Guestbook Entry for Ram N Ramamurthy , United States
Name
Ram N Ramamurthy
Country
United States
State
FL
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Guestbook Entry for Irina Pozyvaylo, United States
Name
Irina Pozyvaylo
Country
United States
State
GA
Office Closed for Christmas Break
Our offices will be closed for Christmas break from December 25, 2024 through January 1, 2025. The offices will reopen on Thursday, January 2, 2025. If you are a client, in case of an urgent matter, please leave a message at (202)909-1110. Our team will also regularly check their own emails and messages. If you need to speak with someone urgently, please leave a message and you will hear back from them.
Interim EAD at Houston USCIS office
"Went to the local Houston USCIS office by 4:50 am on friday Jul 11, 2003 and found myself behind 100 people (folks camping out...looked like a slumber party
. They sure let us in by 6:15am and got a number (186) & processed by around 12:45pm.
Rajiv's News Clips - Workers Oppose H-1B Bill - Light Reading
Published by: Light Reading - Date: July 31, 2003
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv on the article:
"There are eight or nine bills pending with similar provisions [to Tancredo's]," says Rajiv S. Khanna, a lawyer specializing in H-1B visa issues who practices in Arlington, Va. But he thinks the H-1B visa program already has shrunk along with the rest of the economy. "It's down, in my opinion, to 10 percent of what it was."
For more details please see the attachment below.
Recording for November 30 2023, Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Nonimmigrant Visas
FAQs: H-1B visa transfer before arrival into the USA|| Employee paying for green card and H-1B premium costs || Using an old H-1B visa stamp of a different employer
USCIS Forms Update Notice - G-884 and I-134
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
Form G-884, Request for the Return of Original Documents
11/09/2023 03:22 PM EST
Edition Date: 11/09/23. Starting Jan. 29, 2024, USCIS will only accept the 11/09/23 edition. Until then, you can also use the 12/02/21 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
PERM Processing Times (as of 11/30/2023)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | December 2022 |
| Audit Review | August 2022 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | February 2023 |
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
Visa Bulletin For January 2024
Number 85
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during January 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
USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2024 H-1B Cap
USCIS has received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year (FY) 2024.
USCIS will send non-selection notices to registrants through their online accounts over the next few days. When USCIS finishes sending these non-selection notifications, the status for properly submitted registrations that USCIS did not select for the FY 2024 H-1B numerical allocations will show:
USCIS Changes Filing Location for Form I-907 for Pending Form I-140
Release Date
12/13/2023
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will begin transitioning the filing location for Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing, when filed for a pending Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, from the service centers to appropriate USCIS lockboxes on Dec. 15.
Recording for December 14, 2023, Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Nonimmigrant Visas
FAQ: Converting from B visa to any other status such as H-1B, etc.
Guestbook Entry for Pam M, United States
Name
Pam M
Country
United States
State
Virginia
USCIS Updates Policy Guidance for International Students
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance regarding the F and M student nonimmigrant classifications, including the agency’s role in adjudicating applications for employment authorization, change of status, extension of stay, and reinstatement of status for these students and their dependents in the United States.
Renewal of Visas within the USA
Renewal of Visas within the USA
Here is the text of the visa renewal program within the USA as of December 20, 2023. We have highlighted the appropriate notable points for your convenience
DEPARTMENT OF STATE https://federalregister.gov/d/2023-28160, and on https://govinfo.gov
Dec 15, 2023, Rajiv in QnA session on behalf of students, young professionals
Immigration.com
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 4/30/2025)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | December 2023 |
| Audit Review | N/A |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | March 2025 |
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
USCIS Assists in Investigation Leading to Conviction of Indian Citizen for Submitting Fraudulent Immigration Application
Release Date
05/05/2025
BURLINGTON, Vt. – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided valuable assistance to the investigation that led to the conviction of an Indian citizen for submitting a fraudulent immigration application.
Recording for May 01, 2025, Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Agency
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Green Card
Visa Bulletin For June 2025
Number 3
Volume XI
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during June 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
Immigration impact of past criminal law allegations - Will a reduced traffic misdemeanor affect my US visa application?
Question details
I was involved in a car accident 2 years ago and got a traffic misdemeanor ticket that was reduced to illegal parking and 200$ fine from court. There was No Arrest & No Hearing. Given the current crisis, I would like to know whether it will impact my visa or immigration cases. If yes, how can we avoid those problems?
Related FAQs:
FAQ: Immigration impact of past omission or errors in Form DS-160 or other government forms.
I am a mechanical engineering PhD student in PA on an F1 visa from a ROW, with no travel ban. Came to the US in Dec 20XX.
When applying F1, made a mistake in DS-160, said i never applied to immigrant visa before though I had applied to DV (DV rejected). I only said so without realizing DV is also called an immigrant visa (I thought it was company sponsor, marriage, etc.); it was an innocent mistake. I realized it last week in an immigration seminar at uni. I also applied for DV after arriving in the USA.
