Great Firm, excellent service. Ursula E., was very dilligent, sincere, provided excellent customer service. The firm is fortunate to have paralegals of such great calibre.
I applied for EAD on September 17, 2003. After 90 days I did not get the EAD approved from VT. I went to the local office in Arlington on January 8, 2004. They gave me a date to come back for the issuance of an interim EAD which was February 18, 2004. On February 3, 2004 VT approved my EAD without me having to go to local for the interim.
Went around 9:30 am, approximate wait time 45 mins, the lady on the window asked for the notice of action for the actual EAD renewal filed and the new form I-765. Submitted the form, she told the notice will be mailed to you and it might take 30 days to get notice.
MY EAD renewal was applied for and 6 months had passed and after several months worth of unanswered phone calls, I got someone at the switchboard who transferred me to the EAD department.
I was informed that my application was lost and a new one would need to be submitted or no new EAD.
After travelling all morning to Chicago and a fair bit of trying to
convince the door guy, i got in and the whole process took about 3 hours. They worked quickly once I showed up on thier doorstep.
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC LEGAL SERVICES!!!It's with heartfelt appreciation and gratitude that I want to express my Thanks to the Staff of Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna, especially to Ms. Charu Bhagat, Ms. Reena Wadel and Ms. Sirisha Durgam for the patience with which they worked my very complicated case. I was basically in an out-of-status mode in the US for a long time with my past employment and it was a big question as to whether I would get my Visa transfer approved. Thanks to the ABSOLUTELY METICULOUS preparation of documents and the constant communication between INS and Rajiv S. Khanna's Office that amde it happen. The only thing that I would STRONGLY reccomend anyone that has the privilege of getting help from Rajiv S. Khanna's Office is...1. Be Patient and WORK (really, without question) with the lawyers who are handling your case.2. PROVIDE every bit of documentation asked for and be very PROMPT with it.3. Respect their effort in helping you and do not be impatient.Ms. Sirisha, Ms. Charu and Ms. Reena were three of the most friendly and helpful persons. Thank you so much!!Aravinth Kaliappan
It was a very pleasant experience working with the Law Offices. I would like to make a special reference to the person I worked with who kept me informed on each step during the process removing any anxiety - I did get prompt responses on all queries and she returned every call, that was amazing. I look forward to working with this team again when I apply for my Green Card.Thank and appreciate all your efforts.
Rajiv Khanna and the people at his office did a very good job in processing my Green card. All of the people(Leila Lehman, Shivane Sharma,and others), I used to contact were very knowledgable. It has been a nice experience! Thanks and keep up your good work!
My EAD renewal application was sent to VSC on November 24. Today February 23rd is the 91st day with the application pending. I went to the local office - Atlanta where I currently reside at 7:00AM. After I got into the office, proceeded to the information desk, the officer asked for the receipt and new filled out application form. After two hours, a lady officer called my name, asked what is my basis for EAD. I said it was based on I485 pending and gave her a copy of 485 receipt. After another two hours, I was called into another room and take picture right away.
I filed my EAD in 11/2003 to Vermont and after 80days (stated in my I-765 for proceesing time), I called USCIS and they told me to go to a local INS office for a interim EAD on the 90 days post my I-765 notice date. So, on the 88days, I went to the local USCIS office (Cherry Hill, NJ) with my I-765 notice. After 4 hours waiting, I got my interim EAD (with 6 month expiration date). The USCIS officer took me an photo and finger print.
Was the 90th or 91st day of EAD renewal pendig at the Vermont Service Center.No lines, no waiting, total 25 minutes.
As per online message of USCIS, my EAD renewal card was approved and mailed on 12-31-2003. But I haven't received the card till 1/14/2004. So idecided to go to local Omaha office to get my iEAD as my first EAD is expiring soon.
*opens at 7 am. * Bio-meteric center is in different building than USCIS office. * 15 people in queue at 8:30 * Took 30 mins to get Ticket number. * Took 45 mins to get to window. * 30-45 mins to validate * 45 mins for EAD ( photo , printing) They asked for reciept. Was surprised to see that even after calling national call center address was not changed nor by sending AR11. Wasted other day in queue ...
I got an interim EAD while I am waiting for my EAD to be processed. I filed it online hoping that it will be the same processing. The thing is that if you e-file online, you have to wait for the appoval of your application. In short, it won't do you good if you're in a hurry getting that permit. They give me 90-day interim EAD because I have a pending I-485 application filed in the San Francisco District Office. I will suggest to go to the office instead of mailing or e-filing it.
I had filed for EAD during the last week of Oct'2003 for my wife and myself. After 90 days I called Hartford, CT office for Interim EAD they told me to come after 104 days of Receipt Date because after 90 days period I have to wait 15 more days (they believe web status may not be correct in some cases and one will have to wait for 15 days for Card issue and postal delay)
I went for my iEAD recently at the district office in Jacksonville. It is best to make appointments online as only 20 people are allowed without appointments. Documents required were passport, driver's license, appointment printout, and I765 receipt (either original or copy) Initially I had to talk to an immigration officer at the counter who checked that there was no RFE for the EAD or that it had been mailed. Then I was told to fill out an application again for EAD.
