Guestbook Entry for Sameer, United States
Name
Sameer
Country
United States
State
Texas
Search
H-1B Visa 2025 Changes - H-1B Modernization (How will this impact you?)
Nonimmigrant Visas
SUBSCRIBE to Immigration.com YouTube Channel for further updates.
mmigration.com, Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna PC, US Immigration Attorney
H-1B Chaos | Trump & Immigration Updates
Nonimmigrant Visas
SUBSCRIBE to Immigration.com YouTube Channel for further updates.
mmigration.com, Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna PC, US Immigration Attorney
PERM Processing Times (as of 12/01/2024)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | September 2023 |
| Audit Review | December 2022 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | July 2024 |
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
USCIS Forms Update
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
01/06/2025 10:27 AM EST
Edition Date: 01/06/25. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page of Form G-1055, Fee Schedule.
Form G-325A, Biographic Information (for Deferred Action)
10/24/2024 09:46 AM EDT
Visa Bulletin For February 2025
Number 98
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during February 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.
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
PERM Processing Times (as of 01/01/2025)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | September 2023 |
| Audit Review | N/A |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | July 2024 |
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
USCIS I-854 and I-134 Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
Form I-854, Inter-Agency Alien Witness and Informant Record
12/12/2024 04:18 PM EST
Edition Date: 12/12/24. Starting March 13, 2025, USCIS will accept only the 12/12/24 edition. Until then, you can also use the 04/01/24 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Form I-134, Declaration of Financial Support
12/12/2024 03:46 PM EST
AAO Processing Times (October - December 2024)
| Form Type | Case Type | Completed 0-180 Days | Quarterly Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative total of all completions |
93.2% |
1,073 |
Immigration Law
H-1B Final Rule, H-2 Final Rule, and Revised Form I-129 Effective Friday, Jan. 17
The Department of Homeland Security’s H-1B final rule and H-2 final rule take effect on Friday, Jan.
USCIS Updates Guidance on EB-2 National Interest Waiver Petitions
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is updating its policy guidance to clarify how USCIS evaluates eligibility for the second preference employment-based (EB-2) classification for immigrant petitions filed with a request for a national interest waiver (NIW).
H-1B transfer: Managing multiple offers and timelines to avoid future green card complications
Question details
I have accepted the first company’s offer, and it has filed for my H1B transfer. Now, I want to sign an offer from Company two and potentially join it. So, should I make the company speed up the process and delay joining the company in order not to get issues during the green card process? What if the company forces me to join?
FAQ Transcript
You can file multiple H-1B transfers simultaneously, and it's legal. Approval of one transfer doesn’t obligate you to join that employer, nor does it affect your existing H-1B status with your current employer. You can choose to join any employer whose transfer gets approved, provided all transfers were filed while you were in valid status with your current employer.
However, if your H-1B validity is close to expiring (e.g., within 6 months), later-filed transfers may require "bridge petitions" to maintain continuity of status. Consult an immigration lawyer to ensure proper handling and avoid complications.
I-130 for parent: Visitor visa travel during pending I-130, any changes under Trump
Question details
I am a US citizen. I am planning to file an I-130 in January 2025 for my mom, who is currently residing in India. She plans to visit us in July 2025 (on her visitor visa, valid until Feb 2026). Can she travel to the US while the I-130 has been filed and is pending? What additional preparation/papers would she need if this is an issue? I have heard cases of denied entries in similar cases. I thought of postponing the I-130 until after her US visit next year, but I fear the process may slow down under the new administration. Please advise what would be the right thing to do since we would like for her to visit us in 2025.
FAQ Transcript
If you are filing an I-130 for your parent, they can generally travel to the U.S. on a visitor visa while the petition is pending. Theoretically, they could face issues at entry due to the pending green card application, but in practice, parents of U.S. citizens are rarely stopped for this reason.
To reduce the risk of being denied entry, consider having your parent use an immigration pre-clearance airport, like Abu Dhabi or Dublin, so they can return home easily if denied. While past practices suggest minimal issues, policies could change, especially under unpredictable administrations.
H-4 working in the US on her Indian business
Question details
My status: H1B + i140 approved (6 months completed)
Wife's status: H4 (applied for H4-EAD in July 2024)
My wife has a small business In India that she operates from here. She is currently in India (has been in India since Nov'24) and is traveling back to US (Jan'25) via Abu Dhabi.
1. Is she allowed to work for her India company in US? Everything she earns is in INR
2. If asked at port of entry, do you work in India, should she say yes or no?
FAQ Transcript
An H-4 visa holder operating a small business in India from the U.S. could potentially violate their visa status, even if earnings are in Indian rupees. At the port of entry, honesty is essential—lying could lead to a permanent U.S. entry ban, which is hard to waive.
While it's unclear if this constitutes a status violation, it’s a borderline case. To avoid risks, it’s advisable not to engage in such activities while on H-4 status.
F-1 visa stamping and stamping in third-country; Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR)
Question details
I am in the US with an approved COS from B2 to F1, so my F1 visa is yet to be stamped on my (Indian)Passport.
1. My STEM masters program is for 9 months, and my I20 has a start and end date of 2 years(2026). Do I have to stamp before the end of 2 years to avail myself of the OPT and STEM validity?
2.I might have to visit a family member in Canada sometime in mid-2025 after my master's program has started. Is it advisable to go to Canada since I do not have the F1 stamped on my Visa? If I can visit, then will I require a different visa?
3. Is it possible for me to schedule my F1 Visa stamping in Canada during the visit? Or would you advise something different here? Or is it better to get it stamped in Mexico?
FAQ Transcript
If you are on an F-1 visa converted from B-2, your visa stamp is only necessary if you plan to travel outside the U.S. While in the U.S., your status is governed by your I-94, which typically says "DS" (duration of status) and remains valid as long as you maintain your student status.
If traveling briefly to Canada or Mexico for under 30 days, you can use Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR) to return without a visa stamp, provided you haven’t applied for and been refused a visa during your visit. Scheduling visa stamping in Canada is risky—if denied, you lose AVR eligibility and must return to India to reapply.
Can L-1A holders or applicants also apply for the H-1B lottery?
Question details
I worked in the US for the last 3 years on STEM OPT but did not get selected in the H1B lotteries. I returned to India in June 2024 and have been working with the same company since then. My employer plans to file my L1A visa petition after July 2025.
Can I also participate in the upcoming H1B lottery?
Would applying for the H1B affect my L1A petition?
Additionally, given that I have worked outside the U.S. for a year within the last five years with the same company, is it possible to transition from H1B to L1A status?
FAQ Transcript
Yes, L-1A holders or applicants can also apply for the H-1B lottery. Filing for H-1B will not impact your L-1A application unless there’s a discrepancy in the job descriptions for the two applications.
Additionally, if you’ve worked outside the U.S. for at least one year in a managerial role, you can transition from H-1B to L-1A later.
Understanding the January 2025 Executive Order's Impact
Understanding the January 2025 Executive Order's Impact on Legal Temporary and Permanent Residents
Update on Form I-134A
Release Date
Due to the Jan. 20, 2025 Executive Order, Securing Our Borders, USCIS is pausing acceptance of Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, until we review all categorical parole processes as required by that order.
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.