I am contemplating marriage to a GC holder and I have a question regarding I-130 and AOS. My prospective spouse got GC in Jan 2015. I currently hold a valid visitors visa to USA and I have visited USA many times on this visa.Is it possible to get married, enter USA on the existing visitors visa and then immediately apply for I-130 and Adjustment of Status. What are the risks/implications with this approach. What is the best procedure in these circumstances?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S.
Topics Discussed, Thursday, 3 December 2015:
FAQ: How to calculate dates from visa bulletin; FAQ: What is I-485 Preadjudicate/Preadjudication? How soon must I join my future green card employer? Immigration implications of crime; petty offense exception; admissions and convictions; 212(d)(3) and other waivers; Naturalization delays; Birth certificate late registration and secondary evidence; H-1 status pregnancy and FMLA;
Other: Conversion from H-1 to H-4 to H-1 visa stamping; Vaccinations requirements for immigration; Is there a charge for I-140 revocation; H-4 EAD issues including travel and visa stamping; F-1 OPT eligibility; Changing employers I-140, I-485, H-1 issues; Changing employers effect on priority date and H-4 EAD; F-1 status – distance of home from college; H-1 quota where earlier approved then came on F-1; H-1 telecommuting; H-1 quota and stay calculation, etc.
1) My wife is currently on H-1B. I am also on H-1B with approved I-140. My wife's employer is willing to Start GC process for her. I understand that GC is for future employment.<br>
My wife is willing to Move to H-4 EAD. Say my wife's employer initiated her GC process when she is on H-1. Once the perm is filed by wife's employer, will she be able to convert from H-1 to H-4 EAD. Does this has any affect on her ongoing GC process. Is it safe for some one to changes status from H-4 to H-1 and H-1 to H-4 in between PERM and I-140 process.<br>
2) My brother is on F-1 in OPT status. Can my brother's employer start GC process for him while he is on OPT. I have some knowledge of the complications involved in Starting GC process on F-1. The main reason behind this question is to reserve a spot for GC process. That way my brother can get a earliest priority date, his employer would start GC process 2 years down the road when he is on H-1B.
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What is the safe route for some one like my brother to get a earliest priority. Do they have to wait till H-1B to get in to GC process Queue
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
I have my perm labor and I-140 approved through EMPLOYER A (Consulting Firm). Priority Date June 2013. If I am going to change Employer, EMPLOYER A is going to REVOKE MY I-140. I heard from your last conference call that i will be loosing my priority if I-140 is revoked by employer.I am close to 5th year of H-1. so cant take chances. If I move to FT position in the next 6 months and say my current employer revokes I-140. I will not be able to get extension for H-1 beyond 6 years.
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
Are you seeking to adjust your status and become a U.S. permanent resident under a family-sponsored or employment-based preference immigrant visa? If you have not yet had a relative or employer file an immigrant visa petition on your behalf, please learn more about the Adjustment of Status Filing Process.
Topics Discussed, Thursday, 17 December 2015:
FAQ: Can TN work on 1099 as independent contractor; Difference between I-140 withdrawn and revoked;
Other: H-1 quota exemption; H-1B denial; H-1B how to file Form DS-160; I-140 revoked, refiling; H-1 L-1 221(g); I-130 processing; I-485 approval while COS pending; I-90 to renew green card; Misrepresentation in visa/ESTA; Contract for B-1/B-2 visa for domestic help from foreign country; Getting H-1 extension I-140 revoked, refiled; DV lottery (NOT my area of expertise); H-1 change of location; Does H-4 extension also extend H-4 visa stamp automatically? I-140 recapture or port priority date; Travelling while STEM extension pending.
Question 1: Redo the PERM or just the I-140. If redoing the PERM again then what's new in this regulation?
Answer: After 180 days, you can extend H-1 even if 140 is withdrawn.
Question 2: It seems that there is no easy provision for EAD/AP for approved 140 applicants. So is there any point in waiting for this rule or Should I consider Visa stamping is only option for traveling outside US? Please suggest as I waited for a year or long thought they are going to give AP.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 14 January 2016:
FAQ: Percentage arrangement for salary; Naturalization (citizenship) after lengthy stay abroad; H-1 6 years expiring, options; H-1 Cap exemption, visa stamped, but never worked; FAQ: Can I apply for H-4 visa if H-1 visa is rejected; can I convert from H-4 to H-1; Filing multiple PERM/green card petitions; Green card EB-1C international executive or manager, L-1A.
Other: Entering USA close to visa expiration; L-1B to L-1A and PERM; Transfer of priority date, green card through future employment, H-4 EAD based upon old employer’s I-140; H-4 EAD applying for green card, extending H-1; H-4 to H-1 conversion; Green card through future employer; Green card job duties, job title, promotion; G-315a RFE; Affidavit of birth; H-4 EAD and Change of Status; Priority date transfer, etc.
