March 24, 2022, Immigration QnA with Yudi on behalf of students and young professionals
SUBSCRIBE to Immigration.com YouTube Channel for further updates - http://www.youtube.com/immigrationdotcom
Search
March 31, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Nonimmigrant Visas
Discussion Topics, Thursday, March 31, 2022:
FAQ: Impact of criminal misdemeanor case on an F-1 or any status || Protecting immigration status: Traveling with advance parole, divorce proceedings and an entrepreneur on H-1B visa
Success in filing a petition for an E-2 Treaty Investor
We assisted our client in filing an E-2 change of status application for treaty investor. USCIS issued an RFE requesting information to determine if petitioner met the general requirements for E-2 Treaty Investor, without specifying in the RFE which specific information was missing. The RFE also requested information about a prior filed EB-5 petition, and questioned whether the client was maintaining current nonimmigrant status.
Status
The petition was approved.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Immigration Law
Success in filing a nonimmigrant religious worker (R-1) petition
We assisted our client, a nonprofit religious organization, in filing a nonimmigrant religious worker (R-1) petition for a new pastor. We received a Request for Evidence (RFE) in which USCIS questioned the petitioner's ability to compensate the beneficiary. We responded with additional documentation supporting Petitioner’s ability to pay and its nonprofit status, such as bank statements and a final determination letter granting tax-exempt status as issued by the IRS. The case was approved.
Status
The case was approved.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Guestbook Entry for Sujit Vadi, United States
Name
Sujit Vadi
Country
United States
State
Washington
PERM Processing Times (as of 3/31/2022)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | September 2021 |
| Audit Review | July 2021 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | October 2021 |
Agency
Green Card
Immigration Law
AAO Processing Times (January - March 2022)
| Form Type | Case Type | Completed 0-180 Days | Quarterly Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative total of all completions | 64.09% | 1227 | |
| I-129CW | Petition for CNMI Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker | 0% | 0 |
| I-129E2 | CNMI Treaty Investor | 100% | 7 |
| I-129F | Petition for Fiancée |
Agency
Immigration Law
USCIS Service Center Expands Credit Card Payment Pilot Program to Most Forms
As part of the credit card payment pilot program, the USCIS service centers are now accepting credit card payments using Form G-1450, Authorization for Credit Card Transactions, for most forms. The goal of this pilot is to bring USCIS one step closer to accepting digital payments using a credit card at all service centers.
USCIS Implements Risk-Based Approach for Conditional Permanent Resident Interviews
Release Date
04/07/2022
WASHINGTON—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today announced a policy update to adopt a risk-based approach when waiving interviews for conditional permanent residents (CPR) who have filed a petition to remove the conditions on their permanent resident status.
April 7, 2022, QnA with Yudi on behalf of students and young professionals
Immigration.com
FAQ: Student working without authorization
SUBSCRIBE to Immigration.com YouTube Channel for further updates.
USCIS Announces Online Filing for DACA Renewal Forms
Release Date
04/12/2022
WASHINGTON— U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced today that individuals who previously received deferred action under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) may now file Form I-821D, Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, online.
Visa Bulletin For May 2022
Number 65
Volume X
Washington, D.C
A. STATUTORY NUMBERS
This bulletin summarizes the availability of immigrant numbers during May 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
April 14, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Discussion Topics, Thursday, April 14, 2022:
FAQ: GC-EAD applicant holding multiple jobs and starting own business
The Economic Times NRI Helpdesk: Can I extend my US visitor visa before it expires? And other FAQ's answered by Rajiv S. Khanna
Question: I have a visitor visa for the USA for multiple visits up to June-2023. Can I apply for an extension of the visa before the expiry date? Also, advise procedure for extensions and where I can get the application form, so I can keep all details ready.
Answer: I am not aware if there is a procedure to apply for a visitor visa extension before expiration. You can send an email to the consulate to confirm. There is, however, a restriction under the consular standard operating procedures on holding concurrently valid visas of the same type.
April 22, 2022, Rajiv in QnA with Yudi on behalf of students and young professionals
Immigration.com
SUBSCRIBE to Immigration.com YouTube Channel for further updates.
