24/7 Emergency Access
24/7 Emergency Access
For Initial Consultation
New York is home to more than 4.5 million immigrants; that’s over 1 in 5 residents in the state. And in the city and its suburbs, immigrants make up about 37% of the population. With so many people building lives and careers here, the system gets crowded, and the rules can shift without much warning. We’ve seen firsthand the consequences when critical steps are overlooked or delayed.
At Shankar & Associates, PC, founded by attorney Srinivas Jayashankar and his son Rajat Shankar, we believe you deserve a legal team that’s accessible, experienced, and truly committed to your case. That’s why we offer big-firm strategy with boutique-level attention. With over 45 years of combined experience, our team is ready to step in and help you take your next step in the U.S.. We keep our process clear, and you’ll always know where your case stands. In addition, we offer flat-fee billing with no surprise bills. No junior lawyers handling your questions. No waiting weeks for answers. Our senior Nassau County immigration attorneys, Rajat and Srinivas, personally handle every case to make sure it’s done right.
Let our team at Shankar & Associates, PC guide you through every step, offering peace of mind and the clarity you need. We are here to help you take the next step in your immigration journey. Contact us at 212-461-1467 to schedule a consultation.
Decades of Experience. Genuine Understanding.
Shankar and Associates PC helped me with my legal status in this country thanks to him being able to get several benefits in this country which is not my country of residence but now after struggling I managed to achieve my dream of being in another country…
Real Attorneys. Real-time Responses.
New York draws talent from every corner of the globe, and the city’s employers rely on that talent to keep growing. If you hold an advanced degree, possess unique skills, or simply wish to place long-term roots in the New York workforce, several employment-based green card options can open that door for you.
Holding a master’s, doctorate, or the foreign equivalent positions you squarely within the EB-2 category. The traditional EB-2 route pairs your degree with a full-time job offer that meets prevailing wage standards. For professionals whose work benefits the United States as a whole, think groundbreaking biomedical research conducted at a Brooklyn lab, the National Interest Waiver (NIW) removes the job-offer requirement.
You show three pillars: a substantial record of past achievements, a well-defined project you plan to pursue in the U.S., and proof that granting you a waiver will advance national interests. Careful collection of evidence and documentation, such as peer-reviewed articles, patents, and letters from industry leaders, can tip the scales in your favor.
Each NIW case rises or falls on credibility and relevance. You still file Form I-140, yet the strength of the narrative and documentary support drives USCIS approval more than employer sponsorship.
If your position requires at least two years of training or a U.S. bachelor’s degree, EB-3 may be a shorter runway to permanent residence. Job offers from financial institutions on Wall Street, tech startups in SoHo, or hospitals in the Bronx all qualify, provided the employer completes the PERM labor certification first.
Long Island employers often value EB-3 for roles in fintech engineering, nursing, and advanced manufacturing. The category divides into skilled workers, professionals, and other workers, each with distinct prevailing wage levels. While priority dates for EB-3 sometimes outpace EB-2, active monitoring of the monthly Visa Bulletin remains critical.
If you’ve filed a green card petition under a preference category, the waiting game can be one of the hardest parts. Your priority date decides when you’re allowed to move forward, but the system doesn’t always move in a straight line. It’s easy to lose track or to miss an opportunity when your window finally opens. That’s where having an attorney makes a big difference.
We keep a close watch on the monthly Visa Bulletin published by the Department of State. You don’t have to interpret color-coded charts or guess if it’s time to file. We check where your category stands each month and tell you what it means for your case, plain and simple. If your date is current, we help you get your next steps ready quickly so you don’t lose time. If it’s not, we keep your file updated and stay alert for forward movement.
An experienced attorney can also help you with cross-chargeability issues, priority date retention, or reclassification strategies, things that can save you years in some cases. For families and employers in Nassau County dealing with long waits, this kind of strategy can offer real relief.
At Shankar & Associates, PC, we don’t just file and forget. We track your case until it’s done and step in when action is needed. That way, you’re not left guessing what comes next; you hear it directly from us.
| Green Card Option | Who It’s For (from the article) | Key Requirements / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EB-2 (Advanced Degree) | People holding a master’s, doctorate, or foreign equivalent | Traditional EB-2 route with a full-time job offer that meets prevailing wage standards |
| EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) | EB-2 professionals whose work benefits the United States as a whole | No job offer required; shows three pillars (past achievements, well-defined U.S. project, proof it advances national interests); still files Form I-140; strong evidence/documentation matters (peer-reviewed articles, patents, letters) |
| EB-3 (Skilled, Professional & Other Workers) | Roles requiring at least two years of training or a U.S. bachelor’s degree | Requires a job offer and employer must complete PERM labor certification first; divided into skilled workers, professionals, other workers with different prevailing wage levels; monitor the monthly Visa Bulletin for priority date movement |
Raj is absolutely fantastic. He is extremely knowledgeable and takes care of every issue. Highly, highly recommended.!
