u/craigs123098

This is my 7th H‑1B extension. My employer applied for the extension under premium processing, and I just received an email from my attorney saying that USCIS has scheduled me for a biometrics appointment. They are currently waiting for a copy of the appointment notice.

I’m a bit confused about why biometrics are required in my case. I have no arrest record, no DUI, and no legal issues of any kind. I’m a civil engineer and have been continuously employed full-time since the beginning of my H‑1B. My I‑485 is also currently pending.

Has anyone experienced biometrics being requested for an H‑1B extension? Any idea how long this might add to the process? I opted for premium processing because I have an upcoming trip to my home country and was hoping to receive the extension approval before traveling.

Thanks in advance for any insights.

Are U.S. dividend stocks a good option for someone planning to move back to India? I am considering allocating a portion of my portfolio to dividend-focused ETFs like SCHD to generate passive income.

How are dividends from U.S. stocks taxed once I am an Indian tax resident? After the move, I expect to transfer everything to IBKR, so the investments would no longer be held with a U.S. brokerage, if that makes any difference.

Given the tax treatment, does it still make sense to invest in U.S. dividend stocks, or would a growth-oriented approach be more efficient?

Thanks.

Has anyone tried appealing their King County property taxes this year? Ours went up by about 33%, and both the land and improvement values increased a lot, even though we haven’t made any improvements to the house in the past couple of years.

I looked into some of those automated property tax reduction websites, but they seem a bit scammy. Has anyone worked with a local attorney to appeal their property taxes? Was it worth the time and effort?

Thanks.