Guestbook Entry for Vithal Madhira , United States
Name
Vithal Madhira
Country
United States
State
KS
Search
Guestbook Entry for Biren Gandhi , United States
Name
Biren Gandhi
Country
United States
State
NJ
Comment
Thaks a Zillion for a SPEEDY ~ 3 Years of EB2 GC thru Rajiv Khanna's office. Rajiv, Suman, Leila, Diane and his entire team is very diligent, co-operative & couteous. Although Rajiv is extremely busy, he is just a phone-call away for any trivial, repeating questions & support
Guestbook Entry for Surendra Babu, United States
Name
Surendra Babu
Country
United States
State
KS
Comment
Rajiv and his office staff are very responsive and quick.I appreciate all their help in my GC process.I specially thankful to Rajiv,Leila Lehman and Diane Lombardo for their timely advise and filing appropriate applications. Thanks
Guestbook Entry for Anil Hari , United States
Name
Anil Hari
Country
United States
Comment
I got my labor, 140 and GC in less than 2 yrs. I really appreciate the timely help provided by Richa, Prerna and Mathew. And also like to thank all the legals who helped me at Rajiv Khannas firm. Thanks for keeping me updated on the status and answering my questions. I use to get response to all my question almost immediately. I highly recommend Mr.Khanna's office and staff for all immigration purposes. My special thanks to Mr. Mathew Chako and Prerna for all the help.
Thanks
Guestbook Entry for Priya Venkatesan , United States
Name
Priya Venkatesan
Country
United States
State
NJ
Comment
I have been using the services of Law offices of Rajiv S.Khanna for my labor certification. The whole process was very smooth and thanks to the excellent coordination by Pramita Shidhore. Everyone was so prompt in answering my questions. I would strongly recommend the services of this firm, great job!
Guestbook Entry for Ravi Surayapalem , United States
Name
Ravi Surayapalem
Country
United States
State
Oregon
Comment
I was working with Mathew all along from labor to finish the green card process. They are very professional and very very helpful. I recommend to every body confidently to go to Rajiv S Khanna office for any immigration needs. I personally like Mathew the way he dealt and helped me answering every small concern.
They are awesome.
Guestbook Entry for Sudheer T, United States
Name
Sudheer T
Country
United States
State
KS
Comment
It‘s a great news to receive my green card finally on 06/29 after long waiting.
It took around 4+ years (LPD: 09/2002, EB3, I-485 08/2003).
I really appreciate every body’s time, help and patience from the Law offices of Mr. Rajiv Khanna.
My special thanks to Mr. Mathew Chako and Mr. Jitesh Malik who have been very helpful through out.
It’s my pleasure to work with such a great legal team and I truly recommend this firm to every body for their Immigration needs.
Looking forward to work with you.
Guestbook Entry for Shravankumar Rai , United States
Name
Shravankumar Rai
Country
United States
Comment
This is great . I got my Labor certified within 6-7 working days. I would like to Thank Pramita Shidhore who was handling my case , for doing an excellent work and to keep me updated on the status. I use to get response to all my question almost immediately. I was confident when I decided to go through Rajiv Khanna for my GC process that every thing will flow smoothly and this confirms it. I highly recommend Mr.Khanna's office and staff for all immigration purposes.
The very next day , when my Labor was certified , I got call from Tarun Sharma whose Handling my I140 case, giving me all the details about I140 process and answering all my questions . This is really great , no waste of time and every things move very fast.
Guestbook Entry for Gyanesh Mathur, United States
Name
Gyanesh Mathur
Country
United States
State
California
Comment
We got our GC approved on June 5th, 2007 and the cards were received within a week. The journey was long with several roadblocks. The expertise of Mathew Chacko did the trick. His commitment to excellence and above par communication always made me feel at ease. I knew a professional is handling the case. The fee was so reasonable. Our earlier attorneys were more interested in prepayments than service. Mathew's knowledge and expertise on immigration matters is remarkable. I would strongly recommend the services of this firm.
Guestbook Entry for Hari & Anju Nayar, United States
Name
Hari & Anju Nayar
Country
United States
State
NY
Comment
I had my first H1 petition and subsequent H1 renewal processed through the Law offices of Rajiv Khanna. I strongly recommend these folks for any immigration related issues as they go about the business in a very professional and sincere way. My case manager for H1 renewal was Mr. Chris Harman and I very much appreciate his quick responses and clarity in responses to multiple questions that I had posed. We are very thankful for all the help and have no doubt will come to your office for any immigration related matters. Please keep up the good work and the excellent website. Best regards.
