USCIS Office, Callowhill St. Philadelphia PA
Date: 06/02/2008
Time: 2:00 PM
Place: USCIS office, Callowhill St. Philadelphia PA
Date: 06/02/2008
Time: 2:00 PM
Place: USCIS office, Callowhill St. Philadelphia PA
Here are some experiences with regards to my entire track from NIW I-140 petition to I-485 approval. I had somewhat of an unique case, so if anyone here is in the same boat, this may be of help to you. I have done the entire process by myself, without an attorney, and long hours of research in the law library on U.S.C. Section 8.
Arrived to US in 1991 on J-1, not subject to section 212e, changed to F-1 on arrival. Became an H-1 in 2001 and filed for NIW in March of 2002, case was backlogged due to 9-11.
Based on the advice of some of the members at immigrationportal and being an eternal optimist, I went to Vermont Service center on Aug 23rd taking a dayoff. The lady in the counter told me that my file is in queue for FP scheduling. I told her that I got the same reply even two months back when I made senatorial enquiry.
I have contacted you in the month of June, 05 regarding my F1-H1 Issue. My H1-B visa was approved by the American Consulate in Mumbai with out any problems and I am in the US right now. I would like to genuinely thank you for all your help and advise and I am glad that I took your services as I tried a number of lawyers before you and everyone gave me conflicting advises. I am writing to you my whole experience in detail so that you can put this in forum as other people may get help from this.
At last it is over - the wait and agony of many years!
First, I want to thank this spectacular group and everyone who have shared their views and ideas... this forum has been a great asset for everyone appearing for CP.
Last stage of my Green Card experience went through a tough ride and we saw a lots of tipsy turvy roads.
Here is my journey of the GC:
Mar 2003 - Applied for labour.
May 2006 - Applied for I-140.
June 2006 - I-140 got approved.
November 2006 - Applied for CP
The news item and related documents are available here:
http://www.immigration.com/newslette...prmprocss.html
Please note, for now (June 2008), premium processing is only available if you meet ALL of the current requirements:
1. Your are currently on H-1;
2. Your H-1 status is expiring within 60 days when you apply for I-140 premium processing; and
This issue has come up several times. Here is what USCIS says:
USCIS Considerations to expedite Cases
All expedite requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and are granted at the discretion of the Director. The criteria are as follows:
* Severe financial loss to company or individual
* Extreme emergent situation
* Humanitarian situation
* Nonprofit status of requesting organization in furtherance of the cultural and social interests of the United States
This morning, I was working on explaining to a client (whom I respect greatly), one of the foremost musicians from India, how EB1 (Extraordinary Ability) category applies to musicians and performers. As I was sending him the basic information on EB1 category, I thought I will share the general criteria with all of you. This information is for EA, generally and applies to all fields - not just music. See attached.
Regards to all. Rajiv.
Today I had my interview conducted, and passport stamped as the final result. I finally can draw a closure for this 27-month-long journey. Honestly and surprisingly, I was extremely calm when I arrived USCIS office 4 am today. I was reading one of my favorite authors' (Ann Quindlen) bestseller " One True Thing" while I was waiting in the waiting room so concentratedly that when my name was called, I realized that my eyes were full of tears (yeah, the story's very touching and real. ) Anyway, here's my detail report to all of you who are still waiting:
Thanks to all the wonderful professional staff at Rajiv's Offices. The entire experience from getting a L1 visa to a GC approval within 24 months was awesome. I really appreciated the personal attention and constant updates on status. I also want to highlight the superior service Savita Krishnamurthy extended, many times going beyond the call of duty. You people are A1.
This is to announce to everyone that Offices of Rajiv Khanna extended their service without sparing any efforts to get my green card approved. I was extremely happy with their service and I'm more than willing to answer what I went through and how Rajiv helped me out.. Thanks.. Ram
Thanks for helping me getting my green card. Spacial thanks to Shivani Sharma, Liela Lehman, Sri, Diano Lambardo, Mathew Chacko and Vijay Durgam. Every body did good job in preparing paper work which helped me getting green card earlier than others.
