Discussion Topics, Thursday, 17 November 2016:
FAQ: Refused entry 212(d)(3) waivers; L-1A for functional managers; Leaving employer after getting a green card; Changes in immigration after Trump.
Other: AOS for out of status; Giving and receiving money on H-1B visa/status; Name error in I-140; Medicaid for parents; Translations; Functional managers on L-1A; Denial of I-130; Losing green card; Amending H-1 is vendor changes; H-1 visa revocation; H-1B extension beyond 6 years; Priority date transfer; H-1 visa stamping; F-1 OPT based upon an employer who was not joined, etc.
I appreciate the work you all done for getting through the H1 and H4 intime. Thank you very much for Rajiv, Charu and Ursula
FAQ: Changing back to F-1 student status after filing for green card; I-94 given for duration shorter than entitled; H-1B amendment when change of cities; Impact of traveling while H-1 extension is pending; Birth certificate non-availability, affidavit; Changing jobs after I-140 approval; STEM OPT extension for consulting or staffing companies; Effect of divorce on an employment-based case and cross-chargeability; Transferring H-1 subject to cap, cap-gap extension; Remedy for denial of I-485 AOS; Sued by employer.
Other: Effect on relative petition if petitioner loses their green card; Revocation of I-140; Porting priority date; Changing jobs H-1 or EAD, converting from EAD to H-1; F-2 out of status converting to H-4; H-4 family traveling while H-1 extension is pending; CAP-GAP extension and drivers license; Effect of relocation to India during green card processing; Visa stamping for H-4 out of status, etc.
USCIS has posted a new Web page on the H-1B and L-1 fee increase required by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (Pub. L. 114-113). Pub. L. 114-113 requires certain petitioners to submit an additional fee of $4,000 for certain H-1B petitions and an additional $4,500 for certain L-1A and L-1B petitions.
On December 18th 2015 I came back to USA on H-4, at that time my old passport was expiring on September 19th 2015 so the Immigration Officer approved my I-94 until September 19. Later I applied for H-1 and it got approved on Feb 2nd 2016 and my H-1 is valid until Ending Validity Date: 12/19/18 with I-94 number in it. I renewed my passport now and I have validity until 2026.
Question: Do I have to go for stamping again to extend my I-94 validity? Or since I got new I-94 with my H-1B is that good enough.
Note: 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.
On July 1, 2016, the Nebraska Service Center (NSC) will begin accepting Form I-129 for H-1B and H-1B1 (Chile/Singapore Free Trade) petitions if the petitio
FAQ: Successor in interest, effect of location change on green card; EB-5 investment-based green card loan, collateral, ownership; How soon can I leave the employer after green card approval; DUI/DWI visa revocation; EB-2 for nurses; What should employees do when employer convicted of visa fraud.
Other: I-94 expiring- passport duration; Children born within a few days after green card approval; H-1B amendment - change of location or project; H-1B cap exemption; Travel during STEM OPT extension; Opening a non-profit while on H-1; Physician (FMG) using H-4 EAD; H-4 extension; etc.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 16 June 2016:
FAQ: Traveling on I-551 stamp and maintaining green card; Quota H-1 changing jobs before 1 October; EB-2 and how to find a company that sponsors green cards; How can employees save themselves from corporate fraud by employers; Correcting names discrepancy FNU LNU; Filing new green card if job changes; Filing new green card if job changes.
Other: Simultaneous green card through employment and marriage to US citizen; Options to stay in the USA after visa/status expires; H-1 travel to USA, quota exemption; Apply for F-2 or H-4; transfer H-1 pay stubs; Transfer H-1 after it expires; E-2 visa partnership; Tourist visa to maintain status, out of status; Emergency visa stamping; Priority date transfer; etc.
Great advice on my case by Mr. Khanna
I had a trickery situation where I was
1. Changing my employer while being on H1B,
2. Moving out of country to assume my PR status in Canada, and
3. Wanted to work for my new company in US by frequently traveling back and forth from Canada.
Mr Khanna provided the correct advice of going for an H1B transfer instead of having a business (visitor) visa and since then, it has been a very smooth ride.
He helped us file for the transfer as well as my wife's H4 extension. His staff is also very courteous and helped us meet a tricky timeline during my transfer even though that meant working over time for them.
I have no doubt that Mr. Khanna is one of the very best immigration lawyers in US and I highly recommend him for his services.
Discussion Topics, Thursday, 30 June 2016:
FAQ: Can one work during H-4 EAD renewal; Can a green card applicant (sibling of US citizen) remain in USA while green card is processed; Proving ties to home country for tourist visa; Can I look for a job while EAD is still pending;
Other: Remedy against a US citizen spouse; entering USA on green card, how long must I work with employer, maintaining green card; H-4 visa stamping problems; CSPA protection; Getting status updates on PERM; Effect on visa stamping of 30-day gap in status; Revocation of I-140 and priority date; Applying for OPT while H-1 is pending; New visa required or not if I change H-1 employers; AC21 options for EB-1C executive/manager; 3 year extension of H-1 through a new company based upon I-140 approval; etc.
Short: I found Mr. Rajiv Khanna to be a very competent and knowledgeable attorney, his firm has great processes, which I think increased the chances of success for my application. I recommended Mr. Rajiv Khanna and his firm highly. Detailed: I work in a law firm (not immigration law), and am very impressed with Mr. Rajiv's practice, the level of personal attention he provides, the efficiency with which my application was prepared, the promptness of his staff, transparency and fairness about costs involved, the amount of information on his website, and his forthcoming nature in understanding the case, explaining the options and providing recommendations.
