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?
I worked with Rajiv and Diane for my EB1-B greencard petition. The initial consultations with Rajiv were a big help in understanding my eligibility (I have a PhD and work as a scientist at a Biotech company) and the paperwork required for the petition. Diane’s amazing organizational skills made the daunting process of preparing the I-140 petition very manageable. The I-140 was approved within a week of submission which is a testament to how thoroughly prepared it was. Due to the dates for EB1 India being retrogressed, the I-485 (adjustment of status) process took 3 years during which the office helped me with switching jobs via AC21 portability, renewing three EAD/AP cards and answering any questions that I may have had. The sense of urgency and empathy from both Diane and Rajiv at every step is what makes them the best at what they do. They are of course also incredibly knowledgeable and in step with all the various changes that have rapidly occurred in immigration. My husband and I finally have our green cards and we can’t thank the team at the Law offices of Rajiv S. Khanna enough for everything they do.