On April 9, 2015, USCIS’ Administrative Appeal Office (AAO) issued a precedent decision, Matter of Simeio Solutions, LLC, which held that employers must file amended H-1B petitions when a new Labor Condition Application for Nonimmigrant Workers (LCA) is required due to a change in the H-1B worker’s worksite location. Specifically, the decision stated:
***Please note that you may not apply for employment authorization under the new H-4 rule until May 26, 2015***
Please let us know effective when we can change jobs without having to file for I-140 again?
When:
1. I-140 is approved; and
2. The I-485 has been pending 180 days; and
3. The job described in green card is the same or is similar to the job you are going to;
I am looking for opportunities using the remainder option of my H-1B. I have a year and half remaining out of six years.
Now, most of the companies do not want to start the GC process immediately; they want to start after 6-12 months.
I have the following two questions:
1. What stage do I need to reach on my GC process when the remaining time on H-1B ends.
2. If my company doesn't want to start GC process immediately, can I begin this on my own using my personal fund?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
https://youtu.be/3Heaadpk1Ik?t=273
FAQ Transcript:
My name is Harendra having H-1B and an Indian national , I want to file H-4 for my wife who is a Srilankan national with Srilankan passport , living in India legally with my parents after marriage for the past three months. Can she apply her H-4 from India or she needs to go back to her native country to apply ?
Is there any rule for spouse applying visa from primary applicant's country of residence?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
https://youtu.be/3Heaadpk1Ik?t=396
FAQ Transcript:
REMINDER: Do NOT submit an application for employment authorization (Form I-765) before May 26, 2015. USCIS will not accept a Form I-765 requesting employment authorization based on your H-4 status until the H-4 rule takes effect on May 26, 2015. If you submit a Form I-765 requesting employment authorization on this basis before May 26, 2015, USCIS will reject and return your application with the filing fee. You would then need to re-submit the application on or after May 26, 2015.
Beginning Monday, June 1, 2015 USCIS will accept only the new version (edition date: 01/29/2015) of Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service. The edition date is printed at the bottom of every page. USCIS will reject previous editions of this form if you submit them on or after June 1.
AAO Processing Times as of May 1, 2015
FAQ H-4 EAD Issues:
Travel while EAD is pending; filing I-539 with I-765; I-140 withdrawal
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…
FAQ: H-4 EAD filing while H-1 extension is pending; H-4 EAD. Converting from H-1 to H-4 EAD - good idea or not? H-4 EAD. Documents needed; name issues; processing times, etc.; H-4 EAD Expediting Possible?
Other Topics: Green card issues because of diseases; H-1 amendment with change of location; when is a degree considered to be completed;
I would like to express my gratitude and thankfulness to the Law offices of Rajiv Khanna for their expertize in handling my case from the very beginning.
Through out this journey Rajiv and his team(Art Shifflett) were so detailed, deligent and very informative in handling of our cases. They are very professional and prompt in resolving any issues with USCIS.
My special thanks to Art Shifflett , he is very very prompt and polite person, he always responds to emails right away and even if you forget he reminds and follow ups, he forwards all questions to appropriate person and makes sure you get the answer you are looking for.
My spouse is on H-1 visa and his former employer filed I-140 and then my spouse changed his employment to another employer and transferred his H-1, the I-140 has not been revoked by former employer. So my H-4 is with the former employer valid for three years, and current employer for my spouse has not filed H-1 for me. Is the H-4 from the former employer valid for file EAD or do I have to apply for H-4 again and what would be the documents that would I need to file H-4 EAD ?
Every time the H-1 holder changes job, the H-4 holder does not need to re -apply for H-4. Your H-4 is good. You don't have to have different H-4 for the employer. Of course, every time the H-1 holders change their job they have apply for new H-1 but as long as you never violated status and H-1 holder has never violated status that H-4 continued to be good from job to job to job, you are good.
Your second question was what document need to file H-4 EAD?
