
GreenMe
01-21 01:47 PM
My wife and I work for Consulting firm. We both had to travel to India for Visa Stamping.
My wife appeared on 4th Dec 2010. The Consular asked all regular work questions to her and then issued her a blue 221(g) form asking for additional documents from employer. The documents asked were Employer tax returns, each state tax returns, employee list with their salaries and position.
My wife went to Mumbai Consulate again on 17th Jan with all additional documents. To our surprise she was interviewed same day by the same Consular and issued a visa. Typically in the past, the consulate would take the paper and would ask the candidate to wait for the email from consulate.
I appeared for my Visa interview on 23rd Dec and was issued yellow 22(g) form without checking any of my documents. I was asked how I am working on 7th year of my H1 and then issued a yellow form to verify my details. I was told to wait for email from consulate. Luckily I received email on 3rd business day. Typically these cases take anywhere from1 to 3 months.
At VFS center I met 3 more people who received yellow 221(g) and got reply from consulate with 2-3 business days.
My observation is that the Mumbai consulate was issuing 221(g)s to many folks. And this is not just limited to IT consultants but also affects Fulltime non-IT folks too. One of my friend from Manufacturing received yellow 221(g) last month but got email from consulate after 10 business days.
So to conclude, I think Mumbai consulate is issuing these 221(g)s a lot but at the same time the turn around time is also quick.
My wife appeared on 4th Dec 2010. The Consular asked all regular work questions to her and then issued her a blue 221(g) form asking for additional documents from employer. The documents asked were Employer tax returns, each state tax returns, employee list with their salaries and position.
My wife went to Mumbai Consulate again on 17th Jan with all additional documents. To our surprise she was interviewed same day by the same Consular and issued a visa. Typically in the past, the consulate would take the paper and would ask the candidate to wait for the email from consulate.
I appeared for my Visa interview on 23rd Dec and was issued yellow 22(g) form without checking any of my documents. I was asked how I am working on 7th year of my H1 and then issued a yellow form to verify my details. I was told to wait for email from consulate. Luckily I received email on 3rd business day. Typically these cases take anywhere from1 to 3 months.
At VFS center I met 3 more people who received yellow 221(g) and got reply from consulate with 2-3 business days.
My observation is that the Mumbai consulate was issuing 221(g)s to many folks. And this is not just limited to IT consultants but also affects Fulltime non-IT folks too. One of my friend from Manufacturing received yellow 221(g) last month but got email from consulate after 10 business days.
So to conclude, I think Mumbai consulate is issuing these 221(g)s a lot but at the same time the turn around time is also quick.

dixie
02-12 07:36 PM
Also do you know which is more difficult to get approved EB3 or EB2 without raising any red flags ? I am trying to understand which one is safe to play.
EB3 is generally easier to pass scrutiny at the I-140 stage. If you are from ROW, however, switching to EB2 has a HUGE advantage - you are talking of the difference between waiting at 3-4 years to get even an EAD card and potentially getting your GC in an year (EB2 ROW).
If you are from India, there is no significant benefit to switching. The only difference is the date on which the PD is stuck - whether it is April 2001 or Jan 2003, the dates are going to remain there for the next decade absent CIR/SKILL. If CIR/SKILL does get passed, both will likely become current. Either way, you don't gain much although I see an inexplicable rush from EB3 India folks to jump to the EB2 bandwagon.
EB3 is generally easier to pass scrutiny at the I-140 stage. If you are from ROW, however, switching to EB2 has a HUGE advantage - you are talking of the difference between waiting at 3-4 years to get even an EAD card and potentially getting your GC in an year (EB2 ROW).
If you are from India, there is no significant benefit to switching. The only difference is the date on which the PD is stuck - whether it is April 2001 or Jan 2003, the dates are going to remain there for the next decade absent CIR/SKILL. If CIR/SKILL does get passed, both will likely become current. Either way, you don't gain much although I see an inexplicable rush from EB3 India folks to jump to the EB2 bandwagon.

