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Guestbook Entry for Sudhakar Madduri , United States
Guestbook Entry for Praveen Kotha , United States
Guestbook Entry for Abdel-Moneim Attia , United States
Guestbook Entry for Nagarjuna Rao Chakka , United States
Guestbook Entry for Mangal Nagarkar, United States
USCIS Updates Process for Accepting Petitions for Relatives Abroad
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that, as part of the adjustment of its international footprint to increase efficiencies, Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, will only be processed domestically by USCIS or internationally by the Department of State in certain circumstances beginning Feb 1, 2020.
Public Charge Inadmissibility Final Rule: Revised Forms and Updated Policy Manual Guidance
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has published revised forms consistent with the final rule on the public charge ground of inadmissibility, which the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including USCIS, will implement on Feb. 24, 2020. Beginning Feb. 24, 2020, applicants and petitioners must use new editions of the following forms below (except in Illinois, where the rule remains enjoined by a federal court):
USCIS Response to the 2019 Coronavirus
USCIS is actively monitoring the effects of the public health emergency related to the 2019 coronavirus outbreak on agency operations.
Office Closures in China
According to U.S. Department of State guidance, USCIS is temporarily closing its field offices in Beijing and Guangzhou. USCIS will reschedule all affected appointments and will send new appointment notices to applicants.
Rajiv's News Clips - US policy that restricted international students’ re-entry blocked - Times of India
Published by : The Times Of India - Date: February 08, 2020
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv on the article:
Students cannot be in unlawful presence, says the court
International students can breathe a sigh of relief. The USCIS has lost another case against its attempts to assault legal immigration. A federal court has held that its attempts to create artificial, three year or ten bars from reentry by students into the USA are illegal.
Feb 6, 2020, Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Green Card
FAQs:
- H-4 visa stamping - problems with H-1B
- Sponsoring family based green card while living outside the US
- When is H-1B amendment required?
- Getting EB-1C based green card by moving out for one year
- Obtaining birth certificates
Feb 20, 2020 Recording of Free Community Conference Call (Every Other Thursday)
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
FAQs: Feb 20, 2020 Community Call
- I-140 issues - getting a copy of approval notice, leaving employer when I-140 approved less than 180 days
- Impact on H-4 - H-4 EAD if the H-1B holder changes jobs
- Promotion while PERM is pending or approved
- Birth Certificates
Rajiv's Comments in the News - America’s SC: Courts need not defer to federal agency decisions – it’s a mixed bag for the Indian diaspora
Published by: The Times of India: July 04, 2024
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/111484076.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
Visa Bulletin For August 2024
Number 92
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during August 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 07/01/2024)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | June 2023 |
| Audit Review | December 2022 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | September 2023 |
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
USCIS Form Update: G-1055, Fee Schedule
USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form:
07/10/2024 09:23 AM EDT
Edition Date: 07/10/24. You can find the edition date at the bottom of Form G-1055, Fee Schedule page.
For more information, please visit the Forms Updates page.
Recording for July 11, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Nonimmigrant Visas
FAQs: Eligibility for 1-year H-1B extension under 365-day rule based on PERM filed on November 1, 2023 || Assessing eligibility and strengthening profile for EB2-NIW application without a research background
New Policy Guidance on Noncompliance with EB-5 Regional Center Program
Release Date
07/16/2024
USCIS is issuing policy guidance on new provisions in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that cover consequences for noncompliance with the EB-5 Regional Center program.
Eligibility for 1-year H-1B extension under 365-day rule based on PERM filed on November 1, 2023
My PERM was filed on November 1, 2023, and my current visa expires on October 10, 2024. Am I eligible to apply for a one-year extension based on the 356-day rule? If so, is July a good month to apply for a one-year extension?
OR do I need to travel back to my Country and apply for an extension after 1st November 2024?
H-1B extensions beyond 6 years are possible through an approved I-140 or a PERM labor certification pending for 1 year. For PERM-based extensions, you can apply before the 1-year mark, but the extension only becomes effective after a full year. For example, if your PERM was filed on November 1, 2023, and your current H-1B expires in October 2024, you could apply for an extension in July 2024. However, the extension would only be effective from November 1, 2024. You may need to leave the country temporarily if there's a gap between your current H-1B expiration and the extension's effective date.
Assessing eligibility and strengthening profile for EB2-NIW application without a research background
I'm from Bangladesh and am pursuing a non-thesis Master’s degree in Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University. My area of specialization is Geotechnical Engineering. I’ll graduate with my degree in May 2025 after completing a co-op with one of the top Engineering and construction companies in the United States. The company also offered me a full-time position after my graduation so that I could continue my work with them. Many PhD candidates from my country with a master's degree are applying for EB2-NIW using their citations and research experience.
1. Since I lack a prominent research background (basically, I have no experience at all in terms of publication/citation), do I have a chance of getting approval for EB2-NIW?
2. Is citation/research compulsory for EB2-NIW to get approved?
3. If I want to apply in the future, how should I prepare my profile to increase my chances? I’m more interested in working in the industry than in research and academia.
4. I want to mention that, from my experience, there is a huge demand for geotechnical engineers in the civil engineering industry, but not many people, especially Americans, are pursuing this major. Can I use this fact to show national interest?
The key is to emphasize activities and achievements that demonstrate your potential to contribute significantly at a national scale. Your profile should highlight projects or initiatives that have a broad, national-level impact, as this aligns closely with the NIW criteria.
Rajiv's Comments in the News - Startup founders upbeat on US visa tweak despite big hurdles in process
Published by: The Economic Times: July 16, 2024
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/startup-founders-upb…
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
The programme provides only temporary parole for up to five years, not a path to permanent residency, said Rajiv Khanna, managing attorney at Immigration.com.
USCIS to Begin Triennial Investment and Revenue Threshold Updates for International Entrepreneur Rule
Release Date
07/24/2024
Effective Oct. 1, 2024, USCIS will increase the investment and revenue thresholds under the International Entrepreneur Rule, as required every three years. The application fee will not change, however.
Background
India’s Immigration Structure: Navigating Opportunities in a Growing Economy
India’s Immigration Structure: Navigating Opportunities in a Growing Economy
By Julia Ballou