H1B Visa and Immigration Law Attorney New York

<body bgcolor=white background="images/backflag.gif" lang=EN-US link=red vlink=red style='tab-interval:.5in' alink="#cc0000"> <div class=Section1> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 width="100%" style='width:100.0%;mso-cellspacing:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in 0in 0in 0in'> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:0'> <td colspan=3 style='padding:0in 0in 0in 0in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><o:p> </o:p></p> </td> </tr> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:1;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes;height:45.75pt'> <td width="15%" style='width:15.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.75pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><img width=75 height=50 id="_x0000_i1025" src="images/us-flag.gif"></p> </td> <td width="68%" valign=bottom style='width:68.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in; height:45.75pt'> <p align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-family:Verdana'>LAW OFFICE OF AJAY K. ARORA</span></b><br> <b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Verdana'>Empire State Building<br> 350 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2806<br> New York, NY 10118<br> Phone: (212)268-3580<br> Fax: (212)268-3582<br> Email: <a href="mailto:info@h1b1.com">info@h1b1.com</a></span></b> </p> </td> <td width="17%" style='width:17.0%;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;height:45.75pt'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><img border=0 width=75 height=50 id="_x0000_i1026" src="images/us-flag.gif"></p> </td> </tr> </table> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> <p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Disclaimer: This article is not intended to establish an attorney-client relationship. All information contained herein is generalized. Any reliance on information contained herein is taken at your own risk.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class=MsoNormal><i><span style='font-size:10.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p> <div align=center> <table class=MsoNormalTable border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse;border:none;mso-border-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook:1184;mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;mso-border-insideh: 1.5pt solid #1D0581;mso-border-insidev:1.5pt solid #1D0581'> <tr style='mso-yfti-irow:0;mso-yfti-lastrow:yes;height:.3in'> <td width=74 style='width:55.35pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><a href="overview.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>H-1B</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=74 style='width:55.35pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><a href="laborcert.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>PERM</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=74 style='width:55.35pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><a href="L1visa.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>L-1</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=74 style='width:55.35pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><a href="employmentbased.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>EB-1</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=74 style='width:55.35pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><a href="employmentbased.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>NIW</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=74 style='width:55.35pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><a href="O1pet.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>O-1</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=102 style='width:76.8pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;color:windowtext'><a href="sponsor.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>FAMILY SPONSORSHIP</span></a></span></b><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='color:windowtext'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> <td width=100 style='width:75.3pt;border:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;border-left: none;mso-border-left-alt:solid #1D0581 1.5pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; height:.3in'> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b style='mso-bidi-font-weight:normal'><span style='font-size:9.0pt;color:windowtext'><a href="feechart.htm"><span style='color:windowtext'>OTHER IMMIGRATION</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> </td> </tr> </table> </div> <h2 align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="index.html" target="_parent"><span style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><img border=0 width=41 height=34 id="_x0000_i1028" src="images/home.gif" alt="Back to Home Page" name=HomePage></span></a><span style='font-family:Verdana'><o:p></o:p></span></h2> <h2 align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-family:Verdana'>FAMILY SPONSORSHIP</span></h2> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>The four categories under which an individual can obtain permanent residency through relatives are the following:</span> </p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .75in'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>�<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>First preference (F-1): Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'> Citizens; </span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .75in'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>�<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Second preference (F2-A): Spouses and unmarried children (under 21 years of age) of Permanent Residents;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .75in'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>�<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Second preference (F2-B): Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years of age and older) of Permanent Residents;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .75in'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>�<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Third preference (F-3): Married sons and daughters of </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'> Citizens; </span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2;tab-stops:list .75in'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>�<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Fourth preference (F-4): Brothers and sisters of </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'> Citizens.</span></p> <p style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Certain family members fall outside the <a href="visawaiting.htm" target="_self">quota system</a>. This means that there is no limit, and therefore no waiting time for a Green Card for the following Immediate (non-quota) family members:</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4;tab-stops:list .75in'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>�<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'><a href="Uscitizen.htm">Spouses of U.S. Citizens</a>;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4;tab-stops:list .75in'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>�<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Children under the age of 21 of </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'> Citizens;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo4;tab-stops:list .75in'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>�<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>Parents of </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'> Citizens.</span></p> <p style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>A lawful permanent resident is a foreign national who has been granted the privilege of permanently living and working in the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'> The following steps are involved in becoming a lawful permanent resident based on sponsorship by a relative in the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'> who is either a </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'> citizen or permanent resident: </span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo6;tab-stops:list .75in'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>�<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>A petition for an alien relative is filed with the USCIS; </span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo6;tab-stops:list .75in'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>�<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>If approved, the State Department must determine whether an <a href="visawaiting.htm" target="_self">immigrant visa number</a> is "immediately available" to the foreign national, even if the individual is already in the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'> Please note that the quota system is not applicable to immediate family members of </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'> citizens;</span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo6;tab-stops:list .75in'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family:Symbol;mso-bidi-font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>�<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>         </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>If already in the U.S., the foreign national may be able to "adjust status" to permanent resident and obtain a green card assuming that the priority date is current and the individual is currently maintaining nonimmigrant status. </span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>It may be possible to pay a penalty fee of $1,000 and adjust status in the U.S. under a section of the Immigration & Nationality laws known as Sec. 245(<span class=SpellE>i</span>) even if the sponsored individual is not maintaining current nonimmigrant status as long as the individual was sponsored through a family member or employer prior to April 30, 2001. Moreover, an immediate family member (spouse, parent, or child under 21 of a U.S. citizen) can normally adjust status in the U.S. as long entry was made legally into the U.S. even if the I-94 has subsequently expired.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>An individual who is currently in the U.S. illegally (for example, the I-94 has expired) but is covered under sec. 245(<span class=SpellE>i</span>) would be subject to 3 and 10-year bars to entry to the U.S. if he or she departs the U.S. for any reason. Thus, departing the U.S. may severely delay obtaining a green card. We are not advocating continued violation of immigration laws, but this is a sensitive area and you should <a href="contact.htm">contact</a> our law firm for legal consultation. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt; font-family:Verdana'>If outside the U.S. when an immigrant visa number becomes available, the foreign national must go to the U.S. Consulate serving the area where he or she resides.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style='margin-left:.25in'><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:Verdana'>[Note: Please consult with an attorney specializing in Immigration & Nationality law for professional advice in specific situations.] </span></p> <p style='margin-left:.25in'><a href="index.html" target="_parent"><span style='text-decoration:none;text-underline:none'><img border=0 width=41 height=34 id="_x0000_i1029" src="images/home.gif" alt="Back to Home Page" name=HomePage></span></a></p> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> <p class=MsoNormal><i>Ajay K. <span class=SpellE>Arora</span>, Esq., is a prominent member of the Immigration & Nationality bar in New York City and a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He may be contacted at (212)268-3580.</i></p> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center> </div> <br> <font size="-1"><a href="http://www.bitwords.com/custom-web-design.php">custom web design by Bitwords Media</a></font> <p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span class=GramE><span style='font-size:10.0pt'>Copyright � 1999-2010 Ajay K. <span class=SpellE>Arora</span>, Attorney-at-Law, P.C.</span></span><span style='font-size:10.0pt'> All rights reserved.</span> </p> </div> <br> <font size="-1"><a href="http://www.bitwords.com/">Website design and developed by Bitwords Media</a></font> </body>