Blog Feeds
09-01 10:00 PM
This is a recent update from the AILA Rome Chapter for the benefit of our readers. The State Department has substantially rewritten the FAM provisions relating to physical or mental disorders as medical grounds of inadmissibility. These significant changes, set forth at 9 FAM 40.11 N11, focus on physical or mental disorders with harmful behavior, and on substance-related disorders, corresponding to INA 212(a)(1)(A)(iii) and (iv), respectively.
The following is a summary of these sweeping revisions.
Introduction
As before, the mere presence of a physical or mental disorder does not by itself render a visa applicant inadmissible to the United States under 212(a)(1)(A)(iii). The trigger to inadmissibility is the presence of associated harmful behavior.
Key Concepts of Mental Health
In this new section, the Department defines the key concepts of physical and mental health disorders:
A "physical disorder" is a clinically diagnosed medical condition where the focus of attention is physical manifestations.
A "mental disorder" is a health condition characterized by alterations in thinking, mood or behavior.
"Harmful behavior" is an action associated with a physical or mental disorder that causes (or has caused) one or more of the following:
1. Serious injury (psychological or physical) to the foreign national or others. An example of harmful behavior to the foreign national is attempted suicide. An example of harmful behavior to others is pedophilia.
2. A serious threat to the health or safety of the foreign national or others. An example of a serious threat to both the foreign national and to others is driving while intoxicated.
3. Major property damage.
NOTE: The Department emphasizes the following principle: Only harmful behavior that is associated with a physical or mental disorder is relevant for the purpose of determining a medical inadmissibility.
A "substance-related disorder" can involve one of the following:
1. Substance dependence - compulsive long-term use of alcohol or other psychoactive substance despite significant problems (physical, social, and others).
2. Substance abuse - a pattern of recurrent use of alcohol or other psychoactive substance despite adverse consequences or impairment.
Remission in the context of mental or substance-related disorders is defined as "a period of at least 12 months during which no substance use or associated harmful behavior have occurred."
Class "A" medical conditions are those which render a visa applicant ineligible for a visa.
Class "B" medical conditions do not render a visa applicant ineligible for a visa, even though the applicant has a disease, disability or abnormality amounting to a substantial departure from well-being.
Alcohol Abuse or Dependence
The FAM changes stress that alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence constitutes a medical condition which can lead to inadmissibility. That said, a panel physician's diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence alone does not make an applicant ineligible to receive a visa unless there is evidence of associated harmful behavior which has, or is likely to pose a threat to the property, safety or welfare of the foreign national or others.
Consular officers are instructed to refer nonimmigrant and immigrant visa applicants to panel physicians if the applicant has a single alcohol-related arrest or conviction within the past five years, or if the applicant has two or more such arrests or convictions within the past decade. Officers should also refer applicants to panel physicians if, in the absence of DUI arrests or convictions, there is any other evidence to suggest that the visa applicant has an alcohol problem.
Role of the Panel Physician
Panel physicians have a central role in evaluating the existence of a physical or mental disorder or a substance-related disorder that would render an applicant ineligible for a visa. In performing a medical examination, the panel physician is responsible (inter alia) for identifying and diagnosing physical or mental disorders (including alcohol-related disorders); identifying harmful behavior associated with a disorder; and determining the remission status of any previously diagnosed disorder.
Class "A" or Class "B" Medical Conditions
Panel physicians may make the following diagnoses with regard to applicants referred for examination:
Class "A": The applicant has a physical or mental disorder with associated harmful behavior.
Class "A": The applicant has a disorder characterized by substance abuse or dependence.
Class "B": The applicant has a physical or mental disorder with no associated harmful behavior.
Class "B": The applicant has a history of a physical or mental disorder with associated harmful behavior which is unlikely to recur.
Class "B": The applicant's substance abuse or dependence is in full remission.
Neither "A" nor "B": The applicant has not been diagnosed as having a physical or mental disorder or a substance-related disorder.
Waivers for Immigrant Visa Applicants
An immigrant visa applicant who is determined to have a communicable disease of public health significance may be eligible for a waiver of the inadmissibility set forth in INA 212(a)(1)(A)(i).
