Can Student Visa Holders Apply for a Green Card?
This article was submitted to and published in The Economic Times.
Link to Rajiv's Author Page in The Economic Times.
This article was submitted to and published in The Economic Times.
Link to Rajiv's Author Page in The Economic Times.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, July 08, 2021:
FAQ: I-140 Employment Authorization (EAD) in Compelling Circumstances || Criminal Charges in Immigration - Domestic Violence Laws and Risk in Applying for I-485
1. On 5th year of H1. Single employer till date from day one of H1. Same employer has sponsored GC applications, I-140 approved, I-485 filed in Aug-07, EAD and AP approved and successfully renewed. What is the real value of CIS issuing EADs to people like me? Does this allow me in addition to the current job I have, take up ‘any’ other job using EAD? Does having an EAD permit me to work multiple jobs?
2. Does having an EAD permit me to work multiple jobs?
3. If due to economic situation my employer (who has sponsored GC) has to lay off people and I am let go am I out of status? Reading through your blogs I understand that since I-485 is pending, one is NOT out of status even if NOT working – is this correct?
4. How long can one stay without working (no job) while I-485 is pending? Will not working be seen as ‘abandoning the GC application’?
5. Do we have to let CIS know that one has been laid off? If we have to do this wouldn’t CIS see that the job for which GC is being processed is no longer available and immediately terminate the I-485 application?
6. Do I lose EAD and AP?
7. My wife is working using her EAD…will she lose her EAD?
8. Is it possible to invoke EAD and take up similar job if one can be found? Is there a time period within which this has to be done?
9. Is it possible to invoke EAD and take up ‘any’ job if a ‘similar’ job is unavailable? If this route is chosen I understand that Labor Certification & I-140 may have to be re-applied, but would the priority date remain where it was originally (as obtained in original GC application) OR would priority date change to the date when new I-140 is filed?
1A. Yes.
2A. Yes, but you will then lose H-1 status (which can be revived by reentering USA using an H-1 visa during the life of your H-1 and taking up single-employer job with the H-1 sponsoring employer – not a difficult task, usually).
3A. Correct. You are in authorized period of stay. That has been explained in my blog.
4A. You can stay as long as CIS does not send an RFE or a Notice of Intent to Deny requiring you to prove similar, alternate employment (AC21 portability – also explained in detail on my blog).
Topics:
1) My GC is into EB3 Catergory. 2) I have approved Labour. 3) I have approved I-40 and priorty date is July 2008. 4) As I am into EB3 Category and so cannot file I-485 till priorty date. My Questions is can I use AC21 to change job, what are a)pro's b)con's. Can I use my PD if I use AC21. If company revokes my I-40, do I need to start Labour again and full process from start.
AC21 can never be filed before I-485 has been filed pending 180 days. I have fairly detailed discussion on these issues on my blog. https://immigration.com/blogs
I-485 pending and after 6 months (so AC21 portable). Laid off. H1-B revoked but I-140 not revoked. Since it was very hard to find a job in US, I found a job outside the US temporarily in Sept 2009 and stayed there till now. Can I still enter US on AP?
The way I see it, until and unless your AP or 485 is revoked, it is legal to use both.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, August 05, 2021:
FAQ: What Happens if H-1B Employer Revokes a Quota H-1B Before October 1? || Multiple Employers or Jobs on I-485 EAD|| How Long Can You Be Unemployed on AOS EAD/AP? || Taking a Long Break After Receiving Employment-Based Green Card || Downgrading EB2 to EB3 for Both Husband and Wife and CSPA or Derivative Beneficiary for Daughter.
Can I do a second job using GC EAD which I recently got and continue working for sponsored employer on H1B (unexpired I-797) for not more than 6 months? i am being told that this actually would void H1B status. I'm fine with it (moving to AOS status) as long as i do that secondary job until I-797 with current employer expires. But will it cause any issues with AOS whenever priority date becomes current ?
As long as you have the intention to remain there indefinitely what you do on the side whether you start your own business and do another job I don't think it's relevant. The key here is to have an intention to continue working with the primary employer. More...
Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
How much unemployment gap is permitted while being on AoS EAD/AP?
Will the USCIS ask for each and every month's paystubs during the final EB2 AoS adjudication.
Well, there is no rule on that as long as you have a job at the end of your wait, you should be given a green card. More...
Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
I came to US in 2004, overstayed my J1 visa by 3 years and got married to a greencard holder in 2007. My I-130 was approved in 2008 . Is it possible to adjust status when my visa number becomes available. I have read on different sites that I'm not eligible since I have not maintained lawful status during my stay. Are there any loops?
Unless your spouse becomes a US citizen, nothing can be done as far as I can see. If you had a 2 years HRR, you have bigger problems.
I am on H1-B visa and my EB-2 Priority Date is May 15, 2010. Please see below questions regarding I-485.
Question # 1:- Typically, how long would it take to receive Advance Parole and EAD after filing I-485?
Question # 2:- I entered USA on F1-Visa in year 2000, and then changed my status to H1-B visa within USA in year 2004. I never left USA since year 2000. My passport does not have H1-B visa stamp. In order to file I-485, is it required to have H1-B visa stamp in my passport?
