grupak
03-15 08:26 AM
This is my interpretation of Ron's post. These are not my predictions.
Personally, I'm Pessimistic... being in India-EB3, that's not a state of mind... it's a lifestyle.
Seems like a good interpretation to me.
Pessimism as a lifestyle is hilarious :)
Personally, I'm Pessimistic... being in India-EB3, that's not a state of mind... it's a lifestyle.
Seems like a good interpretation to me.
Pessimism as a lifestyle is hilarious :)
diptam
06-24 06:34 PM
I can't answer your 1st question but you can spend a day and get a new Passport from NY consulate in the same day....
I also did the same thing last week - my old passport is valid for another
9 months but 485 takes long time and by that time if my PP No changes communication that is again a hassle.
Hello All,
I am from India and I am getting ready to file my 485 in 1st week of July. I have an approved 140.
I have two issues I am not sure about how to procced --
1. My wife's name is wrong in her birth certificate. also, my mother's name is not present in my birth certificate. I am getting both of our parents to execute affidavits. Do these affidavits need to be originals when I submit them with my 485 appln? Or my folks in India can scan them and email me and I can submit copies with my 485 appln?
2. My passport is expiring in Oct 2007. Some people have mentioned that your passport needs to be valid for six months at the time you file for your 485 appln. Is this true? I have not found a definitive answer anywhere.
Please let me know if you know anything about these questions. Appreciate all your responses.
Thanks.
I also did the same thing last week - my old passport is valid for another
9 months but 485 takes long time and by that time if my PP No changes communication that is again a hassle.
Hello All,
I am from India and I am getting ready to file my 485 in 1st week of July. I have an approved 140.
I have two issues I am not sure about how to procced --
1. My wife's name is wrong in her birth certificate. also, my mother's name is not present in my birth certificate. I am getting both of our parents to execute affidavits. Do these affidavits need to be originals when I submit them with my 485 appln? Or my folks in India can scan them and email me and I can submit copies with my 485 appln?
2. My passport is expiring in Oct 2007. Some people have mentioned that your passport needs to be valid for six months at the time you file for your 485 appln. Is this true? I have not found a definitive answer anywhere.
Please let me know if you know anything about these questions. Appreciate all your responses.
Thanks.
akhilmahajan
08-07 09:20 AM
U mention what u have filed and what u r expecting.
I think almost everyone has filed 485/140/EAD/AP.
I am just curious what exactly you want to know. Do you want to know when you will get your GC or about the receipts.
If you are looking for receipts, there is a thread going on for July filers by the name "July Trackers".
If you want to know when you will get your GC then i am sorry to say, even GOD cannot give you an idea.
I hope this helps.
Meanwhile, please work on some action items and your wait will become more easier.
I think almost everyone has filed 485/140/EAD/AP.
I am just curious what exactly you want to know. Do you want to know when you will get your GC or about the receipts.
If you are looking for receipts, there is a thread going on for July filers by the name "July Trackers".
If you want to know when you will get your GC then i am sorry to say, even GOD cannot give you an idea.
I hope this helps.
Meanwhile, please work on some action items and your wait will become more easier.
VisaHelp
07-26 09:21 AM
Sounds good, but I didn't apply for an extension. Do you think that makes a difference? I applied to TRANSFER my H1 from company A to company B. While waiting for the transfer my H1 expired. First of all, I didn't think I could apply for an extension while waiting for the transfer. But, even more importantly, I was told by my lawyers that I am not eligible for an extension because I applied for a green card through family, not employer.
I faced a similar situation during my first L1B extension. My L1 extension was filed, but not approved while my L1 visa expired. Per my (then) attorneys advice - it isn't an issue if the application to extend has been applied for. You can be out of status for upto 180 days in such situations. Only issue is if the extension is rejected during this period.
In the future, the receipt for having filed for extension before Visa expiry and/or Received Date on I-797 Notice of Action (approval) can be used as proof. Of course, travelling out of the country and back on a new visa removes the stigma of having been "out of status"
RFE is okay, but rejection is NOT! Do answer it (RFE) in time. Rejection can put you in trouble. Also if the period extends beyond 180 days due to RFE you will be in trouble ( I really doubt it happening but you never know)
I faced a similar situation during my first L1B extension. My L1 extension was filed, but not approved while my L1 visa expired. Per my (then) attorneys advice - it isn't an issue if the application to extend has been applied for. You can be out of status for upto 180 days in such situations. Only issue is if the extension is rejected during this period.
