Guestbook Entry for Sameer, United States
Name
Sameer
Country
United States
State
Texas
Search
Guestbook Entry for Rajan, United States
Name
Rajan
Country
United States
State
MA
Comment
Thanks to the splendid work done by Rajiv and his firm, I obtained my green card with relative ease and in a short period of time. Special thanks go to team members who did an excellent job of patiently and promptly answering many queries. I would gladly recommend their law firm to all and will consider them as the first choice for all future services.
Guestbook Entry for St.Claire Adriaan, United States
Name
St.Claire Adriaan
Country
United States
State
NC
Comment
A great job. I got my re-classification in 10 days with premium processing. The guys were really professional and helpful. Special thanks to team members for their patience in dealing with my many calls, I reccomend Rajiv Khanna with high honors.
Guestbook Entry for KOSALRAM , United States
Name
KOSALRAM
Country
United States
State
NJ
Comment
We would like to thank Mr.Rajiv S Khanna, Richa Narang and Suman Bhasin for their help in getting the green card for us after changing the employer during I485 stage. The response from the team was quick and excellent for our queries. Our green card got approved after being transferred to the local offices. Green card for my wife and myself got approved from two different local INS. We wish Mr.Rajiv S Khanna and his team a success in all future endeavors.
Guestbook Entry for Anand, United States
Name
Anand
Country
United States
State
Washington- DC
Comment
There is just one word for Attny Khanna's team- the "Best". Since my case was National Interest Waiver, a lot depended on how the case is presented since this entailed having to waive the labor certification process. My sincere thanks to Diane Lombardo for arranging the petition nicely. Even when I got the RFE, they did not rest. Attorney Khanna himself talked with me, discussed the issue. He was ably supported by other team members and they came up with a great response because of which my petition was approved within seven days.I was able to waive the tedious labor certification process and the entire filing process to I-485 took just 5 months. Even now, Attny Khanna, Diane Lombardo and Leila Lehman are advising me, based on my unique conditions, if I should go for consular processing or file I-485. Best of all, you can expect replies to your email within 30 min and each of your phone call is received or they will call you back in a day.For me, retaining them to represent me was the single best thing that I have ever done. Thank you Attorney Khanna and his wonderful team.
Guestbook Entry for John Pettit, United States
Name
John Pettit
Country
United States
State
NJ
Comment
We were very impressed with the professionalism and knowledge of the staff. Rena and Charu were extremely helpful in processing our applications. I would highly recommend their services to someone that is looking to quickly and comprehsivley complete the Visa process. John Pettit Adaptik Corporation
Guestbook Entry for SREEDHAR TATAVARTHI , United States
Name
SREEDHAR TATAVARTHI
Country
United States
State
Texas
Comment
It gives me great pleasure to share my experience with Mr.Khanna and his courteous staff pertaining to my H1B and Green card processing. A majority of the immigration community thinks of Immigration lawyers as notorious for not returning the calls, not communicating with their clients regarding the progress of the case and not filing the petitions properly, Mr.Khanna and his staff completely eliminates this notion.At Mr.Khanna's office the emphasis is more on the Customer Service. You think I am exaggerating, but I have spoken and corresponded with lot of his staff members regarding my Green Card and H1B petitions and their attitude, their professionalism, their respect towards the clients is so conspicuously similar that you almost think that you are talking to the same person. Mr.Khanna and his staff have successfully filed my H1B and Green Card and at every step they have contacted me via E-mail and by phone.It is very comforting to get to know the progress of your case at every step contrary to having been left out in the dark, which lot of other firms do. My 7th year H1B extension has been approved and I am at the I-140 stage in my GC. The bottom line is if you are not with Mr.Khanna THEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE MISSING. Albeit all the staff members are courteous and very professional, I would like to specifically thank Ms.Shivane Sharma, Ms.Ursual Jara-Elouaddane, Ms.Sirisha Durgam, Ms.Rena Waddel, Ms.Charu Bhagat, Ms.Suman Bhasin Keep up the good work Mr.Khanna and thank you for serving the immigration community.
Guestbook Entry for Shanmuganathan Raju, United States
Name
Shanmuganathan Raju
Country
United States
State
NJ
Comment
I am extremely pleased with the service I received from Rajiv Khanna and his associates. Just like everyone else, I have gone through my own set of complications in my GC process such as company merger, marraige after I-140, CP or I485 dilemma, forms getting lost in mail, RIR advertising etc.. I am sure if I had used any other attorney, I would've gone insane by now. But thanks to Rajiv Khanna and his associates I received my GC within 1.5 years. I strongly recommend him. Special thanks to Leila, Charu, Suman, Shivane and Richa.
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.
USCIS Announces Online Filing for Affirmative Asylum Applications
Release Date
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, is available to file online for certain affirmative asylum applicants. USCIS continues to accept the latest paper version of this form by mail.
PERM Processing Times (as of 10/31/2022)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | February 2022 |
| Audit Review | December 2021 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | May 2022 |
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
7th year H-1B extension with pending PERM
Question details
My H-1B maxout date is Jan 2023. Perm process started in Sept 2021 (prevailing wages). FOr the 7th year extension of H-1B, is the PERM priority date (Aug 2022 for me) considered or the date for when the PWD and recruitment was initiated.
FAQ Transcript
When you actually file the PERM application (August 2022) you become eligible for a one year extension in August 2023 between January and August. You would not have a status to work unless you have some recapture time left. Needless to say if your PERM gets approved and your I-140 gets approved you can immediately.
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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.
Visa Bulletin For December 2022
Number 72
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during December 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.
I would highly recommend the services of Rajiv Khanna for any immigration issues. They were successfully able to process my green card even though I had stopped working for the sponsoring company for about a year.