Mine was an individual case - for L1 visa application, which was approved without a hitch. Unlike blanket L visa cases for big companies, every individual case has several small 'unique situations' that need due care while being described. I found that the law firm of Mr. Khanna is very well geared up to handle such cases. At the point my application was submitted, I was already confident that it was in good shape, and had captured all the information that needed to be there. Thanks to Mr. Khanna and his staff, I had all reasons to expect a successful outcome. I have used other immigration attorney's services, and not that I was unsuccessful with them or disliked them, but there is a difference in the way Mr. Rajiv Khanna's firm handles their matters, which, in my view, makes a big difference both to the quality of the applications, and very likely the outcome.
My H-4 visa extension has been approved, I mean the USCIS has sent me an approval notice with the I-94 record card. Now it clearly says, this is not a visa. What do I need to do in order to travel to India, do I have to go to a US consulate here, to get a visa stamped in my passport, because in order to travel through Europe we need a valid US Visa or travel through Dubai , which doesn't require any visa, and then get stamped in the US consulate while coming back? I am confused and do not know what is the next step after approval notice. By the way my spouse H-1B visa was also extended while in US by the Employer. But, my spouse hasn't gone out for visa stamping yet, will this effect my visa stamping?
When you travel abroad, in order to return to the USA, you must first obtain a visa stamp from a US consulate in (any) country that you are visiting. Check the consulate web site to make an appointment and what documents you should bring for H-4 visa stamping. H-1B visa stamp is usually not a precondition to H-4 visa.
H-1B and L-1 petitions filed on or after Oct. 1, 2015, should not include the additional fee that was previously required by Section 402 of Public Law 111-230, as amended by Public Law 111-347, for certain H-1B and L-1 petitions. The additional fee required by Public Law 111-230, as amended, expired on Sept. 30, 2015.
We discussed these (and other) issues of US immigration:
FAQ: Can a J-2 holder get a HRR 212(e) waiver without J-1?
Other: Retaining green card while in Canada; Starting my company, violation of status; I-140 revocation; Unused H-1B for quota exemption; H1B to H4 COS without latest Paystubs; EAD renewal separated from spouse; H-4 EAD approved in error; Effect of salary reduction; H-1 transfer, OPT travel; Visa Waiver apply for AOS; Retaining priority date; Visa stamping for H-1B amendment; Arrest without conviction; Reentry permit, etc.
My wife is on H-1B visa and went on Maternity Leave (normal delivery) starting 8-Sep-2015 and will be completing 6 weeks of allowed vacation on 16-Oct-2015 (We have 6 Weeks letter from doctor). However, she would like to extend the leave till 15-Dec-2015 ( Total Duration 3 Months 10 Days) as we do not have the required support for the baby. Her Employer is willing to provide her with a leave/vacation letter and she can continue to work with the same employer post her vacation. Pay stubs ($0) will not be provided by the employer.<br>
Also, we are trying to have the pediatrician provide a letter suggesting 4 months of leave but not sure if we can get the same or will it be helpful?
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State - New Jersey<br>
Visa Type - H-1B<br>
Question 1 - Will a $0 pay stub from employer be helpful to keep her in status while on leave?<br>
Question 2 - Will letter from pediatrician suggesting 4 months of leave be helpful to keep her in status while on leave?<br>
Question 3 - Request you to suggest if she will be in valid status if she continues to be on leave till Dec-15 and have a vacation letter from the employer without pay stubs ?<br>
We do have an option of moving her to H4 starting 30 Oct but would like to avoid the same.
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If she changes her status to H-4, <br>
Question 4 - Will her current employer have to file a new H1B or a simple COS from H-4-H-1B would be required once she is ready to work?<br>
Question 5 - Can COS from H-4 to H-1B be filed in premium processing ? If not, what are the timeline for processing of the same.
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
Topics for Discussion, Thursday, 29 October 2015:
FAQ: Withdrawing one pending petition (H-4) when another is (F-1) approved; Writ of Mandamus against delay; Investment property while on H-1 (Buying and renting out a house); Starting my own company while on H-1; Priority date loss upon revocation of I-140; Consequences of getting laid off on H-1; etc.
Other: TN/TD Visa; I-14- approved, company acquired; Job termination AC21; Cross chargeability evidence (Iraq); Applying for H-1 from OPT and travel; H-1 transfer while an extension is pending,I-140 revocation and priority date; Minor son on tourist visa, parent on green card; PERM denial and probability of success; Naturalization delay; etc.
My H-4 to F-1 is approved on October 08 2015. My Spouse Employer filed H-4 extension for me which is currently in Process. We sent this H-4 withdraw letter and it has been reached USCIS (Vermont Service Center) on Oct 13th 2015. Could you please let us know approx when do USCIS withdraw this H-4 extension?. If by mistake USCIS approves this H-4 Extension, can we fight with USCIS to withdraw this H-4 extension?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
FAQ: Green card pending conversion to and from H-4 EAD – H-1; Filing green card while in F-1 status; New company sponsoring H-1; (flip flop again) revocation of I-140 by an employer does NOT revoke priority date; Green card through future employer; Pros and cons of H-4 EAD; Obtaining copies of approval notice and other documents through FOIA; Physician filing green card; Applying for green card and while visiting the USA; Risk and rewards in EB-5 investments in regional centers.
Other: New STEM OPT extension regulations; substituting petitioners in a family-based case; Resetting H-1 6 years clock; CSPA; Authorized period of stay when H-1 transfer is pending; F-1 visa stamping on OPT.
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.
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.
Effective Monday December 21, 2015, per the Fiscal Year 2016 Consolidated Appropriations Act, the U.S. Consulate in Chennai will begin collecting an additional (U.S. dollar) $4,500 per application for all new Blanket L-1 applications.
I appreciate the work you all done for getting our H-1B and H-4 visas for the second time. Thank you for Rajiv and his team With regards Manickam & family