In the future, the receipt for having filed for extension before Visa expiry and/or Received Date on I-797 Notice of Action (approval) can be used as proof. Of course, travelling out of the country and back on a new visa removes the stigma of having been "out of status"
RFE is okay, but rejection is NOT! Do answer it (RFE) in time. Rejection can put you in trouble. Also if the period extends beyond 180 days due to RFE you will be in trouble ( I really doubt it happening but you never know)
more...
sammyb
01-07 03:49 PM
We expect people to decide whether they would like to come forward with a sense for the community.
So please come forward if you care. We are not expecting anyone to be a die hard IV volunteer, but to express your support and your commitment and your help in nay manner.
IV is your/our organization and we must have a sense of oneness.
We stand for unity, peace and strength. Lets all unite "wholeheartedly"
let me check with my better half :) ... most probably will come ...
So please come forward if you care. We are not expecting anyone to be a die hard IV volunteer, but to express your support and your commitment and your help in nay manner.
IV is your/our organization and we must have a sense of oneness.
We stand for unity, peace and strength. Lets all unite "wholeheartedly"
let me check with my better half :) ... most probably will come ...
ras
02-12 11:08 AM
Why dont you consider one of attorney offices that provide free call services to IV members. That would help you as well as help IV community. May be you can consider Prashanthi Reddy or Raj at Shusterman or Siskind Law firm.
Hello,
My company is planning to do an EB2 GC for me. My H1B was done with this law firm called Chugh Law Firm which my company hires.
I had no problem in my H1B.
Here in these discussions I see many people asking to go to the best lawyers for greencards etc.
Does anybody know about this law firm, and your experiences please. Do you recommend I can be safe with them.
Thank you,
Bobby
Hello,
My company is planning to do an EB2 GC for me. My H1B was done with this law firm called Chugh Law Firm which my company hires.
I had no problem in my H1B.
Here in these discussions I see many people asking to go to the best lawyers for greencards etc.
Does anybody know about this law firm, and your experiences please. Do you recommend I can be safe with them.
Thank you,
Bobby
more...
manderson
12-29 07:56 PM
have you tried filing a FOIA (freedom of information act) request to obtain the 140? i don't know how well u have researched this, but u should talk to a good lawyer.
Getting I-140 approval copy is not possible.
I only have case number prinout.
anyways, it is not a big deal. Worst case, I will get 1 year extension.
It is not going to deter me from exercising AC-21.
Getting I-140 approval copy is not possible.
I only have case number prinout.
anyways, it is not a big deal. Worst case, I will get 1 year extension.
It is not going to deter me from exercising AC-21.
prolegalimmi
03-27 06:44 PM
Below is a Copy.
"Dear Editor,
I hope that this letter of mine gets a few minutes of your precious time.
While there is a raging debate going on in the Senate about how to accomodate illegal immigrants, while there is so much time being given to find solutions to the issue of illegal immigration, a little known fact is that upwards of 350,000 legal immigrants, who have come to the United States legally, contributing to the american community positively, putting their special skill sets to practice to keep american technical, engineering, research and such jobs in america, paying taxes for every penny they earn, for every day they have lived here, these people are languishing for more than five years because of governmental delays and lack of governmental resources to process their applications in a timely manner.
No coverage at all is being given to the plight of these more than 350,000 'legal' immigrants. These legal immigrants are even afraid to come out and protest lest they get into legal problems with the law enforcement because they might be disturbing peace or affecting productivity negatively. Would NPR kindly give a voice to these legal immigrants and let the public know about the silent suffering that these legal immigrants are going through. If any more information is needed at all, please do visit immigrationvoice.com, or contact any of these individuals who are here legally, shrey@immigrationvoice.org
jay@immigrationvoice.org
sandeep@immigrationvoice.org
nagaraj@immigrationvoice.org
kapooraman@immigrationvoice.org
OR call (281) 576-7185 .
Thank You very much for your time."