manderson
07-17 10:43 AM
if u want to change emplpyer you can transfer H1 via premium process to another employer in 2 weeks. you only need paystubs to prove that you were employed for the last 4 yrs.
as per GC even if you can get your new employer to file it but can't get paperwork from old employer, u'r desparate and wanna file now: u can try substituting ther labor, 140 and experience letter with following (but please know that it might be rejected by USCIS):
- copies of previous labor and 140 can by usually obtained by filing a Freeedom Of Information Act (FOIA) request through your own (trusted) lawyer. but it will take a couple of months -- in the meantime u could try filing through own lawyer with printouts of approved cases statuses (from USCIS website) along with 797 notices (receipt notice with LIN/ WAC number). hope that USCIS will send an RFE for actual paperwork
- substitute experince letter with 2 affidavits of experience from 2 co-workers and paystubs
Disclaimer: Please know that I am not a lawyer so I might be wrong. Please ask an immigration lawyer for advice.
as per GC even if you can get your new employer to file it but can't get paperwork from old employer, u'r desparate and wanna file now: u can try substituting ther labor, 140 and experience letter with following (but please know that it might be rejected by USCIS):
- copies of previous labor and 140 can by usually obtained by filing a Freeedom Of Information Act (FOIA) request through your own (trusted) lawyer. but it will take a couple of months -- in the meantime u could try filing through own lawyer with printouts of approved cases statuses (from USCIS website) along with 797 notices (receipt notice with LIN/ WAC number). hope that USCIS will send an RFE for actual paperwork
- substitute experince letter with 2 affidavits of experience from 2 co-workers and paystubs
Disclaimer: Please know that I am not a lawyer so I might be wrong. Please ask an immigration lawyer for advice.
LostInGCProcess
09-06 04:22 PM
USCIS receives around 7.5 million applications a year and mistakes happen. Cut them some slack here. Bad luck to OP. Contact USCIS and see what happens and please post here after your issue is resolved. Others will benefit from your experience.
Regardless of the amount of application they receive, they have to provide 'good' service for the amount they charge for each application.
If we assume the per charge of each application is $100.00 or $200.00
7.5miilion X $100.00 = $750 million.
7.5million X $200.00 = $1.5 Billion.
you have a huge receivable account. And it can be run more efficiently and accurately giving good customer satisfaction.
I feel sorry for the person who has posted this thread. Cause he may have made lot of planning to travel, book flight tickets etc...and it all has to change...so, there is also a secondary cost involved if one goes thru this kind of 'errors'.
Regardless of the amount of application they receive, they have to provide 'good' service for the amount they charge for each application.
If we assume the per charge of each application is $100.00 or $200.00
7.5miilion X $100.00 = $750 million.
7.5million X $200.00 = $1.5 Billion.
you have a huge receivable account. And it can be run more efficiently and accurately giving good customer satisfaction.
I feel sorry for the person who has posted this thread. Cause he may have made lot of planning to travel, book flight tickets etc...and it all has to change...so, there is also a secondary cost involved if one goes thru this kind of 'errors'.
more...

buvane
09-10 07:32 PM
extended review = "we got your money , now dont bother us"
also means nothing is happening to your case!
Thanks!!! This is exactly what they are doing...Other side of funny part do you have any clue on how to come out of this to get my case picked up??
also means nothing is happening to your case!
Thanks!!! This is exactly what they are doing...Other side of funny part do you have any clue on how to come out of this to get my case picked up??

