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Sept 30, 2021, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)

3 years ago By Chief Editor

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

Discussion Topics, Thursday, September 30, 2021:

FAQ: Obtaining student or visitor's visa while a green card is pending || Continuing to use H-1B when I return on Advance Parole || Nuances of changing employers during the green card process || Green card holder working on multiple jobs - Is it legal? || How long can green card holders stay outside the U.S.? || Effect of a career change on naturalization process and timing.

Successful lawsuit for H-1B extension of stay

3 years ago By Chief Editor

We filed an H-1B extension petition for a small software company that offers customer software and technology solutions to the local clientele. USCIS approved the classification portion of the petition, but denied the portion of the petition requesting an extension of stay. USCIS stated that beneficiary had failed to maintain his nonimmigrant status because his H-1B status had expired prior to the filing of the H-1B extension petition and he was only  in an authorized period of stay because of a pending extension request from the previous employer.

Nonimmigrant Visas

Immigration.com

Successful response to a Form I-485 RFE for misrepresentation

3 years ago By Chief Editor

We responded to a Form I-485 Request for Evidence to prove that approximately a decade ago the permanent residency applicant had, in fact, attended two U.S. universities as he had claimed in previously approved petitions. Both universities had been certified by ICE under its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) during the applicant’s attendance.

Nonimmigrant Visas

Agency

Green Card

Immigration Law

Immigration.com

Successful lawsuit regarding a delayed H-1B approval notice

3 years ago By Chief Editor

We filed an H-1B petition for a company that provides IT related services, on behalf of the beneficiary, a  software developer. An RFE was subsequently issued, responded to and then denied as failing to prove that petitioner established that sufficient speciality occupation work was available and that the position qualified as a specialty occupation. We filed an appeal with the Administrative Appeals Office, the appeal was sustained and the petition was remanded back for issuance of an approval notice.

Nonimmigrant Visas

Immigration Law

Immigration.com

Successful lawsuit for H-1B extension of stay

3 years ago By Chief Editor

We filed an H-1B extension petition for a software consulting and professional services firm on behalf of a software architect requesting status and work authorization for a duration of three years. The extension was, however, approved for a duration much shorter than requested and the approval notice was both dated and received after the shorter validity period had already expired, thereby destroying the legal status of the employee and causing him to accrue unlawful presence.

Nonimmigrant Visas

Immigration.com

Obtaining student or visitors visa while a green card is pending

3 years ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I am 19 years old and live with my parents in India.  I have an approved F3 family based immigrant petition which the National Visa Center has shown as “documentarily qualified” since April 2020 My priority date became current in January, 2021. I am waiting for my interview and  have received three  emails, each requesting I wait another 60 days for my next reply. This fall I enrolled in an associate degree program at  a community college in Maryland. I am studying online from India. Should I apply for an expedited F3 family based visa interview based on my educational needs if I want to go and study in the U.S.?

 

FAQ Transcript

You can certainly try and then go for the interview once it is scheduled. Although consulates have indicated that they are going to frontline family-based immigration dedicated to family unity first, there are certain categories which you might not fall under. Regardless, it is worth trying to get an expedited interview and then try to get a student visa. More...

Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, 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.

Continuing to use H-1B when I return on Advance Parole

3 years ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I have an approved EAD/AP with my current employer. I also have an H-1B approved until 2024 with the same employer. I have plans to visit India, my home country, in the near future. I am planning to utilize AP to come back to the U.S. and would like to work on the H-1B with the same employer. Is that possible? Also if I do not receive my green card until 2024, can I  extend my H-1B with the same employer.

FAQ Transcript

It is great if you have the time and you can actually get the H-1B visa. If that is not possible what you can do is return on the advance parole. If you are coming to take up the same job which you had when you left and that job was an H-1B on a continuing H-1B, the Government will still consider you to be on H-1B. So returning on advance parole to take up the same job which you left on H-1B is considered to be a continuation of that H-1B. You can do H-1B extensions, transfers, etc., once you are in the U.S. More...

 

Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, 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.

