I have recently gotten engaged to a green card holder. We are making plans for our wedding, very likely to happen this year. However, the following questions arose:
1. Does the fact that I already hold another Master and a Ph.D. degrees accelerate my green card application? I understand that the backlog is of 5-6 years, but I wonder if my advanced education will assist my application.
2. My H-1B application last year was approved, but I did not use the visa, as I decided to go back to school for (yet!) another degree. Will the approval of the H-1B be looked at favorably, unfavorably, or will it not make a difference?
3. I am currently an F-1 holder. If I marry my fiance' this year, may I simply maintain my Visa independent of his? I am eligible to an OPT after I graduate (to happen this year or in mid-2010) and I am certain I will be able to obtain an H-1B afterwards. Therefore, I do not depend on my fiance' to keep a legal status in the country. Is it legal (or advisable) to keep my Immigration records separate from his?
4. How about when we file for taxes, after the wedding happens? May we file separately, or do we need to declare we are married?
Rajiv S Khanna's Law Firm, based in Virginia, is working on my Green Card. I should tell you that I am extremely happy with their service. I have never gotten a chance to speak to Mr. Khanna but I have been 'constantly' in touch with one of his staff, Homa Naderi. She is simply the BEST!! Goes the extra mile to get the job done. Very pleasant to talk to. Someone whom you can count on as a friend. I would first recommend you to visit their website before contacting them. The have a fabulous website, www.immigration.com . It has got a wealth of information ranging from the legal fee structure to the latest news on immigration policies, status, etc. If you decide to go with them call their office and do insist for Homa Naderi to be your point of contact. She will make this long-hard-laborious-US-Visa-pilgrimage a pleasant experience. Feel free to call me or email me if you have any questions at 972 571 1882. Krishna