Community Conference Call, June 10, 2021. Presented by: Rajiv S. Khanna (Every Other Thursday)
Nonimmigrant Visas
Discussion Topics, Thursday, June 10, 2021:
Discussion Topics, Thursday, June 10, 2021:
I am planning to file green card (I130/I1485) for my mother. She was born in 1949 in India and does not have her birth certificate. Only identity with date of birth she has is her passport and Aadhar card. She has visited US couple of times.
Go ahead and get a certificate of non-availability if possible, get a birth certificate from New York, get two affidavits from people who were alive when she was born and submit all of that together.
Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
I stayed in US on H1b from 2013-18, almost 5 years and went back to India. In 2020(after 1 year of cooling period), my employer has filed new application for H1B and lottery got selected in 2020.
I got my visa stamped in April 2021 with a validity till 2023.Because of new location & salary mismatch, I had to file the amendment and this time I got the approval for next 9 months only till March 2022.
On further enquiry with my employer's immigration team, I came to know that USCIS has used the remaining 9 months on the first H1B. My queries are:
1. Does it mean I will be allowed around 7 consecutive years of stay in US( 9 months on older visa plus 6 years on new visa) or I need to come back to India and serve 1 year of cooling period after spending 9 months ?
2. Will my new visa be applicable once I spend 9 months of time in US?
3. Is there a way I can opt to take approval duration on the current visa only?
The USCIS had made a mistake and they should give you the entire six years. So your H-1 should be approved for three years and not for nine months. Your lawyer should reach out to them and say you are entitled to the three years.
Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
According to the criteria you have listed on in the article, I can satisfy 7 of the 10 points. So how could I apply? Where to start and where to go?
You should certainly get your resume evaluated. Note that merely qualifying for the 3 out of 10 categories does not automatically qualify you. That is just the preliminary step. There is also an overall review of your qualifications to ensure that you indeed are one of the top few members of your profession.
Note: For the NRI readers, The Economic Times has started an immigration helpdesk. A team of experts which includes Rajiv S. Khanna will address the most pressing issues. Please see the link below.
Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
What is the situation for F-1 and J-1 students to travel or travel back to the United States?
F-1 students who already have their visa stamped on the passport can travel back in July. Those who do not have a visa stamping will have to wait for either the consulates in India to open (currently processing only emergency visas, which could include imminent academic session), or try obtaining a student visa in a country other than India. J-1 students will need to apply for National Interest Exemption, which should be given, but only when the consulates open for business.
Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
The policy update will help provide stability to U Visa Petitioners supporting law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute crimes
Release Date
Effective June 14, 2021, the Vermont Service Center will no longer receive any incoming mail at the St. Albans, VT facility, which is being decommissioned.
Mail sent to the previous addresses will be forwarded for one year, but any mail sent to the previous addresses after June 2022 may be returned to the sender by the United States Postal Service or the courier service used.
Please refer to the chart below for the updated addresses.
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The travel bans necessitated by the COVID pandemic have created much flux and uncertainty. Synthesizing the information now finally available from various US government sources, it is clearer now that many intending travelers can seek and obtain an exemption from the ban under a series of provisions for a National Interest Exception (NIE).
You should be able to apply for an NIE to overcome the ban on travel to the USA if you meet any one or more of the following categories:
Number 55
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during July for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
They were really professional and fast while filing my H1B paperwork and everything went smoothly. The documents needed were checked thoroughly and the whole process was smooth. They responded immediately and gave updates quick
Release Date
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it will accept resubmitted fiscal year (FY) 2021 H-1B cap-subject petitions that were rejected or administratively closed solely because the requested start date was after Oct. 1, 2020.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, June 24, 2021:
FAQ: Consequences of B-1/B-2 Visa Extension applied and leaving the USA || Changing Multiple Jobs While AOS I-485 is Pending - Consequences || I-129 Nunc Pro Tunc Request
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: June 29, 2021
Synopsis
Bear in mind that the travel ban requirements and exceptions are likely to keep changing based upon the state of the pandemic. Thus, before traveling, it would be prudent to check the latest developments on the consular websites.
For more on this article please see the attachment below.
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: June 30, 2021
Synopsis
A green card is considered to have been filed usually when an application for an immigrant visa (Form I-140) is filed with the USCIS. The majority of the green cards require preclearance from the US Department of Labor, referred to as labor certification or PERM petition.
For more on this article please see the attachment below.
Release Date
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced a pilot program for accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for U nonimmigrants filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):
Authorization for Credit Card Transactions
04/23/2021 09:49 AM EDT
Mr.Rajiv Khanna and his team are handling my GC process. I interacted with Rita Dhakal for entire GC process; My Labor and I140 are approved without a issue. I also applied EAD cards renewal (Mr. Khanna Office reminded me) for my wife and me. They were submitted for approval. By looking at the entire process and Mr. Khanna team, I always feel I am getting the best service. Rita is very cooperative, faster response and great knowledge.
I always recommend my friends to Mr. Khanna team.
Got our approvals for EB green cards on July 25, 2008.
