Search
Frequently asked questions answered in The Economic Times NRI Helpdesk by Rajiv - Can you change your profession after getting a Green Card?
Published by: The Economic Times: September 04, 2022
Question: Can I change my profession after getting a Green Card? I received my GC in EB2 as an Accountant. Now, I see the salaries in the software/IT sector to be much higher.
Answer: Sure, you can change your profession as long as you did not have a pre-conceived intention to do so before you got your green card. I cannot say that there is any particular time frame attached to it.
Recording of September 01, 2022 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Nonimmigrant Visas
Discussion Topics:
FAQ: What is the meaning of a US “visa canceled without prejudice”? || I have an Approved I-140 from a previous job. My new employer has initiated the PERM. How can I make sure that the attorneys use the priority date from my old I-140? || What are the chances of an H-1B visa (STEM OPT) after completing Masters in the U.S? || H-1B visa holder travels abroad (Canada) for work sometimes; is an H-1B amendment required for change of address or location abroad?
USCIS Released Revised Editions of Forms I-589 and I-765
Release Date: 09/07/2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services released revised editions of Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, dated 07/26/22.
Visa Bulletin For October 2022
Number 70
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during October for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
Fiscal Year 2023 Employment-Based Adjustment of Status FAQs USCIS
Fiscal Year 2023 Employment-Based Adjustment of Status FAQs from USCIS
The employment-based (EB) annual limit for fiscal year (FY) 2023 will be higher than was typical before the pandemic, though lower than in FY 2021 and FY 2022. We are dedicated to ensuring we use as many available employment-based visas as possible in FY 2023, which ends on Sept. 30, 2023.
PERM Processing Times (as of 8/31/2022)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | January 2022 |
| Audit Review | November 2021 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | April 2022 |
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
USCIS to Implement Next Phase of Premium Processing for Certain Previously Filed EB-1 and EB-2 Form I-140 Petitions
Release Date
09/15/2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is implementing the next phase of the premium processing expansion for certain petitioners who have a pending Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, under the EB-1 and EB-2 classifications.
Recording of Sept 15, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Citizenship and Naturalization
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Discussion Topics:
FAQ: Was Green Card approved in error? Time taken by the USCIS to respond to an E request for correction, travel?|| Entry into the U.S. using the Advance Parole after green card approval during a trip abroad ||
DHS Publishes Final Rule to Restore Asylum Regulations Consistent with Asylumworks Vacatur
Release Date
09/21/2022
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today announced publication of a final rule consistent with the vacatur of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in Asylumworks et al. v. Mayorkas et al. This final rule is effective starting Feb. 7, 2022.
USCIS Extends Green Card Validity Extension to 24 Months for Green Card Renewals
Release Date
09/28/2022
Effective Sept. 26, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is automatically extending the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) to 24 months for lawful permanent residents who file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.
Lawful permanent residents who properly file Form I-90 to renew an expiring or expired Green Card may receive this extension. Form I-90 receipt notices had previously provided a 12-month extension of the validity of a Green Card.
Extension of Temporary Waiver of 60-Day Rule for Civil Surgeon Signatures on Form I-693
Release Date
09/29/2022
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is extending the temporary waiver of the requirement that civil surgeons must sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, no more than 60 days before an individual applies for the underlying immigration benefit (including Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status).
Visa Bulletin for July 2014
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during July. Consular officers are required to report to the Department of State documentarily qualified applicants for numerically limited visas; U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security reports applicants for adjustment of status.
To view Visa Bulletin for July 2014 Click Here.
PERM Processing Times (as of 6/01/2024)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | May 2023 |
| Audit Review | December 2022 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | August 2023 |
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
Recording for June 06, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna
Immigration.com
Green Card
Discussion Topics, June 6, 2024 FAQs: International Managers (EB-1C) changing jobs under AC21 portability after 180 days || FAQ: H-1B 60 days grace period H-1B transfer; Impact of switching to B-1/B-2; and family visa validity || FAQ: H-1B 60 days grace period to B-2 conversion: Status gap, transitioning back to H-1B; Starting work again
June 8, 2024, Rajiv in QnA session on behalf of students, young professionals
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
SUBSCRIBE to Immigration.com YouTube Channel for further updates.
mmigration.com, Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna PC, US Immigration Attorney
Rajiv's Article - Is it a good idea for laid off H-1B workers to switch to a US tourist visa, and back again? Open Primary tabs configuration options Primary tabs
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: May 25, 2024
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/migrate/is-it-a-good-idea-for-…
Synopsis
Visa Bulletin For July 2024
Number 91
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS FOR PREFERENCE IMMIGRANT VISAS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during July for: “Final Action Dates” and “Dates for Filing Applications,” indicating when immigrant visa applicants should be notified to assemble and submit required documentation to the National Visa Center.
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
USCIS Issues Guidance on In-Person Filing for Certain SIJ Petitioners
USCIS is updating the USCIS Policy Manual (PDF, 313.17 KB) to clarify how certain petitioners for special immigrant juvenile (SIJ) classification (or their representatives) may file Form I-360, Petition for Amerasian, Widower, or Special Immigrant.
USCIS Issues Policy Guidance on Customer Service and Confidentiality Protections for Certain Naturalized U.S. Citizens
Release Date
06/12/2024
USCIS is issuing guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual that interprets that the confidentiality protections under 8 U.S.C. 1367 end at naturalization, which will allow naturalized U.S. citizens previously protected under 8 U.S.C. 1367 (specifically, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) self-petitioners and those seeking or with approved T and U nonimmigrant status) the ability to fully access e-filing and other customer service tools.
International Managers (EB-1C) changing jobs under AC21 portability after 180 days
1. I am on L1A, and I have Approved EAD and AP. Also, 180 days of waiting is over.
My question is, can I switch employers? If so, how will USCIS match my job duties?
2. On L1A, it's an International Manager experience, and how can I show that I have international manager experience with the new Employer?
1. Yes, I can confirm that your understanding is correct.
2. Regarding your new employer, your lawyers will provide the necessary assistance and guidance. It's important to note that in your current situation, the requirements differ from when you initially obtained your L-1A or EB-1C visa. At that time, you were required to demonstrate that you had the appropriate experience with the related company. However, now that you are in the AC21 portability phase, you are no longer obligated to fulfill that specific requirement.
H-1B 60 days grace period H-1B transfer; Impact of switching to B-1/B-2; and family visa validit
1. I am currently in a 60-day grace period due to a layoff and am in the process of finding a new employer to file an H1B transfer. I have two questions regarding my situation:
If I apply for a B1/B2 visa on the 59th day of my grace period and it is approved within two weeks, can my new employer still file an H1B transfer using premium processing?
2. Specifically, I am concerned about the impact of my status change from H1B to B1/B2 and then back to H1B on the processing of the transfer.
3. My family members hold a valid US visa stamping until March 2027, which was obtained using my previous employer's I-797. Can they enter the US using this existing visa with a copy of my new employer's I-797 at the port of entry?
- No, because if you are on B-1 or B-2 status, then you are not on H-1B.
- If the B-1 or B-2 status is approved, then it obviously replaces the H-1B.
- You can maintain the H-1B only if necessary.
USCIS Clarifies Guidance About How to Adopt a Child under the Hague Adoption Convention
Release Date
06/14/2024
Effective June 14, 2024, USCIS has updated the USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 5, Part D, to clarify how prospective adoptive parents can adopt a child under the Hague Adoption Convention.
This update (PDF, 324.66 KB) consolidates and clarifies existing guidance to provide clear requirements for the Hague process. The update: