Law Office of Poorvi Chothani, PLLC

22/05/2026

Recently, my article was featured in the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) West India Council's Newsletter.

In this article, you will find information and tips on the visa requirements, arrival in the U.S., and post-arrival steps.

Key Takeaways for Readers
• U.S. visa interviews are increasingly stringent and officers focus on the applicant's credibility, financial circumstances, and ties to their home country.
• Social media accounts must be disclosed, and the content be publicly available as officers may review this as a part of the assessment.
• Consistency across your DS-160 application, interview responses, and online information is essential.
• Applicants must clearly articulate the purpose of travel.
• Even after visas are issued, they may be revoked if visa conditions are violated or new information raises concerns.
• After arriving in the U.S., travelers should promptly review their electronic I-94 record to confirm their authorized period of stay.

Remember that a successful application process and smooth U.S. business trip in 2026 depend on careful preparation, consistency, and a credible explanation of the purpose of travel.

20/05/2026

16/05/2026

U.S. visa social media vetting is much stricter in 2026. Consular officers now review applicants’ public online presence, including LinkedIn, Instagram, X, Facebook, and other platforms. Inconsistencies, unauthorized work indicators, or concerning content can lead to delays or visa refusals. F-1, J-1, H-1B, and H-4 applicants are facing increased scrutiny and longer processing times.

Tips:
• Ensure your social media profiles match your DS-160.
• Avoid deleting or making major account changes before your interview.
• Keep your online presence accurate and professional

Do not make or support anti-American or religious-based comments.

Vetting continues even after visa issuance, so online activity can still affect your visa status.

06/05/2026

🚨 H-1B Visa News & Updates

The H-1B visa landscape is undergoing its most significant transformation in a decade. From the shift toward wage-based prioritization to stricter vetting and rising costs, the system is increasingly focused on higher-skilled, higher-paid talent. Are you an H-1B applicant, employer, or professional tracking U.S. immigration? Staying informed is no longer optional—it is a strategic necessity.

🔑 5 Key Changes Defining This Season:
• Wage-Weighted Selection: The lottery is no longer purely random. Higher wage levels now receive relatively stronger selection probability under a weighted framework.
• Beneficiary-Centric Integrity: USCIS ensures that each individual beneficiary is considered only once in the selection process, even if multiple employers submit registrations on their behalf, thereby reducing duplicate filings.
• Rising Costs: Employers must budget for the $215 registration fee and $2,965 premium processing fee.
• Increased Scrutiny: Enhanced vetting, site visits, and stricter documentation standards are now central to adjudication.
• Visa Stamping Challenges: High demand and limited appointment availability, especially in India, continue to create travel and re-entry risks.

Read our full blog: 🔗 link in story

28/04/2026

The rules of immigration have changed. As of March 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of State has expanded its review of applicants’ online presence. Your social media is no longer just personal, it is part of your visa profile. What you post, share, or engage with can directly influence your application outcome. Digital awareness is now a critical part of immigration compliance. Deleting accounts does not necessarily obliterate the digital footprint. ​

Tips to Minimize Risks: ​
To protect your application, be mindful of what your social media reflects:​
🔹Maintain professionalism; avoid negative remarks about employers or workplaces ​
🔹Avoid aggressive, sensitive, or controversial content ​
🔹Be careful when sharing work-related information as it could raise questions about work authorization ​
🔹Keep personal, career, and qualification details accurate and consistent ​
🔹Avoid references to legal issues, even in a casual or humorous context​
🔹Be prudent when posting pictures of partying where there is alcohol or other mood enhancers​

The Public Profile Shift​:
A major change is the expectation of transparency. Applicants must keep their profiles public before interviews.​ Sudden actions like deleting posts, hiding accounts, or switching to private mode can be viewed as evasive and may harm your application.​

15/04/2026

LawQuest invites highly motivated, diligent, and detail-oriented graduates with excellent written and verbal English skills, strong interpersonal abilities, and proficiency in M.S Office. We currently have one opening —with our Indian Immigration Team.