New York celebrates innovation, art, research, and global leadership. If your résumé shines with awards, publications, patents, or marquee performances, one of the extraordinary-ability pathways below may lead straight to permanent residence or a fast non-immigrant stopover.
You qualify for EB-1A when your field salutes you as a standout—think Grammy winners, breakthrough oncologists, or fintech pioneers whose code reshaped Wall Street. A U.S. job offer is optional; your past record alone can carry the petition.
USCIS looks for sustained acclaim. Show that your achievements still echo today, not only in past headlines. Courts, investors, and universities in New York often provide powerful letters attesting to ongoing influence.
Here are some common proofs that win approval:
Once Form I-140 is approved, many applicants living in the five boroughs file for adjustment of status locally, skipping consular visits abroad. Priority dates are “current” for most countries, so the green card can arrive quickly.
Tenure-track or equivalent research roles at a U.S. university or a private employer with a research staff of at least three open the EB-1B door. Unlike EB-1A, you need a permanent offer. Columbia University, NYU, and biotech firms in Long Island City frequently sponsor these cases.
Demonstrate at least three years of post-doctoral teaching or research, plus two of the six USCIS criteria. Citations, books, grant awards, and peer reviews often carry the weight. Because this is an immigrant category, labor certification is not required, cutting months from the timeline.
An O-1 visa often acts as a fast-lane visa that keeps you in the United States for up to three years while your permanent case proceeds, or while you complete a specific project. Broadway performers, hedge-fund quants, and fashion designers in SoHo often rely on O-1 for rapid starts.
An employer or agent files Form I-129 and secures a written advisory opinion from a peer group or labor organization. Your track record should match EB-1A caliber, yet the standard focuses on “extraordinary” within the United States rather than worldwide acclaim. The legal standard involves demonstrating “sustained national or international acclaim,” showcasing recognition in your field of expertise. Premium Processing brings decisions in fifteen calendar days, perfect for time-sensitive productions and product launches.
USCIS officers read thousands of pages each week. Make yours count. Every exhibit must connect directly to statutory criteria and speak in plain language. Impact first, volume second.
Start with a master index that groups documents under each relevant criterion. Anchor letters of support to concrete metrics: revenue generated, citations received, audience size, clinical outcomes. For artists, include ticket sales or streaming data; for scientists, H-index and journal impact factors. Avoid dense jargon; write so a smart layperson sees your value in minutes.
Documents that can contribute to your portfolio:
Craft your future in Nassau County with confidence. The immigration team at Shankar & Associates, PC turns acclaim into approval, matching your achievements to the precise visa path that fits your goals.
Share your story, and let us translate your brilliance into the legal status you deserve. Start by scheduling a strategy session with our New York immigration lawyers. Call 212-461-1467 today.
Immigration is Our Personal Story Too
An incredible lawyer, he’s reasonably priced and, above all, committed to his clients. He seeks solutions and offers excellent advice. I highly recommend him.
Having immigrated to the United States at the age of eight, Rajat Shankar’s personal experience fuels his passion for immigration law. After earning his J.D. magna cum laude from Touro Law Center in 2012, he was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2013. His career includes serving as Chair of the Immigration Committee for the Nassau County Bar Association and teaching immigration law as an adjunct professor.
Rajat focuses on employment-based immigration, handling both immigrant and non-immigrant cases. His firsthand understanding of the immigration process allows him to connect deeply with clients, offering them informed and compassionate legal guidance. His dedication to the field is evident in his continued involvement in legal education and community service.
New York rewards bold investment and fresh ideas. If you plan to launch or expand a venture here, U.S. immigration law offers routes that match different budgets, timelines, and corporate structures. When it comes to the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, you have choices: direct investment or going through a regional center. Each path has pros and cons depending on your goals, timelines, and level of involvement in the business. Our attorneys help you weigh those options and prepare your application based on the structure that fits you best. We also work with economists and business professionals, when needed, to support job creation numbers and business plans.