J1 Waiver Approval
First of all my thanks to everyone who posted their comments and precious suggestions to help ppl makin their ways easier in immigration process. Below is my complete timeline of applying and getting J1 waiver.
Nov. 8, 2006 - Forms and affidavits got notarised to be sent to CGI Houston
Nov. 9, 2006 - Sent to CGI Houston for attestation
Nov. 10, 2006 - CGI Houston Recieves Documents and passport
Dec. 5, 2006 - Attested Documents return back to me (to be sent to authorities in India)
Nonimmigrant Visas
Succesful CP (Mumbai) and POE (Newark)
Hello All,
Heres my experience on the CP
Flew to India on June 12th (Interview Date June 26th) Since you have to submit documents to VFS 7 working days prior to Interview.
Flew Virgin Atlantic ti Mumbai and went straight to VFS from the Airport. They are open from 8.00am - 12.00 and 1.00pm - 3.00pm
Documents Submited to VFS
- Copy of the first, second, last page of the current passport, copy of all us visa's in the current passport.
There is no need for old passports and copies of all pages.
Green Card
CP Interview Experience
Hello,
I finally received my Green Card yesterday. My wife got hers 2 weeks ago. Here are the filing dates.
I-140 (EB1) filed in July 2006 (Approved in 2 weeks)
I-485 sent to NVC in September 2007
Interview notification from Chennai US Consulate on January 17, 2007
Interview at Chennai on February 12, 2007
Received the passports on February 20, 2007
Validation stamp in the passport on February 28, 2007
Welcome Letter (wife) on March 6, 2007
Green Card (wife) received on March 7, 2007
Green Card
Guestbook Entry for Shyam Patil, United States
Name
Shyam Patil
Country
United States
State
NC
Comment
Thank you very very much Rajivji and Vijaybhai for all the help with my PERM process and finally it was certified on Nov 13th(PD 06/25/2014).
SEVP deploys new class of field representatives to work with US schools hosting international students
WASHINGTON — The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) deployed 14 additional field representatives to territories across the country this week. The field representatives serve as liaisons between the nearly 9,000 U.S. schools that enroll international students and SEVP. The program, housed within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), certifies schools to enroll international students and protects national security by overseeing those students for compliance with U.S. laws.
DHS Announces Temporary Protected Status Designations for Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone
WASHINGTON— Due to the outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa, Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson has announced his decision to designate Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. As a result, eligible nationals of Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone who are currently residing in the United States may apply for TPS with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna, 20 Nov 2014 (Every Other Thursday)
Substantial transcription for video
The following topics were discussed in today's community conference call. The video is attached below.
Discussed: Abandonment of Green Card, OPT to H-1 change delay, immigration consequences of criminal conviction for misdemeanor (petty offense exception), N-470 to maintain residence, EB-2 filing, Investing in stocks while on H-1, delays and difficulty in entering the USA -- TRIP, H-4 visa stamping, getting married to a US Citizen while on H-1, marriage certificate, immigration reform, CSPA, Cross chargeability, Unpaid leave on H-1, H-1 visa stamping, NOIR for multiple H-1 filing through related companies, frequency of visits on B visa, employment verification letters in PERM.
Executive Actions on Immigration - USCIS
On November 20, 2014, the President announced a series of executive actions to crack down on illegal immigration at the border, prioritize deporting felons not families, and require certain undocumented immigrants to pass a criminal background check and pay taxes in order to temporarily stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation.
