My status: on H1, visa expiring in September 2007. Rajiv's team applied for my H1 extension and I had I797 approvals till 2010. I had an H4 extension approval done for my wife as well. There is no employer change from first 3 years on H1 to second approval.
Hey Everyone!
We got approved in Atlanta today. Everything went really well, but anyways I wanted to share my experience with all of you:
Left from Alabama at 7:30 AM. Took us about Two hours to get there.
The DO is a 3 story building with the USCIS logo and name... impressive and yet scary.
We entered they building at 11:23 AM and went through the security (metal detector and x-rays) Make sure you empty your pockets!
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;
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.
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filed I-140 and then my spouse changed his employment to another employer and transferred his H-1, the I-140 has not been revoked by former employer.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 packet was received on August 7th by USCIS.
I would like to thank Roopa and Mathew for promptly responding to all my calls and emails. I also thank the whole team for working deligently for all your clients. I never expected my packet to reach USCIS this soon. Excellent service...
Mathew, your entire team is the Best.
Thanks once again
Really you are a STAR for me. I like the way you work. You always understand client situation better than any one. I know there might be lot many people like me, who troubled you by sending so many emails. you are always prompt in responding to client emails and phone calls.For all Immigration matters ,I am telling all the people to go to Rajiv Khanna's office & Must get Amrita as their case manager. I feel lucky to get you as case my manager.I am very very Happy..
Tx
I'd highly recommend this team to anyone who needs immigration works to be done. They are highly knowledgeable, know what they do and what to do.
Richa Narang was handling my case and did an excellent job. My labor certification was denied just few days before one of the paper ad expired. It was denied because my employer did not respond to the questionnaire sent from USDOL. Based on Richa's advise we were able to give an ad within next couple of days. She also find that my wage was expired just before refiling. She talked to concerned people and got one for me just few minutes before their COB that day (next day was a national holiday) and refiled successfully late in that evening. And my labor certification was approved within next few days. I had been waiting for several years to hear this news in this country.
I really appreciate and thank Richa and her team for this excellent work.
I would like to thank and appreciate the help and dedication showed by Rajivji, Sumanji, Mathewji, Richaji, Prernaji and Vaniji for their tireless support and excellent suggestions during the whole green card processing, SPECIALLY during I-485 filling.
May God Bless You All!
Thanks and regard,
Soumyendu Choudhury
Excellent work and service from Rajivji's team:
My case reached the NSC on Aug 6, first of all I have to thank Richa, Prerna, Rita and Mathew who called me periodically to followup regarding my I-485 filing and also reviewed my documents without any delay. Turnover time was 2 days which is excellent and we cannot expect better service than this and I whole heartedly thank Rajivji and his team.
Hi Rajiv,
Thank you very much to you and to your wonderful team for helping me out. Pramita was my case manager for Labor application and I could not have asked for more. She helped me so much in all aspects of my processing and was very very prompt to respond to any queries. Tarun worked on my I-140/I-485 and he was very efficient and very helpful. Everytime I called Mathew, he answered all my questions patiently and precisely. Team was simply superb !
THANKS very much for all the good work and help
You guys are the best !
Amirta and Rita were so helpful in filing my case on time under pressure. They both are very proactive and very high quality of work!!!
RFE In short:
1.Petitioner’s employee-employer relationship with the beneficiary which may include
- Contracts or letter from end-client.
- An itinerary with name, address and duration of work.
- Certified planning documents from County showing the Business is in Commercial Lot
- Documentary example of petitioner’s products or service.
- H1-B employees routinely met conditions of employment, including work
hours and invoices etc
-Petitioner works on Speciality Occupation mentioned in the labor
We received an RFE for evidences from end client. Anna and Rajiv submitted all the needed documents to USCIS and after a week, we got an email from Anna Baker saying that, USCIS approved my H-1 application with the I-94 attached to it, as well as the H-4's for his dependents.
