*********** This post was contributed by Lisaki **********************
Hi, my fellow endless-waiters.
I just received the approval notice of my I-140 and found out that the visa in my category was unavailable, and that I might have to wait another 5-6 years before getting my GC. This is crazy. I can’t believe it.
I’d like to know what I can do to be proctive about this situation. Is there something I can do to promote and support immigration reform?
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July 13th, 2009 at 9:04 am
Lisaki,
Welcome to the endless wait! A lot of us are in this same predicament without knowing what to do or where to go.
1. One of our fellow Endlesswaiters - Corina has been trying to garner support for a campaign. Contact her if you are seriously interested in taking time out to help yourself and others in this situation. Search on her name and you should be able to find her post..
2. There are posts from last year on how to write to your Congressperson. Write to them! It never hurts. Tell them it’s not just you and that over 700,000 people are waiting for green card approval knowing that it could take 5-10 years or more, which puts their life plans out of the window!
3. Follow the comprehensive immigration reform legislation that is a high visibility item for Congress this year. Find out what’s in it for you. Write to lobbyists reminding them that you can benefit from a certain clause.
If there is anything Endlesswait can do for you to help, let me know.
Good luck!
Srini
August 5th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
What country are you, who told you would have to wait 5 or 6 years more? What’s your priority date?
August 18th, 2009 at 7:17 am
I just got my I-140 approval today. It took only three weeks. I was amazed because from all the forums I have followed on I-140 approvals, I kept reading that there was a serious backlog so i was not expecting any approval for another year or more. The problem now is my priority date is Oct. 10, 2008 and based on information I saw on http://imminfo.com/resources/CRS_immigration_report.pdf, it seems the EB3 category which I fall under will only just be processing May 1, 2005 by the release of the October 2009 bulletin, although I have read elsewhere that they will be at 2003 instead. Does anyone know which information is correct? Will I be potentially looking at a 4-6 year wait based on the 2003-2005 processing time anticipated for the October 2009 bulleting? Thanks!
August 24th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Pemale,
Congratulations on your I-140 approval. make sure you are reading forum threads that are recent. Approval trends keep changing all the time. At present, I-140 approvals are actually happening in 4-6 months for many.
What nationality do you belong to?
Yes, 3-4 years sounds realistic if your priority date is October 2008 and cutoff date is May 2005.
Srini
August 26th, 2009 at 6:39 am
Thank you for the guidance on contacting our congressperson, I’m also an EB3. I do have a question though, once my I-140 is approved, am I allowed to find a job elsewhere if I have in hands a EAD, or am I locked to my current employer until I’m able to file the Adj. of Status, which can take 5-6 years?
Thank you in advance!
August 26th, 2009 at 7:16 am
Ops…sorry, question should be, CAN I apply for an EAD without having filed the I-485?
What can I do if I get laid off while I wait to file I-485, with an approved I-140?
Sorry for the confusion.
Thank you!
August 26th, 2009 at 8:17 am
Unfortunately, USCIS will not approve an EAD petition without an I-485 in file. In July 2007, then “opened the gates” temporarily for everyone to be able to file their I-485’s and hence get their EAD’s. Unless something that like that happens again or DOL changes the laws on visa numbers (which can happen as part of the Comprehensive Immigration Reform legislation that is a priority item for Obama), you will need to wait until your priority date gets current.
If you get laid off with an approved I-140, you should to an H1-B transfer to your new employer. Your green card petition is for future employment so you don’t need to worry until it comes time for adjudication.
August 26th, 2009 at 11:38 am
Thanks for your response Srini, I am Nigerian by nationality.
August 26th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Thank you for your clarification Srini.
Based on the CIR meeting from last week and Secretary Napolitano’s evasive remarks about its progress, I’m not very hopeful that anything will happen in 2009. The recent unemployment rates are not helping our case either.
I really appreciate your advice, I’ll try to keep my options open, and keep chcking on your blogs.
All the best.
September 16th, 2009 at 6:30 am
My EB3 PD is Oct 2002. I am still waiting for my AOS. It appears it was Unavailble for the most time, and now they are still stuck on April 2001 for EB3!! What is going on?
It has been 9 yrs+!!! for me in this process. I am Indian.
I have applied for Canadian GC and got it within 1.5 yrs.
Canada rocks, and U.S. sucks….
What do you all think?
September 16th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
I’m sorry to hear you’ve been waiting for 9 years. How did you get the Canadian GC? Are you planning to move to Canada?
September 17th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
I applied for the Candian GC while in USA throught a canadian immigration. The people their are much friendly in Canada. Just beautiful people, even at the Customs/Immigration.
I’ll wait another year in USA and see how thigns shape up, else I am a gonner to Canada. Alternatively, India too, has better prospects than this US of A.
September 17th, 2009 at 7:01 pm
That’s great that you’ve got the Canadian GC and had a pleasant experience. I’m interested in exploring that option myself. Canada is a bit too cold for me, but it is a beautiful country. Do I need a sponsor to apply for the Canadian GD? Any info you can give me can be helpful. Thanks.
September 18th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
No, you dont need a sponsor. Make sure you qualify with points. You need min 67 points to qualify. These are functions of your highest degree, no of years of experience, marriage, age, etc etc. Vancouver is not that cold…the only city where you dont have that terrible a cold.
September 19th, 2009 at 5:53 am
Thank you for answering my questions. If you know a website that explains more about the Canadian GC, please let me know. I went to a few sites but didn’t get much info. Thank you again for your help.
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Can u send me a website where I can find more information regarding Canadian GC?