Alright, first off thank you to everyone that helped me out with what to bring!
We showed up with about 30 pounds of paperwork, photos, tax returns, wedding albums, cards.
Our appointment was at 1 pm, we arrived around 12:15. We got in the lineup, and waited. and waited and waited. (got a little warm considering it is still in the high 80s, 90s) At about 12:55 they let us in along with a swarm of other people coming in for the same thing (and some naturalization cases) We signed in, and waited right up at the door to be called.
I had my interview today in downtown miami. The entire process took just less than an hour of which around 45 min was the wait for my turn. I had taken so much with me but nothing was needed except the passport and green card. I did get one unusual question related to my mailing address. I have always used a P.O Box as a mailing address so she just asked why P.O Box, why not use the home address. I just told her I change residences quite often ( am a single guy ) and its just easy for me to get a P.O Box near work.
USDOL has posted the following FAQ
1. Under what authority can the Department of Labor's Office of Foreign Labor Certification select an employer's application for supervised recruitment?
In a recent meeting, Nebraska Service Center has clarified why, some times, in cases of pending I-485 applications, USCIS approves AOS interchanging the applications of the derivative and principal applicant:
USCIS is launching a pilot program in July 2010 that will use Dun & Bradstreet databases to verify business information of employers who submit immigration related petitions. "Verification Instrument for Business Enterprises" (VIBE) is a tool intended to help combat immigration fraud, and to minimize RFE's regarding petitioners' business data and eventually to make submission of routine documentation unnecessary.
FAQ: H-4 EAD filing while H-1 extension is pending; H-4 EAD. Converting from H-1 to H-4 EAD - good idea or not? H-4 EAD. Documents needed; name issues; processing times, etc.; H-4 EAD Expediting Possible?
Other Topics: Green card issues because of diseases; H-1 amendment with change of location; when is a degree considered to be completed;
My spouse is on H-1 visa and his former employer filed I-140 and then my spouse changed his employment to another employer and transferred his H-1, the I-140 has not been revoked by former employer. So my H-4 is with the former employer valid for three years, and current employer for my spouse has not filed H-1 for me. Is the H-4 from the former employer valid for file EAD or do I have to apply for H-4 again and what would be the documents that would I need to file H-4 EAD ?
Every time the H-1 holder changes job, the H-4 holder does not need to re -apply for H-4. Your H-4 is good. You don't have to have different H-4 for the employer. Of course, every time the H-1 holders change their job they have apply for new H-1 but as long as you never violated status and H-1 holder has never violated status that H-4 continued to be good from job to job to job, you are good.
Your second question was what document need to file H-4 EAD?
I got my H-1B petition approved last year, it got extended as well. I have never used any of these visas to work in the U.S. though I have travelled few times to U.S. but on B-1 visa for meetings with the customers. So the question is when do I become exempt from the H-1 quota?
In your situation when you are outside the USA, you become exempt from the H-1 quota when you get your visa stamped. So I think USCIS interpretation of law is faulty and incorrect, because in my view as soon as H-1 is approved you should be exempt from the quota but USCIS has taken the position that unless you get the visa stamped from the consulate we will not consider you exempt if you are outside the USA. So it appears to me that you should be exempt from the quota.
I just got my citizenship and now wants to apply for my younger sister, who is alone in India. I lost my parents few years back so she is all alone but she is above 18. Is there any way I as a brother and only relationship here in United States apply for her Green card in such a manner that she can be here in United States as soon as possible.
Siblings Green Card is like planting mango trees, in India we used to have saying that mango trees takes so long to bring fruit that one generation plants the tree and the second generation eats the mangoes. It's kind of that for sibling cases, it takes 13 years for the Green Card to come through and there is no way we can expedite that Green Card.
It has been a pleasure working with Rajiv and office for almost 8 years now. Each case has been given personal attention. Suggestions given for how to project tough cases. Team has always been supportive and meticulous. Cases are handled in a very professional way. Looking forward to be working with them for many more years.
I am on H-1B visa more than 6 years. I also have I-140 approved. However my H-1B is under renewal process. I do have 'receipt of notice' but not approval notice yet. Looking at the waiting time I don't think I will get H-1B approval along with renewed I-94 before May 26th 2015. I need to file EAD for my wife on 26th May.
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
https://youtu.be/y6RtaKhuoIY
My I-140 was approved on Sept 2011. I came to US on 2008 beginning on L-1 visa and then my employer converted to H-1 visa. On February'15 I got an extension on my H-1 visa based on I-140 approval but I didn't get it for 3 years from Feb'15 rather I got it till Nov'16 (about 1 year 10 months). I am thinking to join another company now. What should I consider before I transfer my H-1 to employer B from employer A on my situation? My wife is on H-1 and it’s valid till 2018. I am also thinking my wife to apply H-4 EAD rather continuing on H-1. Is that going to be a better option?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
FAQ Transcript:
To: All SEVIS users
Date: May 6, 2015
Re: SEVIS I-901 Fee Fraud Alert
Number: 1505-03
Comments
To comment on this Broadcast Message, please email SEVP@ice.dhs.gov with “Broadcast Message 1505-03 Comment” entered in the subject line.