"Dear Editor,
I hope that this letter of mine gets a few minutes of your precious time.
While there is a raging debate going on in the Senate about how to accomodate illegal immigrants, while there is so much time being given to find solutions to the issue of illegal immigration, a little known fact is that upwards of 350,000 legal immigrants, who have come to the United States legally, contributing to the american community positively, putting their special skill sets to practice to keep american technical, engineering, research and such jobs in america, paying taxes for every penny they earn, for every day they have lived here, these people are languishing for more than five years because of governmental delays and lack of governmental resources to process their applications in a timely manner.
No coverage at all is being given to the plight of these more than 350,000 'legal' immigrants. These legal immigrants are even afraid to come out and protest lest they get into legal problems with the law enforcement because they might be disturbing peace or affecting productivity negatively. Would NPR kindly give a voice to these legal immigrants and let the public know about the silent suffering that these legal immigrants are going through. If any more information is needed at all, please do visit immigrationvoice.com, or contact any of these individuals who are here legally, shrey@immigrationvoice.org
jay@immigrationvoice.org
sandeep@immigrationvoice.org
nagaraj@immigrationvoice.org
kapooraman@immigrationvoice.org
OR call (281) 576-7185 .
Thank You very much for your time."
more...
wellwishergc
07-13 02:19 PM
got it, sonu. Thanks; clear as water now!
skp71, please treat the posting by Sonu as the final word on your case!; However, as he indicated consult your attorney becuase there may be additional details of your case which may not know while providing you feedback.
EAD and AP are benefits due to AOS pending. They are not status by itself. Thus it is optional while filing 485. Once you file 485, you are automatically in legal status to stay in US. H4 status enables you to reentry to US. Similarly, if you loose H4 for some reason ( like in Ur case), AP will allow your spouse to reenter USA.
Please consult an attorney.
skp71, please treat the posting by Sonu as the final word on your case!; However, as he indicated consult your attorney becuase there may be additional details of your case which may not know while providing you feedback.
EAD and AP are benefits due to AOS pending. They are not status by itself. Thus it is optional while filing 485. Once you file 485, you are automatically in legal status to stay in US. H4 status enables you to reentry to US. Similarly, if you loose H4 for some reason ( like in Ur case), AP will allow your spouse to reenter USA.
Please consult an attorney.
imind
03-12 03:50 PM
You can go to dice.com or any other jobportal and search for any IT job and you will see lot of jobs says:
NO H1Bs....ONLY EAD/GC/CITIZENSIP .
NO H1Bs....ONLY EAD/GC/CITIZENSIP .
more...
pooja_34
01-15 07:07 AM
I e-filed my AP application on Dec 29 at TSC and got the approval email yesterday ... Got approved in 2 weeks.
somegchuh
08-22 12:41 PM
I think you are absolutely right. Starting a business without a partnership is nearly impossible because you will be violating the H1 by working for it.
However, if you go into a partnership, that will be like owning stocks of a company. You don't have to work for it.
But you raise a good point about tax return scrutiny when you go for stamping. They can ask how you were making business income.
Has anyone here run a business on H1? What are the tax implications?
I have looked into this and talked to my lawyer. The basic consensus seems to be -- yes you can start your own business (wither alone or in partnership with someone else). But as long as you are on H1B VISA and do not have at least an EAD, you cannot actively(which means you cannot be running the day to day operations) work on your business. You can promote the business perform occasional volunteer work, but cannot be paid for this work.
I believe you can derive profits from the business (check with your lawyer because he's the one who will have to deal with any USCIS headaches), but as with all things, if the profits are high enough, your business may be scrutinized by the USCIS. Also remember when you go to the consulate to stamp your H1B, they will examine your tax records, and you will have to have a good enough explanation as to how you owned the business without violating the H1B status (by actively working on it). It's tricky and unless you are talking about small amounts of money think very carefully about starting your own business.
Since you cannot actively run the business, it makes sense to partner with a person who is authorized to run the day to day operations of the business (either a citizen of the US or a perm resident).
However, if you go into a partnership, that will be like owning stocks of a company. You don't have to work for it.
But you raise a good point about tax return scrutiny when you go for stamping. They can ask how you were making business income.
