Visa & Green Card
USCIS Life Decision Checklist for Indians
Navigating a major life decision — changing jobs, buying a house, traveling to India, starting a business, or filing I-485 — while your immigration case is pending? Select your situation, status, and green card stage for a personalized risk level and action checklist. No personal immigration identifiers collected.
Educational only — not legal advice. No personal immigration identifiers collected. Always consult your immigration attorney before major decisions.
USCIS Life Decision Checklist
Is this safe for your immigration status?
Select your situation for a personalized risk level, checklist of questions to answer, and related guides.
Life decision guides
Change Job During Green Card
AC21 portability, 180-day rule, I-485J notification
Buy a House (Green Card Pending)
H-1B mortgage, down payment, scenarios to plan for
Travel to India (I-485 Pending)
Advance Parole rules, H-1B travel exception
Layoff During Green Card
60-day grace period, I-140 portability, AC21
H-4 EAD Renewal Gap
No auto-extension, file 6 months early, income gap planning
Side Business on H-1B
Passive vs active work distinction, EAD path
Kids Aging Out (CSPA)
CSPA formula, India EB backlog risk, independent paths
Moving States (H-1B / I-485)
H-1B amendment, LCA, AR-11, field office transfer
Frequently asked questions
Can I change jobs while my I-485 is pending?
Yes — if your I-485 has been pending for at least 180 days AND your I-140 is approved, AC21 portability lets you change to a same-or-similar job without restarting your green card. Before 180 days, a job change is much riskier. Never change jobs without consulting your attorney.
Do I need Advance Parole to visit India?
For many I-485 applicants, leaving the United States without Advance Parole can risk abandonment of the I-485. Some H/L visa holders may have exceptions if they maintain valid status and re-enter properly, but travel rules are fact-specific. File I-131 with your I-485 and wait for the physical card before booking travel. Always confirm with your immigration attorney before traveling while I-485 is pending.
Can I buy a house on H-1B?
Yes. Nonimmigrant visa holders can legally purchase property in the US. Most major mortgage lenders accept H-1B borrowers with 1–2+ years of H-1B validity remaining. The questions to answer: what happens if your status changes, your employer changes, or your I-485 is delayed? Plan these scenarios before signing.
What happens to my I-140 if I get laid off?
If your I-140 has been approved for 180+ days at the time of the layoff, the priority date survives even if your employer withdraws the I-140. Your new employer can file a new I-140 and you can carry the old priority date. You have a 60-day grace period on H-1B to find new sponsorship. Act in the first 72 hours after a layoff.
Can my H-4 spouse work if I have an approved I-140?
Yes. H-4 EAD eligibility requires two things: (1) you (the H-1B principal) have an approved I-140, and (2) your spouse is in valid H-4 status. The priority date does not need to be current. File I-765 immediately after I-140 is approved. Note: H-4 EAD has no 180-day automatic extension — file renewal 6 months before expiration.
Can I start a business on H-1B?
You can own a business and earn passive income (dividends, distributions, rent) on H-1B. What you cannot do is actively work in that business without separate work authorization. Your H-4 EAD spouse can actively run a business you own. Once you have EAD from I-485, you can work in your own business freely.