I spoke to Mr. Khanna on an immigration matter. He was professional and helpful.
Never looked back after switching our companies immigration lawyer to Rajiv Khanna about 7 years back. Very thorough work. Staff is just superb. We have been more than satisfied with the results and guidance. Thank You.
Both Rena and Rajiv have been extremely helpful to myself and my employee, who filed paperwork for a H1 Visa Extension. I had never been through the process before and required a lot of hand-holding. I truly appreciated them going above and beyond, exhibiting the patience needed to answer all of my questions and helping me get everything filed correctly! Thanks again - you guys are awesome!
When should an employer mark "yes" when responding to the Question C.9: "is there a familial relationship between the foreign worker and the owners, stockholders, partners, corporate officers, and incorporators?"
If there is a familial relationship between the owners, stockholders, partners, corporate officers, or incorporators, and the alien, the employer must be able to demonstrate the existence of a bona fide job opportunity, i.e., the job is available to U.S. workers. 20 C.F.R. 656.17(l). In order to provide the Certifying Officer (CO) the opportunity to evaluate whether the job opportunity has been and is clearly open to qualified U.S.
I am planning to start an IT company in USA which is registered in India. Currently I am planning to travel on B1/B2 visa for my company set up. Can I transfer my visa status from B1/B2 to L1 if required within USA? What are the possible chances of success? Kindly you please suggest me the best way.
There are several issues that should be examined before you can make an informed decision.
1. B visa or ESTA does not allow you to “work:”
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing policy guidance on its standards in customer service in theUSCIS Policy Manual.
U.S. Ambassador to Australia John Berry and Australia’s Minister for Immigration Scott Morrison signed a U.S.-Australia Visa and Immigration Information-Sharing Agreement on August 27, 2014.
The Department of Homeland Security recently achieved two major milestones for its trusted traveler programs. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Pre✓™ application program, which began in December 2013, has now enrolled more than half a million travelers. Additionally, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has enrolled more than three million users in their trusted traveler programs: Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI.
My H-1 6 years are about to be over. No way to extend per lawyers. Can I move to CPT?
This is tricky. Usually CPT in the first semester is looked upon with suspicion by USCIS, unless: 1. yours is a graduate program; 2. the practical training is integral to the academic program; and 3. the employer has signed a co-operative agreement with the school.
As a H-4 visa holder in the USA (my husband is on H-1B), and an Indian citizen, I plan on applying for Canadian PR via the federal skilled worker program, to eventually start working there. The question I have is if my PR does come through within a year, will my H-4 visa in the USA get affected or be void immediately? Provided I don't get a job in Canada by then, how long will my H-4 be valid after I get my PR in Canada? Can I choose to live in either country in that case?
Also, while applying for the PR, they asked for sufficient funds. Since I am a H-4 dependent, can I show my husband's funds and income as a source? Because I am not earning here, I will have to have his money transferred. Will that be a problem?
Your H-4 visa does not get affected by PR in Canada, and whether or not you stay in the USA or Canada. The visa stays valid through the date of its stamping, as long as your husband is maintaining status. US immigration laws also should not create any issues with a funds transfer, but check Canadian laws and US Tax Laws.
What is the difference between a blue or black stamp from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)?
As of July 1, 2014, U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) began using a new secure blue ink for many of its secure stamps. The older secure red ink will be retired and no longer used by USCIS on the effective date.
USCIS stamps with secure blue ink:
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Parole Stamp
Temporary I-551 Alien Documentary Identification and Telecommunication (ADIT) Stamp
Refugee Stamp (Section 207)
Asylum Stamp (Section 208)
Initial / Replacement I-94 Stamp
This quick guide is intended for Employers, Attorneys and Agents and their representatives using the PERM system. To enhance PERM Online System security OFLC has upgraded the Account Management features to be consistent with DOL and Federal Government standards. This guide is a quick overview of the account management changes.
Please click the attached guide to learn more.
DataStaff, Inc. is a proud client of Mr. Rajiv S. Khanna. We have received invaluable assistance from Rajiv and his team. They make you feel like family. When we have a question big or small, they take the time to answer. There has NEVER been a time when I felt like I wasn't on the top of their list, even though I know they are super busy with cases from other clients who trust them. We trust them implicitly...from the front desk (Angela & Heather) to our H-1 A-Team...Anna & Judi...to Green Card Gurus (Heather R. & Art S.) we have always received EXEMPLARY service. Then there is Rajiv who is so sharp and too funny! It's weird to say that you miss your attorney's office when things are going smoothly, but we do. This is an AWESOME firm and we always recommend anyone who is not getting outstanding results to call and talk to our immigration attorneys - Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna, PC!! Thanks Team!