Nuances of changing employers during the green card process

3 years ago By Chief Editor
Question details

My question is related to green card filing. My green card was filed with Employer A. I have an approved I-140. I moved to Employer B, working on an H-1B valid until April 2023. They have not filed the labor for me yet. My priority date is February 2012. As per the latest visa bulletin I can file for EAD but the final date is September 2011. Currently I am not in the U.S. so I can't file for EAD. I hope to be in the U.S. in the next 4-5 months. Do I need to join Employer A for processing my green card? What would be the best option for me to get the green card without wasting time when I reach the U.S?

FAQ Transcript

First of all you have to be in the United States to apply for your Adjustment of Status. Secondly in your case, because no new green card was started, your old employer must offer you the same job which you have to go and join eventually in good faith.
You can actually have I-485 filed through a job offer from employer A, the same job which was the basis of your green card. If you don't have that, you cannot file I-485. You can only file for I-485 /Adjustment of Status when your priority date is current and the job that is the basis of the green card is available to you right then. After 180 days of the I-485 pendency, you may never have to join the old employer because you can take a same or similar job anywhere. Just make sure that you have the good faith, honest intention of joining the old employer when you file the I-485. More...

 

 

Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, 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.

F-1 OPT travel

3 years ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I am currently working on a F-1 visa and started my OPT in June. My employer would be applying for my H1B in 2022. Is it ok for me to travel to India right now? Will I face any problems while returning back? Also, for traveling to India what legal docs or formalities are needed?

See this blog entry. https://www.immigration.com/blogs/f-1-students-travel-during-opt-or-h-1…

 

FAQ Transcript

Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, 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.

How long can green card holders stay outside the U.S.?

3 years ago By Chief Editor
Question details

How many days can a green card holder stay outside the U.S. continuously per year and non-continuously per year?

FAQ Transcript

Anytime you have been gone for six months or more you could be questioned very closely. Your permanent home must be in the United States. More...

Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, 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.

Effect of a career change on naturalization process and timing

3 years ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I am in field A and have received my green card, still working with my sponsoring employer. I am contemplating a career change to field B that is totally unrelated to field A due to personal dissatisfaction with field A on the whole. Is there a safe time frame to do this without repercussions to my current green card and the naturalization process?

FAQ Transcript

I personally think you should wait as long as you can and then change careers if that's what you want. There is no rule of thumb in these cases. Each case is unique. What is most important is that you should not have a preconceived intention. More...

 

Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, 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.

Day 1 CPT F1 - Renewal

3 years ago By Chief Editor
Question details

My wife is on Day-1 CPT and went for F1 renewal , without asking much question she got 214B denial. So there is an option to re-apply, do you think we should apply again and produce document which shows she got tie ups in home country ?

You can try. 214(b) denials are difficult to overcome and highly unpredictable.

FAQ Transcript

Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, 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.

Visa Bulletin For November 2021

3 years ago By Chief Editor

Number 59
Volume X
Washington, D.C

View as Printer Friendly PDF

A. STATUTORY NUMBERS

This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during November for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.

Agency

Green Card

Immigration Law

Oct 14, 2021 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)

3 years ago By Chief Editor

Immigration.com

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

Discussion Topics, Thursday, October 14, 2021:

FAQ: Reentering the U.S.A. on a Visitor’s/Tourist Visa Soon After Leaving || Can GC-EAD holder start business and what impact on the pending I-485? || FAQ: Can GC-EAD holders start a business and what impact on the pending I-485? || Is there a problem listing one location in a PERM application while living and working remotely in a different location? || EB-2/EB-3 Options in PERM Filing and EB-2 to EB-3 downgrade and upgrade

Guestbook Entry for Best Immigration Attorney- Your life is in good hands, United States

3 years ago By Chief Editor
Name
Best Immigration Attorney- Your life is in good hands
Country
United States
State
Virginia
Comment