We have been using Rajiv and his team over the past four years to help our employees apply for H-1 visas and permanent residency through labor certifications. In all cases, Rajiv and his team has been very proactive in explaining in detail the nuances of each unique case, the approach to take to speed up the process and chances of success and the follow through on all the proposed course of action is very thorough. His staff is prompt in sending us completed paperwork, helping us through our paperwork ensuring it is correct and detailed to the USCIS requirements. His staff (Anna, Heather, Judi, Vijay) have been very professional to work with and we have had success in all cases. We will continue using Rajiv and his team for all our immigration needs.
I have even used them previously for my H-1/H-4s and green card case.
If you are looking for immigration advice or counsel, use the proven team of Rajiv.
Avtar
Mr. Khanna is one of the most knowledgable lawyers I have spoken to or heard off.... He understood our situation and offered several solutions to us. Hats off!
My labor got cleared under PERM on February 7th,2006. I started the whole process in December 20th,2005 with Rajiv Khanna as my attorney. I’m very grateful to Rajiv S. Khanna and team for helping me with my labor certification. Their guidance helped me to get all my paperwork right. They make it a point to educate us about the laws and update us promptly about any changes in the DOL. This makes us feel comfortable and generates awareness of new policies under PERM.
In short Rajiv and his staff made the whole process very easy, simple and painless. We are really glad that we chose this Law firm. We are greatly pleased with Rajiv and his staff as far as their professionalism, courtesy and promptness regarding my Labor. Many of my friends went through Rajiv and all of them are also happy like me. We are thankful to Rajiv and his staff.
I deeply appreciate all the helps from Rajiv Khanna's firm to my journey of PR. All the staff here I have been contacted with are knowlegable, and warm hearted, which light up so many dark nights of mine in the past. I would like to give my special thanks to Prerna, Shivane, Suman, Richa, Charu, who not just helped my case but also give me the hope as well.
Thank you all!
Rajiv, Anna and the team was great with their help regarding my H1B transfer, particularly with their thouroughness in responding to an RFE.
Thank you all again!
-Sonali.
I was approved for H1B which would be effective on 1st of october,2005. But I didn't get my I-94 with my H1B approval. Before 1st of october, I left my previous employer and joined with my current employer. On that moment, it was tough for getting the new H1B. But Law offices of Rajiv S. Khanna made it, especially Rena Wadell, who was handling this case. My spouse's H4B also on processing. Hopefully, get the good news soon. I am really happy for getting their service.
I was running out of time on my H1 B and had requested Rajiv Khanna's office for Quick filing and not only they filed my LC PERM on time but I also got my Approval in 4 days , All of my contacts (Suman ,Vijay ,Pramita,Anna Baker) at Rajiv Khanna's Office were very detail oriented and very helpful .I would like to specially thank Pramita for updating me with the case status ( at times on hourly basis ) when I felt unsure if I could make the deadline . Pramita and
Vijay took good care of my case and kept me updated with the status which is rare attribute which every cleint like me longs for . Rajiv Khanna Rocks !!!!
Mr Khanna , Mr Durgam , all other members of the office ..I would like to thank all of you for your hard work and dedication to get my labor certificate done and as a result we obtained approval in a very good time..with out going into details of how hard the process was . all I can say Thankyou. George
I am a US citizen and would like to sponsor green card for my parents once they arrive here. I have couple of questions related to that. 1) My mother’s birth certificate contains name before marriage, is this going to be an issue? Her passport contains her name after marriage. Her mother and father expired long time back, and she is the eldest daughter. 2) My parents does not have marriage certificate with them what are the options. They cannot go their original place to get the marriage certificate 3) My father does not have birth certificate but has College degree/certificates mentioning his date of birth. Will this suffice the requirement, if not what are the options he has? Again he is not in a position to go to his birth place nor is he in position to take help from his elders to give affidavit for him. His mother and father passed away long time back.
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
Note: This is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
I would like to express my gratitude and thankfulness to the Law offices of Rajiv Khanna for their expertize in handling my case from the very beginning.
Through out this journey Rajiv and his team(Art Shifflett) were so detailed, deligent and very informative in handling of our cases. They are very professional and prompt in resolving any issues with USCIS.
My special thanks to Art Shifflett , he is very very prompt and polite person, he always responds to emails right away and even if you forget he reminds and follow ups, he forwards all questions to appropriate person and makes sure you get the answer you are looking for.