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 167 (Thursday, August 28, 2014)] [Rules and Regulations] [Pages 51247-51254] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2014-20516] DEPARTMENT OF STATE 22 CFR Part 22 [Public Notice: 8850] RIN 1400-AD47 Schedule of Fees for Consular Services, Department of State and Overseas Embassies and Consulates--Visa and Citizenship Services Fee Changes AGENCY: Department of State. ACTION: Interim final rule.
My sincere thanks to Mr Rajiv Ji and Mr Kunal Ji. I got my I-140 denial decision reversed in 7 months. I have this issue since 2012. I-140 originally files in 2007 and since then its been under initial review and received RFE/NOID In 2012. We approached the same attorney who was handling my I-140 and that didnt go well and ultimately it was denied. We approached Rajiv along with my employer and were in discussion for 20/30 minutes and said winning this case is fairly possible. Even I-140 petition wasnt supplied by previous attorney. Rajiv and Khanna briefed their arguement with me and asked me if i have any concerns so that they can add those in their arguement and discussed cons and pros and finally draft been finalized and sent appeal(I-290 B) to the AAO office. Our arguement was purely based on Labor copy and in 7 months appeal sustained and initial decision has been reversed and they approved I-140. We are now waiting for the approval copy so that have to go further and repair few more things. I am happy to say that i am going with Rajiv office to correct other things as well. WIth huge relief -Satish
I am reporting here comments from and my responses to a member of our community, "Julissa," regarding whether or how she could apply for a green card herself if she has a Master's degree. Do note, if a set of new immigration laws gets passed, all this could change.
This link below shows the average amount of time it takes to receive a decision in a particular type of case after the case file is received by the AAO. Processing times are directly related to the volume of cases received.
http://www.immigration.com/processing-times-status-checks/aao-processin…
It was a delightful experience working with Rajiv Khanna's law office and specifically Diane. who is very competent, knowledgeable, experienced, patient and prompt in responding to my questions
WASHINGTON—Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Treasury Jacob J. Lew, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Alejandro Mayorkas will help USCIS celebrate our nation’s 237th birthday as the agency welcomes more than 7,800 new citizens during more than 100 naturalization ceremonies across the country and overseas from July 1 to July 5.
Statement from Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano:
Immigration Reform 2013 Status
I wanted to give you quick overview of where we are as of today in the immigration reform effort. As you know the comprehensive immigration bill labeled S.744 was passed by Senate, and the voting in the Senate reflected what kind of support there is generally amongst the two parties (Senate and House of Republicans (House)) for this reform effort.
The composition of the Senate is currently 54 Democrats, one Independent and 45 Republicans. A total of 100 Senators. When the bill was voted upon, it was passed 68 to32. All Democrats voted for it, one Independent voted for it, but only 13 Republicans in the Senate voted for the bill. So less than one third (of Republicans voted for passage). This means that Democrats overwhelmingly support the reform, the immigration bill S. 744. But Republicans are not by any means, or in any way shape or form overwhelmingly or even in a majority in favor of the reform as it was proposed.
So, now bill has been passed the Senate. 68 to 32. It’s a good margin, but the problem situation in the House is totally different. The politics of the situation is that the Latino, Hispanic vote is becoming in proportion much larger. It is exponentially expanding. The Republicans leaders rightly believe that they must curry favor or must be considered a friend to the Hispanic industry of immigration. A lot of Republicans also believe that they have no incentive to pass an amnesty bill. One thing I would say that as far as reform of the legal immigration is concerned I don't think we have too much controversy about that. Both parties agreed that certain things need to be done, like we need skilled immigration professional. Special provisions for PhDs, physicians, people who have Master’s degrees, people with STEM degrees. We need all that and some way to remove the backlog, which is horrendous for many countries. For instance, India has nine to ten years of backlog waiting for a Green Card. So there is consensus among both parties on legal immigration. It is the amnesty part, the enforcement and border protection, which are the key areas of disagreement.
If you look on the Republicans composition, only 24 out of 234 House Republicans represent districts that have any appreciable numbers of Hispanic voters, more than 25 percent. So, only 24 out of 234. Where is the incentive for them to pass an immigration bill with amnesty? In fact, many of the Republicans come from districts that actually oppose amnesty. Republican Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) was speaking in Lynchburg, Virginia yesterday and passions were really running high against the amnesty.
