Immigration.com

Search

Interim EAD Issuance at Los Angeles

22 years ago By Chief Editor

I reached there around 4:30am. People were already lined up. First you have to get the form from one line and then wait in another line. Around 6:30am they asked people who are there for EAD to form another shorter line. I got the token and my no. was called around 8:30am. The required documents are :



1. I-485 receipt

2. I-765 receipt

3.information about any previous I-765, like receipt date

4. previous EAD Plastic card

5.California driver license and Passport for identification.

Taxonomy upgrade extras

Went to Miami office today to apply for a temporary work authorization card

22 years ago By Chief Editor

I went to the Miami office today to apply for a temporary work authorization card. This office no longer accepts walk ins as of two days ago. People can either make an appointment with the office on the web from home, or on site. The waiting time is approximately two weeks for an appointment. This is for any type of immmigration case.


Taxonomy upgrade extras

Tampa refused to issue an interim EAD

22 years ago By Chief Editor

"96 days after submitting the EAD application, Tampa refused to issue an interim EAD. Evidentially an appointment card had been mailed that same day.The appointment was set for 10 days later. Including 2 months wasted trying to get the initial appointment to submit the EAD application, it took 5.5 months to get this EAD renewal. The real tragedy was the loss a job and residual loss of income which lasted months. We will start this process again 6 months before this EAD expires. Hmm...that's pretty soon".

Taxonomy upgrade extras

Reminder on G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative

12 years ago By Chief Editor

 

Purpose of Form :To provide information on your eligibility to act on behalf of an applicant, petitioner, or respondent.Number of Pages :Form 2; Instructions 3Edition Date :02/28/13. No previous editions accepted.Where to File :

File Form G-28 with the related application, petition, or appeal.

Filing Fee :$0Special Instructions :

Visa Bulletin For February 2025

10 months ago By Chief Editor

Number 98

Volume X

Washington, D.C

View as Printer Friendly PDF

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

USCIS I-854 and I-134 Forms Update Notice

10 months ago By Chief Editor

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

F-1 visa stamping and stamping in third-country; Automatic Visa Revalidation (AVR)

10 months ago By Chief Editor
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.

H-1B transfer: Managing multiple offers and timelines to avoid future green card complications

10 months ago By Chief Editor
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

10 months ago By Chief Editor
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.

 

Can L-1A holders or applicants also apply for the H-1B lottery?

10 months ago By Chief Editor
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.

 

H-4 working in the US on her Indian business

10 months ago By Chief Editor
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.

Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna, PC



5225 Wilson Blvd, Arlington, VA 22205

110 W. Johnson St, Suite 213, Staunton, VA 24401

Ph: (202) 909-1110

Copyright ©1993-2025, Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna, PC. All rights reserved.

IMMIGRATION.COM is a registered trademark of Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna, P.C.