Question # 3:-After filing I-485 and before receving A.P., if I travel to my home country for H1-B visa stamping, is it possible that my company can mail A.P. documents to my home country so that I could enter USA using my A.P. in case H1-B visa in my home country is denied?
Question # 4:- I came to know that it is required for an alien to be present in USA at the time of I-485 filing. Is it also required that an alien must be present in USA until A.P. is approved?
Question # 5:- Does Visa Officer have the ability to cancel A.P., in case H1-B visa is denied in my home country due to 221(g)/missing tax returns/W-2's/Paystubs?
Question # 6:- If my H1-B visa is denied in my home country, and if i enter USA using A.P., then could my spouse enter USA using H-4 visa using my valid I-797 approval notice even though I do not have H1-B visa stamp in my passport? If I enter USA using A.P., what are the options for my spouse?
Question # 7:- At what point of time during GC process, do I need to add my spouse? Should it be before filing of I-485 or before Visa Number is available?
Question # 8:- After filing my I-485, and if my spouse is in USA on H-4, will I be able to add my spouse to my I-485 application? By the time, I want to add my spouse to I-485 application, if Visa Number is available and if AOS/I-485 is approved, then would I still be able to add my spouse if spouse is in USA and also outside USA?
Answer 1: EAD is usally processed within 90 days and AP within 3-6 months. You can check I-131 processing times from links on this page: http://www.immigration.com/processin...-status-checks
Answer 2: A visa stamp is NOT required. Proper status only is needed.
I am the spouse of an O-1 visa holder and we live in the US (so I am on an O-3). His company is putting together the application for his green card, but do they need to do a separate one for me too? Or do I get one automatically if he gets one? Or do I have to wait until he gets one and then he applies for one for me? And what about our children - too young to work yet, but want to make sure they are ok too.
The way it works is that the company can file everyone's AOS (Form I-485) together OR they can first get your husband's I-140 approval and leave you to file the last step (AOS) for the family.
I had an accident and am on disability while my green card adjustment of status application ( form I-485 ) has been pending for over 4 years. My I-140 had been approved about 5 years back but my case has been caught up in the visa backlogs at USCIS and Department of State. I wanted to know if there was any provision for help in the immigration laws, in case I am sent for long term disability or my employment is terminated before I receive my green card. I learnt that employment and disability are subjects to be discussed with a benefits or employment attorney. The only immigration benefits are via AC 21 or via a private bill. Also, that one should not loose the advance parole anytime while the AOS is pending. I want to thank Mr. Rajiv Khanna for his generosity with time and expert guidance. Over the phone I found him to have a very pleasant personality. he had me feel comfortable and didnt seem money minded at all.
Law offices of Rajiv S. Khanna has provided great service in getting my employment based I- 1485 approved. I contacted Rajiv's office little more than a year ago for phone consulation in changing employer using AC-21. Upon his advice, i continued my AC21 process. Rajiv's advice is always very neutral, practicle and straigh forward. Later on, my case was sent to local office for interview. He helped me prepare documents and answers for the interview process. He even offered his personal cell phone number in case I need to contact him during the interview. My case was approved in almost a month after the interview. My main contact in Rajiv's office was Mark Riddick. He was extermely patient, supportive and very quick in responding my numerous questions. He helped me prepare every single detail for the interview. Without that type of help and support, the interview experience would have been very difficult. Matthew, Heather, Lesli, Art also helped me a lot. Overall, I had a very professional and satisfactory experience working with Rajiv Khanna and his team. Thank you very much.
I want to thank Mr.Khanna for answering all my questions to my satisfaction. Appreciate the fact that he read through the questions and understood the situation before hand so that during the call he was able to explain the options available to me and the impact of each one of them. Without hesitation, I will be hiring Mr.Khanna and his firm for all my immigration needs. Thanks, Chanchal
I have EAD/Pending AOS. I ported to employer B based on AC21 in 2008.
Now i am considering a great opportunity:
-Joining S corporation in Florida
_I will receive similar hourly rate as prior employer
-similar job
-i will receive 40% of profits on top of salary
-the new corporation will be my fututre full time job
Does the new corporation have to be huge with lot of finances for me to use the AC21?
I have valid EAD can I join as a partner in the S corporation in Florida?
Any thoughts things i,ve to carefull with?
Very little is clear about self-porting. Read the Yates Memo of May 2005. It seems you should be fine as long as the jobs are same or similar, but like I said, not much is known about this issue.
Excellent customer service! Very thorough and prompt.
I am a US citizen, had applied for my parents GC in October 2009. Mom underwent fingerprinting three times here, but did not get her AOS done in time. End of last year my father (who got his EAD and AOS smoothly) had emergency heary bypass here, and then they had to leave back for India for more tests. Mom left on AP. Subsequently I wrote a letter to NBC, MO to ask them to expedite my mothers case. Yesterday I received a letter stating that she has go to Philadelphia USCIS office next week for "Completion of application to register for Perm residence." Mom is in India now.
