Pending N400 for Over One Year or More
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I-485 Priority Dates and Processing Dates
Question details
One of our community members had asked a questing regarding the processing dates of 485.
In a pending AOS (I-485), unless your PD is current, USCIS will not touch your application. Only when the PD becomes current, they start processing applications ROUGHLY in the order received.
DOL gives PERM processing dates
For recent updates on PERM processing please click here.
http://www.immigration.com/processing-times-and-status-checks
Renewing Expired GC and Citizenship for autistic/disabled persons
Question details
One of our clients (I think I have worked with these folks for over a decade) had these questions:
Quote: A member of our family was issued a Green Card in November 1980. The green card did not have any renewal date (see enclosed). I assume Green Cards at that time did not have a renewal date. Does this need to be renewed?
Ans: Replace the green card. See:
http://www.uscis.gov/files/form/i-90instr.pdf
GC approved. When should I start working on the green card job?
Question details
Now that I received my GC through employment, does my employer need to change my position to the one filed in the Labor Certification?
Yes, now that the GC is approved, your employer should "permanently" give you the job described (including the title, salary and job duties) in the Labor Certification. This change should take place within a "reasonable time" after the GC approval.
Keep in mind, "permanent" does not mean forever. This term describes a job that has no pre-decided termination date. We see no violation of the law, If the employer, due to economic or other circumstances, can no longer support the job after having offered it to you in good faith.
GC Compliance for Employers
Question details
Some of our employees' Green cards
have been filed. There projects have ended. They are working on H-1 but possess EAD and have 140 approved and 485 pending more than 180 days.
Quote: (1) If we revoke their H-1, are we still required to pay full wages if our clients say they do not currently have a project for our employees?
Ans. You are not required to pay "bench salaries" for employees whose H-1 are revoked (remember you must inform CIS and offer employee a one-way ticket home). But we then have exposure to the questions, "do you still have a "permanent" job for them?" If the answer is no, then their GC processing can be interrupted unless they use AC21 portability.
Starting business while in AOS/I-485/H-1/H-4
Question details
1. Hi Rajiv I have a few questions about starting business in partnership.
I am currently on H-1B , my I-140 is cleared and priority date is not current. My wife is on H-4 visa and she is interested in starting her own business with some one who has I-485 pending and has EAD.
I will be the one who will be investing in this business but I won't be employed with that business.
- Is this legal ?
2. Can you be a passive investor on H-1?
1. She can NOT do this on H-4. Once you folks file 485 and get EAD, things will be different.
You can then be a passive investor (performing no work type activity for the company) even while on H-1. You can also be an active investor if you wish to move to EAD as long as you maintain your intention to work full time for the GC sponsoring employer. Your wife can work for the company, own it, be partners, etc. as long as she has the EAD.
Am I obliged to join my sponsoring employer after GC approval?
Question details
For past 7 years I work for company ‘A’ on their H1B visa (EB3). I had a I-140 cleared in 1998 from my previous company ‘B’ under EB2. Company ‘B’ filed for my I-485 in 2004 and I finally got my green card.
Quote: 1) Do I need to inform company ‘B’ and be in their payroll with immediate effect?
2) If company ‘B’ cannot provide me a job in my location and offer the salary I demand, is it a valid reason for me not to join ‘B’?
3) How should I inform company ‘A’ about my green card and what is the best reason to justify my case to continue work with company ‘A’?
or Should I inform company ‘A’ only when I fill the I-9 form next year Jan 2010.
Visa Waiver Program and ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of 36 participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business (visitor [B] visa purposes only) for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. The program was established in 1986 with the objective of eliminating unnecessary barriers to travel, stimulating the tourism industry, and permitting the Department of State to focus consular resources in other areas. VWP eligible travelers may apply for a visa, if they prefer to do so.
USCIS New Online Citizenship Resource Center
USCIS inviting visitors to the new Citizenship and Resource Center, a Web portal that has information and resources on U.S. citizenship.
DOS Announces New Website For J-1 Visa Program
Media Note
Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC
May 25, 2011
Also available in Russian
On June 1 the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) will launch a new J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program website.
