Guestbook Entry for Joachim Feise , United States
Name
Joachim Feise
Country
United States
State
CA
Search
Guestbook Entry for Michelle White , United States
Name
Michelle White
Country
United States
State
Texas
Comment
Hello! Rajiv Khanna and Charu Bhagat were extremely helpful in the process of obtaining H-1 status for one of our employees. I highly recommend the Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna for work of this nature, as they did an excellent job. The process was smooth and all questions were answered quickly. Thanks again!
Guestbook Entry for Ramesh Doraiswamy, United States
Name
Ramesh Doraiswamy
Country
United States
State
CA
Comment
Hello All, Filed for I-485(EB2-INDIA, RIR). First off let me thank Mr. Khanna and his team members Diane Lombardo, Suman Bhasin, Nimia Aranibar, Priya Raja, Madhavai (and everyone else that I have missed in this list) for their WONDERFUL, PROFESSIONAL, COURTEOUS and COMMENDABLE work they have done so far and would be doing in the future. The work is simply FABULOUS. These folks do realize timing, esp., when Diane was so QUICK and EFFICIENT for my I-485 filing. Also I was ASTONISHED when I did get a REPLY from SUMAN on Saturday afternoon for a query that I had left on her Voicemail Friday evening. As someone else said in this guestbook, I was asking too many questions, and all my questions was answered promptly. I envy this team for their PROMPTNESS :-) I would recommend this TEAM for anyone who wishes to immigrate to the USA. After discussing with a lot my friends, I am HAPPY to have Mr. Khanna on my side. Thanks, Ramesh Doraiswamy
Guestbook Entry for Tony, United States
Name
Tony
Country
United States
State
VA
Comment
Now I am waiting for my priority date to be current. My country's line is just too long.
Maybe rajiv did my LC and I140 too quick! :)
The LC took about 3 month and I140 took about 6 month. Everthing went so smooth. Highy recommend the team again! I heard the new act about Green Card is that, quota will not be based on country, is it correct?
Guestbook Entry for G. Phanendra Babu , United States
Name
G. Phanendra Babu
Country
United States
State
CA
Comment
Rajiv Khanna law offices did an excellent job in filing my I-140 and I-485 applications at CSC. I-140(EB1-OR)
filed on 03/99 and was approved on 03/00. I-485 filed on 03/00 and was approved on 09/00. Overall it took 18 months for
complete processing at CSC. I really appreciate Rajiv Khanna staff especially Mrs. Diane for her excellent job. I strongly
recommend any one to use Rajiv Khanna law office services.
Guestbook Entry for Rahul Patil , United States
Name
Rahul Patil
Country
United States
Comment
My name is Rahul Patil. I am currently working at Restek Corporation in Bellefonte, PA as a Research Chemist. My company had hired your law firm to transfer my H1 visa from Penn State University to them. My H1 was transferred without any problems. I was very satisfied the service I received from the staff of your law firm. My company was also happy with the services and would hire your firm for any future immigration work.
Guestbook Entry for Rajasekhar, United States
Name
Rajasekhar
Country
United States
State
MN
Comment
I completed my Masters program in Forestry at Stephen F. Austin State University (Texas). I accepted a professional position at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Forestry). My wife and I had some concerns and wanted some stability as our daughter (first child) was born recently. We contacted Attorney Khanna and he immediately called home and advised me to convert to H1. My Supervisor and higher ups gave a very favorable reception. Attorney Khanna and his staff demonstrated high professionalism resulting in me getting my H1 status. We (myself, my wife Esther and Hannah - our little one) want to take this oppurtunity to convey our sincere gratitude for all the consideration and timely help. I express my best wishes to Attorney Khana and his team in their endeavor. D. Samuel
Guestbook Entry for EYG, United States
Name
EYG
Country
United States
State
AR
Comment
I recently got my I-485 approval. The whole process took 28 months. Mr Khanna and his staff in particular, Ms. Diane Lombardo and Ms. Suman Bhasin, have done such a marvelous job. I cannot describe my thanks in words. Mr. Khanna has a very well organized, knowledgeable, reliable, and efficient team. They know exactly what needs to be done and are always available to answer questions. I would definitely recommend Mr. Khanna to anyone who needs a legal help on immigration issues. Again, thanks Mr. Khanna, Ms. Batista, Ms. Suman Bhasin, and Ms. Diane Lombardo for your help.
Guestbook Entry for AVAB, United States
Name
AVAB
Country
United States
State
IL
Comment
Thanks to Leila for doing a wonderful follow upon RFE for the EAD. I got my EAD approved very soon after an RFE was issued.