So in the House even if Democrats all get together, the problem is how do we move the reform forward. House is controlled by Republicans, 234 to 201. House Speaker, John Boehner (R-OH) has said that he won't bring the Senate bill up for a vote if he does not have the support of a majority of the House Republicans (known as Hastert Rule). He says, I will not even allow this Senate bill to be voted on in the House unless a majority of House Republicans support the bill. And if we look at the cross-section of the voting that occurred in Senate, less than one third of Republicans support. It’s not good sign to get that kind of support.
So, it appears at least at this stage that the Senate bill will have very tough time going through the House as today’s politics stand.
What are the options?
Four obvious options, the fourth option is very unlikely, which is House leadership brings up the the Senate bill up for vote.
There are four options, but again it’s important to understand what happens if there are two separate bills addressing some of the same areas or all of the same areas, and there are controversies among those bills, then it goes into something called “conference”. When we get into conference, the idea is representatives from Senate and the representative from House will meet together and they will iron out their differences. A lot of times if you want to effect the Senate bill, all you have to do is pass something in the House and then it goes into the conference where you can work on one bill or the other, agree, negotiate and then take the negotiated version back to both chambers for voting Senate and House. So, option number one is House passes its own bill or bills. Actually, here we are talking about comprehensive, some kind of comprehensive set of bills, then it goes for conference. Option two, the House passes any bill, it does not have to be comprehensive bill, something that effects or contradicts the Senate version again we go into conference.
Another interesting option and normally this would not be a really good option but here may be worth considering. I doubt it, but I am not a political pundit just a lawyer. House can actually vote on the Senate bill without the House Speaker’s support. If 218 house members vote for a discharge petition, which means we don’t care what the Speaker says, we are going to vote on this bill anyway. That means House Democrats need 17 votes from Republicans to get a discharge petition and vote on the Senate bill.
So, what are the four options again:
1. Comprehensive bill by House;
2. Any bill by House;
3. Discharge petition; and
4. House leadership brings up the Senate bill to vote which is unlikely.
Let us talk about a comprehensive bill. House had its own “Gang of Eight” people working on a comprehensive immigration bill. Their focus was a lot more on enforcement, on border security, etc. But then one of the Congressman, Raul Labrador (R-ID), quit. The now “Gang of Seven” still might produce a comprehensive House bill. If such a bill is produced, we will get into conference, negotiate and then finally vote on the negotiated bill. So number one is Comprehensive bill.
Number two is any bill. As I mentioned Rep. Goodlatte from Virginia, the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has produced a series of immigration related bills. House Democrats do not like it because it’s a piecemeal approach and there are all kinds of very extreme positions taken by Bob Goodlatte that House Democrats feel are inimical or enemies of immigration reform. But one of the ways, this series of bills, could be just a device to force matters into conference. If any of these bills pass in the Republican controlled House, then we will all get into conference anyway, where we can negotiate based upon the Senate version of the bill and make changes to it and then go back with the compromise. So the passage of a series of extreme bills could be a way to force matter into conference.
Option three is a discharge petition. Discharge petition normally its considered to be very bad form. If a Republican votes for a discharge petition it’s disloyal, it’s considered to be bad form. But here, Speaker Boehner himself and many other leaders, who are perhaps more in tune with the needs of the time, have said that they want immigration reform. But it looks like there is very strong opposition from certain elements within the Republican Party, which is basically muting some of these more moderate or more aware. I would not call them moderate but more aware members of the Republican Party. So normally a Republican will not vote for a discharge petition, but here who knows. Maybe this is the choice.
The key date to watch is 10th July. On 10th July there will be conference, the House Republican conference, and they meet in the basement of the Capitol to decide how they want to move forward. So that's when we will hear about the final strategy. Once again, right now we don’t know which way House is going to go, but on 10th July we should have better idea of the direction.
I live in Bulgaria and I have a Master's Degree in Veterinary Medicine. My question is can I get a EB-2 visa if I work as a veterinary assistant in the USA ?
You can qualify for EB2 only if two conditions are met:
1. Your degree is equivalent to a U.S. advanced degree (a credentials evaluation service needs to assess that under proper standards); and
2. The job requires an advanced degree or equivalent experience.
I went to Atty.Khanna's for help with porting my EB3 case to EB2. The whole process was transparent and very professionally handled.
Ms.Prena Mehta took utmost care to ensure that my paperwork was accurately filed and I am very very happy and pleased and thankful to the team for helping me get my GC.
Greatly appreciate all the professional assistance.