Key Responsibilities:
▪️ Work on Indian immigration and visa matters, including employment and business visas
▪️ Prepare, review, and file visa and immigration applications with relevant authorities
▪️ Liaise with government offices and monitor application progress
▪️ Ensure accurate documentation and maintain effective case management systems
▪️ Attend client meetings and support the collection of required immigration information and documentation
▪️ Coordinate follow-ups and track action items with internal teams
▪️ Draft and manage client communications, including emails and case updates


Job Details:
Eligibility: B.Com / BA Graduate / Travel Tourism
Start Date: As soon as possible
Mode: In-person
Job Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (On-site)

Interested candidates may send their CV and a short cover email to [email protected] & with the subject line: “Application for Immigration Assistant - Indian Immigration at LawQuest.”

30/03/2026

Trump Administration Proposes Wage Hike for H-1B Workers

The Trump administration has proposed raising wages for H-1B workers, which in turn is expected to encourage domestic hiring and reduce reliance on lower-cost foreign labour.

💡 What’s changing?
• Wages may rise by 21%–33% based on experience
• Higher-paid applicants get preference in the lottery

👩‍💼 Who is an H-1B worker?
A skilled foreign professional working in specialised fields like tech, engineering, health care or finance, among others, sponsored by a U.S. employer.

These changes signal a shift toward prioritising higher-paid, high-skilled talent while tightening immigration pathways.

Will this protect U.S. jobs or make it harder for companies to access global talent?

28/03/2026

Did you know that drunk driving can do more than land you in legal trouble it can put your U.S. visa at risk?

In my recent article in ET Online -The Economic Times, I share my insights on how a DUI (driving under the influence) arrest can trigger visa complications like prudential revocation making re-entry into the U.S. difficult and uncertain especially for professionals on H-1B and other non immigrant visas.

Here are the key takeaways from the article:
• Understand your situation clearly a visa revocation does not cancel your legal status in the U.S. if you are already inside the country
• Avoid international travel after a DUI arrest as you may not be able to re enter without applying for a new visa
• Take help from an experienced immigration attorney and a criminal lawyer before making any legal decisions
• Be fully prepared for additional checks including medical evaluations and detailed disclosure during future visa applications
• Take proactive steps such as maintaining proper documentation and demonstrating compliance to protect your H-1B status and future mobility

📌 A link to the full article is available in the story.

25/03/2026

IACC THURSDAY INSIGHTS
*Insights | Ideas | Impact*

Join me for an insightful session, organized by IACC WIC where I will be sharing my views on U.S. Immigration & Visa Briefing.

Here are some Key Topics of discussion:
* B-1 & B-2 visas for business and travel
* U.S. work visa pathways for executives and professionals
* EB-5 investor green cards
* Recent policy developments, including the new “Gold Card”
* Strategies after visa denials

Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
Time: 4:30pmn to 5.30pm

Registration Link: in Bio

24/03/2026

Looking forward to speaking at InvestPro India Mumbai 2026, hosted by Bosco Conference on March 31 at The St. Regis Mumbai.

It’s an interesting time for India, with more investors and businesses looking at global opportunities—whether it’s cross-border expansion, investment migration, or wealth planning. This conference brings together a great mix of people working in this field, and I’m excited to be a part of the conversation.

19/03/2026

Last week, I attended AMCHAM’s GCC Summit 6.0 in Hyderabad, where the theme for the evening was “Rethinking Talent Strategy: Powering Future-Ready GCCs from India.”

Along with other senior panel members, I was part of a discussion on the human resource challenges that GCCs are currently facing. We also spoke about the realities of bringing teams together across borders, especially between India and the U.S., and the importance of navigating cultural differences, time zones, and alignment.

It was encouraging to see how well the conversation resonated with the audience. Many thanks to AMCHAM India for organizing such a meaningful platform for dialogue.

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