TN Visa denied
Question details
I am a pharmacy graduate from India and a Canadian national. I passed my FPGEE Examination and hold a Intern Pharmacist License from Michigan Board of Pharmacy. I have been twice denied TN Visa saying I don't have Pharmacist License from US or Canada. I have been advised by the officer to apply for H1B visa. Recently, I read on State Department Website that License is not a prerequisite for YN visa. But my TN visa request was refused.
NAFTA clearly implies that you do not need a license (if you work under a licensed pharmacist).
Pharmacist—baccalaureate degree, licenciatura degree, or state/provincial license.
Guestbook Entry for Eswara Kakkera, United States
Name
Eswara Kakkera
Country
United States
State
VA
PERM approval for a foreign company with minimal presence in USA
The head-quarters for the sponsoring employer were located outside the United States. The applicant worked in the United States at a branch office, which had fewer than 5 employees. Because of the head-quarters location and the US branch office size, the DOL questioned the existence of the company in the United States. We responded with evidence of the sponsoring employer’s business in the United States and the PERM Petition was certified.
Green Card
USCIS Publishes Policy Memo On Requests To Expedite Adjudication Of Form I-601
USCIS policy memo on how USCIS processes requests to expedite the adjudication of Forms I-601, Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility, filed by individuals outside of the U.S.
To view the memo please see the attachment.
USCIS Temporarily Suspends the Use of VIBE in the H-2A Program, Offers H-2A Checklist and Q&A
Due to the time-sensitive nature of agricultural work, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) expedites all H-2A “temporary or seasonal agricultural worker” petitions. However, some recent H-2A petitions have experienced unexpected delays due to Requests for Evidence (RFEs) resulting from the use of the Validation Instrument for Business Enterprises (VIBE).
Guestbook Entry for Jaydip Sen, United States
Name
Jaydip Sen
Country
United States
State
Missouri
Comment
After lot of research and gathering inputs from my friends my employer and me decided to appoint Law Offices of Rajiv S Khanna as our attorney. This is one of the best decision of my life. My labor was filed in August 2006 and approved within 11 days. I-140 was approved after that and now I am waiting for my date to be current for EB-3. The quality od service we get in a such timely manner is amazing to me! All the people including Rajiv, Mathew, Bharathi, Suman are so wonderful to work with! I would like to mention one incident though! I received a RFE on my I-140. This was mad time of July 2007 (I think) when everybody was filing their I-485 as all the date became current for one monh. Everybody in Rajiv's office were working day and night to file everybody's case. But, still suddenly Rajiv called me and discussed the issue with me. I did not request him to call me. But he understood my situation and called me to give all the mental support I needed. This is the best thing you can expect from an attorney who will stand behind you when it is mostly needed. I recommend each and everybody to get help for Rajiv's office, if required.
Guestbook Entry for Madhavi, United States
Name
Madhavi
Country
United States
State
Nj
Comment
Mr. Rajiv Khanna helped us alot with our company's green cards and H-1B extensions. It was great working with Anna & Rena in the H-1B department and also in the green card department Seema, Richa, Prerna & Matthew helped us with PERM and I-140. Last but not least I would like to thank Leslie for scheduling the calls.
CRS Report On Social Security Benefits for Noncitizens
Please read the attachment for CRS report on "Social Security Benefits for Noncitizens".
Visa Bulletin - July 2011
Number 34
Volume IX
Washington, D.C.
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STATUTORY NUMBERS |
I am quite thankful to Rajiv Khanna and his staff for getting Green Card to me and my wife. The case manager for my case is Bharati. She handled my case very well and huge kudos to her in getting the GC. Bharati is quite knowledgable in immigration matters. She responded to all my questions quickly. Her response time is very qucik. She applied Labor Certification, I-140, 485 and EAD Renewals. She is quite friendly and good going to work with. I am very thankful to Bharati for her continous support through out the Green Card Process. Thanks once again to Rajiv S Khanna, Mathew for getting my Green Card approved. Appreciate all your help.