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Frequently asked questions answered in The Economic Times NRI Helpdesk by Rajiv : What are the risks involved in renewing F1 visa in another country?
Published by: The Economic Times: August 01, 2022
Question: I have been in the U.S since 2017, and my F1 visa expires this month due to the 5 year validity period.
Answer: First of all, unless you are traveling, you do not have to renew your visa. If the visa expires while you're still completing your course, it's absolutely no problem.
Read more by clicking the link below or the pdf attachment.
USCIS Updates Interpretation of “Under Honorable Conditions” for Military Naturalization
Release Date
08/02/2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is publishing an update to its Policy Manual to clarify that a current or former service member who received an uncharacterized discharge may be eligible for naturalization under sections 328 and 329 of the Immigration and Naturalization Act (INA).
Lockbox Filing Location Updates
USCIS recently updated the lockbox filing location information for the following form(s). Please see the “Where to File” section of the webpage for your form.
PERM Processing Times (as of 7/31/2022)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | December 2021 |
| Audit Review | October 2021 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | March 2022 |
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
Recording of Aug 4, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Discussion Topics
FAQs: Changing profession after receiving Employment Based Green Card || Eligibility for the EB-1A extraordinary ability category || The H-1B remainder option: Calculating recapture of H-1B unused time ||
Visa Bulletin For September 2022
Number 69
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during September 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
I Visa Services and Fees
We are usually called upon by I visa holders for consultations. Click here to consult us.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Rajiv's Article - A complete guide for Green Card holders stuck outside the US because of Covid-19
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: November 02, 2021
Synopsis
Many green card holders have been constrained to stay outside the USA continuously for one year and more. Under normal circumstances, that is considered to be an abandonment of the permanent resident status, your green card. What can you do about this now?
For more on this article please see the attachment below.
Immigration QnA with Rajiv, Oct 21, 2021(conversation with Yudi on behalf of students&professionals)
SUBSCRIBE to Immigration.com YouTube Channel for further updates.
Immigration.com, Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna PC, US Immigration Attorney
Oct 28, 2021 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Discussion Topics, Thursday, October 28, 2021:
FAQ: Change of jobs with an approved I-140 from employer A and Reapplying PERM through B || Impact of reportees outside the U.S. or in third countries on L-1A and EB-1 petitions || Are L-1B visa holders eligible to work remotely? || Approved EB-2/EB-3: Interfiling/upgrading to EB-2 with employers A and B || Working outside the U.S. for four months with a recently issued green card || Documents needed by and anticipated questions for green card holders at the port of entry
Rajiv's Comments in the News - New US Bill could increase H-1B filing fees
Published by: The Economic Times: November 03, 2021
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
The proposed increase in H-1B filing fees reflect another stab at the already injured H-1B process, said Rajiv S Khanna, managing attorney at immigration.com.
USCIS Expands Credit Card Payment Pilot Program to California Service Center
As part of the credit card payment pilot program, the California Service Center is now accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for petitioners filing Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, for O and P nonimmigrants.
USCIS Commemorates Veterans Day with Special Naturalization Ceremonies
Release Date
11/08/2021
WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will honor Veterans Day this year by holding more than 90 ceremonies naturalizing more than 4,440 current and former members of the military and their families. Each year, on Nov. 11, the nation honors members of the U.S. armed forces who have served the country and defended freedom.
USCIS Contact Center Tip Sheet
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a Contact Center Tip Sheet on how to communicate effectively with the USCIS Contact Center and outlines the use of online self-help tools and inquiry channels to ensure the best use of live telephone assistance.
The USCIS Contact Center Tip Sheet provides guidance on:
Nov 11, 2021 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Discussion Topics:
USCIS Forms - Authorization for Credit Card Transactions
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USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form: Authorization for Credit Card Transactions 11/15/2021 03:24 PM EST You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions. For more information, please visit Forms Updates page. |
Visa Bulletin For December 2021
Number 60
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during December 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
Extension of EAD for H-4 and EAD for L-2 - Not the Best Settlement
I have reviewed the recent lawsuit settlement where the USCIS has agreed to consider H-4 holders to be eligible to continue working while their timely filed EAD extension is pending. Unfortunately, the settlement seems to state that the right to work is only co-extensive with your I-94 duration. Therefore, you do not have the right to continue working for 180 days; only till your I-94 expires. While it is better than nothing, the settlement is not everything that we would like to see.
PERM Processing Times (as of 10/31/2021)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | June 2021 |
| Audit Review | January 2021 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | June 2021 |
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
USCIS Opening a New Lockbox Facility
Release Date
11/12/2021
USCIS is planning to open a new facility in Elgin, Illinois, next year to expand the lockbox capability.
Successful response to an audit of a submitted ETA Form 9089 (PERM)
We assisted a client company in filing an EB-2-based PERM. The submitted ETA Form 9089 was selected for an audit by DOL. They requested evidence/explanation as to why only the specified combination of a higher degree and significant years of experience were required, beyond the normal requirements defined by O*Net, a source of occupational data often cited by the government.