year 2000) and a valid Mississippi
teaching
    > license.

Jonathan McNeil Wong

Joe Feise wrote:
    > Alex wrote on 04/30/05 15:47:
    >
    >
    >>I have recently had a successful job interview for a regular teaching
    >>position in a Mississippi public school. My prospective position starting
    >>day is in August, 2005. My prospective school has very little idea about
    >>visas and certainly will NOT pay for my visa.
    >
    >
    >
    > Well, there are a number of fees that the employer absolutely has to pay.
    >
    >
    >>I am aware of that additional 25,000 quota and have a great hope to get my
    >
    >
    >
    > Where did you get the 25K from? From that kit you donwloaded? It is 20K,
    > and they are not available yet.

Will be available around May 12; the old rule (Masters' only, not the
proposed interim interpretation) will apply.
--
Above intended as general commentary, not specific legal
advice. Your mileage may vary.

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Donahue Gallagher Woods LLP Facsimile: 510-832-1486
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