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
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
1. My employer filed my I-140 and it was approved. They refused to provide me the approval notice but through InfoPass I was able to get my receipt number and Alien #. To port my priority date, I would like to request USCIS for the duplicate copy of I-140 approval notice.
2. Is it possible to request USCIS a duplicate copy of my I-140 approval notice using either G-639 (FOIA) or I-824 (Action on an approved application or petition) or any other method as I have my receipt#?
FAQ Transcript
Answer 1. People typically file a FOIA request. File the Form G-639 (Form G-639 - USCIS). Often you get copies of all kinds of documents. Government gives you copies of documents they have on you. It is not consistent but people have got copies of their 140 approval notices, copies of their H-1 approval notices, the entire perm package. So it is worth filing a FOIA and it doesn’t cost you anything. It can take a little bit of time a couple of months maybe three months but do file it if you don’t have documentation. You can port the Priority Date with your alien number itself and receipt number as well. It should not need a I-140 approval notice. Remember the government has that information already. They don’t specifically need it from you.
Answer 2. By all means file the form. File G-639 and not I-824. File G-639 and let’s see what they give you.
I have been laid off by my current employer, with severance paycheck coming at regular pay intervals until mid January-2016. Finding a new employment is taking time. I am on H-1B which first started on October 01, 2013, latest I-797 valid until December 2017.
1. How long do I legally have, before I become unauthorized to stay? What constitutes as unlawful presence?
2. My I-94 admission validity is until October 2016; with no employment, does this mean anything?
3. Before I transition into a new H-1B, can I travel outside and into the country, without a Change of Status? Can I use severance pay checks if asked, for entry purposes?
4. Can I use my severance pay stubs as pay stubs when my next employer applies for new H-1B?
5. I am hesitating to inform my next employer about my termination, thinking that this may impact my hiring decision or my ability to negotiate. But not indicating terminated employment, is it possible that my H1B transfer or new petition may be considered unethical?
6. In your experience, how long does the USCIS take to update a revoked H-1B petition in their systems?
7. If my new employer files for H-1B transfer before the update but with pay stubs older than 30 days, do I have to mandatory leave the country for new H-1B stamping before starting to work?
8. If such is the case, is it best to change to a B-2 status and have my next employer apply for new H-1B? If yes, I would assume that I will be cap exempt until September 30, 2019 plus the days spent on B2; would this be a fair assumption.
9. Can my employer continue to pay severance checks when I am on B-2 status?
10. What happens if my new employer applies for H-1B transfer with severance paychecks, after USCIS has updated their records?
11. In your experience, what gap in unemployment is generally ignored by USCIS when filing for new H-1B or transferring new H-1B?
12. What other words of wisdom do you have for me?
If you get laid off on H-1B there is no grace period. You get laid off today tomorrow you are out of status.
Answer 1. Not even one day. However when you are getting paid can you not make the argument that since you are getting paid you are still maintaining status. That’s a slightly unpredictable argument. It can cut both ways. An example: I did a consultation on garden leave. Garden leave is very common in the financial industry. The employer lets you resign or if they lay you off they will pay you for the couple of months but they don’t want you to join another employer. The idea is you should not be able to take their information which is current and apply to a competitor. So in that case those pay checks are strongly set to keep you in status because it is full salary and they are maintaining control over you and they are not letting you do what you please . And that’s the assumption.
However severance pay… government has at one point said that they don’t consider severance pay to maintenance of status because severance pay seems to be a part of an arrangement were this is not salary you are basically just getting paid sought of a bonus to part company and I have doubts about that . I do not believe that to be a very good legal opinion from the government. I feel as long as my salary amount is getting paid, my deductions are being made, it is does not matter if I have a job or not. So you can certainly argue that. Severance pay doubtful, something like garden leave or regular leave coming out your way is probably ok to maintain status.
Answer 2. Not really. Understand the difference between out of status and unlawful presence. These are two different concepts. If you are on H-1 and you get laid off you are out of status the next day. But you are not unlawfully present until your H-1 is revoked or until your 1-94 expires. For sure unlawful presence begins when 1-94 expires. So unlawful presence and out of status are two different things. You are out of status the following day but you may not be unlawfully present until you’re I-94 expires or revocation of the H-1 occurs. Consequences of being out of status and unlawful presence are quite different. You are out of status that is no bar from getting another H-1B visa, another H-4, L-1, L-2 maybe a problem for F-1 or B-1 visas that have rather weak basis but for H-,4 H-1, L-1, L-2 or even O-1 or E-3 this is not a problem. On the other hand if you are unlawfully present for 180 days you are barred from green card or work visa for three years to ten years if you are unlawfully present for one year. So you can’t come back without a waiver and waivers are limited.
Answer 3. No because you don’t have a job. If you use the same visa to come back in, that could be fraud.
Answer 4. The answer is yes and why not. Government has never made a formal announcement that they will not accept severance as indicative of violation of status. So definitely use them.
Answer 5. That’s between you and your new employer. Immigration law does not require you to inform your new employer about termination by the old employer.
Answer 6. It can be many months but revocation should be retroactive so if your employer sent a revocation request which reaches USCIS today even if they act on it three months down the line they will back date it to today. Revocation is effective on the date revocation request is received.
Answer 7. It is up to USCIS, they might allow you status if the facts of your case is such that they require some sympathetic consideration but normally if you are out of status even one day government is well within its right to refuse to issue you status within the country. In these cases I always advice people to file premium processing soon so you know rather quickly were you stand.
Answer 8. B-2 application to maintain status is acceptable sometimes and also objectionable by the government. You can try, you can tell them that you were laid off unexpectedly and you have enough money to support yourself and you will not work without authorization, and that as soon as you find another employer you will immediately apply for an H-1. When all these things are said and done I think you can make a case for a B-2.
Sometimes government has come back and said we cannot give you a B-2 but as long as you get it filed before your current H-1 expires at least you have the right to stay in the US. You can argue in what is called authorized period of stay. But the problem is this. Something you need to be aware of. Let’s say your status is expired you have filed for B-2 and it is pending now you found a job remember an H-1 transfer within US will be approved only (most cases) if the pending B-2 has been approved in your favor by the time USCIS decides the H-1 transfer. If the case is still pending they will not give you status within USA, they will ask you to go for visa stamping. That is not a problem. You can do that but be mindful of that. If the B-2 is still pending or the B-2 is denied you will have to leave USA. The only time you get H-1B within USA is if by the time they decide your second H-1and your B-2 is already approved in your favor.
You will be cap exempt. That is not a problem because cap just says if you have been approved anytime in the last six years you are not subject to the quota.
Answer 9. Why not. On the one hand we are arguing that’s keeping you in status. On the other government could take the position that means you are violating status and I would say “no” because that is payment for work already done. They are giving me severance not because I am working for them; it’s because I already worked for them and this is either a payment for work already done or part of the arrangement while I was working. In order for employment to be unauthorized there must be a payment or remuneration as well as work. If there is payment without work or work without payment I think that is a good argument that’s not an unauthorized employment.
Answer 11. There is no consistency. I have seen them ignore not even one day they will come back and say no you were out of status for one day, in some situations they have done for two or three months. Most of the times they are not tolerant of this issue at all.
Answer 12. I think B-2is a good idea as long as you understand the implications of a B-2.
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.