An immigrant visa applicant who objects on religious or moral grounds to receiving required vaccinations against vaccine-preventable diseases may be eligible for a waiver of the inadmissibility set forth in INA 212(a)(1)(A)(ii).
An immigrant visa applicant who is determined to have a physical or mental disorder with associated harmful behavior may be eligible for a waiver of the inadmissibility set forth in INA 212(a)(1)(A)(iii).
An immigrant visa applicant diagnosed with substance abuse or addiction is NOT eligible for waiver relief of the inadmissibility set forth in INA 212(a)(1)(A)(iv).
Waivers for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants
Consular officers may recommend waivers per 212(d)(3)(A) for any of the medical-related grounds of inadmissibility set forth in 212(a)(1)(A).
More... (http://www.visalawyerblog.com/2010/09/us_visa_denials_medical_ground.html)
The following is a summary of these sweeping revisions.
Introduction
As before, the mere presence of a physical or mental disorder does not by itself render a visa applicant inadmissible to the United States under 212(a)(1)(A)(iii). The trigger to inadmissibility is the presence of associated harmful behavior.
Key Concepts of Mental Health
In this new section, the Department defines the key concepts of physical and mental health disorders:
A "physical disorder" is a clinically diagnosed medical condition where the focus of attention is physical manifestations.
A "mental disorder" is a health condition characterized by alterations in thinking, mood or behavior.
"Harmful behavior" is an action associated with a physical or mental disorder that causes (or has caused) one or more of the following:
1. Serious injury (psychological or physical) to the foreign national or others. An example of harmful behavior to the foreign national is attempted suicide. An example of harmful behavior to others is pedophilia.
2. A serious threat to the health or safety of the foreign national or others. An example of a serious threat to both the foreign national and to others is driving while intoxicated.
3. Major property damage.
NOTE: The Department emphasizes the following principle: Only harmful behavior that is associated with a physical or mental disorder is relevant for the purpose of determining a medical inadmissibility.
A "substance-related disorder" can involve one of the following:
1. Substance dependence - compulsive long-term use of alcohol or other psychoactive substance despite significant problems (physical, social, and others).
2. Substance abuse - a pattern of recurrent use of alcohol or other psychoactive substance despite adverse consequences or impairment.
Remission in the context of mental or substance-related disorders is defined as "a period of at least 12 months during which no substance use or associated harmful behavior have occurred."
Class "A" medical conditions are those which render a visa applicant ineligible for a visa.
Class "B" medical conditions do not render a visa applicant ineligible for a visa, even though the applicant has a disease, disability or abnormality amounting to a substantial departure from well-being.
Alcohol Abuse or Dependence
The FAM changes stress that alcohol abuse or alcohol dependence constitutes a medical condition which can lead to inadmissibility. That said, a panel physician's diagnosis of alcohol abuse or dependence alone does not make an applicant ineligible to receive a visa unless there is evidence of associated harmful behavior which has, or is likely to pose a threat to the property, safety or welfare of the foreign national or others.
Consular officers are instructed to refer nonimmigrant and immigrant visa applicants to panel physicians if the applicant has a single alcohol-related arrest or conviction within the past five years, or if the applicant has two or more such arrests or convictions within the past decade. Officers should also refer applicants to panel physicians if, in the absence of DUI arrests or convictions, there is any other evidence to suggest that the visa applicant has an alcohol problem.
Role of the Panel Physician
Panel physicians have a central role in evaluating the existence of a physical or mental disorder or a substance-related disorder that would render an applicant ineligible for a visa. In performing a medical examination, the panel physician is responsible (inter alia) for identifying and diagnosing physical or mental disorders (including alcohol-related disorders); identifying harmful behavior associated with a disorder; and determining the remission status of any previously diagnosed disorder.
Class "A" or Class "B" Medical Conditions
Panel physicians may make the following diagnoses with regard to applicants referred for examination:
Class "A": The applicant has a physical or mental disorder with associated harmful behavior.
