Guestbook Entry for Sohan Kasula, United States
Name
Sohan Kasula
Country
United States
Search
Guestbook Entry for Roopal Mehta, United States
Name
Roopal Mehta
Country
United States
State
MD
Comment
They were really good in... - delivering the process well - presenting my case - securing & covering all the corners - Had the knowledge, experience and 'know-how' that made it a successfull deal.. Thanks a lot! - roopal.
EAD card for wife
State
MI
Background: Wife's H1 expires in a couple of weeks. Needed EAD card. Had filed I-765 on sept 07 2005. Five months and no EAD card yet. Checked with INS 800 number. Found the card was at Missouri ( Lee's Summit ) service center. Since time was running out on the H1 B. Took an appointment at Detroit Office. For interim EAD. Here is a sequence of events for some one else who might need an interim EAD in Detroit MI.
AOS Interview Today - Approved!
yeaaaahh..i am so happy and that wouldnt have been possible w/o this forum and all the help I have received!
Green Card
Interview on Feb. 22nd at Chicago DO, and I am approved !!!
We had our interview appointment at 11.05. We left home at about 8.00. And of course, Chicago would not be Chicago if there was no traffic jam, so we left the highway to take an alternate route. After spotting the INS building, we looked for a parking. We enter the building at 10.00.
Green Card
Tampa AOS interviews
Alright, first off thank you to everyone that helped me out with what to bring!
We showed up with about 30 pounds of paperwork, photos, tax returns, wedding albums, cards.
Our appointment was at 1 pm, we arrived around 12:15. We got in the lineup, and waited. and waited and waited. (got a little warm considering it is still in the high 80s, 90s) At about 12:55 they let us in along with a swarm of other people coming in for the same thing (and some naturalization cases) We signed in, and waited right up at the door to be called.
Green Card
Interview Experience
I had my interview today in downtown miami. The entire process took just less than an hour of which around 45 min was the wait for my turn. I had taken so much with me but nothing was needed except the passport and green card. I did get one unusual question related to my mailing address. I have always used a P.O Box as a mailing address so she just asked why P.O Box, why not use the home address. I just told her I change residences quite often ( am a single guy ) and its just easy for me to get a P.O Box near work.
Citizenship and Naturalization
Guestbook Entry for ANNADANESHWAR (DAN) , United States
Name
ANNADANESHWAR (DAN)
Country
United States
State
VA
Comment
My labor got cleared under PERM on February 7th,2006. I started the whole process in December 20th,2005 with Rajiv Khanna as my attorney. I’m very grateful to Rajiv S. Khanna and team for helping me with my labor certification. Their guidance helped me to get all my paperwork right. They make it a point to educate us about the laws and update us promptly about any changes in the DOL. This makes us feel comfortable and generates awareness of new policies under PERM.
In short Rajiv and his staff made the whole process very easy, simple and painless. We are really glad that we chose this Law firm. We are greatly pleased with Rajiv and his staff as far as their professionalism, courtesy and promptness regarding my Labor. Many of my friends went through Rajiv and all of them are also happy like me. We are thankful to Rajiv and his staff.
Guestbook Entry for 5 Concord Knoll lane , United States
Name
5 Concord Knoll lane
Country
United States
State
NC
Comment
I deeply appreciate all the helps from Rajiv Khanna's firm to my journey of PR. All the staff here I have been contacted with are knowlegable, and warm hearted, which light up so many dark nights of mine in the past. I would like to give my special thanks to Prerna, Shivane, Suman, Richa, Charu, who not just helped my case but also give me the hope as well.
Thank you all!
Guestbook Entry for Sonali Batish , United States
Name
Sonali Batish
Country
United States
State
VA
Comment
Rajiv, Anna and the team was great with their help regarding my H1B transfer, particularly with their thouroughness in responding to an RFE.
Thank you all again!
-Sonali.
Guestbook Entry for AHM Rahman , United States
Name
AHM Rahman
Country
United States
State
NY
Comment
I was approved for H1B which would be effective on 1st of october,2005. But I didn't get my I-94 with my H1B approval. Before 1st of october, I left my previous employer and joined with my current employer. On that moment, it was tough for getting the new H1B. But Law offices of Rajiv S. Khanna made it, especially Rena Wadell, who was handling this case. My spouse's H4B also on processing. Hopefully, get the good news soon. I am really happy for getting their service.
Guestbook Entry for Chandan Chandra , United States
Name
Chandan Chandra
Country
United States
State
NY
Comment
I was running out of time on my H1 B and had requested Rajiv Khanna's office for Quick filing and not only they filed my LC PERM on time but I also got my Approval in 4 days , All of my contacts (Suman ,Vijay ,Pramita,Anna Baker) at Rajiv Khanna's Office were very detail oriented and very helpful .I would like to specially thank Pramita for updating me with the case status ( at times on hourly basis ) when I felt unsure if I could make the deadline . Pramita and
Vijay took good care of my case and kept me updated with the status which is rare attribute which every cleint like me longs for . Rajiv Khanna Rocks !!!!
Guestbook Entry for George , United States
Name
George
Country
United States
State
NC
Comment
Mr Khanna , Mr Durgam , all other members of the office ..I would like to thank all of you for your hard work and dedication to get my labor certificate done and as a result we obtained approval in a very good time..with out going into details of how hard the process was . all I can say Thankyou. George
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.
---------------------------------------
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
---------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------
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
---------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------
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.
---------------------------------------
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.
I tried 2 different attorneys before employing law offices of Rajiv Khanna, one attorney took money but didn't even bother to call me and other who wouldn't fill the basic information properly before filing the application for LC. Myself and My wife, we got our passports stamped yesterday (11/21/2002), the whole process took us about 2 yrs and 1month without any problem or query from INS. Working with the team of Rajiv Khanna was PLEASANT. Being a professional myself, I am really pleased with their DILIGENCE, PROFICIENCY, CONFIDENCE and EXPERIENCE. Even though my company messed up in making monthly payments, Ms. Lakshmi Kompella, Ms. Diane Lombardo and Ms. Suman Bhasin gave me an opportunity to clean it up without holding up the processing of my application. I am thankful for their CARE and UNDERSTANDING. Ms. Leila Lehman are praise worthy too, for all their support and PERSONAL attention given to my case. Thanks to the whole team for making the process EASY and PLEASURABLE. If the job needs to be done RIGHT, this is "THE TEAM".