Cross-Chargeability
Question details
I am working on H-1B. This week, I got my I-140 petition approved that was filed in EB2. I am Indian citizen born in India. My marriage is scheduled to happen in Jan, 2015. The girl is citizen of India and was born in Nepal. I have heard that after marriage, I would be eligible to file I-485 for both myself and my (then) wife, based on cross-chargeability rules. <br>
1: Is my eligibility to file I-485 (based on the birth country of wife) and its approval thereafter dependent on discretion of USCIS? If yes, does USCIS generally approve or deny such I-485 petitions filed on the basis of cross chargeability rules? <br>
2: Is there any reason due to which my wife and I would be denied from filing I-485 and there-after getting an approval of I-485 (leaving aside fraud matters)? <br>
3: My fiancée is yet to get her passport made in India. I found that my fiancée does not have her birth certificate from Nepal. Is a birth certificate the only way to prove location of birth? If she gets her birth certificate made now, Does the USCIS create issues about a birth certificate made so many years after birth? <br>
4: In my scenario (EB2 petition, primary applicant India born, wife Nepal born Indian citizen), How long (approximately) after filing I-485 would it take to get the green card?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujMQ79pgzX8
FAQ Transcript
Unpaid Leave On H-1
Question details
I have a question on the unpaid leaves when outside USA while on H-1. I am on H-1 and recently went to India for stamping which was completed without any problem. I had paid vacation of 2 weeks, which I had already used and stayed in India for a month which is not going to be paid. My employer is saying these will be unpaid leaves and won't be running paychecks for these leaves and is mentioning that this won't be a problem in future as this is legal. I want to take legal opinion from you regarding what the law says in the above situation. <p>
1. If I am out of US on unpaid leaves and won't get paid, will there be any issues on my H-1 status in future for transfer or GC? <br>
2. If due to unpaid leave, W2 is less than the LCA, will it be a problem? If yes, what documentation we can show to USCIS to clarify to them why it’s less?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujMQ79pgzX8#t=1516
FAQ Transcript
If you are on H-1, sometimes people ask me, I want to maintain status even though I am getting laid off. Can I be on unpaid leave and does maintain status?
Obama's Immigration Action - EB-3 Quota
Question details
Does this impact EB-3 India wait times and also does this lift counting on family members/dependents for visa numbers /quota ?
Obama's Immigration Action plan could impact all waiting time for EB categories. We are not clear how far or how quickly. There is no indication that the method counting green cards will be changed to One per family, instead of one for each family member in an employment-based case. President has asked for recommendations for improvement within 120 days. We shall see.
Obama's Immigration Action EAD At I-140 Stage
Question details
I am on H-1B Visa, got my I-140 approved in EB-2 Category and waiting for the dates to get current. Based on Executive Action, shall I be given any EAD ? Or at least any other forms so that I can travel and need not go for Visa Stamping and all the additional paper work.
I have heard that there is a proposal to allow filing of I-485
Concurrent AOS filing for EB-2 Physical Therapist
Question details
Is this true ? - "If the ‘Schedule A’ application falls into the “EB-2” or Employment Based Second Preference category (the employer requires a Master’s degree in Physical Therapy or a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy + 5 years of experience), then the Adjustment of Status application can be submitted simultaneously with the Form I-140".
Concurrent filing is possible ONLY if your priority date for EB-2 is current, and not backlogged.
Obama's Immigration Action, Discussion with Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Green Card
Substantial transcription for video
For updates, see my blog page on Obama's Immigration Action.
Takeaway points for legal immigration from President Obama’s executive action:
1. USCIS is “about to” publish the final rule on H-4 work authorization. That will make it possible for certain spouses of H-1 holders to get work authorization.
2. Improving employment-based green card backlogs by:
a. Making visa issuance more efficient so no immigrant visas are wasted;
b. Providing for better AC21 rules and other ways to keep immigrant visas intact after a change of jobs. USCIS will clarify what constitutes “same or similar” job so that AC21 will not stop workers from getting promotions or even changing to related jobs within their field. USCIS must clear the path to career progression for green card applicants.
3. Expandingfurther the OPT time for STEM students, but creating tighter control on which universities/schools/degrees are eligible and ensure local workers are protected (Implement some sort of a “mini PERM?”).
4. Creating opportunities for foreign “inventors, researchers and founders of start-up” companies to come to the USA through an existing program called “National Interest Waiver.” Unfortunately for India, this is an EB-2 category program requiring several years of wait. But the following parole program will help:
a. Creating a parole (which is usually a temporary, but very quick measure and could eventually lead to a green card) program so that on a case-by-case bases, “inventors, researchers and founders of start-up” companies can be brought quickly into the USA where:
i.They have raised financing in the USA; OR
ii.Otherwise hold the promise of innovation and job creation through development of new technologies OR cutting edge research
5. Creating guidelines for exceptionally qualified or advanced degreed individuals to come to the USA through an existing program called “National Interest Waiver.” As noted, unfortunately for India, this is an EB-2 category program requiring several years of wait. But the parole option above could be helpful.
6. Providing clear guidance on L-1B program as to who can qualify.
Thanks to Rajiv and his team for their excellent work. I applied for GC in EB2, non RIR, in Nov'1999 and got the stamping in passport in Nov'2001. The team is very experienced and knowledgeable. They are prompt in filing all documents with DOL and INS in all the stages of processing. Rajiv and his team is very prompt in replying to all my email queries. I strongly recommend Rajiv for your GC processing.