First of all my thanks to everyone who posted their comments and precious suggestions to help ppl makin their ways easier in immigration process. Below is my complete timeline of applying and getting J1 waiver.
Nov. 8, 2006 - Forms and affidavits got notarised to be sent to CGI Houston
Nov. 9, 2006 - Sent to CGI Houston for attestation
Nov. 10, 2006 - CGI Houston Recieves Documents and passport
Dec. 5, 2006 - Attested Documents return back to me (to be sent to authorities in India)
We have won several cases on extreme and exceptional hardship grounds in addition to the more routine J-1 waivers. We have also processed several J-1 changes of MUA location matters for physicians.
Some folks are predicting that H-1 quota may last a lot longer than just April.
Remember also, if there is a lottery, ALL cases received by and including 5 April will be included
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory cap for fiscal year (FY) 2014. USCIS has also received more than 20,000 H-1B petitions filed on behalf of persons exempt from the cap under the advanced degree exemption.
Premium Processing for Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions to Begin April 15, 2013
Released: March 15, 2013
WASHINGTON: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced today that it will begin accepting H-1B petitions subject to the Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 cap on Monday, April 1, 2013. Cases will be considered accepted on the date that USCIS receives a properly filed petition for which the correct fee has been submitted; not the date that the petition is postmarked.
Legislation to Eliminate Annual Per-Country H-1B Limits Passes One Hurdle
As of 27 April 2012 count, USCIS has received 29,200 regular cap H-1 B petitions and 12,300 advanced degree H-1B petitions. These numbers are considerably higher than the ones we saw at this time in the fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (we are now in FY 2013).
USCIS estimates that as as of 9 April 2012, approximately 25,600 H-B cases had been receipted. Out of these petitions, 17,400 are for bachelor's degree and 8,200 for for people with advanced degrees. These numbers are considerable hire than the last year's at this time.
USCIS has indicated that 22,323 cap-subject H-1B petitions had been received as of April 4, 2012. Approximately one quarter (1/4) of these cases are for advanced degrees. According to USCIS, the number of filings received is almost double the number of filings received by USCIS during the same time last year. It would appear that H-1B numbers are likely to get exhausted a lot earlier than last year.
As of April 15, 2011, USCIS has issued receipts on approximately 7,100 H-1B cap-subject petitions and 5,100 H-1B petitions for aliens with advanced degrees.
As of April 7, 2011, approximately 10,400 H-1B cap-subject petitions were receipted. Out of these 4,500 H-1B petitions are for aliens with advanced degrees.
As of May 21, 2010, USCIS has received approximately 19,600 H-1B cap-subject petitions. Also, an additional 8,200 H-1B petitions for advanced degrees professionals have been received.
USCIS reports that as of April 27, 2010, approximately 16,500 H-1B cap-subject petitions had been filed. They have received 6,900 H-1B petitions for advanced degree professionals.
As of Monday, April 5, 2010, Vermont Service Center had received a total of 9,525 quota H-1B petitions. 6,791 were bachelor's, and 2,734 were advanced degree. All cases received before April 7, 2010, will get an April 7, 2010 receipt date. Those received on April 7, 2010 or later will have the actual receipt date. For those submitted for Premium Processing, the clock will start on April 7, 2010.
WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched an enhanced Study in the States website Monday with four new features. The features enable the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), housed within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), to convey pertinent information to stakeholders about the international student process in a clear and interactive manner.
The new features include:
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.
I am a physician completing my J-1 waiver ( on H-1B now in US, waiver will finish by June 2015). My wife became a U.S. citizen few months ago and she has filed I-130 for me. If I-130 is approved, do I have to wait till June 2015 to apply for adjustment of status or can I apply sooner ? If I have to wait till June to apply for I-485, will I be able to get EAD right away or will I need to be on H-1 for a while I-485 is accepted ?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YV-qIlAEpI#t=1320
FAQ Transcript
Currently I'm on L-1A status and it expires in *** hence my employer is planning to file new H-1B this April not change of status. Here are my questions...<br>
1) If I get H-1B this April, is it mandatory to work on H-1B from Oct 01, 2015?<br>
2) Shall I continue with L-1A status until it expires and then can I change to H-1B?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S.
I got my H-1B petition approved in 2008 and again got it extended in 2008 unto Jan 2011. Now, I have never used both these visa's to work in US. Though, I have traveled few times to US but on B-1 visa for meetings with customer. Today, one of my friend told me that I am eligible for cap exempt H-1B application if I get job in US. Also, what will be the processing time for this cap exempt H-1B. Can this be done in premium processing in 15 days ?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
I am an Indian and have been living in London for the last 6 years and currently in the process of getting British Citizenship, which I am hoping to get by April and subsequently British Passport by June. I work for a leading international bank in London.<br>
My girlfriend is currently doing Masters in Illinois, USA, so, I am looking to move to US, but understand the H-1B visa is a bit complicated.
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My question is, how does the quota system work for H-1-B visa and when does the new quota start, and what's the best period to apply for one? So, If I am looking to move there in October 2015, when do I have to get an employer to apply for H-1B for me (provided an employer agrees to sponsor me)? or, is there a particularly good time to apply for H-1B visa?
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Also, is it easier to get the visa if I am there physically in the US or it doesn't matter?
See clip from Attorney Rajiv S. Khanna's conference call video that addresses this question.
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
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I was referred to Mr Khanna by a friend. I wanted some information on the J-1 visa waiver process. Mr Khanna was extremely gracious to reply to my email over the weekend and instantly asked his secretary to schedule an information call. It was a pleasure to speak with Mr Khanna. His depth of knowledge on the subject was very impressive. He was very patient in answering all my queries to my satisfaction. I am extremely grateful to Mr Khanna for providing me the legal guidance that I needed and putting my mind at ease. I will refer Mr Khanna to anyone who seeks a highly experienced and compassionate Immigration Attorney who actually cares for his clients.