Guestbook Entry for Sudhakar Madduri , United States
Name
Sudhakar Madduri
Country
United States
State
Texas
Comment
Renna Waddell has done an excellent work in getting my H1-B approved.I have opted for preminum processing and i got approved in 3 days. Thanks Sudhakar
Guestbook Entry for Praveen Kotha , United States
Name
Praveen Kotha
Country
United States
State
NC
Comment
Mr Khanna and his team were extremely focused and helpful in me getting my GC. They have demostrated extreme dedication, follow up and provided quality service when mattered. Mr. Khanna was available to me personally when I had to talk to him. I couldn't be more happier for employing the immigration services of Mr. Khanna. They know the importance of their service and commitment and they realize that it can make or break lives.
Guestbook Entry for Abdel-Moneim Attia , United States
Name
Abdel-Moneim Attia
Country
United States
State
NY
Comment
I have recieved the extension approval of my H1B for myself and H4B for my family. The service and the quality of legal services I received from this law firm was very satisfactory.I would recommend this firm to anyone seeking legal services for immigration related matters.My special and sincere thanks for Rena Waddel who was taking care of my case and for Mr. Khanna.
Guestbook Entry for Nagarjuna Rao Chakka , United States
Name
Nagarjuna Rao Chakka
Country
United States
State
NJ
Comment
The office has given the good support on completing the case till the end of the approval. They have done very good job in applying the AC-21 rule to our case and it worked well. Thank you very much for all the support
Guestbook Entry for Mangal Nagarkar, United States
Name
Mangal Nagarkar
Country
United States
State
IL
Comment
My wife and I received our GC within 30 months for the whole process with Rajiv S. Khanna as our attorney. Rajiv's team helped us at every point in the whole process. We never get any problem or incompletion about the paperwork done under his guidance, which has been perfect. Perfect paperwork reduces the total time of this lengthy process. We are greatly thankful to Diane Lombardo, who is always available and is happy to responds calmly and peacefully. Also many, many thanks to Diane, Subha, Vijay, Leila, Suman, Lakshmi, Shivani and other staff members who are very co-operative and would return calls & e-mails promptly. In short Rajiv and his staff made the whole process very smooth. We are greatly pleased with Rajiv and his staff as far as their professionalism, courtesy and promptness regarding my GC. I recommonded Rajiv's firm to lot of my friends. We are thankful to Rajiv and his staff.
ACICS Loss of Recognition May Affect Certain Students Applying for English Language Study and 24-month STEM OPT Extension Programs, H-1B, and I-140 Applicants
Release Date
On Aug. 19, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced that it no longer recognizes the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as an accrediting agency. This determination immediately affects two immigration-related student programs:
Parents who are GC holders, applied for reentry permits, left USA; do they need to return to the USA or can they wait till I-131 is processed?
Question details
My parents who are green card holders applied for the i-131 travel document in Sept 2021. They finished their biometrics in Oct 2021 and left the USA on Nov,14th 2021.
There has not been an update to the case after the biometrics. Do they need to return to the US by Nov 14th, 2022? Or can they wait till the I-131 application is processed before returning to the US?
FAQ Transcript
If they can come back before November I think that would be a good idea just to be safe.There is no guarantee that the reentry permit will be approved, although it is very rare for reentry permits to be denied at least for the first two years.
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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.
STEM extension expiring, options to stay in USA, Is Day 1 CPT safe and legal?
Question details
I am currently on STEM Extension and my visa expires in July 2023. I also have a masters degree here in the states. I wanted to know what my options are..
If the suggestion is Day-1 CPT, I wanted to know how safe/legit it is! I have heard that going on Day-1 CPT can cause some issues when your H1 gets picked and may lead to RFE?
FAQ Transcript
It is legal and so far it has been safe. You know that the rule for Day 1 CPT requires that when you join, you are associating with a graduate program otherwise you cannot get a Day 1 CPT. The Curricular Practical Training is an integral part of your degree. You cannot finish the degree without the practical training. The other thing is the employer signs the cooperative agreement with the university. The only additional suggestion I have is if you are going to do Curricular Practical Training make it as an adjunct to your profession.
For more information please check my blog.
https://immigration.com/blogs/curricular-practical-training-cpt
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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.
Can I change my status from B-1/B-2 to H-1B, L-1, F-1?
Question details
I have worked in the U.S. under L-1\H-1B from June-2015 to March-2020. I have been in India since the last 2 and half years (Not working for any US based company). Now I have got Job offer from a US company and the H-1B I-797 petition is approved. I have a previous employer's H-1B Visa stamp (which expired last month) in my current passport, and B1/B2 Visa stamp(got in 2013 and valid till Sep-2023) in my older passport. I also have approved I-140 (EB2) from my previous employer.
My Question is due to the high wait time for Visa appointments, in worst case, if I can not secure a visa appointment anywhere close to joining date, can I travel to the US with a valid B-1/B-2 Visa and approved I-797 and later change status to H-1B and join the job? If yes, would it impact the GC process in future?
FAQ Transcript
I would strongly recommend against it. I think you would do a lot better trying to get an H-1B Visa stamping in a third country. People are going to places like Singapore, Hong Kong and Maldives. Look around India and you might be able to make an appointment.
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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.
