In tomorrow's community conference call, one of the community members has raised the issue whether receiving certain kinds of State benefits becomes an issue for immigration. The concern is well-founded in that receiving public (Federal or State) means tested (that depend upon the amount of income/expense) can lead to a determination that an applicant can become dependent upon government resources ("public charge").
FAQ 1. I am presently in Canada on a work permit and want to apply for H-4 EAD. My husband has a valid H-1 and an approved green card application . So we are eligible for applying. My question is that can I visit US for 2-3 days, mail my application and then leave the country? Do I need to be in the US when the USICS receives my application? Or I can immediately leave after mailing the application? <p>
FAQ 2. My spouse's PERM approved & his employer is still gathering required documents to file I-140. It is still within 180 days limit. Can I apply for H-4 EAD with my spouse approved PERM copy and other documents required ( eligible under beyond 6 years extension of H-1 & PERM pending 365 days) ? Or do I have to wait until his I-140 filed ?
Answer 1: Unless you are already on H-4, you cannot leave while the change of status request is pending.
Answer 2: I think you will need the I-140 APPROVAL, not just receipt (or 7+ year H-1 extension).
WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson announced his decision to designate Nepal for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months based on the conditions resulting from the devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, 2015, and the subsequent aftershocks. As a result, eligible nationals of Nepal residing in the United States may apply for TPS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Heather Riddick and Rajiv handled my Green card process as well as my Wife's H4 EAD. Both Green card(So far I-140 is approved) and H4 EAD process(My wife has already received the approval) went fine and were approved. I feel their strength is proper planning and co-ordination with the client. Heather Riddick over sees all the details and verify the documents needed for the process every now and then before we file so no document is missed. Thank you Heather Riddick for all your effort. It is a great pleasure working with you. Your quick response all of my emails clarifications were one of the reasons for the success. Keep up the good work.
Rajiv on the other hand keeps team up-do-date with all current topics of immigration and that helps his entire team to stay on top of all issues. e..g is my wife's H4 EAD. USCIS had changed the I-765 form one day before filing and Heather was very proactive in downloading and filling the forms, send it out to clients to get their signatures. Even with the last minute change from USCIS she could file H4 EAD on time. Kudos for that. I would definitely recommend Rajiv and team for immigration work of any kind. Every dollar you spend as legal fee is worth.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is extending the initial registration deadline for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from May 20, 2015, to Aug.
Below are questions I have on the H-1B Amendment and H-1B transfer being filed almost at the same time with little gap with USCIS for the same person. The H-1B Amendment is in light of the new H-1B regulation that has been mandated by USCIS when there is a significant change in the Job Location of the beneficiary from the address mentioned in the initial Petition from the employer which was approved initially.<p>
1. Does the USCIS Last action rule apply in case of the below 2 being applied almost at the same time for the same beneficiary?<br>
a) H-1B Amendment with Current Employer<br>
b) H-1B Transfer to New employer while H1B Amendment is pending with Current Employer.<br>
2. If the answer for the above is 'Yes', then incase the H-1B Amendment Approval comes after the H-1B Transfer would the H-1B transfer to the new employer that was approved earlier be automatically nullified?<br>
3. If the answer for #2 above is 'Yes' Is there any way to request USCIS to consider the H-1B Transfer approval to new employer as the primary incase that get approved earlier and avoid the H-1B amendment to dictate the latest H-1B for a given employer? (I believe we can request USCIS to withdraw/cancel the Amendment but is this something that the new employer/employee can do or only the existing employer who was filed for H-1B amendment has the authority to request any cancellation/withdrawal of the H-1B amendment?)<br>
4. Also does the current suspension of H-1B premium processing apply even for the H-1B transfers (with a new extension for 3 Years) or is it only for new H-1B extensions of Petitions from the current employer?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
I am currently on EB-3. I have a company (say Company A) which is willing to file for my GC in EB-2 under 'Future Employment'. Do I or the 'company A' need to be aware of something on this front?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
The H-1 quota cuts down 50% or more applications each year.
Over the past three years, this Administration has undertaken an unprecedented effort to transform the immigration enforcement system into one that focuses on public safety, border security and the integrity of the immigration system.