jsb
10-29 03:33 PM
I checked my current labor certification. it has the following details :
ETA FORM 9089
A) PREVAILING WAGE INFORMATION
SOC/O*NET(OES) CODE
15-1031.00
OCCUPATONAL TITLE
COMPUTER SOFTWARE ENGINEER
B) JOB OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION
JOB TITLE: SOFTWARE ENGINEER(THIS IS CURRENT)
C) IDENTIFY THE JOB TITLE OF THE ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATE OCCUPATION:
PROGRAMMER ANALYST OR SYSTEMS ANALYST
D) JOB DUTIES
CREATE TEST PLANS, TEST CASES AND ANALYZE USER NEEDS AND CREATE AND
MODIFY APPLICATION SOFTWARE USING VARIOUS SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES
My question is based on the above can i switch to another field like SAP for example. I am not sure if companies will be ready to give me a offer letter with the above text for a SAP job.
Any ideas friends?
There is no hard and fast rule in this matter. "Same or similar" is very vague. My guess is that if new work field is not drastically different you should be fine. But for AC21 application, as I hear, you need do nothing unless there is an RFE. Guidelines given by USCIS to their field office on AC21, seem to advise them to be quite lenient.
ETA FORM 9089
A) PREVAILING WAGE INFORMATION
SOC/O*NET(OES) CODE
15-1031.00
OCCUPATONAL TITLE
COMPUTER SOFTWARE ENGINEER
B) JOB OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION
JOB TITLE: SOFTWARE ENGINEER(THIS IS CURRENT)
C) IDENTIFY THE JOB TITLE OF THE ACCEPTABLE ALTERNATE OCCUPATION:
PROGRAMMER ANALYST OR SYSTEMS ANALYST
D) JOB DUTIES
CREATE TEST PLANS, TEST CASES AND ANALYZE USER NEEDS AND CREATE AND
MODIFY APPLICATION SOFTWARE USING VARIOUS SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES
My question is based on the above can i switch to another field like SAP for example. I am not sure if companies will be ready to give me a offer letter with the above text for a SAP job.
Any ideas friends?
There is no hard and fast rule in this matter. "Same or similar" is very vague. My guess is that if new work field is not drastically different you should be fine. But for AC21 application, as I hear, you need do nothing unless there is an RFE. Guidelines given by USCIS to their field office on AC21, seem to advise them to be quite lenient.
more...

waiting4gc
04-16 01:45 PM
pros --
- no state taxes
- cheap housing (renting or buying)
cons
- (for me at least) Houston is terribly humid and hot
- concrete jungle pretty much sums up the city. There is hardly any good public transportation in any texas city
I am thinking to moving from Allentown (PA) to Houston. Just wondering if anybody can enlighten me on the challenges that I am likely to face.
Drivers License,Commute to downtown, childcare etc.
I will probably get flamed again for posting a non immigration related (mostly except the DL part I guess) topic.
I have an approved i-140 and EAD and 180 days past on 485 filing.
- no state taxes
- cheap housing (renting or buying)
cons
- (for me at least) Houston is terribly humid and hot
- concrete jungle pretty much sums up the city. There is hardly any good public transportation in any texas city
I am thinking to moving from Allentown (PA) to Houston. Just wondering if anybody can enlighten me on the challenges that I am likely to face.
Drivers License,Commute to downtown, childcare etc.
I will probably get flamed again for posting a non immigration related (mostly except the DL part I guess) topic.
I have an approved i-140 and EAD and 180 days past on 485 filing.

onemorecame
10-25 01:19 PM
Hi Gurus,
I got You 2 A# number. one is from I-140 and other is from I-485 which i filled on July 2007.
Is it any problem to get 2 A#? if yes then what should be plan of action?
If No then which one is active A# number.
Please advice.
onemorecame.
Bump
I got You 2 A# number. one is from I-140 and other is from I-485 which i filled on July 2007.
Is it any problem to get 2 A#? if yes then what should be plan of action?
If No then which one is active A# number.
Please advice.
onemorecame.
Bump
more...

apb
09-11 02:47 PM
I also know one more with PD dec/03 and waiting

optimystic
04-23 03:46 PM
What about EB1s? Were they also Unavailable in the interim July 2- July 17 blackout period?
I believe so. As per the archived bulletins, (and also per my memory) , everything was 'U' in Employment based category.
I believe so. As per the archived bulletins, (and also per my memory) , everything was 'U' in Employment based category.
more...