Has anyone here run a business on H1? What are the tax implications?
I have looked into this and talked to my lawyer. The basic consensus seems to be -- yes you can start your own business (wither alone or in partnership with someone else). But as long as you are on H1B VISA and do not have at least an EAD, you cannot actively(which means you cannot be running the day to day operations) work on your business. You can promote the business perform occasional volunteer work, but cannot be paid for this work.
I believe you can derive profits from the business (check with your lawyer because he's the one who will have to deal with any USCIS headaches), but as with all things, if the profits are high enough, your business may be scrutinized by the USCIS. Also remember when you go to the consulate to stamp your H1B, they will examine your tax records, and you will have to have a good enough explanation as to how you owned the business without violating the H1B status (by actively working on it). It's tricky and unless you are talking about small amounts of money think very carefully about starting your own business.
Since you cannot actively run the business, it makes sense to partner with a person who is authorized to run the day to day operations of the business (either a citizen of the US or a perm resident).
more...
Dhundhun
06-08 01:34 AM
My Job ad says: Sr Business analyst wanted ... with MS/MBA or foreign equivalent with 5 yrs exp.
I have
BSc in physics - 3 yr India degree
PG diploma in Instrumentation - 1 Yr India PG diploma
PG dip in marketing mgmt - 1 Yr India PG dip (E learning)
PG dip in buiness admin - 1 Yr India PG dip (E learning)
MBA - 3 Yr India PG degree (E learning)
6 yrs in healthcare, 2 yrs in sales, 5 yrs as Business analyst with Indian s/w vendor. 13 yrs in total.
Does my job ad allow me to qualify for EB2? Will I have any issues at my I-140 stage? Pls share your thoughts
If 5 yr exp. is there, then the required exp. should match. Can you match requirement list and show matching previous exp.? If so it should be EB2 - if not then I-140 will not be approved.
This is the place lawyers provide better advise - how to match (req. vs exp.), so that they can defend case in case of RFE.
As such the job req. seems to be EB2. It has no relationship with individual. Individual have to match it.
I have
BSc in physics - 3 yr India degree
PG diploma in Instrumentation - 1 Yr India PG diploma
PG dip in marketing mgmt - 1 Yr India PG dip (E learning)
PG dip in buiness admin - 1 Yr India PG dip (E learning)
MBA - 3 Yr India PG degree (E learning)
6 yrs in healthcare, 2 yrs in sales, 5 yrs as Business analyst with Indian s/w vendor. 13 yrs in total.
Does my job ad allow me to qualify for EB2? Will I have any issues at my I-140 stage? Pls share your thoughts
If 5 yr exp. is there, then the required exp. should match. Can you match requirement list and show matching previous exp.? If so it should be EB2 - if not then I-140 will not be approved.
This is the place lawyers provide better advise - how to match (req. vs exp.), so that they can defend case in case of RFE.
As such the job req. seems to be EB2. It has no relationship with individual. Individual have to match it.
viswanadh73
01-04 01:19 PM
thanks
more...
lskreddy
07-15 01:48 PM
Although if you think the share price is going to rise in the future you can buy them and hold them long term until the share price rises above 30 and you make some good money .
If you think the price is to go up, then you can buy them at current market value of 26 and hold them. You don't have to pay 30 for it :-)
Options are only valuable if they are more than the exercisable price, if not the paper is worth nothing.
If you think the price is to go up, then you can buy them at current market value of 26 and hold them. You don't have to pay 30 for it :-)
Options are only valuable if they are more than the exercisable price, if not the paper is worth nothing.
lazycis
01-15 11:15 AM
Finally, I found it in the federal regulations. So it's the federal law.
20 CFR Ch. V. � 655.731
...
except that the deduction may not recoup a business expense(s) of the employer (including attorney fees and other costs connected to the performance of H–1B program functions which are required to be performed by the employer, e.g., preparation and filing of LCA and H–1B petition);
20 CFR Ch. V. � 655.731
...
except that the deduction may not recoup a business expense(s) of the employer (including attorney fees and other costs connected to the performance of H–1B program functions which are required to be performed by the employer, e.g., preparation and filing of LCA and H–1B petition);
more...
mgakhar
02-28 11:24 AM
Ok so herez the update. I went to the INS office and gave them all the details. and since I was supposed to travel out of the country in 3rd and 4th week of March, I requested the lady that if possible can you ask them to give me a date either before March 14th or after March 30th. She made a note of this and said that I should be expecting the FP notice soon.