I am working with Rajiv's office for over a year now. Staff is extremely professional and very prompt. I would highly recommend the firm.
My wife and I received our GC approval notices and got stamps on our passports on August 31, 2004. We are thankful to Mr. Khanna and his team for getting our GC approved. The whole GC process was not smooth but Mr. Khanna was very helpful all along. Whenever we wanted to talk to him for the problems we faced throughout the GC processing, he was always kind enough to spend his valuable time to discuss with us about our case. And finally after three years of struggle we have had happy ending. Again, we would like to thank Mr. Khanna and his staff especially Diane for the good job they have done for our GC process.
Rajiv, Sirisha, and Anna,
I am extremely happy to inform you that my father's visitor visa has been approved. I just heard from my parents and wanted to share my joy with you. Thanks to all your efforts and the valuable advice of the law
offices, I and my wife are now in a position to enjoy some much-needed family time. The whole process took my parents 9 months and 4 visits to the consulate and finally it is over. It is not known if the approval
is for 6 months or 10 years at this time.
Sirisha, I am greatly thankful to you for working with me closely and professionally looking at every minute detail of this case. You're simply
awesome.
Appreciate all the efforts of the Law Offices of Rajiv Khanna.
Very thorough, extremely efficient, you get the job done, and are patient with regard to questions. All in all, a very smooth process of getting a difficult H-1 application approved
What is the basic criteria for extraordinary ability?
This morning, I was working on explaining to a client (whom I respect greatly), one of the foremost musicians from India, how EB1 (Extraordinary Ability) category applies to musicians and performers. As I was sending him the basic information on EB1 category, I thought I will share the general criteria with all of you. This information is for EA, generally and applies to all fields - not just music. See attached.
Dear All,
I want to inform the full story of my GC Episode. I am writing this on Sep-22-2004.
I was planning to apply for my GC during 2001 March. I was visiting many Attorneys office personally in Houston and through phone. I found out that, Attorney Rajiv S.Khanna was collecting the decent fees among all.
Then I checked his reputation. It was amazing. So, I contacted him through email.
Within 24 hours, with free of cost he talked to me. Listened my case and suggested me to apply through EB1 (OR).
I chosen him and his office gave me case number and opened a file for me. Then they assigned me to interact with one of Attorney’s Associates Ms.Diane D Lombardo. A Wonderful lady.
She walked through with me for the entire case (around 3 years). I could have asked at least 100 questions in my full three years, because my case was getting complicated. I lost my Job before I140 approval. I am a software engineer, so it is not a surprise for me. But, INS cannot understand that. I thought I lost my GC almost. But, Diane in continuous consultations with Attorney Rajiv rescued me from the deep problem. My sincere thanks to her.
Next Thankful person is Mathew Chaco. He also one of Attorney’s Associates. Great Person. Free to approach and also fast in responses. When my Finger Printing was not raised by INS. I approached him. He arranged for a talk to INS from Attorney office immediately. Within 30 days I got FP from INS. While many of my contemporary GC candidates are yet to get FP, I got it because of him and my GC also approved within 2 months after FP.
Next thankful Person is Ms.Suman. Over all supervisor. She talked to me several occasions. She is always to the point. If you approach for any issues. She will inform you the time for the reply. Exactly within the mentioned time (after the discussion with Attorney Rajiv or some times she arranged Attorney to talk to me) she will always reply with the possible positive answer.
All these questions I raised with them are free. Because I am a client for them.
Their office people also having excellent hospitality. Polite in answering and approachable.
BASED ON MY OWN EXPERIENCE, ATTORNEY RAJIV AND HIS ASSOCIATES ARE THE BEST LAWYER FOR IMMIGRATION RELATED PURPOSE IN USA.
Email me if you have any questions.
Good Luck.