Ramba
05-28 11:56 AM
If you withdraw 485 now, you can reapply after getting married, only if your current GC sponering employer willing to give you the job offer (and offer letter) as per the terms and condition of LC and 140 at that time you re apply 485 in future. If you lose the employment relationship with your sponser, you have to start from scratch (LC-140-485), if you find another sponser. Only thing you can retain is PD. All other, you have to start from grounf zero.
You have to make your choice.
You have to make your choice.

MAEB2TR
09-04 10:34 AM
This is what I found in another thread:
"06/02/2007: NSC Procedure of Transfer of Pending I-1485 From Current Approved Underlying I-140 Petition to New I-140 Petition
� This posting involves aliens who are waiting for the I-485 applications where the underlying I-140 petition was approved but due to retrogression, I-485 cannot be approved. Most of these cases are EB-3 cases. When the same alien obtains an EB-2 labor certification approval through the same employer or a different employer and the visa number is available for the EB-2 for him or her, he should be eligible for filing another I-485 application based on the visa number available EB-2 I-140 petition. This can be achieved either by concurrent I-140/I-485 filing or if the new EB-2 I-140 has already been approved, by filing of stand-alone I-485 application.
� However, in the foregoing situation, the Pearson Memo of 2000 allows the alien to transfer the pending I-485 application from the existing underlying approved I-140 petition to a new EB-2 I-140 petition such that the alien does not have to file another I-485 application to use the second I-140 petition. For this to happen, two conditions must be met: (1) The existing underlying I-140 petition (most likely EB-3) must have been approved before the I-485 transfer is requested. (2) Secondly, the visa number must be "current" for the new I-140 petition (most likely EB-2) before the I-485 transfer is requested. Inasmuch as the visa number is current, the pending I-485 application that suffer from the visa number retrogression can be transferred to the nex I-140 petition.
� According to the Nebraska Service Center, people should take the following procedure to request such transfer of pending I-485 application from one I-140 petition to another I-140 petition:
o Request for Transfer of Pending I-485 Application to a Newly Filed I-140 Petition That Has Visa Number Current: In this situation, he/she is filing a new I-140 petition (probably EB-2 with visa number "current") with the agency to transfer the pending I-485 application and attach it to the new I-140 petition. The NSC states that if he/she files such new I-140 petition, he/she should use "large, bold print in the cover letter or with a separate, brightly colored cover page and notation 'Inter-file I-140 with Pending I-485' and include the Receipt/File Number of Pending I-485 Application, both on the Envelope and Cover Letter.
o Request for Transfer of Pending I-485 Application to Already Approved New I-140 (most likely EB-2 category): NSC asks to print the attached over sheet on brightly colored paper, and submitting it with a cover letter providing the following Information:
Name of 485 applicant
Name of I-140 petitioner (employer)
I-485 Receipt Number
"A" Number of the 485 applicant
Prior I-140 petition (1) Receipt Number, (2) Filing Date, and (3) Approval Date
New I-140 to be inter-filed
Statement requesting new I-140 be inter-filed with the pending I-485 application.
"06/02/2007: NSC Procedure of Transfer of Pending I-1485 From Current Approved Underlying I-140 Petition to New I-140 Petition
� This posting involves aliens who are waiting for the I-485 applications where the underlying I-140 petition was approved but due to retrogression, I-485 cannot be approved. Most of these cases are EB-3 cases. When the same alien obtains an EB-2 labor certification approval through the same employer or a different employer and the visa number is available for the EB-2 for him or her, he should be eligible for filing another I-485 application based on the visa number available EB-2 I-140 petition. This can be achieved either by concurrent I-140/I-485 filing or if the new EB-2 I-140 has already been approved, by filing of stand-alone I-485 application.
� However, in the foregoing situation, the Pearson Memo of 2000 allows the alien to transfer the pending I-485 application from the existing underlying approved I-140 petition to a new EB-2 I-140 petition such that the alien does not have to file another I-485 application to use the second I-140 petition. For this to happen, two conditions must be met: (1) The existing underlying I-140 petition (most likely EB-3) must have been approved before the I-485 transfer is requested. (2) Secondly, the visa number must be "current" for the new I-140 petition (most likely EB-2) before the I-485 transfer is requested. Inasmuch as the visa number is current, the pending I-485 application that suffer from the visa number retrogression can be transferred to the nex I-140 petition.
� According to the Nebraska Service Center, people should take the following procedure to request such transfer of pending I-485 application from one I-140 petition to another I-140 petition:
o Request for Transfer of Pending I-485 Application to a Newly Filed I-140 Petition That Has Visa Number Current: In this situation, he/she is filing a new I-140 petition (probably EB-2 with visa number "current") with the agency to transfer the pending I-485 application and attach it to the new I-140 petition. The NSC states that if he/she files such new I-140 petition, he/she should use "large, bold print in the cover letter or with a separate, brightly colored cover page and notation 'Inter-file I-140 with Pending I-485' and include the Receipt/File Number of Pending I-485 Application, both on the Envelope and Cover Letter.
o Request for Transfer of Pending I-485 Application to Already Approved New I-140 (most likely EB-2 category): NSC asks to print the attached over sheet on brightly colored paper, and submitting it with a cover letter providing the following Information:
Name of 485 applicant
Name of I-140 petitioner (employer)
I-485 Receipt Number
"A" Number of the 485 applicant
Prior I-140 petition (1) Receipt Number, (2) Filing Date, and (3) Approval Date
New I-140 to be inter-filed
Statement requesting new I-140 be inter-filed with the pending I-485 application.
more...