So I get the FP Notice yesterday with an appointment date of 20th March. Great ... now I cant even go for the appointment. I guess will have to reschedule it.
I've read that its ok to reschedule the appointment just once but not more than once. Any advice on this would be really helpful.
thanks again Leoindiano for your advice !!
So I get the FP Notice yesterday with an appointment date of 20th March. Great ... now I cant even go for the appointment. I guess will have to reschedule it.
I've read that its ok to reschedule the appointment just once but not more than once. Any advice on this would be really helpful.
thanks again Leoindiano for your advice !!
sunny02
08-18 01:35 PM
Hi Everyone,
Have a question
My wife came to USA on H4 (2007), we have applied for H1 this year(2008)and is it approved (we did not received the petition yet). She has to travel back to india for a month from (Sep 08 - Mid Oct08). I am concerned about the issues/status when she enters back in USA. Her H4 is valid till Sep-2009.
1) Can she go back on H4 visa and return back with the same H4 visa. Will she be having any issues at the Immigartion officer at port of entry. If so, what type of questions she has to face?
2)After coming back, will her H1 have any issues ?
What would be the best thing to do .. I am really worried about this status issues.
Can any one of you pls let me know how to face this .
Have a question
My wife came to USA on H4 (2007), we have applied for H1 this year(2008)and is it approved (we did not received the petition yet). She has to travel back to india for a month from (Sep 08 - Mid Oct08). I am concerned about the issues/status when she enters back in USA. Her H4 is valid till Sep-2009.
1) Can she go back on H4 visa and return back with the same H4 visa. Will she be having any issues at the Immigartion officer at port of entry. If so, what type of questions she has to face?
2)After coming back, will her H1 have any issues ?
What would be the best thing to do .. I am really worried about this status issues.
Can any one of you pls let me know how to face this .
eadguru
11-02 09:29 PM
See Signature...
----------------------------------------------------
I-1485/131/765 Sent to TSC on 08/03/07
(TSC -> VSC -> TSC). ND=10/17/07.
I-485 transferred to TSC on 10/17/07
EAD card ordered on 10/24 from VSC. Received 11/01
AP - RFE for clear copies of PP 10/31
No Finger Prints
----------------------------------------------------
I-1485/131/765 Sent to TSC on 08/03/07
(TSC -> VSC -> TSC). ND=10/17/07.
I-485 transferred to TSC on 10/17/07
EAD card ordered on 10/24 from VSC. Received 11/01
AP - RFE for clear copies of PP 10/31
No Finger Prints
nemadeni
09-23 07:05 PM
https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Agsah2P-Kr24dFM1dk9zOUVaVzR6RTFHMzlMSHpLLUE&hl=en
http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/New%20Structure/2nd%20Level%20%28Left%20Nav%20Parents%29/Green%20Card%20-%202nd%20Level/Pending%20Form%20I-485%20Reports.pdf
Information on how to read the report
Questions & Answers: Pending Employment-Based Form I-485 Inventory
Q: Why is the wait so long for my employment-based green card?
A: A visa must be available before a person can obtain an employment-based green card. Because more people want a green card than there are visas available, not everyone who wants a green card can get one immediately. Therefore, some people have to wait in line until a visa is available. The U.S. Department of State (DOS) gives out 140,000 employment-based visas each year. About 85% of those visas go to people seeking a green card in the United States, while about 15% go to people seeking to immigrate from abroad. Currently, about 234,000 people have employment-based adjustment of status (green card) applications pending in the United States and are waiting to get a visa. How long you wait for a visa depends on the supply and demand for your particular preference category, your priority date, and the country your visa will be charged to, usually your country of birth.
Q: How can I determine my place in line based on my priority date?