I got my H-1B petition approved last year, it got extended as well. I have never used any of these visas to work in the U.S. though I have travelled few times to U.S. but on B-1 visa for meetings with the customers. So the question is when do I become exempt from the H-1 quota?
In your situation when you are outside the USA, you become exempt from the H-1 quota when you get your visa stamped. So I think USCIS interpretation of law is faulty and incorrect, because in my view as soon as H-1 is approved you should be exempt from the quota but USCIS has taken the position that unless you get the visa stamped from the consulate we will not consider you exempt if you are outside the USA. So it appears to me that you should be exempt from the quota.
I just got my citizenship and now wants to apply for my younger sister, who is alone in India. I lost my parents few years back so she is all alone but she is above 18. Is there any way I as a brother and only relationship here in United States apply for her Green card in such a manner that she can be here in United States as soon as possible.
Siblings Green Card is like planting mango trees, in India we used to have saying that mango trees takes so long to bring fruit that one generation plants the tree and the second generation eats the mangoes. It's kind of that for sibling cases, it takes 13 years for the Green Card to come through and there is no way we can expedite that Green Card.
It has been a pleasure working with Rajiv and office for almost 8 years now. Each case has been given personal attention. Suggestions given for how to project tough cases. Team has always been supportive and meticulous. Cases are handled in a very professional way. Looking forward to be working with them for many more years.
I am on H-1B visa more than 6 years. I also have I-140 approved. However my H-1B is under renewal process. I do have 'receipt of notice' but not approval notice yet. Looking at the waiting time I don't think I will get H-1B approval along with renewed I-94 before May 26th 2015. I need to file EAD for my wife on 26th May.
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
https://youtu.be/y6RtaKhuoIY
My I-140 was approved on Sept 2011. I came to US on 2008 beginning on L-1 visa and then my employer converted to H-1 visa. On February'15 I got an extension on my H-1 visa based on I-140 approval but I didn't get it for 3 years from Feb'15 rather I got it till Nov'16 (about 1 year 10 months). I am thinking to join another company now. What should I consider before I transfer my H-1 to employer B from employer A on my situation? My wife is on H-1 and it’s valid till 2018. I am also thinking my wife to apply H-4 EAD rather continuing on H-1. Is that going to be a better option?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
FAQ Transcript:
To: All SEVIS users
Date: May 6, 2015
Re: SEVIS I-901 Fee Fraud Alert
Number: 1505-03
Comments
To comment on this Broadcast Message, please email SEVP@ice.dhs.gov with “Broadcast Message 1505-03 Comment” entered in the subject line.
We have been using Rajiv and his team over the past four years to help our employees apply for H-1 visas and permanent residency through labor certifications. In all cases, Rajiv and his team has been very proactive in explaining in detail the nuances of each unique case, the approach to take to speed up the process and chances of success and the follow through on all the proposed course of action is very thorough. His staff is prompt in sending us completed paperwork, helping us through our paperwork ensuring it is correct and detailed to the USCIS requirements. His staff (Anna, Heather, Judi, Vijay) have been very professional to work with and we have had success in all cases. We will continue using Rajiv and his team for all our immigration needs.
I have even used them previously for my H-1/H-4s and green card case.
If you are looking for immigration advice or counsel, use the proven team of Rajiv.
Avtar
Mr. Khanna is one of the most knowledgable lawyers I have spoken to or heard off.... He understood our situation and offered several solutions to us. Hats off!
Each month, the Visa Office subdivides the annual preference and foreign state limitations specified by the INA into monthly allotments based on totals of documentarily qualified immigrant visa applicants reported at consular posts and CIS Offices, grouped by foreign state chargeability, preference category, and priority date.
When should my H-1B petition for an extension be filed?
An H-1B petition for extension may be submitted to USCIS no more than 6 months prior to the expiration of the current H-1B status.
We have been working with Mr. Khanna and his team for years and we cannot thank them enough for all they do for us. I like to share a comment that I just received from one of our employees who recently received his H1 approval: "Really appreciate Immigration lawyers for thoroughly review the documentation. I am glad for this approval and believe all their efforts are reflected in this approval."