Options if employment-based I-485 is denied?
Question details
1. My I-485 was filed in August 2022. Priority Date: 2014. Lost a job. H-1B withdrawn and offer is canceled. Current H-1B remaining till January 2023. If I-485 is denied do I have to leave the country? Can I work for the remaining 5 months?
2. After retrogression, can I transfer H-1B?
FAQ Transcript
1. You can finish your H-1B term.
2. I don't see why not.
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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.
Can I do two STEM OPTs, one after bachelor's and the other after Master's degree?
Question details
I am in the 1st year of my 2-year STEM OPT after completing Bachelors Degree. Can I do another set of OPT + 2 year STEM OPT if I complete my Masters Degree? Does the Masters also have to be in STEM field to utilize the post Masters OPT+2 year STEM OPT?
FAQ Transcript
You can get a STEM OPT extension twice in one academic life cycle. Even if you did a STEM degree and never used stem opt extension you should be able to reuse it.
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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.
How can I maintain my H-1B while working outside the USA?
Question details
I would highly appreciate it if you could share any insights for my case. I hold H-1B working for MNC in Seattle, USA. I applied for Canada PR and it was confirmed. I will travel by car to Vancouver Canada and work in Canada remotely with a Canadian house address. At the same time I want to maintain my H1B visa. Is that possible and how? I got to know H1B is valid as long as we work on US soil.
FAQ Transcript
Sure, but maintaining an H-1B simply means that your H-1B is not destroyed just because you are not working here all the time. Also remember that you can recapture the time spent outside.
For more on this topic please visit my author page.
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/etreporter/author-rajiv-khanna-479254772.cms
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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.
Parents staying in or traveling to the U.S. while their green card petition is pending
Question details
Would there be any issues with parents reentering the country after filing for GC application? Say the parents entered the US on a B1/B2 visa but applied for GC while they were visiting (not for the first time). They were going to file for it once they were back in the home country anyway, but decided to submit the application now than at a later date due to some health situation that came up during the visit.
Are there chances of the application being denied/or will the parents not be allowed to reenter the country because there have been some medical emergency that happened during the visit? Should those factors need to be addressed before exiting the country before the 6 months stay time is up? And would it still be a problem if that has been addressed with the provider, given it will all be in the history file now? Would there be some state assistance that anyone can get some help with in terms of financial and patient well-being and all?
FAQ Transcript
I have known many immediate relatives of the U.S citizens and they have never had a problem. However, theoretically the problem exists. It would be right to do an immigration pre-clearance somewhere close to home.
Regarding your query on medical emergencies, you could tell them that your parents took the medical treatment. As long as there was no government funding I do not see any problem.
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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.
Deportation when a permanent resident is involved in Shoplifting
Question details
My uncle has been a US Permanent Resident since Apr 2021, and recently he got into trouble with Shoplifting Theft (Misdemeanor B). The prosecutor is ready to lower the punishment to Misdemeanor class C theft along with 6 months of unsupervised deferred probation (fine of 99$) with NO CONVICTION. Also, after 2 years, he will have the option for the case to be expunged from the records.
Question: Will this create a legal problem with his current immigration status (LPR), and also, will he face issues after 4-5 years when he is ready to apply for his US citizenship considering the case has been expunged from the records?
FAQ Transcript
These cases do not worry me much as it looks like a minor offense. Although I recommend you speak with a lawyer who practices deportation defense in the state in which the crime occurred. They would know the local criminal statutes. Also remember expungement has no meaning under immigration law. Even if your record gets expunged and if there is ever a question as to your arrest you have to say yes, because the expungement under immigration law has no meaning.
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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.
Can an H-1B holder open an LLC in the US and employ their spouse on H-4 EAD?
Question details
Can an H-1 VISA (Resident tax alien without a green card) Holder set up an LLC in the USA? If yes, can his spouse on H-4 VISA with EAD work in that LLC?
FAQ Transcript
The problem with H-1Bs is that you cannot be working for any other company including your own. The smart thing would be to let your wife start her own business. She can manage, run and own the business. You could be a passive owner without any active participation.
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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.
Volunteer work on an H-1B visa
Question details
I'm on H-1B, can I work for a startup on a volunteering basis for a technical engineer role? The work is done remotely and the owner of the startup is based in Russia.
FAQ Transcript
I do not see why not. Let the company look into the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and under the Fair Labor Standards Act there are restrictions on free work being taken by for-profit companies. Non profit companies are a different matter. For-profit companies could have a violation of labor laws if they take free work. That of course is not your problem, that is the company's problem.
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Note: Unless the context shows otherwise, all answers here were provided by Rajiv and were compiled and reported by our editorial team from comments, blog and community calls on immigration.com. Where transcribed from audio/video, a verbatim transcript is provided. Therefore, it may not conform to the written grammatical or syntactical form.
Mr. Khanna and his collegues ensured a smooth process for my Greencard application. Thanks for all the help.