Discussed: FAQ: Refiling I-140 using old PERM (after 180 days);
Calculating recapture time for H-1; Form I-864, affidavit of support; maintaining green card; green card for parents; H-4 EAD; L-1 to F-1 to H-1; H-1 COS denial; simultaneously filing H-1 amendment and extension; H-1B amendment out of status; starting business on H-1; appeal/MTR against H-1 denial; marriage on B-1/B-2 visa; OPT eligibility; medical insurance; eligibility for naturalization; eligibility for EB-1C green card;
I got I-140 approved and also got EAD with EB2 category in April 2012. I need to change my employer but my employer did not give me my green card paper like I-140 approval copy, labor code etc. I have only receipt copy of I-140 and I-485. I heard about USCIS form G-884 (Returns of original documents) which use to get all green card documents from USCIS. I have following questions to ask you. Based on G-884, can I get my all green card
documents from USCIS without knowing my employer?
Form G-884 is used to request return of documents YOU had sent to USCIS (e.g., your college degrees and diplomas). Use FOIA for the purpose you are considering.
FAQ: Investing/doing business while on H-1
Other issues: green card approved during your absence from the USA, H-1 quota exemption issues, business visas, travelling on H-1 visa, company harassing employee, H-1 approval vendor, revocation of I-140 and priority date, J-1 Home Residency Requirement, H-1B with a three year degree or two three-year degrees, two visas on passport, CSPA for over 21 child, experience letters.
Discussed: Gap in status (H-4); EB-3 or EB-2 PERM distinction; BALCA appeal times; obtaining copy of I-140 receipt/approval FOIA; options to work after 6 years of H-1; Sponsoring green card while living outside the USA; OPT issues; CR-1 to IR; Obamacare and affidavit of support; cross-chargeability; E-1 visa; H-1B amendment; H-1 quota issues; multiple H-1 approvals; continuous residence for US citizenship/naturalization; I-140 revoked priority date; green card for researchers; etc.
USCIS, in coordination with Department of State (DOS), is revising the procedures for determining visa availability for applicants waiting to file for employment-based or family-sponsored preference adjustment of status. The revised process will better align with procedures DOS uses for foreign nationals who seek to become U.S. permanent residents by applying for immigrant visas at U.S. consulates and embassies abroad.
FAQ's Updated on 21 September 2015
FAQ's Updated on 21 September 2015
FAQ: I-485/AOS/AC21 issues in job through future employer - I-485/AOS; Reentry permit; New Priority Date rules; Priority date port and multiple I-485/AOS petitions;
Discussed: H-1B extension using I-140 receipt; cross chargeability; Losing priority date when I-140 revoked; location change on L-1B visa; Porting priority date to a different job; Spouse of green card holder; H-4 EAD extension; Filing I-485 without employer; CSPA; Birth certificate issues; Petty offense exception; H-1B and maternity leave; I-485 through future employer; etc.
I have my old Priority date as Dec 2009 in EB-3 and when I changed the company they filed the Labor and I-140 in EB-2 and my old Priority date is not ported on my new I-140 and I see the new I-140 in EB-2 with the Priority Date as Jan 2013. Now with the revised USCIS VISA Bulletin can I apply my I-485 with old PD ( EB-3) and simultaneously to be safer side can I apply I-485 from my wife's side and her PD is July 2010.
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
https://youtu.be/OMuYdzLJ2qQ?t=1436
FAQ Transcript:
Starting today, USCIS will suspend final adjudication of employment-based Form I-485 applications (Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) because the Department of State reports that the statutory cap has been reached for the employment-based preference categories for fiscal year (FY) 2015.
This suspension applies to all employment-based adjustment applications pending with USCIS through September 30, 2015 (the remainder of FY2015).
I contacted Mr. Khanna in January this year regarding the filing of my Green-Card. I found him very polite, sincere and prompt person. Ms. Diane Lombardo is handling my case. She is very prompt; beyond my imagination. She hardly takes time for her response. Although, it took me some time to collect my all papers, my application was received in May by INS and within eight months I got my I140 approval. I found the other members of Mr. Khanna’s group are also very sincere and polite. I strongly suggest to those looking for an immigration lawyer to contact Mr. Khanna before deciding for the service of an attorney.I contacted Mr. Khanna in January this year regarding the filing of my Green-Card. I found him very polite, sincere and prompt person. Ms. Diane Lombardo is handling my case. She is very prompt; beyond my imagination. She hardly takes time for her response. Although, it took me some time to collect my all papers, my application was received in May by INS and within eight months I got my I140 approval. I found the other members of Mr. Khanna’s group are also very sincere and polite. I strongly suggest to those looking for an immigration lawyer to contact Mr. Khanna before deciding for the service of an attorney.
FAQ: US Citizen applying for Green Card for visiting family member (spouse/parents); Birth and Marriage Certificate Issues; FAQ: Getting nanny/domestic help from India; FAQ: After getting Green Card - how long do you have to stay with your employer.
***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:
Rajiv and team was an excellent support and a great help for one of GC case.
Case: The applicant is working with company A and have I-140 under EB3. Applicant want to move to other company and want to port the priority date under EB2. Solution: Rajiv and team (Art) have created a customized plan to achieve this success. Rajiv was personally involved to make sure all the paper works are correct. Based on his 25 years experience and a novel team he could able to successfully port the new I-140 under EB2 with older priority date. Not only that, he also filed the I-485 along with new I-140. His fee for the whole process was very competitive. More over that, he and his team support in through out the process was unparalleled. He and his team was always answered the question asked without any delay. This is great service providing by your firm and making sure every case is managed under the immigration law of this country and open the path for more legal immigration like this applicant. Thanks!