Guestbook Entry for Guneet Kohli, United States
Name
Guneet Kohli
Country
United States
State
NJ
Search
N-400 experience in Cleveland
This has been quite an amazing journey towards my citizenship. People have been super nice and responsive.
I arrived in the US in Jan 1995 (so I have lived here in the Cleveland area since then, roughly 21 years - went to College of Wooster). I got my greencard in 2001 (had it for the past 15 years) and now I am ready to be a US citizen!
They received my package on March 14.
My biometrics was on April 12th (29 days from application)
My interview is on May 23ed. (2 months and 10 days since application)
Citizenship and Naturalization
USCIS Eases Visitor Restrictions for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
Release Date
05/27/2021
Due to updated guidance from the CDC, USCIS has updated its visitor policy. Fully vaccinated individuals no longer have to wear a face covering. Individuals two years old and older who are not fully vaccinated must still wear a face covering.
To be considered fully vaccinated, it must be at least two weeks after receiving a second dose in a two-dose series or at least two weeks after receiving a dose of a single-dose vaccine.
DHS Extends Form I-9 Requirement Flexibility (Effective June 1, 2021)
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced an extension of the flexibility in complying with requirements related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, due to COVID-19.
This temporary guidance was set to expire May 31, 2021. Because of ongoing precautions related to COVID-19, DHS has extended the Form I-9 requirement flexibilities from June 1 to August 31, 2021.
Updated Guidance on Naturalization for Veterans Living Overseas
Release Date
05/28/2021
USCIS is updating guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to provide clarification regarding certain naturalization applications filed by veterans of the U.S. armed forces under section 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
27 May 2021: Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Citizenship and Naturalization
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Green Card
Discussion Topics, Thursday, May 27, 2021
FAQ: Not reporting change of address to the USCIS - Naturalization || Chances of getting an F-1 Visa when B-1 Visa was rejected earlier 214(b) denial
DHS Withdraws Proposed Biometrics Rule
Release Date
05/07/2021
Green Card Through PERM, Part 1, The PERM Process
1 Green Card through PERM, Step 1 - The PERM process
1.1 Preliminary points
1.1.1 Most commonly used process and is based upon a permanent, full-time job offer
1.1.2 Involves testing the labor market for a defined job
1.1.3 Green card is for a "future job"
1.1.4 Employment-based categories 2 and 3 (EB-2, EB-3)
Rajiv's Article - Will your B-1 B-2 visas get canceled at the airport?
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: May 10, 2021
Synopsis
To protect yourselves, carry evidence that your extension application was timely filed and you left because you had an urgent need to do so. Also, take a screenshot or printout of the FAQ on the CBP website: “How can I extend my stay while in the United States?
For more on this article please see the attachment below.
DHS Announces Continuation of International Entrepreneur Parole Program
Release Date
05/10/2021
Program Will Provide Opportunities for Foreign Entrepreneurs
13 May 2021: Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Immigration Law
Green Card
Topics:
USCIS Forms Update Notice
USCIS recently updated the following form:
05/17/2021 01:38 PM EDT
You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page.
For more information, please visit Forms Updates page.
USCIS Announces Open Application Period for Citizenship and Integration Grant Program
Release Date
05/17/2021
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is accepting applications for two funding opportunities under the Citizenship and Integration Grant Program. The grant opportunities will provide up to $10 million in grants for citizenship preparation programs in communities across the country.
DHS Issues Final Rule to Remove Vacated H-1B Rule from Code of Federal Regulations
Release Date
05/18/2021
The Department of Homeland Security has issued a final rule that removes from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) an interim final rule (IFR) issued in October 2020, which has since been vacated by a federal district court.
Visa Bulletin For June 2021
Number 54
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
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
Rajiv's Article - Do you qualify for an “Einstein” Green Card?
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: May 20, 2021
Synopsis
You must be able to demonstrate “sustained national or international acclaim” in your field. You do that through one of the two ways. First, either you must have received a one-time national or internationally recognized award. Second, if you do not have such an award, alternatively, you must pass two tests: quantitative and qualitative.
For more on this article please see the attachment below.
Interim EAD Issuance at Los Angeles
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
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.
Tampa refused to issue an interim EAD
"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".
USCIS Processing Time as of 02/28/2017
USCIS generally process cases in the order they receive them. The link below provides you an estimate of how much time the office handling your case currently takes to process your type of application, petition, or request.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Information About the January 27, 2017 Executive Order
U.S. Customs and Border Protection provides information about the January 27, 2017 executive order, "Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States," on its website. Please check that site for ongoing updates.
New Rule Effective Jan. 17 Affecting Form I-9 Completion for Certain Employees
On Jan. 17, 2017, a new rule, “Retention of EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 Immigrant Workers and Program Improvements Affecting High-Skilled Nonimmigrant Workers” amending DHS regulations went into effect. The regulatory amendments provide for the automatic extension of the validity periods of certain Employment Authorization Documents (Form I-766) for up to 180 days if the employee:
You CAN travel internationally and domestically (Unless you from one of the 7 countries)
2 February 2017
Successful H-1 visa stamping: One of our clients had H-1 visa re-stamped at the Hyderabad consulate on Tuesday 31 January 2017. No issues!
Successful H-4 visa stamping and entry: I have just received this message from one of our clients:
At 6:30 AM, XXX said the following:
Good morning Rajivji, YYY (Spouse) came back from India yesterday evening and had no issues at her immigration check in Boston as well as her H4 stamping at Delhi on Jan 23rd.
Update to Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
USCIS recently updated the following form(s):
Update to Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals02/02/2017 11:42 AM EST
New edition dated 01/09/17. The previous edition dated 06/04/14 is also accepted.
For more information, please visit Forms Updates page.