uma001
07-24 03:26 PM
Yes, it is better to delay it until economy picks up and unemployment rate goes down to 5%...otherwise he will get lot of queries. BTW nobody is willing to file green card at this time.

belmontboy
01-31 03:38 AM
why is this under "All other Green Card issues"? In this google era, you find solutions to most of your day to day problems with a simple google search. You don't have to create a separate thread for this.
That being said, dispute your bill.
Previous bills often serve as an estimate of one's monthly electricity usage. Any anamolies in current bills can be disputed on comparison with previous bills.
Good luck btw...
That being said, dispute your bill.
Previous bills often serve as an estimate of one's monthly electricity usage. Any anamolies in current bills can be disputed on comparison with previous bills.
Good luck btw...
more...

jnraajan
09-23 05:22 PM
I dont think EB3 is current for Nov 2004. Infact, it is unavailable for all countries of charge until Oct First. If you are Phillipines or rest of the world, you still need to wait until OCt First to file
Dear Guru's
I got rejection notice from TSC for a valid I-485 application stating that "A Visa number is not available at the present time".
However, I have two I-140 approved one in EB3 with 10-Nov-2004 as PD and another I-140 in EB2 category with 10-Aug-2007 as PD.
It is evident that Based on 10-Nov-2004 my PD is current and my application highlighted the same in bright cover sheet and my application still got rejected.
based on notice we filed the same application back and this time CC'd to ombudsman emphasizing the same fact for PD.
Its been a week we respond to rejection notice and haven't got either acceptance or rejection letter. and haven't heard back from ombudsman.
I am optimistic and would wait to get the response but I am worried since only 5 business days left before the dates get retrogressed.
I would like to know what actions do I need to take "while the date is current"; so that I can pursue my case further after 9/30/2008.
Is there anyway I can talk to ombudsman office and get personal attention to my case.
Guru's please help me out with your experience and ideas.
Dear Guru's
I got rejection notice from TSC for a valid I-485 application stating that "A Visa number is not available at the present time".
However, I have two I-140 approved one in EB3 with 10-Nov-2004 as PD and another I-140 in EB2 category with 10-Aug-2007 as PD.
It is evident that Based on 10-Nov-2004 my PD is current and my application highlighted the same in bright cover sheet and my application still got rejected.
based on notice we filed the same application back and this time CC'd to ombudsman emphasizing the same fact for PD.
Its been a week we respond to rejection notice and haven't got either acceptance or rejection letter. and haven't heard back from ombudsman.
I am optimistic and would wait to get the response but I am worried since only 5 business days left before the dates get retrogressed.
I would like to know what actions do I need to take "while the date is current"; so that I can pursue my case further after 9/30/2008.
Is there anyway I can talk to ombudsman office and get personal attention to my case.
Guru's please help me out with your experience and ideas.