A: Your preference category, priority date, and country of origin determine your place in line for a visa. The earlier your priority date is, the closer you are to the front of the line. To better assist you in knowing your place in line, we are posting a report of our total pending inventory of applications for employment-based green cards (Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) for those seeking to adjust status in the United States. See the �Pending Employment-Based Form I-485 Report� link to the right. We are also posting five other reports by country of chargeability (China, India, Mexico, Philippines, and All Other Chargeability) (see the links to the right).
The �Pending Employment-Based Form I-485 Report,� displays the total number of pending adjustment of status applications, per preference classification. The report shows how many pending adjustment of status (green card) applications in each preference classification have priority dates in a given month and year. You can use this chart to determine how many applicants in your preference classification have priority dates in the same month and year as your own. Also, you can determine how many applicants in your preference classification are ahead of you in line for a visa number by adding together the number of cases with an earlier priority date than your own.
The All Other Chargeability report shows how many applicants from countries other than China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines have priority dates in a given month and year. The report is broken down into separate charts for each preference classification. If you are from a country other than China, India, Mexico, or the Philippines, you can use this chart to determine how many applicants for adjustment of status in the same preference classification have a priority date in the same month and year as your own. This chart also lets you know how many applicants in the same preference classification have earlier priority dates.
Because of historically higher demand for visas from China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines, each of those countries has its own separate report. As published in the DOS Visa Bulletin, applicants from those countries will need to have earlier priority dates than like applicants from other countries to get a visa in any given month. If you are from China, India, Mexico, or the Philippines, you may want to use the report for your particular country. Your country report will show you how many applicants from the same country and preference classification have a priority date in the same month and year as your own. The report will also let you know how many applicants from the same country and preference classification have earlier priority dates.
Q: Which report should I use, the Pending Employment-Based Form I-485 Report or the country-specific reports?
A: All applicants for an employment-based green card may use the pending Form I-485 report to determine their place in line for a visa. Because certain countries experience higher demand than others, applicants in these �oversubscribed� countries may move forward in line more slowly than applicants in countries experiencing less demand. In other words, in order to obtain a visa, applicants in oversubscribed countries may need to have earlier priority dates than applicants in countries experiencing less demand. Applicants in oversubscribed countries may therefore want to also refer to the report for their specific country of chargeability to determine where they stand in line with other applicants from that country.
Q: What information do I need to have before using the pending Form I-485 inventory reports?
A: You need to know your priority date and your preference category to use the pending Form I-485 inventory reports. For more information on priority dates and preference categories, see the �Visa Availability & Priority Dates� and �Green Card Eligibility� links to the right.
Q: How do I read the pending I-485 inventory reports?
A: First, click on the link to the report you want to view. Once you click on the link, the report will appear and you will see a series of charts, one for each preference category. You will see that each chart has different numbers for each month and year. These numbers show how many green card applicants have priority dates in that month and year. To figure out how many applicants have earlier priority dates, add all the numbers from all the cells that correspond to earlier months.
Q: Can you tell me when I will get a visa?
A: Unfortunately, we cannot determine how long it will take for you to get a visa. However, we hope that by showing applicants with a pending Form I-485 where they stand in line to get a visa, you will get a better sense of how long it may take. We intend to update the data in these reports quarterly. By comparing newer versions of the reports with older ones, you may see that the number of applicants ahead of you has gotten smaller, and you may be able to tell how much shorter the line has become. We hope this will give you an even better sense of how long it may take for you to get a visa.
Q: Can you provide me an example of how to use the pending Form I-485 inventory charts?
A: Assume your priority date is in January 2007, your petition was approved for third preference, and you are from China. Using the Sample �Pending Employment-Based Form I-485 Report,� below you will see on the third preference chart that there are 2,618 applicants with a priority date in the same month and year as your priority date.
If you want to find out how many third-preference green card applicants have an earlier priority date than yours, you will need to add all the numbers starting with the number at the beginning of the table, January 1997, and ending with the number immediately before the month and year of your own priority date, December 2006. You will see that there are 131,341 third-preference applicants who have a priority date earlier than yours.
Q: How do I know how many applicants from my country have an earlier priority date than mine?
A: Assume your priority date is in June 2005, your petition was approved for third preference, and you are from India. Using the Sample �I-485 Inventory for Individuals Born in India Report� below, you will see that there are 175 green card applicants from India with a priority date in June 2005.
