Changing Job After Approval. Advise Please...

[frapuccino]

Hi,

I have been in the process of interviewing with another company, with the assumption that I'd be using AC21, and I received the email from USCIS notifying that I got approved today.

While this is certainly good news (and I'm thrilled about it!), it does present a dilemma for the possible new job offer. I'll be reporting to my ex-colleague in the new company, and he basically said that I'll be getting the job offer.

So, my question is, what is the best course for me? Several alternatives:
1. Before today's news, I already said to him that I could start on beginning of August. Should I keep that date? Or would that be a little bit too early?
2. Should I move it to middle of August/early September? That way, I could get the approval notice in mail, do passport stamping, then give my 2 weeks notice.
3. I know that the general consensus here is to wait for 6 months. Should I do that? I'm not sure whether the job offer will still be available then. I've been working with my current company for about 4 years, and I was really looking forward to having a new experience in the new company.

I already checked with my lawyer, and she said that it should not matter (I also checked with her a couple of weeks back about the risk of moving to another company using AC21). I definitely could have proof in writing that the process has started before the approval (e.g., the email scheduling the interview, the form that I filled there when I did the interview).

Although I was really looking forward to the new job, and I would hate to go back on my words to my ex-colleague, I would rather be safe than sorry.

I would appreciate any advise for my situation. Thanks in advance.