Class "A": The applicant has a disorder characterized by substance abuse or dependence.
Class "B": The applicant has a physical or mental disorder with no associated harmful behavior.
Class "B": The applicant has a history of a physical or mental disorder with associated harmful behavior which is unlikely to recur.
Class "B": The applicant's substance abuse or dependence is in full remission.
Neither "A" nor "B": The applicant has not been diagnosed as having a physical or mental disorder or a substance-related disorder.
Waivers for Immigrant Visa Applicants
An immigrant visa applicant who is determined to have a communicable disease of public health significance may be eligible for a waiver of the inadmissibility set forth in INA 212(a)(1)(A)(i).
An immigrant visa applicant who objects on religious or moral grounds to receiving required vaccinations against vaccine-preventable diseases may be eligible for a waiver of the inadmissibility set forth in INA 212(a)(1)(A)(ii).
An immigrant visa applicant who is determined to have a physical or mental disorder with associated harmful behavior may be eligible for a waiver of the inadmissibility set forth in INA 212(a)(1)(A)(iii).
An immigrant visa applicant diagnosed with substance abuse or addiction is NOT eligible for waiver relief of the inadmissibility set forth in INA 212(a)(1)(A)(iv).
Waivers for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants
Consular officers may recommend waivers per 212(d)(3)(A) for any of the medical-related grounds of inadmissibility set forth in 212(a)(1)(A).
More... (http://www.visalawyerblog.com/2010/09/us_visa_denials_medical_ground.html)
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beautifulMind
07-16 10:44 PM
if suppose DOL approves the new job position then can I also convert to EB2 with new position and continue to use EAD of old position
iwantgc
09-11 07:35 PM
I was hoping something out of IV's effort that SKILL bill be passed before end this year but it appears this organization's voices are not even heard nor included in the picture.
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aksaharan
08-07 08:18 PM
> Immigrants from ROW (Rest Of World) seem to be immune from it
Certainly not true for EB3
Certainly not true for EB3
more...
virens
08-24 04:37 PM
Hi Everyone,
I have a quesion on the same lines!!
My H1B is approved till Mar 2007(have I797 till Mar, 2007). But you can file for extension 6 months before it expires ie, Sep 2006. So, now, say I get file for extension and get 3 year extension approval( I say 3 yrs bcoz my I-140 is approved). However, I dont have visa stamp for my current H1b.
Now, if I go for H1b stamping, lets say, in Nov 2006, will they stamp it till Mar 2007(my earlier extension date) or the new H1b approval, ie, Mar 2010.
thanks
please let me know if I have not made myself clear. Yes, it's a little different situation and I've not read anything about this kind of situation .
I have a quesion on the same lines!!
My H1B is approved till Mar 2007(have I797 till Mar, 2007). But you can file for extension 6 months before it expires ie, Sep 2006. So, now, say I get file for extension and get 3 year extension approval( I say 3 yrs bcoz my I-140 is approved). However, I dont have visa stamp for my current H1b.
Now, if I go for H1b stamping, lets say, in Nov 2006, will they stamp it till Mar 2007(my earlier extension date) or the new H1b approval, ie, Mar 2010.
thanks
please let me know if I have not made myself clear. Yes, it's a little different situation and I've not read anything about this kind of situation .
pdakwala
02-24 04:50 PM
Hello everyone,
Here is the comparison from AILA. Like it or not. You have only two option: Take it or live it. Thanks
Cheers
Here is the comparison from AILA. Like it or not. You have only two option: Take it or live it. Thanks
Cheers
more...
kishorep914
05-17 08:55 PM
I have been getting only 1 year extension after my first 3 years of H1. My I-140 has been approved in My 2nd year of my H1 visa. So it entirely depends on the USCIS discretion.
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clockwork
07-18 05:03 PM
Enjoy! :) Only 5 files max allowed. Please follow up the next post.
more...