To find out how many applicants born in India have an earlier priority date than yours, add all the numbers starting at January 1997 and ending at May 2005. You will see that there are 42,796 third-preference applicants from India with a priority date earlier than yours.
http://www.uscis.gov/USCIS/New%20Structure/2nd%20Level%20%28Left%20Nav%20Parents%29/Green%20Card%20-%202nd%20Level/Pending%20Form%20I-485%20Reports.pdf
Information on how to read the report
Questions & Answers: Pending Employment-Based Form I-485 Inventory
Q: Why is the wait so long for my employment-based green card?
A: A visa must be available before a person can obtain an employment-based green card. Because more people want a green card than there are visas available, not everyone who wants a green card can get one immediately. Therefore, some people have to wait in line until a visa is available. The U.S. Department of State (DOS) gives out 140,000 employment-based visas each year. About 85% of those visas go to people seeking a green card in the United States, while about 15% go to people seeking to immigrate from abroad. Currently, about 234,000 people have employment-based adjustment of status (green card) applications pending in the United States and are waiting to get a visa. How long you wait for a visa depends on the supply and demand for your particular preference category, your priority date, and the country your visa will be charged to, usually your country of birth.
Q: How can I determine my place in line based on my priority date?
A: Your preference category, priority date, and country of origin determine your place in line for a visa. The earlier your priority date is, the closer you are to the front of the line. To better assist you in knowing your place in line, we are posting a report of our total pending inventory of applications for employment-based green cards (Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status) for those seeking to adjust status in the United States. See the �Pending Employment-Based Form I-485 Report� link to the right. We are also posting five other reports by country of chargeability (China, India, Mexico, Philippines, and All Other Chargeability) (see the links to the right).
The �Pending Employment-Based Form I-485 Report,� displays the total number of pending adjustment of status applications, per preference classification. The report shows how many pending adjustment of status (green card) applications in each preference classification have priority dates in a given month and year. You can use this chart to determine how many applicants in your preference classification have priority dates in the same month and year as your own. Also, you can determine how many applicants in your preference classification are ahead of you in line for a visa number by adding together the number of cases with an earlier priority date than your own.
The All Other Chargeability report shows how many applicants from countries other than China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines have priority dates in a given month and year. The report is broken down into separate charts for each preference classification. If you are from a country other than China, India, Mexico, or the Philippines, you can use this chart to determine how many applicants for adjustment of status in the same preference classification have a priority date in the same month and year as your own. This chart also lets you know how many applicants in the same preference classification have earlier priority dates.
Because of historically higher demand for visas from China, India, Mexico, and the Philippines, each of those countries has its own separate report. As published in the DOS Visa Bulletin, applicants from those countries will need to have earlier priority dates than like applicants from other countries to get a visa in any given month. If you are from China, India, Mexico, or the Philippines, you may want to use the report for your particular country. Your country report will show you how many applicants from the same country and preference classification have a priority date in the same month and year as your own. The report will also let you know how many applicants from the same country and preference classification have earlier priority dates.
Q: Which report should I use, the Pending Employment-Based Form I-485 Report or the country-specific reports?
A: All applicants for an employment-based green card may use the pending Form I-485 report to determine their place in line for a visa. Because certain countries experience higher demand than others, applicants in these �oversubscribed� countries may move forward in line more slowly than applicants in countries experiencing less demand. In other words, in order to obtain a visa, applicants in oversubscribed countries may need to have earlier priority dates than applicants in countries experiencing less demand. Applicants in oversubscribed countries may therefore want to also refer to the report for their specific country of chargeability to determine where they stand in line with other applicants from that country.
Q: What information do I need to have before using the pending Form I-485 inventory reports?
A: You need to know your priority date and your preference category to use the pending Form I-485 inventory reports. For more information on priority dates and preference categories, see the �Visa Availability & Priority Dates� and �Green Card Eligibility� links to the right.
Q: How do I read the pending I-485 inventory reports?
A: First, click on the link to the report you want to view. Once you click on the link, the report will appear and you will see a series of charts, one for each preference category. You will see that each chart has different numbers for each month and year. These numbers show how many green card applicants have priority dates in that month and year. To figure out how many applicants have earlier priority dates, add all the numbers from all the cells that correspond to earlier months.
