A message for new immigrants:
You now have the option to create a USCIS online account when you pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee. A USCIS online account will let you easily track the status of your Green Card, receive electronic notifications and case updates, and change and update your mailing address.
Although anyone can pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee on your behalf, only you can create a USCIS online account. Creating a USCIS online account is voluntary.
My H-1B visa is going to expire in 01-Jan-2018 and if my employer submits my PERM application in the month of June (i.e. before 6 months of my current 6 years of H-1B visa duration).<br>
1) If my PERM gets approved before my current H-1B visa expires (i.e. before 01-Jan-2018).<br>
Would I be eligible for a H1B extension for 1 year since my PERM was approved before the current H-1B expiration?<br>
2) If my PERM gets approved after my current H-1B expires can my employer file for H1B extension of 1 year since my PERM is approved now.<br>
3) If my PERM is not approved before my current H-1B visa expires.<br>
Would I need to go back to India?<br>
4) I spent about 2 months (on vacation) in India. Can these 2 months be added back to my current H-1B visa? or this can only be added if my current employer files for my green card?
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.
I am a permanent resident, a citizen of Poland. I want to study medicine in Poland. The program lasts 6 years. I don't want to abandon my status and want to understand if such long-term abroad is possible. If I am not mistaken GC holder can be away 6month-1 year. But, since I'll be out of US on regular basis, so it's best to apply for a reentry permit?
Video Transcript:
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.
I am in I-485 pending status based on EB2 and have been working on EAD since 2012. Under the new rules effective January 2017, I understand that I can file for EAD extension 180 days prior to expiration. Will EAD be considered extended automatically if the approval doesn't come before the expiration of my current EAD?
Video Transcript:
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.
I am a US citizen and would like to sponsor my brother for Permanent Residency. How long would it take for him to get Green card.If I file green card for him, does his family (His wife and kids) automatically get green card or should I file for each of them? I think I should for all. Just a question? He gets a EAD (so he can start working) when I file Green Card?
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.
How do we keep up with the rumors and changes in the laws? My I-140 is approved in 2013 and priority date is on 2013. Do you have any inside on country quota elimination bill?
Watch Video on this FAQ: How do we keep up with the rumors and changes in the laws
Video Transcript:
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.
This has been quite an amazing journey towards my citizenship. People have been super nice and responsive.
I arrived in the US in Jan 1995 (so I have lived here in the Cleveland area since then, roughly 21 years - went to College of Wooster). I got my greencard in 2001 (had it for the past 15 years) and now I am ready to be a US citizen!
They received my package on March 14.
My biometrics was on April 12th (29 days from application)
My interview is on May 23ed. (2 months and 10 days since application)
Over the past three years, this Administration has undertaken an unprecedented effort to transform the immigration enforcement system into one that focuses on public safety, border security and the integrity of the immigration system.
Finally the last Friday, Jan 17th I became an American Citizen, it's was a easy, quickly and simple ceremony at 26 Federal Plaza, I was request to be there at 11:00 am, when arrive to the place a big line inside was waiting for me but was fast, them I went to the 3rd floor, make another line with my letter and GC, a few minutes later I was lil interview about the questions on the letter and give my GC to the officer, them somebody show me my seat, almost full with like 150 people from 57 diferent countries.
I encourage you to sign a petition I have drafted at the request of our community urging the Obama Administration to reinstate reissuance of nonimmigrant visas (including work visas like H-1, student visas like F-1, and family visas) within the USA, a practice that was discontinued in 2004. If the petition receives 100,000 on-line signatures by February 23, the Administration will review it, send it to the appropriate policy experts in the administration, and issue an official response. Signing the petition takes only a few minutes.
My H-1B status will expire the last week of January 2013. I cannot file my petition for an extension until after January 1, 2013. Will that be too late to file an extension?
A petition is considered to be timely filed as long as it reaches USCIS prior to the expiration of your current H-1B status.
When there are multiple I-140 approvals, how do you link the appropriate approval to the pending I-485 petition?
If an I-485 is already pending, a newly approved I-140 can be linked to it by sending a written request to the USCIS. Include all information and relevant copies to clearly explain the transfer of the I- 485 petition to a different I-140 approval.
Is any action required when an I-140 sponsoring employer undergoes acquisition, merger, or restructuring?
If the I-140 petition is still pending, then USCIS needs to be notified in writing of the change. If the I-140 is already approved, then an amendment needs to be filed by the successor-in-interest petitioner. Note that the successor-in-interest petitioner must take over the rights and liabilities of the earlier petitioner, including the immigration matters.
What degrees qualify for EB-2?
In June 2007, the USCIS clarified what is considered to be equivalent to a U.S. Master’s Degree for Employment-Based Category 2. Each petition and its supporting documentation are examined on a case-by-case basis and degree equivalencies are based on the evidence presented with the individual case. However, the below is provided as a general outline:
1. U.S. Master’s Degree – As long as it is in the field required, no additional document is required.
Released: Jan. 2, 2013
Contact: DHS Press Office, (202) 282-8010
The Cambodian government has indicated that it intends to begin accepting intercountry adoption petitions on Jan. 1, 2013. Cambodia joined the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (the Hague Adoption Convention) on Aug. 1, 2007.
On January 2nd, 2013, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that certain immediate relatives of U.S. citizens present in the United States without a visa, who are in the process of seeking immigrant visas to become lawful U.S. permanent residents, may apply and be approved for provisional unlawful presence waivers before departing the United States to attend their immigrant visa interviews. USCIS will begin accepting provisional unlawful presence waivers on March 4th, 2013.
Is a transfer possible from a cap-exempt to cap H-1B?
It is possible. You will have to follow the April-October time frame, except where you apply for concurrent cap employment to run together with your cap-exempt employment.
I was in US from 2003 on F-1. I finished my Ph.D. here and changed to J-1 Status. I want to travel during 2012 summer, but need to go for J-1 Stamping. Do you think it will be a problem? Is there a chance that I might be stopped because of 214(b)?
Immigrant intent is definitely a consideration for issuance of J visas. As to whether or not you may have a problem is impossible to predict. If you can have a safety net of an H-1 (if needed), you would be better off.
I am on an L-2 Visa with an EAD valid until June 2014. I am already a contract employee with an MNC (multinational corporation). Can my company extend an offer of permanent employment to me?
You do not currently have the visa to work permanently. But, there is NO PROBLEM with you working on a permanent job on temporary basis.
I have two more years to complete a Ph.D. with a valid I-20, but my Visa expires in August 2013. I want to visit India in June-July 2013. If I come back in July, do I need to apply for F-1 visa (and F-2 visa for my family) extension? Would I have problem in reentry if I have one more month of valid F-1/F-2 visa?
You will need a new visa only if you return after August 2013. Check with your DSO to make sure you have all the appropriate requirements completed.
Thanks to Rajiv and Heather for successful approval of my I-140 approval. Journey started with some questions as student visa holder where Rajiv answered all of my questions with full patients and at the end of call he Refunded my fees bcoz he doesn't charge any fees to students. Next was H1b process where my chance of approval was very slim and the company was at its starting phase. Having no options on table we took a chance, with Rajiv's skills and tremendous experience he made the case that no one can deny it and we got it approved. Same thing with I140 stage where also chance of approval were very slim due to change in conditions of business, he offered me to abandon the case in middle and save his fees which I think no one in his profession would do that. Then we decided to put some faith in god and Rajiv' S expertise as we already knew he can make the case with any situations. and here we go I140 approved.............Hoorey.............he did it. Thank you you are the best ...