485Mbe4001
01-08 01:55 PM
As far as i know PF is controlled by the central government, TCS will not have any say in you withdrawing your money. Generally there is an upto 15% match from the company in your account, and that is yours the moment it is deposited in your account. You should not have any problems withdrawing your money. Your money is yours. Some companies deposit PF monies quarterly, small companies deposit it annually, in those cases you might be screwed if you company did not deposit the money in your account.
Has anyone managed to withdraw money from TCS PF from Mumbai India?
If so, pls advise on the procedure for the same?
Thanks,
Has anyone managed to withdraw money from TCS PF from Mumbai India?
If so, pls advise on the procedure for the same?
Thanks,
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spicensour
06-17 01:26 PM
PD - august 2002
140 AP - august 2005
485/EA/AP - sent it out today
Have you recd. any communication from the processing center yet. I sent the forms on June 5 and have not heard anything yet.
Does anybody on the forum know how many days does it take for the processing center to acknowledge?
PD aug 2003.
I140 March 2006
I485/AP/ sent on June 05,2007.
140 AP - august 2005
485/EA/AP - sent it out today
Have you recd. any communication from the processing center yet. I sent the forms on June 5 and have not heard anything yet.
Does anybody on the forum know how many days does it take for the processing center to acknowledge?
PD aug 2003.
I140 March 2006
I485/AP/ sent on June 05,2007.
more...
GCnew
06-13 03:30 PM
I may be wrong but I think the 180 day rule does not work anymore. USCIS has published a timeline for name check (for e.g., if you name check has been pending for say 1 year, it will be clearde by a certain date).
My understanding is that USCIS is no longer approving cases if the name check has not clearesd. So you might have to wait for new timeline before it gets approved.
Processing time has passed my RD nearly 4 months back. My PD has been current throughout this one year(except those two months in 2008)
Name check is not cleared. With this new 180 rule, i think i should not worry about that. When i talked to IO, they told me that my case has been pre adjudicated and other than NC everything looks good.
My understanding is that USCIS is no longer approving cases if the name check has not clearesd. So you might have to wait for new timeline before it gets approved.
Processing time has passed my RD nearly 4 months back. My PD has been current throughout this one year(except those two months in 2008)
Name check is not cleared. With this new 180 rule, i think i should not worry about that. When i talked to IO, they told me that my case has been pre adjudicated and other than NC everything looks good.
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nrk
06-04 08:32 AM
Hi Guys,
This is my second job on EAD and never filed AC21. Do we need file one (Is it mandatory or optional)
This is my second job on EAD and never filed AC21. Do we need file one (Is it mandatory or optional)
more...
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karanp25
07-13 07:55 PM
no...no sarcasm. j751 and all others, u r at the mercy of uscis all ur lives. U shd inform them of any small move u make in life, or fear losing ur GC otherwise. U know they can revoke GC/citizenship at any point, right? Well, then behave..OK?
as for u EB3_SEP04, take it easy...let's go together to junk our cars, rather than being paranoid about warming up the engine at every cold start.
karanp25, I am assuming that was meant to be sarcastic.
I changed my job 6 months ago on EAD, my 485 is still pending, i have not yet informed USCIS about it and may or may not do so in future. There is no law/regulation that says we must do so. I believe US law works on common sense rather than word-to-word written in the law books. So in general i want to draw a line for myself as to how much i should be afraid of USCIS. I would rather risk my GC than worrying about the chances of my every little action affecting my GC. But that's just me.
some of my friends keep the engine running for 2 minutes before start driving, i was never convinced this is good for the car. I would rather junk my Honda few thousand miles early than wasting 2 min(plus gas). Again that's just me.
as for u EB3_SEP04, take it easy...let's go together to junk our cars, rather than being paranoid about warming up the engine at every cold start.
karanp25, I am assuming that was meant to be sarcastic.
I changed my job 6 months ago on EAD, my 485 is still pending, i have not yet informed USCIS about it and may or may not do so in future. There is no law/regulation that says we must do so. I believe US law works on common sense rather than word-to-word written in the law books. So in general i want to draw a line for myself as to how much i should be afraid of USCIS. I would rather risk my GC than worrying about the chances of my every little action affecting my GC. But that's just me.
some of my friends keep the engine running for 2 minutes before start driving, i was never convinced this is good for the car. I would rather junk my Honda few thousand miles early than wasting 2 min(plus gas). Again that's just me.