I-20 ends in 12/20XX, F1 ends in 11/20XX, and the passport ends in 2032. Will travel be an issue before 11/20? How likely is it that a random check will reveal this mistake without traveling? I'll tell the truth when asked, but what are the consequences? What can I do?
For OPT, STEM OPT, or if I need extra PhD time and graduate in 2028, will it be a problem if I extend the I-20 duration? Or if I switch to another US uni next semester?
NIW prepared DIY, ready to file, but unsure because it is an immigrant visa, similar to DV. Wanna do PP, with approved I-140, can I get OPT or stem opt (before filing 485)? Should I go home for a visa extension, or can Mexico/Canada do it?
FAQ: Immigration impact of prior dismissed Domestic Violence case
I had a domestic violence case 5 years ago, which was dismissed. With the new government now and the news about visa denials and deportations, can you please tell me your thoughts on if there will be any problems with my stamping even if I get the stamping done successfully, will there be challenges entering into the US in the port of entry?
Or there are no changes in how visa processing is handled for people with dismissed domestic violence cases. Thank you for your guidance.
FAQ Transcript
Minor past infractions, even those reduced to non-criminal violations like illegal parking, are causing concern for visa applicants. Here's a breakdown:
- Non-immigrant visas (B1/B2, F/J): These are the most vulnerable. Even minor issues can be raised during visa stamping due to a shift in the US government's stance, though denial based on a reduced traffic misdemeanor is unlikely. The impact on already issued visas is still unclear and is being litigated.
- Work visas (H, L, E): These are less likely to be affected by minor past incidents.
- Green cards: Generally, only more serious issues, like drug convictions or multiple convictions, pose a problem.
- Citizenship: Good moral character is required, but incidents outside the 5 years preceding the application usually aren't a major concern, and rehabilitation can be a factor.
Regarding the specific question about a traffic misdemeanor reduced to illegal parking with a fine:
- Immigration impact: It should not impact your immigration status (deportability/inadmissibility).
- Visa impact: While the government might cause a delay during stamping, they should not deny your visa based on this.
Crucially, it is recommended to consult with a lawyer specializing in deportation/removal defense (with at least 10-15 years of experience) in the state where the incident occurred to understand the specific potential impact on your case. Dismissals can sometimes have immigration consequences even if they aren't criminal convictions.
Port of Entry (POE) risk for a green card holder with a concurrent employment history?
Question details
I had a green card and worked for two remote employers simultaneously for two years without knowing each other. Got two W2s for two years. But for the last year, working for only one employer. Planning on vacation outside of the country. Do I have any issues at POE because I am employed at multiple places at the same time?
FAQ Transcript
A green card holder working two remote jobs simultaneously without their knowledge, receiving two W2s and presumably paying taxes, has likely committed a potential violation of their employment contracts (a civil matter), but it should not impact their green card status or ability to travel, assuming their overall green card history is clean.
Recording for May 15, 2025, Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Immigration.com
Green Card
FAQs:
1. H-1B extension beyond six years. PD is now current. I changed employer. Options.
2. Employer deducted H-1B premium fee — Will this affect visa stamping or POE?
Other Topics :
H-1B extension beyond six years. PD is now current. I changed employer. Options
Question details
My GC was filed, and I-140 was approved in 2012. My PD is November 2012, which became current in March 2025. However, I changed employers a few years back. My current employer is willing to start my GC application but hasn't started yet. Do I really have only one year from the time my PD turned current to file for AOS? If yes, what are my options to maintain my H1 status?
FAQ Transcript
If your I-140 is approved and your priority date becomes current, you generally have one year to file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) to maintain H-1B extension eligibility beyond six years. This one-year window is dynamic: if your priority date retrogresses and then becomes current again, the clock resets. USCIS rarely accepts changing employers as a valid reason for not filing the I-485 within this timeframe, making H-1B extensions difficult if you miss the deadline while your priority date is current.
Employer deducted H-1B premium fee — Will this affect visa stamping or POE?
Question details
My H1B was picked in the 2024 lottery, but there was no progress on the case for months, so I asked my employer to move it to premium. They said that it would be charged through my payroll, and I was okay with that. Later, I received an RFE, and the petition was approved recently.
My employer has already started deducting the premium fee from my last payroll (it is set to be deducted across 6 pay cycles). But when I checked my payslip, that deduction was not mentioned in it. Instead, the base pay is reduced by the installment amount, and then all the taxes are calculated on the reduced amount. This means that for the 6 pay cycles, my pay will be run on an amount lower than the LCA amount.
Will this cause any problems during stamping or at the port of entry? Please let me know if there is anything I can request my employer to change in this process.
FAQ Transcript
Employers are generally not allowed to deduct H-1B premium processing fees from an employee's salary. Most believe the employer should bear this cost. Such a deduction effectively reduces your actual pay, which could lead to issues if your salary falls below the LCA (Labor Condition Application) stipulated amount, or even if it remains above but is lower than your expected wage.
To mitigate this, you should ask your employer to consult an immigration lawyer and reimburse you for the deducted amount, restoring your salary to its original level. This step, while not a guaranteed fix, is crucial for addressing the issue.