On reading the message I was so excited as It has been a struggle for all 4 months with RFE for 8th year extension. Anna and Rajiv sincerely worked on the case to make it successful. Especially with complications in my cases, as there were vendor layers involved to the end client, atleast 30 to 40 people from my parent company, vendors and end client including Rajivs staff were directly or indirectly involved at each step of scrutiny on my documents and they all deserve my thanks too. Special Credits to Anna and Rajiv as they did a Great Job. Hurrah!!!!!!!!
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.
Q1. Among the documents needed for filing H-4, what are the ones we really need to make sure, we have them. I mean few like Date of Birth Certificate from Indian Municipal/Registration office..... is that needed even for H-4 EAD. What if the name on the Birth Certificate from Registration office is different from name on Passport? What should be done here? Any other documents etc. we need to be careful about and should be working to get ready now. (Education certificates and marriage certificate etc. we already have)
Q2. Would it again be first come -first served in terms of filing H-4 EAD? I mean people who file on May 26-27 --would their applications be processed earlier than the ones who file little later.
Q3. Approximately how much time it’s expected for EAD to arrive, everything going well
Q4. One last question, if I happen to change my employer at this time, and if my GC process is re-initiated would my wife be still eligible for filing H-4 EAD or NOT ( in a situation if old employer revokes I-140 )
A1. So far it appears to me and again we don’t have the details yet. The very least you will need is proof of marriage and birth certificate. I don’t think that is the normal requirement but I believe proof of relationship should be acquired and kept. Then the question what if the names on the birth certificate and passport are different.... we still don’t know lot about these issues. I would say an affidavit explaining the discrepancy and probably making efforts to remove the discrepancy whether you want to have the passport issued under the correct name or whether you want to have a Indian court give a declaratory judgment of some kind that the name X and Y are the same person. Something like that would be a good idea. But it is not going to stop you H-4 EAD application at least in my mind. I think even education certificates are irrelevant because the H-4 EAD is not given based upon what degrees you have, it is given based upon your relationship with the H-1 holder who is at a certain level of maturity in the green card process. I am not worried about the laminated original document. That doesn’t bother me.
A2. First of all USCIS just roughly follows the first in, first out rule. They are not always bound by that rule because there are so many variations within the processing times if it is given to a particular officer, which depends on what is their case load is and what if they have to take a couple of days off. It’s not always predictable that you will always be first in and first out.
A3. Under the regulations USCIS should adjudicate EADs within 90 days. But in case you don’t know they are finding it very difficult to keep to that time. I will be surprised if they are able to keep to the 90 days process, but if it is merely administrative process and there is not a whole lot of investigation involved then I don’t see why not but I really don’t know.
A4. The government has said as long as you have one I-140 that remains unrevoked they will give us the H-4 EAD. But if the I-140 is revoked then H-4 EAD will not be given.
I am very greatful and obliged to Prerna, Mathew, Rajiv and his wonderful staff from bottom of my heart for being with us through this entire procedure.
Thanks is a very very small word to show our gratitude to you.
I got my I-140 approval in 1 day and I-485 approval in 6 months with no RFE's.
I proudly say that one of the best decisions we made was to choose Mr.Rajiv's firm for our immigration matters.
At the end of the day, that we were in safe hands and it worked out absolutely well.
It only happenned because of the excellent paperwork and guidance done by Prerna and Mathew.
Mathew and Prerna has always dealt us with patience and almost immediate prompt emails answering our indefinite questions
and provided comforting words, that they will take care. It was overwhelmingly good.
Several times,I was really AMAZED at how Mathew can respond to emails and phone calls in spite of his busy schedule in this busy month July.
I thank again Prerna from bottom of my heart for being my saviour through this entire process and making the experience very friendly.
I would recommend any one going through immigration process, to choose Mr.Rajiv and his team, for they are excellent in handling the cases, as well as very prompt and caring as they take up cases very personally and work through it, to set everything right. This would help the case to not reflect back with RFE's.
May GOD bless you and your TEAM with the BEST of the WISHES so that a LOT many souls like us, can see their DREAMS come TRUE.
Rajiv ji , you and your staff are the best of the best.