You need to contact USCIS customer service for guidance. Definitely put something down in writing that you are requesting a rescheduling. Maybe asking your Congressman's assistance is the best way to go for rescheduling.
My spouse and me are currently working on H1 and we do have our EAD and AP even though we are not using it.
We are planning on a trip to India in the month of December. Both of our H1 visa's on passport have expired. We plan on using AP when coming back to US to avoid the hassle of getting our passports stamped.
We plan on remaining on H1 even though we use AP to get back. We do plan on renewing our AP and EAD when they expire. What I want to know is... is there any advantage of having visa stamped in your passport as to using AP if you plan on remaining on H1? One that I know is cities like London require you to get a transit visa if your visa has expired when traveling to India.
We would highly recommend not applying for an H visa if it can be avoided. In the past few weeks, I have provided consultations to various employers on H-1 visa refusals. The refusals were ridiculous, illegal and would be overturned if there were an adequate mechanism for reversal. So, I see no point in applying for an H-1 visa. Even if you enter on AP and continue working for the original H-1 employer, you ARE considered to still be on H-1. All other matters are more or less ancillary.
I am EB2 priority date Sep2005. I had lost my job in Apr 09. I started working on Dec09 with another company similar job description, in same geographic location and with 15% higher salary than labor approved. I was out of job for almost 8 months.My old employer has assured not to evoke approved I140 (more than 3 years since I 140 is approved)
I have few questions:
1.Shall I file for AC21?
2.is it advisable to send copy of current paystunb with AC21, If yes how many months?
2.Is it okay to file AC21without paystub for around 8 months?
2.If I dont file for AC21, will there be an issue travelling on AP at POE?
AC21 should be filed. The fact that you were out of job for 8 months is irrelevant. As long as the jobs are same or similar, you should have no issues.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, October 14, 2021:
FAQ: Reentering the U.S.A. on a Visitor’s/Tourist Visa Soon After Leaving || Can GC-EAD holder start business and what impact on the pending I-485? || FAQ: Can GC-EAD holders start a business and what impact on the pending I-485? || Is there a problem listing one location in a PERM application while living and working remotely in a different location? || EB-2/EB-3 Options in PERM Filing and EB-2 to EB-3 downgrade and upgrade
I had recently requested a telephone conference with Mr. Rajiv Khanna regarding my pending 485 case. I am happy to report that I had a very pleasant experience and was very satisfied with the way they handled my request right from the secretary, Ms. Leslie, who took my questions and made the conference appt. to Mr. Khanna who answered my questions. He was punctual, professional and took his time to answer my questions. During the first telephone conference, he had a very busy morning and there were a number of callers waiting in line. After my call, I realized I had a couple more questions, and Mr Khanna asked me to make another appt. which was promptly given to me for the next day. I am also very thankful to Mr. Khanna for not charging me any initial consultation fees based on my current situation. I have no hesitation in recommending Mr. Rajiv Khanna and his office for your legal/immigration needs.
Should H-1 be renewed while the AOS is pending?
Bottomline - I think H-1 should be renewed.
A little more info: A few months ago, I used to feel strongly that AOS applicants should keep their H-1 active for several reasons. Two of these are:
One, EAD issuance was erratic and CIS had discontinued issuance of interim EAD's (that is, if in 90 days your EAD is not issued, you could walk with a infopass appointment to your local CIS office and get an EAD). Thus, EAD's were unreliable and given for only a year. You could have interruptions in your work.
Rajiv, this month’s visa bulletin shows our category is current. What does this mean for people who have already applied for 485. Have AP and EAD. And now their dates are current again? Does it mean they will get a GC via mail? What if I haven’t had my FP done yet?
As of July 2008, this is how the system works.
First, let me provide a little background. Priority Date is the date your PERM is filed (in Case of EB-1 or NIW – the date your I-140 is filed; in case of Family-based petitions – the date your I-130 is filed.).
I have engaged Rajiv's office for over 10 years now for many different reasons. I've also been recommending Rajiv's law offices to my aquaintences & friends for over 10 years now. I have very close examples of people who lost 3-5 years going to some other lawyer & later, at my advise, going through Rajiv's office, who somehow 'fixed everythin' ???? Rajiv once told me ... ' why do you want to engage my office? this is so simple, you can do it yourself and save some money..." if you expect more from a lawyer... you are crazy!!!!! For Rajiv, its not about the money... he REALLY wants to 'do the right thing'. Rajiv provided me guidance for a new case - at no cost just because I was a old client - & literally advised me I could save money by doing the work myself - it was very simple. I was infact, ready to pay him or some other lawyer 100s of $s because this was a inquiry near & dear to me. There is no better example of honesty & forthrighness ( i've dealt with many lawyers in my lifetime & if you have a better example, I'd certainly like to hear it) . I'd ( & have already ) recommend Rajiv for his unparalleled knowledge & honesty in a instant & have also, personally, gone back to him time and again - H1B , family visas, family GC, company visas etc etc etc - again & again......its a no-brainer for me... & yeah.. I'd put my money where my mouth is.... --DJ