If you’re from a country that has a treaty with the U.S., an E-2 visa may be available to you. These visas don’t lead straight to a green card, but they’re a great fit for entrepreneurs looking to live and work in the U.S. while running a business. We help you set up your legal entity, prepare your investment documentation, and show that your business is real, operating, and not just a shell. If you already have a company abroad and want to expand into the U.S., the L-1 visa could be a strong option. We walk you through setting up your U.S. office properly, help outline the transfer of your role, and work to show USCIS that your business is growing and legitimate.
Source-of-funds documentation is often the trickiest part of investor-based immigration. U.S. immigration authorities want to know where your money came from, how it moved, and whether it was legally earned. That can be tough if your assets are tied up in foreign accounts or multiple business ventures. We take the time to review your documents, help you organize them in a way that makes sense to U.S. officers, and guide you through the affidavits or third-party letters that may be needed. You shouldn’t have to lose sleep over a wire transfer that happened five years ago. We can help you track it down and put it in context.
Set your capital to work in a city that thrives on ambition. Shankar & Associates, PC turns investment goals into immigration victories, drafting strategies, refining evidence, and standing with you at every filing window. Tell us your vision, and our Long Island team can help clarify the legal path that lets you build, hire, and prosper. Schedule a consultation today at 212-461-1467.
Decades of Experience. Genuine Understanding.
Thanks to the good work of lawyer Shankar, my case was resolved favorably. He does a good job. Thank you very much.
When you’re filing for a loved one, emotions run high. You want the process to be smooth, clear, and done right the first time. Whether you’re petitioning for a spouse, a parent, or your child, having an experienced immigration attorney from Shankar & Associates, PC can take a lot of the pressure off your shoulders. We’ve handled hundreds of these cases, and we’ve lived through them ourselves.
If your family member qualifies as an “immediate relative” of a U.S. citizen, the good news is there’s no visa cap. That means we can move forward without waiting for a visa number to open up. But even with faster timelines, there’s still paperwork, supporting documents, and forms that must be accurate and consistent. We help you double-check the details, catch any mistakes before they’re submitted, and package everything with the right evidence to avoid delays.
For family members under the preference categories, like siblings or married children of U.S. citizens, there are annual limits. That’s where the Visa Bulletin comes in. We keep track of movement month to month and let you know when it’s time to act. If you’re unsure how long the wait might be, we’ll walk you through it clearly, without legal jargon. And when the window opens, we move quickly to get the next steps started.
Preparing the I-130 petition takes more than just filling in blanks. We help you gather the kind of evidence that builds a solid foundation for your case, like proof of your relationship, legal status, and life together if you’re petitioning for a spouse. We also make sure everything goes to the right place, with the correct fees and documents. A clean filing makes a big difference, especially at busy USCIS centers in and around New York.
If you or your spouse has a conditional green card from a marriage under two years, the next step is removing those conditions with an I-751. This step often brings stress, especially when relationships have changed. We guide you through what USCIS looks for, such as joint accounts, shared leases, photos, and anything that shows your life together was real. If you’re filing jointly, we help you update your file with fresh evidence. If you’re filing on your own due to divorce or hardship, we build a waiver case that’s strong and honest.
At Shankar & Associates, PC, we know family matters come with urgency and emotion. Our goal is to keep your case moving forward with care and clarity. Whether you’re filing for the first time or dealing with a conditional green card, we’re here to help you and your loved ones take the next step with confidence.
When you’re applying for a green card, every detail matters, especially when you’re doing it from within the U.S. or through a consulate abroad. Between gathering documents, following government timelines, and showing up prepared for interviews or exams, the process can get overwhelming fast. This is where working with a Nassau County immigration attorney at Shankar & Associates, PC makes all the difference.
A skilled attorney can help you figure out if you’re eligible to adjust your status right here on Long Island or if you need to go through consular processing outside the country. These decisions aren’t always black and white. Maybe you entered with a visa but overstayed, or your case falls under a family preference category with a wait time. Instead of guessing what applies to you, we review your situation, check the latest Visa Bulletin, and guide you through the options that fit your path.
Once it’s time for your USCIS interview, we help you prepare, not just with documents, but also with what to expect. You don’t want surprises on the day. We walk through your case together, making sure your paperwork lines up with your answers. And if you’re going through consular processing instead, we help you complete the DS-260, upload your documents to the National Visa Center, and make sure everything gets where it needs to go, on time.