The Department has released FAQs for H-2Bs in the entertainment industry.
ICE updated its list of Student and Exchange Visitor Program approved schools on 29th June 2009.
Should you be applying for employment-based green card in this economy?
A lot of employers have been asking this question in the last few months. Is it even possible to get a labor certification with the US unemployment at a 26-year high.
I have a question on the new very scary and confusing interoffice memo (May 6, 2009) that the acting associate director of USCIS issued regarding unlawful presence. I am currently on EAD/AP since the expiration of my 6 years of H1-b visa on september 3, 2008 with my I-140 approved and my I-485 (PD-october 2, 2004, EB2) pending. According to the example 2 (page 10) of this memo-, anybody with an expired non-immigrant visa is subject to deportation even though his I-485 was filed properly when that person was in proper non-immigrant status and the petition is still pending. My understanding was that once an AOS is filed, I am authorized to stay here and work on EAD and go in and out of USA on AP until that petition is denied. When did this law change?
That example does not make any sense. It appears to be more a clarification of a concept - NOT practice. Do NOT worry. You are fine. If someone has not already done so, I will write USCIS next week after reviewing the entire 51 page memo carefully. Do NOT lose sleep over this.
Number 11
Volume XI
Washington, D.C.
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
Please see the attached article, "Proving Existence of a Job for H-1 B" authored by Rajiv and published by American Law Institute- American Bar Association, October 2009 issue of "The Practical Lawyer".
well, what can I say than the usual? Folks at Rajiv's office must be thinking 'phew. we have recieved another one of those glorious feedbacks today. YET again. so, there you go. I'll be another guy who says you are the best. But its true aint it? You know your stuff, you are attentive, you hear our griping, whining and still say 'How can we help?' . Thats what I like the most about Rajiv's Office. After 9 years in the country, just when I started to get comfortable and thinking my status is safe, i received an RFE asking for what I call "Copy from CM and Copy from PM", which in other words, USCIS has asked for letters from everyone involved in my employment. Thank goodness, they didnt ask the now infamous 'tax returns of the company and letter fron the president'. The moment I saw my RFE, I sent an email to Rajiv with one sentence 'HELP!!'. He responded back in 5 minutes, directing his most amazing and best-at-what-she-does assistant, Anna Baker to help me. Letters followed, checks mailed, more emails and voila, we have our case ready and all the letters signed. We applied last friday (July 3rd), received the status email, and case processing has resumed the same day. On July 8th we received an email containing the magical words 'Approval Notice Sent'!! So, lets start with the mail room guys, copying room folks, all the assistants: Thanks a ton! and then Anna : Any number of thanks and best wishes wouldnt be sufficient for your hard work and diligence. and of course Rajiv: For assembling the best team, and for always being there. Thanks to all of you for making this happen for me. Much Appreciated. Bala
I am currently on H1B extension (7th year ; with pending I-485 under NIW, and approved Advanced Parole & EAD) dating an American citizen. We want to get married in India. If I were to leave my current job in October 2009, and go to India (for making marriage arrangements), is it advisable to:
1. First get engaged here in the US and file for fiancé Visa while I am in US (and then travel to India) in order to re-enter US on a legal status.
2. Also do we have to get married in US again in order to provide proper legal marriage documentation and to file family based I-485 as spouse.
NIW applicants get their green card based upon an expectation of employment - not employment (unless you are a physician). So, if you have a job offer in your area of expertise, your travel on AP is fairly safe.
A legal marriage in India is fully recognized in USA.
1. One of my friend had his 140 approved in 2005. He has his 485 pending since 2005. now he got RFE which essentialy says that 140 was approved in error and asks for ability pay prooof. Can USCIS go back and raise RFE's in this manner?
2. If yes then would he have been better if he had changed the job using AC21 ? My impression was that Once one is eligible for ac21( 180 days past 485) , RFE's related to old employer should not come. seeing this , using AC21 seems very risky. what happens if someone changes job and then USCIS says that 140 approved was in error , and asks for bunch of proof from the old company. what is your take?
1. There is some legal argument for saying no, but in my opinion, USCIS can do this. In fact, I think there is a 9th circuit case from last week that says they can.
2. My take is AC21 would be a better idea, although, not fool proof.
I detest this current trend of USCIS of over-scrutinizing every case and making impossible demands while operating in an environment of regulation by memorandum. I could share some horror stories with you.
I thank Mr. Khanna, Suman Basin, Leila Lehman and Diane Lombardo for helping me through the Employment based Green Card processing. The best thing I like about the Law offices of Rajiv S. Khanna is that they are there when you need your questions answered. Efficient and very professional team.