I encourage you to sign a petition I have drafted at the request of our community urging the Obama Administration to reinstate reissuance of nonimmigrant visas (including work visas like H-1, student visas like F-1, and family visas) within the USA, a practice that was discontinued in 2004. If the petition receives 100,000 on-line signatures by February 23, the Administration will review it, send it to the appropriate policy experts in the administration, and issue an official response. Signing the petition takes only a few minutes.
My H-1B status will expire the last week of January 2013. I cannot file my petition for an extension until after January 1, 2013. Will that be too late to file an extension?
A petition is considered to be timely filed as long as it reaches USCIS prior to the expiration of your current H-1B status.
When there are multiple I-140 approvals, how do you link the appropriate approval to the pending I-485 petition?
If an I-485 is already pending, a newly approved I-140 can be linked to it by sending a written request to the USCIS. Include all information and relevant copies to clearly explain the transfer of the I- 485 petition to a different I-140 approval.
Is any action required when an I-140 sponsoring employer undergoes acquisition, merger, or restructuring?
If the I-140 petition is still pending, then USCIS needs to be notified in writing of the change. If the I-140 is already approved, then an amendment needs to be filed by the successor-in-interest petitioner. Note that the successor-in-interest petitioner must take over the rights and liabilities of the earlier petitioner, including the immigration matters.
What degrees qualify for EB-2?
In June 2007, the USCIS clarified what is considered to be equivalent to a U.S. Master’s Degree for Employment-Based Category 2. Each petition and its supporting documentation are examined on a case-by-case basis and degree equivalencies are based on the evidence presented with the individual case. However, the below is provided as a general outline:
1. U.S. Master’s Degree – As long as it is in the field required, no additional document is required.
Released: Jan. 2, 2013
Contact: DHS Press Office, (202) 282-8010
The Cambodian government has indicated that it intends to begin accepting intercountry adoption petitions on Jan. 1, 2013. Cambodia joined the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the Hague Adoption Convention) on Aug. 1, 2007.
On January 2nd, 2013, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that certain immediate relatives of U.S. citizens present in the United States without a visa, who are in the process of seeking immigrant visas to become lawful U.S. permanent residents, may apply and be approved for provisional unlawful presence waivers before departing the United States to attend their immigrant visa interviews. USCIS will begin accepting provisional unlawful presence waivers on March 4th, 2013.
Is a transfer possible from a cap-exempt to cap H-1B?
It is possible. You will have to follow the April-October time frame, except where you apply for concurrent cap employment to run together with your cap-exempt employment.
I was in US from 2003 on F-1. I finished my Ph.D. here and changed to J-1 Status. I want to travel during 2012 summer, but need to go for J-1 Stamping. Do you think it will be a problem? Is there a chance that I might be stopped because of 214(b)?
Immigrant intent is definitely a consideration for issuance of J visas. As to whether or not you may have a problem is impossible to predict. If you can have a safety net of an H-1 (if needed), you would be better off.
I am on an L-2 Visa with an EAD valid until June 2014. I am already a contract employee with an MNC (multinational corporation). Can my company extend an offer of permanent employment to me?
You do not currently have the visa to work permanently. But, there is NO PROBLEM with you working on a permanent job on temporary basis.
I have two more years to complete a Ph.D. with a valid I-20, but my Visa expires in August 2013. I want to visit India in June-July 2013. If I come back in July, do I need to apply for F-1 visa (and F-2 visa for my family) extension? Would I have problem in reentry if I have one more month of valid F-1/F-2 visa?
You will need a new visa only if you return after August 2013. Check with your DSO to make sure you have all the appropriate requirements completed.
I am currently in my 7th year of H-1B visa. I work as a software developer full-time with a reputed software and ATM (Automated Teller Machine) hardware company. My perm with DOL just got denied; the reason mentioned was the SWA (State Workforce Agency) Ohio job order does not mention minimum experience requirements. However, the ETA form mentions 60 months of experience, and this does not appraise US workers from applying. However, the lawyer argues that there was no room to mention experience requirements in the Ohio job order.
If indeed there is a defect in the form, USDOL should be able to approve the PERM within a few months upon an MTR. BALCA has put out a number of rulings in the last few months permitting such cases to be approved. In my opinion, it is highly unlikely that the form does not have experience drop down or similar fields. That is just too improbable. The problem may be more complicated than that.
Mr.Rajiv Khanna's office was very helpful in every stage of our application process and they are thoroughly knowledgeable. I am extremely satisfied with their services. Thanks Mr.Rajiv!