The medical exam is another step where details count. We’ll point you to certified civil surgeons in the New York area and help you avoid mistakes, like showing up too early or forgetting the vaccine records. We also make sure your affidavit of support meets current income guidelines and walk you through how USCIS applies the public charge rule today. These things can trip people up, but with the right preparation, you can avoid delays or denials.
At Shankar & Associates, PC, we’ve helped hundreds of clients take the next step with confidence, whether that’s applying for a green card from Queens, attending an interview at 26 Federal Plaza, or preparing for a consular appointment overseas. Immigration is our daily work, but it’s also personal for every one of us. If you’re ready to move forward, we’re ready to walk that path with you.
Contact us today at 212-461-1467 to schedule a consultation with one of our top-rated Nassau County immigration attorneys.
Keeping your immigration status on track isn’t always simple. You might be dealing with past visa overstays, gaps in paperwork, or long waits for a decision. It’s easy to feel stuck or unsure about your next move.
Some people face a bar to reentry or adjustment based on past immigration history. That’s when a waiver like the I-601 or I-212 might come into play. These forms ask the government to forgive certain issues if you meet specific conditions. But waivers are more than just forms; they need strong evidence and a clear story. Our attorneys help you build that case. We know what kind of proof officers look for, and we help shape it into a compelling package. We make sure your application is more than just paperwork and that it’s your voice on the page.
Requests for Evidence (RFEs), Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs), or even Notices of Intent to Revoke (NOIRs) can show up at any point, and they usually come with tight deadlines. When that happens, you want someone who can step in fast, review the notice, and put together a solid response. We go line by line through the government’s concerns and help you gather what’s missing. Sometimes it’s just a missing tax return. Other times, it’s more complicated. In either case, we make sure your reply is complete, organized, and persuasive.
If you already have your green card, it’s just as important to protect it. Long trips abroad, gaps in residence, or forgotten renewals can put your status at risk. We help you plan travel in a way that won’t raise flags with Customs and Border Protection. And if you do need a re-entry permit, we help you file it right, so you’re not stuck overseas without a way back.
For folks waiting on extensions or petitions, keeping a valid status can feel like a race against the clock. Maybe you’re waiting for a work permit, or your visitor visa is running out while you file for a green card. We help you stay on the safe side of the rules. That means tracking deadlines, filing clean applications, and knowing which grace periods apply in New York. If things fall behind on the government’s end, we’re ready to follow up and take legal steps if needed.
At Shankar & Associates, PC, we know the impact a missed step can have. That’s why we don’t just handle your forms; we help you plan, respond, and protect what you’ve worked hard to build.
Sometimes, the first decision from USCIS or an immigration judge doesn’t go your way. That doesn’t mean your case is over. You still have options, and those options come with strict deadlines and real legal weight.
If you’re appealing a USCIS denial through the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO), your attorney helps with more than just filing a form. We look closely at what went wrong and draft a strong written argument for why that decision should be reversed. We also make sure the appeal is filed on time, with the right evidence and a clear explanation of what’s at stake for you.
In removal cases, a denial from an immigration judge can be appealed to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). That’s where details really matter. We review the hearing record, pull apart the legal errors, and present your side clearly and thoroughly. If the BIA still upholds the denial, you may have the option to go to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York. These cases deal mostly with legal issues, so it’s important to have an attorney who can make strong, court-ready arguments.
If your case is just stuck, sometimes the next step is federal court. That’s where we file a mandamus or an action under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) to push the government to act. Our team prepares the legal complaint, files it in the proper district court, and keeps an eye on how the government responds. These cases don’t guarantee approval, but they do force movement.
And in emergencies, like when deportation is scheduled, things move fast. We’re ready to step in and file for a stay of removal or seek humanitarian relief such as parole or protection under temporary programs. We work quickly to gather evidence and get it in front of the right officials, because time really matters when someone’s facing removal.
At Shankar & Associates, PC, we take appeals and litigation seriously. When everything is on the line, you want a legal team that’s thorough, responsive, and ready to fight for the result you deserve.
Media Assets
A successful visa or appeal begins with a conversation that lays everything out on the table, timelines, forms, and likely roadblocks. That’s why our first consultation is built to give you full, detailed insight from day one. Sit down with one of our senior attorneys at Shankar & Associates, PC, bring every question you have, and walk away with a clear plan for staying ahead of changing rules and endless paperwork. Your future in the United States shouldn’t wait.
Call or message us now, schedule your in‑depth consultation, and let’s start moving your case forward today.
Real Attorneys. Real-time Responses.
