Search
J-1 Waiver Based on Exceptional Hardship Upon a U.S. Citizen Child
We filed an application seeking a waiver of the foreign residence requirement for our client based on exceptional hardship upon the client’s U.S. citizen child. We argued that the minor child would suffer extreme hardship if he were forced to leave the U.S. with his mother to fulfill the two-year home residency requirement because of a serious medical condition, for which treatment was not readily available in the applicant’s home country. We provided ample supporting documentation in this regard.
USCIS granted the waiver.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Citizenship and Naturalization
US Visa & Social Media: What you need to know about new screening policies and their impact
I believe there was a proposal to include social media handles as part of certain visa/immigration applications. Do you know what the consequences of that are?
If one has deleted social media accounts they don't have access to or accounts they don't remember the details for would that negatively impact the application? Also, is it just public posts that get reviewed or do private messages/dms get reviewed also?
As of June 24, 2025, the US Consulates have updated their policies for F (academic student), M (vocational student), and J (exchange visitor) visa applicants. The key requirements are:
Public Privacy Settings: All your social media accounts must have their privacy settings adjusted to "public" so that the consulate can review them.
Disclosure of Usernames: You are required to list all social media usernames or handles from every platform you have used for the last 5 years. This includes accounts, even if they have since been deleted.
Failing to comply with these requirements, including omitting social media information or keeping accounts private, could lead to visa denial. The new policy aims to facilitate vetting to establish identity and admissibility to the United States.
Rajiv's Comments in the News - Major US student visa overhaul? Trump admin planning to cut stay time; How will new rule impact Indians
Published by: Business Today- July 02, 2025
https://www.businesstoday.in/nri/visa/story/major-us-student-visa-overh…
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
Rajiv's Comments in the News - US proposes ‘time limit’ on stay of foreign students: How it will impact Indians
Published by: Business Today- July 02, 2025
https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/us-time-limit-rule-stay-foreign-st…
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
Rajiv's Comments in the News - Blow for Indians: US mulls time limit on student visas
Published by: NewsBytes - July 02, 2025
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/us-proposes-fixed-duration-visa…
Quotes and Excerpts from Rajiv in the article:
USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2026 H-1B Cap
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa U.S. advanced degree exemption, known as the master’s cap, for fiscal year 2026.
USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions that are otherwise exempt from the cap. Petitions filed for current H-1B workers who have been counted previously against the cap, and who still retain their cap number, are exempt from the FY 2026 H-1B cap. USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions filed to:
Green Card for Physicians
Physicians seeking a permanent employment opportunity in the United States and employers seeking to sponsor a physician for lawful permanent residency based on permanent employment in the United States must go through a multi-step process.
Foreign nationals and employers must determine whether the foreign national is eligible for lawful permanent residency under one of several, acceptable paths to lawful permanent residency.
For more information please click the link below
Memorandum: Employment Eligibility for Derivatives of Conrad State 30 Program Physicians
USCIS does not believe that a J-2 dependent of a J-1 foreign medical graduate can change to H-1B status, or any other employment-authorized nonimmigrant classification (with the exception of T or U status) until the principal Conrad State 30 waiver recipient has fulfilled his or her three-year employment obligations in a medically underserved area.However, USCIS is open to reviewing current regulations and considereing whether steps should be taken to enable such J-2 dependents to engage in employment while in H-4 status.
Guestbook Entry for Garima Dutta , United States
Community Conference Call, 2015, April 2 (Every Other Thursday)
Citizenship and Naturalization
Immigration Law
Discussed: FAQ Dual intent visas and filing green Card in multiple categories simultaneously, CSPA, Denial of F-1 student visa, FAQ: H-1 Receiving payments for past work/bonus (1099), change of location H-1B amendment, AC21 green card portability, naturalization, J-1 waiver, H-4 EAD: travel, fingerprinting, reentry permit
SUBSCRIBE to Immigration.com YouTube Channel for further updates.
Recording of Community Conference (Every Other Thursday) 2015, April 30
Profession/Occupation
FAQ: H-4 EAD filing while H-1 extension is pending; H-4 EAD. Converting from H-1 to H-4 EAD - good idea or not? H-4 EAD. Documents needed; name issues; processing times, etc.; H-4 EAD Expediting Possible?
Other Topics: Green card issues because of diseases; H-1 amendment with change of location; when is a degree considered to be completed;
H-1 Lottery Over
We have just received our first H-1 quota receipt notice. That indicates the H-1 lottery is concluded.