Apart from having some trouble in porting my PD to an earlier approved I 140, our case was handled very well. A very big "THANK YOU" to Mathew for all your help and guidance. You were great and very prompt in responding to all my queries.Also my thanks to Heather who did a great job in getting all my paper work together and responding to all my questions.
I had hired the offices of Rajiv Khanna for my GC process. I am happy to inform that I and my wife received our green cards in the mail last evening.
I wanted to thank Amrita,Rita and Bharathi from the bottom of my heart for all the hard work they put in for me during this long process. I specially like to thank Amrita who has patiently talked to me during numerous difficult times during these years. You all are a wonderful team and I am lucky to have had the representation of your firm for my green card process.
Many Many thanks again.
I'd like to thank from the bottom of my heart, Mr. Khanna and his staff Ms. Sheena Gill, for their prompt support and advise and attention to details in my I-140 RFE response and making it possible for me to get through it. I could not imagine how my case would have turned out, without their involvement and timely advise in my case.
Thanks again for all the support and making this happen.
My GC process was a good experience.
I got prompt service and people were caring. Suman Bhasin and team members did a good job answering all my questions throught the GC process. Mr. Rajiv Khanna too made himself available in his busy schedule once over the phone. Thank you everybody at Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna. I appreciate your help!
My pleasant experience in summary and in little detail.
Summary:
People at Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna are highly professional, very much detail oriented, easy to work with, very prompt and very nice people. They are always available and will stand up for you when required. This will be a very rare combination to find. They always prepare very convincing case and review the case in detail. I always believed that if my case is accepted by Mr. Rajiv, Mr. Mathew and Co, it will be very hard for anyone to reject the case.
Little in detail:
It all started in October 2005. My company asked me to find a lawyer to represent me for my GC process. I have a good friend/family that got GC thru immigration.com (Mr. Rajiv Khanna handled his case. My friend assured me that Mr. Rajiv would go above and beyond to meet client's needs.). He referred us to immigration.com. I sent a mail to immigration.com. Mr. Suman has contacted me. When my HR wanted to talk to a lawyer, he referred us to Mr. Mathew Chacko. Mr. Mathew explained the process in detail. He was very descriptive and communicated everything very well to us. He is always patience even during his busy days such as 2007 July-Aug crazy time when everything became current. I am fortunate enough to get quick e-mail replies every time. When I had thoughts about Consular Processing, he explained to me all about consular processing and why one should opt for it or should not opt for it. His review on my I-485 are very much helpful.
One of the most memorable moments is this: my wife attended an interview in a company and they had hesitation about hiring her without Green Card. They always thought that the company has to sponsor her GC at some point in time and they were not ready for it. I told them it is not the case since she is a derivative applicant in my GC. They were not ready to buy it. They wanted to talk to my lawyer. When I requested Mr. Mathew, he was ready to talk and convince them. I am not sure if all the lawyers would do this kind of stuff. Thank you very much Mr. Mathew.
Another important player during my GC process is Ms. Richa Narang. She has done an incredible job of completing my PERM application on time that once I thought would nearly be impossible. Considering that we started our process very late in my 5th year, it is highly remarkable. We completed 6 days before my 5th year expired. She went thru the documents over and over, and helped preparing a very convincing case. I am highly impressed with her patience and prompt replies. She is easy to work with. She always let me know what she was doing for my case and why it is done this way. That gives me an idea about what is really going on with my case.
This is in contast with my previous attorney in my previous company. Thank you Ms. Richa.
I have not worked directly with Mr. Rajiv Khanna. But my case manager Ms. Richa was working with him for my PERM. He is a REAL expert in what he does. Mr. Rajiv really built a very strong case for my PERM. His inputs are priceless. I attended his conference call during July/August 2007 when USCIS opened and closed the door briefly. It provided lot of valuable information to me and to lot of immigrants that were eagerly waiting to apply for I-485. It is really a great gesture towards the people that were waiting to apply for I-485 during that time.
Thank you Mr. Rajiv
Others that helped me are Ms. Mohana, Ms. Prena etc. They are all very nice and easy to work with. They made sure my case was built in a convincing manner.
I will definitely comeback to Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna for my future immigration needs.
I have referred two of my friends to Immigration.Com so far. They all like the service. Please feel free to contact me. I will be happy to answer any questions about my experience.
My wife received her Permanent Resident card today and mine was approved (and received GC card on August 5, 200 on July 28, 2008. I would like to thank Mathew , Prerna and Bharathi for all the timely answers and advices through the process. Mathew and Prerna were always accessible . I always felt that I am getting best service and I would recommend Mr. Khanna’s team to my friends who need help with GC / immigration.
Thank you
Team is very professional, very knowledgeable and experienced in the immigration process. Team has a check list on every step in the process. Team is very prompt in responding to the emails and to the calls. Team will never submit without checking the documents properly. All my approvals at every stage are without any RFE's. They are always on time in submitting the documents.
A special thanks to Richa Narang, Prerna Mehta, Bharathi Gajjala and great attorney Rajiv Khanna.