Immigration.com, Law Offices of Rajiv S. Khanna PC, US Immigration Attorney
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/immigrationdotcom
Guestbook Entry for Vijay, United States
Name
Vijay
Country
United States
State
Virginia
Rajiv's Article - Can you change your tourist visa into a student or work visa once you've landed in the US?
Published by: The Economic Times - Date: April 28, 2022
Synopsis
A change of status means a change in your intention. For example, when you obtain a visa and enter the USA, you would have expressed to the US government your intention of a brief visit. The change in such intention can be construed to be deliberate and preconceived. If such preconception is deemed misleading, you could be barred from entering the US for ever.
For more on this article please see the attachment below.
April 28, 2022, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
Immigration.com
Nonimmigrant Visas
Green Card
Discussion Topics, Thursday, April 28, 2022:
H-2B Cap Count for FY 2014
The H-2B Program
The H-2B non-agricultural temporary worker program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the United States to fill temporary non-agricultural jobs.
For more information about the H-2B program, see the link to the left under "H-2B Non-Agricultural Workers."
Guestbook Entry for Amol Gote, United States
Name
Amol Gote
Country
United States
State
Virginia
AAO Processing Times (July - September 2024)
| Form Type | Case Type | Completed 0-180 Days | Quarterly Completions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative total of all completions |
84.0% |
1,352 |
|
| I-129CW | Petition for CNMI Nonimmigrant Transitional Worker |
100.0% |
1 |
| I-129F | Petition for Fiancée |
88.6% |
Immigration Law
USCIS - Forms N-648 and I-407 Updated
USCIS recently updated the following forms:
Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions
09/25/2024 12:11 PM EDT
Edition Date: 09/25/24. Starting Jan. 6, 2025, USCIS will accept only the 09/25/24 edition. Until then, you can also use the 08/19/22 edition. You can find the edition date at the bottom of the page on the form and instructions.
Form I-407, Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status
09/25/2024 10:40 AM EDT
GC approval before AC21 Supplement J could be filed
Question details
My I-485 was pending for 9 months (concurrent filing), and I worked all these years (4 years) with my sponsoring employer. My I-140 was approved 4 months ago, and I received EAD and AP as well. At the end of 8 months, I resigned from my employer to take advantage of AC21 (moving to a similar position) and was on notice period. My new employer was ready to file I-485J when asked by USCIS. During my last working week with my sponsoring employer, my 485 got approved, and I received my GC. Can you please advise on what kind of documentation I need to get from my new employer to help with any future naturalization process since I can't file I-485J as my case has been approved?
FAQ Transcript
To ensure compliance and maintain proper documentation, I recommend gathering your proof of employment with the sponsoring employer when your green card was approved. It's important to request written confirmation from your new employer showing they were prepared to file Supplement J before your transition. Keep any prepared Form I-485 Supplement J documentation, even if it wasn't filed due to the timing of your green card approval. Additionally, maintain detailed job descriptions from both positions to demonstrate they were "same or similar" positions as required by immigration law. Store all these documents securely for the long term, as you may need them during the naturalization process to verify compliance. This documentation will help protect you and demonstrate that you followed proper procedures during your employment transition, even though the green card approval occurred before Form I-485 Supplement J could be filed.
H-1B grace period eligibility after second layoff and B-1/B-2 visa options for job search
Question details
I got laid off on H1B in my previous company but found and started a job in a new company within a 60-day grace period. Again, the current company has provided a notice period for layoff. Will I get a 60-day grace period again this time?
How easy it is to get a B1/B2 to find a job after a layoff.
FAQ Transcript
If you experience a layoff while on H-1B status, you receive a 60-day grace period. If you secure a new H-1B approval and face another layoff, you'll receive a fresh 60-day grace period. This applies to H-1B transfers and extensions. As for obtaining a B-1/B-2 visa for job searching after a layoff, while there's no official measure of difficulty, the approval rates appear to be consistently positive, with no reported denials.
PERM Processing Times (as of 11/01/2024)
| Processing Queue | Priority Date |
|---|---|
| Analyst Review | August 2023 |
| Audit Review | December 2022 |
| Reconsideration Request to the CO | June 2024 |