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kvrr
02-12 03:13 PM
Is it possible to transfer H1 from company A to B after I-140 approval and H1- 3 year extension and continue the GC process (apply for I-485 when date becomes current) with company A provided company A has no objections?
more...
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javadeveloper
08-18 10:26 AM
immigration authorities have received about 300,000 applications for high-skilled-employment visas since July 1, federal officials said yesterday.
Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency, was still receiving applications for employment visas yesterday, the last day of a special period it announced on July 17 for immigrants with professional skills to file petitions for permanent residence visas, known as green cards. As a result, the total tally of applications received in the last six weeks was not available
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/18/us/18visa.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin
out of 300K applications ,may be 150K apps are from indians , then it'll take 150K/10K = 15 years for the one who applied in July/Aug 07.
Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency, was still receiving applications for employment visas yesterday, the last day of a special period it announced on July 17 for immigrants with professional skills to file petitions for permanent residence visas, known as green cards. As a result, the total tally of applications received in the last six weeks was not available
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/18/us/18visa.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin
out of 300K applications ,may be 150K apps are from indians , then it'll take 150K/10K = 15 years for the one who applied in July/Aug 07.
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qasleuth
08-07 06:57 PM
Sorry to hear your predicament.
"Is employer legally liable for expired EAD of employee?"
The simple answer is, Yes. You cannot work with an expired EAD neither can your employer employ you, as it would be illegal.
Are their concerns valid ? Maybe. From their perspective, it is valid as they do not seem to have a system to flag such cases. You can solemnly promise to renew on a timely basis but it will still be their bu$t on the line.
In reality: It sounds more like they are looking for an excuse not to hire you.
As for a solution: If they need your skill, they should hire you and not worry about hypothetical "IF" situations. What happens IF their star employee who drives a Corvette gets hit by a bus ? They should probably not hire people who drive Corvettes, no ? Their will to hire you, should overcome such fears.
Don't they have some kind of a computer system for HR ? Can't they manage a simple reminder system ? Ask them to try Google calendar reminders if nothing else.
Hi,
Iam trying to explain my employer that it's ok to hire employees with EAD. For some reason they prefer GC or Citizen only. I referred them to the Discrimination clause on I-9 form. Then they told me about their problems hiring EAD.
1) If the Employee is hired on a valid EAD and later during the course of employment the EAD expired, there is no system in place for them to check back with the employee if (s)he has renewed it in a timely manner.
2) If such an employee that has not renewed their EAD and continued their employment beyond expiration without notifying the employer, the company is worried that they may be legally liable for harboring employees with illegal statuses.
Please help me understand if their concerns are valid and if not what is the remedy.
"Is employer legally liable for expired EAD of employee?"
The simple answer is, Yes. You cannot work with an expired EAD neither can your employer employ you, as it would be illegal.
Are their concerns valid ? Maybe. From their perspective, it is valid as they do not seem to have a system to flag such cases. You can solemnly promise to renew on a timely basis but it will still be their bu$t on the line.
In reality: It sounds more like they are looking for an excuse not to hire you.
As for a solution: If they need your skill, they should hire you and not worry about hypothetical "IF" situations. What happens IF their star employee who drives a Corvette gets hit by a bus ? They should probably not hire people who drive Corvettes, no ? Their will to hire you, should overcome such fears.
Don't they have some kind of a computer system for HR ? Can't they manage a simple reminder system ? Ask them to try Google calendar reminders if nothing else.
Hi,
Iam trying to explain my employer that it's ok to hire employees with EAD. For some reason they prefer GC or Citizen only. I referred them to the Discrimination clause on I-9 form. Then they told me about their problems hiring EAD.
1) If the Employee is hired on a valid EAD and later during the course of employment the EAD expired, there is no system in place for them to check back with the employee if (s)he has renewed it in a timely manner.
2) If such an employee that has not renewed their EAD and continued their employment beyond expiration without notifying the employer, the company is worried that they may be legally liable for harboring employees with illegal statuses.