We all know USA is land of Immigrants. Choosing a right immigration attorney is the key in shaping the future of an immigrant. Vast knowledge on the practice and experience of working on many cases is the key in this industry. I did my best in choosing Mr Rajiv S Khanna Law offices for processing of my H1B and Green card application. I only have compliments and a great respect from the bottom of my heart for taking my application to the next level and getting approved. Every day when I woke up, I enjoy the freedom of happiness, freedom of living to me and my family. Without he and his team support, carefully checking the applications, getting reviewed before submittal this would have not been possible. All I can say is when you hire an attorney, you are putting you and your family life in their hands. When Attorney thinks the same way as you think, and knows the human values, you are in good hands. Mr Rajiv's team are always available any time when we had question/questions. Thank you so much to Art, Anna, Kalpana, Bharathi and others who are behind the scenes and helping others like me. I sleep peacefulness and wake up with a smile. This is the beginning of new life. Thank you very much for providing your services and being part of integral role of my life journey.

USCIS Issues Updated and Comprehensive Guidance on T Visa Adjudications

3 years ago By Chief Editor

Release Date 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is issuing updated and comprehensive guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual on adjudicating applications for T nonimmigrant status (or T visas) submitted by victims of human trafficking, including clarifying how applicants establish eligibility.

Guestbook Entry for A Pachchigar, United States

3 years ago By Anonymous (not verified)
Name
A Pachchigar
Country
United States
State
FL
Comment

We are very thankful for Rajiv Khanna and team for handling my tough H1B renewal case. This was my 4th Extension that was denied before we approached Mr. Khanna to take over the case. Ms. Kalpana Panuganti was very thorough with case details and responded to any of our queries promptly. We were updated on our case in a very transparent manner and Kalpana always responded to emails/calls immediately while working on RFE response. Their insight and attention to detail in regards to our case was commendable. We would highly recommend Law Office of Rajiv S. Khanna PC for any immigration related matter.

Reentering the U.S. on Visitor Visa

3 years ago By Chief Editor
Question details

My parents have been here on visitor's visas since the beginning of August. If they are here for the entire six months, can they come back again within six months of leaving the U.S.?

FAQ Transcript

The CBP (Customs and Border Protection) may find this pattern an unacceptable use of the visitor's visa. Generalizing for the sake of making a point, if in any twelve months your parents have spent more than six months in the United States, the CBP can hold that it appears your parents are living in the United States and visiting their home country instead of the other way around. More...

 

 

Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, 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.

Can GC-EAD holders start a business and what impact accrues on the pending I-485?

3 years ago By Chief Editor
Question details

Q: 1.Can I run my second W2 on my own company? Keeping my primary W2 with the same employer who filed the GC?

2.If I start a business on GC-EAD, if they call for a GC interview what type of question do they ask related to business?

3.If I-485 is denied, can we  come back to H-1B again and do we have to refile I-485 again?

 

FAQ Transcript

Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, 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.

Is there a problem listing one location in a PERM application while living and working remotely in a different location?

3 years ago By Chief Editor
Question details

Was just wondering if there could be any issues with my prospective PERM application if I am living and working remotely in Minneapolis (consistent with my H-1Blocation) and my employer in Dallas files the PERM application using Dallas as the work location. I am open to eventually relocating to Dallas, so just wondering if this could cause any delays or RFEs for the PERM. Do you think it would be a better option to file an H-1B amendment with Dallas as the work location, and then go through with the PERM or it doesn't matter?

 

FAQ Transcript

It is not a problem as long as these two scenarios are followed. First of all you could be working in location X and the PERM is filed for location Y as long as you have the intention to join the location Y you can file even though you are currently working at location X. 

The interesting thing is once the I-485 is filed and the I-140 is approved after 180 days of the I-485 you can choose to be wherever you want to be because you are allowed to port your green card. The only requirement is when you start the PERM.  File the I-140 and the I- 485. Your intention throughout was to work at location Y but after 180 days if the intention changes it is absolutely no problem.

The second scenario which is very common is when you have consulting jobs and you could be moving from a month to a year with no predictability where you are going to be, it is normally recommended and legally allowed to file the PERM application as though your job is located in the corporate headquarters or principal place of business. More...

 

 

Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, 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.

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