Q: Can you tell me when I will get a visa?
A: Unfortunately, we cannot determine how long it will take for you to get a visa. However, we hope that by showing applicants with a pending Form I-485 where they stand in line to get a visa, you will get a better sense of how long it may take. We intend to update the data in these reports quarterly. By comparing newer versions of the reports with older ones, you may see that the number of applicants ahead of you has gotten smaller, and you may be able to tell how much shorter the line has become. We hope this will give you an even better sense of how long it may take for you to get a visa.
Q: Can you provide me an example of how to use the pending Form I-485 inventory charts?
A: Assume your priority date is in January 2007, your petition was approved for third preference, and you are from China. Using the Sample �Pending Employment-Based Form I-485 Report,� below you will see on the third preference chart that there are 2,618 applicants with a priority date in the same month and year as your priority date.
If you want to find out how many third-preference green card applicants have an earlier priority date than yours, you will need to add all the numbers starting with the number at the beginning of the table, January 1997, and ending with the number immediately before the month and year of your own priority date, December 2006. You will see that there are 131,341 third-preference applicants who have a priority date earlier than yours.
Q: How do I know how many applicants from my country have an earlier priority date than mine?
A: Assume your priority date is in June 2005, your petition was approved for third preference, and you are from India. Using the Sample �I-485 Inventory for Individuals Born in India Report� below, you will see that there are 175 green card applicants from India with a priority date in June 2005.
To find out how many applicants born in India have an earlier priority date than yours, add all the numbers starting at January 1997 and ending at May 2005. You will see that there are 42,796 third-preference applicants from India with a priority date earlier than yours.
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08-04 07:20 AM
from immigration-law.com
08/04/2006: Elimination of Backlog Labor Certification Applications: Feasible in 14 Months?
* The DOL authorities confirmed in San Antonio in June that the data entries were about to be completed by the end of June and mailing out of all the 45-day letters might also be completed by middle or within July 2006. The authorities also confirmed that traditional regular labor certification applicants would start receiving the recruitment instructions with their prevailing wage determination to accelerate the recruitment process beginning from later part of July 2006.
* For a while, the employers received en masse the 45-day letters in the mail, but lately it has slowed down for unknown reasons. Sources indicate that the initial schedule has been somewhat pushed off. However, the DOL website still promises that they will eliminate all the backlog cases in 14 months. The period of 14 months may be a long time for the immigrants but a short time for the agency to eliminate tons of complicated labor certification applications. This is particularly true in that as the elimination program approaches the end of the rope, the morale of the temporary workers that manage, operate, and process applications is expected to drop substantially.
* The late slow-down of the pace of processing of the backlog applications raises a misgiving that unless the agency works out a special procedure or device, they may not be able to reach the goal.. There are still tons of traditional applications that await a time-consuming supervised recruitment process and adjudication including audits. The c6nsumers want to see some speed-up action before we approach the year-end holiday season and work slow-downs.
08/04/2006: Elimination of Backlog Labor Certification Applications: Feasible in 14 Months?
* The DOL authorities confirmed in San Antonio in June that the data entries were about to be completed by the end of June and mailing out of all the 45-day letters might also be completed by middle or within July 2006. The authorities also confirmed that traditional regular labor certification applicants would start receiving the recruitment instructions with their prevailing wage determination to accelerate the recruitment process beginning from later part of July 2006.
* For a while, the employers received en masse the 45-day letters in the mail, but lately it has slowed down for unknown reasons. Sources indicate that the initial schedule has been somewhat pushed off. However, the DOL website still promises that they will eliminate all the backlog cases in 14 months. The period of 14 months may be a long time for the immigrants but a short time for the agency to eliminate tons of complicated labor certification applications. This is particularly true in that as the elimination program approaches the end of the rope, the morale of the temporary workers that manage, operate, and process applications is expected to drop substantially.
* The late slow-down of the pace of processing of the backlog applications raises a misgiving that unless the agency works out a special procedure or device, they may not be able to reach the goal.. There are still tons of traditional applications that await a time-consuming supervised recruitment process and adjudication including audits. The c6nsumers want to see some speed-up action before we approach the year-end holiday season and work slow-downs.
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