gemini23
07-02 03:07 PM
the reference to mexicans here is defnintely uncalled for and has racist odor. You could have used "illegal immegrant" as they can be from any country in the world. I would expect a little maturity and humbleness from a senior member. my word of advice..dont be frustrated...this gc game needs lot more patience.
Please step back. You need to grow up to know what is racism and you need to listen/read with some context in the background.
Plain reading is injurious to health and community.
I repeat "please step aside".
Please step back. You need to grow up to know what is racism and you need to listen/read with some context in the background.
Plain reading is injurious to health and community.
I repeat "please step aside".
more...

yabadaba
06-26 01:28 PM
once again^^^

harsh
11-10 04:15 PM
Hi I am from Huntsville... This is a good place to get together. It will really help when we meet lawmakers if we can show that there is more than 1 person who is affetced by the retrogression. So if there are anymore alabama residents sign up.
nousername
04-29 08:46 PM
There is no limit as to how many companies can apply for your H1 transfer. 2 or 10 is the same.. The idea is to get a reply ASAP. I would suggest to apply under premium process
To best of my knowledge you are out-of-status but wait.. Don't worry. I personally have been out-of-status like this three (3) times, so it is not that bad. At one time it took me almost 4 months to look for another job and I still got portability (i.e. H1 transfer with new I-94). Other time I got a job in 2 months and still had to take a trip back home for new stamp.
I know it is easier said then done but trust me, take it easy on your self as this will help your family also. You have already applied for a transfer, just switch to premium process and you should be ok.. What USCIS cares about is recent paystub, which can be 1 month or two old..
God bless..
To best of my knowledge you are out-of-status but wait.. Don't worry. I personally have been out-of-status like this three (3) times, so it is not that bad. At one time it took me almost 4 months to look for another job and I still got portability (i.e. H1 transfer with new I-94). Other time I got a job in 2 months and still had to take a trip back home for new stamp.
I know it is easier said then done but trust me, take it easy on your self as this will help your family also. You have already applied for a transfer, just switch to premium process and you should be ok.. What USCIS cares about is recent paystub, which can be 1 month or two old..
God bless..
nlssubbu
12-12 07:30 PM
Hi!
I have an approved H1 until 2009 but expired visa in my passport. I have AP and EAD approved. My lawyer has the original I-485 receipt notice - I only have a fax of it. I am travelling to India in Jan-08.
I am planning to re-enter the USA on AP. Do I need original I-485 receipt to re-enter? OR is AP documents enough? Do I need to carry approved H1-B notice or any other docs?
Thanks for your help!
Vivek.
I-485 receipt notice belongs to you and I do not know why your attorney retained them. If your attorney is not appointed by you and employed through your company, it is all the more better, if you have this copy with you.
If you are planning to re-enter using AP, then have the original I-485 receipt notice and the company letter to be on the safer side.
Have a safe trip!
I have an approved H1 until 2009 but expired visa in my passport. I have AP and EAD approved. My lawyer has the original I-485 receipt notice - I only have a fax of it. I am travelling to India in Jan-08.
I am planning to re-enter the USA on AP. Do I need original I-485 receipt to re-enter? OR is AP documents enough? Do I need to carry approved H1-B notice or any other docs?
Thanks for your help!
Vivek.
I-485 receipt notice belongs to you and I do not know why your attorney retained them. If your attorney is not appointed by you and employed through your company, it is all the more better, if you have this copy with you.
If you are planning to re-enter using AP, then have the original I-485 receipt notice and the company letter to be on the safer side.
Have a safe trip!
h1-b forever
09-27 08:58 AM
Did this campaign start?