GC approved while in India. The question is how to get back especially since not doing old job (Job where GC was filed). Mr. Khanna was very helpful and told me how to proceed. I will update this post once I am in USA
I just got an employment based Green Card through Rajiv Khanna's firm. They have a very streamlined process for all the steps of the GC process. Their employees possess lot of patience, a much needed virtue to deal with GC clients.
I came to the United States by an H1B visa. The H1 visa was filed through my company's attorney which later I asked them to apply for my green card as well. Unfortunately, the attorney made several mistakes and I cancelled my contract with them. After some research and asking from friends and colleagues, I decided to go with the Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna whose web site, immigration.com is well known. Obviously the cost was higher than our company's attorney but I used to hear lots of sad stories about how some unexperienced attornies lost the customer's hope, time, and money. So, I think it was really worth it because last week I received my green card after less than 3 years. This is a very good record for EB2 category. Another Iranian friend of mine took about 7 years to get his GC! Heather Riddick, Art Shifflett, Mathew Chacko, and Rajiv Khanna worked on my cases during this time and I am extremely satisfied by their experience, knowledge, care, and accuracy. Cheers to all of them and thanks again!
I'm on F-1 OPT with a STEM MS Degree. If I put a startup, I will be performing my roles directly related to the degree.
1) To establish employer-employee relations would having a board of directors be sufficient during STEM OPT?
2) If I apply for EB2-NIW and get I-140 approval then can I immediately shift to other non-tech roles within my startup (CTO -> CEO) Or do I have to wait for 6 months before doing that, all the while when I-485 is pending?
3) If I shift immediately and use I-485 EAD instead of F-1 EAD, then can that lead to I-485 being rejected?
Should I wait at least 6 months before using I-485 EAD? Also, if the startup fails, does that discontinue my I-485 process having approved I-140?
There are various visa options for entrepreneurs both inside and outside the USA, between non-immigrant and immigrant visas. Non-immigrant options include B-1 for temporary business visits, the International Entrepreneur Rule for temporary parole, and treaty visas like E-1 and E-2. Immigrant visa options include EB-1 for exceptionally qualified individuals, EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) for those impacting US interests, and EB-5 for investors. Overall, EB-2 NIW offers flexibility in job changes within the same field and may lead to a green card without being tied to a specific job or employer.
I am currently on an H-1B visa. I am planning to start a business with my brother who is a US citizen and needs some guidance.
1) Until the business is operational and generating revenue, can I just be a partner in the company without doing any work visa application with it?
2) Can I have more than a 50% share in that company? If so, would that impact anyhow my H-1B with the current company?
3) In the future, if I want to file for concurrent or full-time H-1b through the new company, is it difficult to get it approved if my brother and I are the partners of the company?
4) Once I am on an H-1B visa in this new company, can the company file for my green card in the EB-1 or EB-2 category?
5) Does the company need to meet any specific conditions before sponsoring for H-1B and Employee-Based Green Card such as being E-Verified or having at least few citizens before hiring non-citizens?
Owning more than 50% of a company makes obtaining an H-1B visa difficult under current regulations. This is because the H-1B is for employees receiving a base salary, and owning a majority share raises doubts about a genuine employer-employee relationship. While regulations easing this restriction are pending, they haven't been finalized yet.
However, if you're a minority partner with your brother holding the majority and the job aligns with your field, securing an H-1B (concurrent or full-time) may be possible. Unfortunately, getting a green card through this company wouldn't be feasible due to your ownership. Consider exploring the EB-1A green card category, which recognizes individuals with exceptional ability in their field and doesn't require employer sponsorship.
I got my physical Green Card today. It has been a long 4-5 years and I must say that it could have NOT been possible without the constant support, guidance, diligent and patient hard work put in by Mr. Rajiv S Khanna and his stellar team of Mathew Chacko, Prerna Mehta, Richa Narang and others who I have interacted with in the past and are probably no longer with the law firm. This team was always a step ahead, instantaneous in answering ANY questions whatsoever. I have even spoken to Mr Rajiv himself at one occasion since I was really concerned about some issues and even though being extremely busy was very nice in giving me a phone appointment the very next day. He, along with his team were very courteous, non judgemental and above all very humble in their approach and conversation. I could NOT have been able to get through with this entire process without them. I did not receive any RFE, everything was done in time and with utmost precision. Once again Many thanks from the bottom of my heart. Neeraj