Please help me understand if their concerns are valid and if not what is the remedy.
more...
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Joey Foley
November 21st, 2005, 06:54 PM
The shots can be sharpened much better which would make all of them even more appealing.
I was afraid to sharpen them too much. I thought that would too make much noise.
Which one you like best Steve?
I was afraid to sharpen them too much. I thought that would too make much noise.
Which one you like best Steve?
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bsbawa10
09-10 12:32 PM
I think members have written tons of pages on forums, spent days not hours predicting the actions of USCIS. But we need to understand that nothing and nobody can predict three things.
1. Earthquakes
2. Shooting stars and
3. USCIS
1. Earthquakes
2. Shooting stars and
3. USCIS
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visaspirant
10-21 11:50 PM
Your wife can't change her status because she is not currently maintaining status if the H-1B was approved as a change of status. CIS will only approve a change of status with proof that the applicant has maintained status. She needs to leave the US and return in H-4 status to effect H-4 status. She has been out of status since October 2008.
Thanks so much Elaine!
I presume her change of status (COS) from H4 to H1 took place automatically when she received her I-797 Approval notice from CIS with an I-94 valid till Oct 2011. Is my presumption correct?
Now, will her next COS i.e. from H1 to H4 take place when she leaves the US and appears for H4 interview based on my current H1's (company B's) 1-797 Approval notice in consulate in India?
I dont have stamp of my current H1 (company B's) in my passport. I have only the old H1 stamp (company A's) in my passport, which is already expired. I also plan to leave for India for my H1 stamping. Which will be the better approach: she appearing for her H4 interview along with me when I appear for my H1 stamping or she going alone ahead of me for her H4 stamping? Many thanks in advance.
Thanks so much Elaine!
I presume her change of status (COS) from H4 to H1 took place automatically when she received her I-797 Approval notice from CIS with an I-94 valid till Oct 2011. Is my presumption correct?
Now, will her next COS i.e. from H1 to H4 take place when she leaves the US and appears for H4 interview based on my current H1's (company B's) 1-797 Approval notice in consulate in India?
I dont have stamp of my current H1 (company B's) in my passport. I have only the old H1 stamp (company A's) in my passport, which is already expired. I also plan to leave for India for my H1 stamping. Which will be the better approach: she appearing for her H4 interview along with me when I appear for my H1 stamping or she going alone ahead of me for her H4 stamping? Many thanks in advance.
sanju
02-05 09:40 PM
My wife received the FP notice 3 weeks ago and her FP is tomorrow. I never received it even though I am the primary applicant. I do see updates on my I-485 application but no FP notice. The USCIS center is quite far away from my home. Can I try to go there with my wife and see if they can do my FP also tomorrow or is that a lost cause?
This happened to me twice in last 3 years and this is what I can tell you from my experience.
All member of the family should go for the finger print because often times figer print notices are lost in the mail. I went to the IO at the center and told IO officer that I did not receive the FP notice. She checked in the system and said that FP notice was sent for me as well. IO officer printed a FP notice right at the spot and handed that to me so that my wife and I could give finger prints together. If you do not give the finger print, the risks is that CIS may send you another notice or may send you the "last notice" before considering your application as abandoned.
I would say - better safe than sorry.
This happened to me twice in last 3 years and this is what I can tell you from my experience.
All member of the family should go for the finger print because often times figer print notices are lost in the mail. I went to the IO at the center and told IO officer that I did not receive the FP notice. She checked in the system and said that FP notice was sent for me as well. IO officer printed a FP notice right at the spot and handed that to me so that my wife and I could give finger prints together. If you do not give the finger print, the risks is that CIS may send you another notice or may send you the "last notice" before considering your application as abandoned.
I would say - better safe than sorry.
vban2007
06-22 11:12 AM
Please help...
It is not possible to save any information on PDF forms if need to correct anything later..
Any idea how to save data on all the forms...
It is not possible to save any information on PDF forms if need to correct anything later..
Any idea how to save data on all the forms...