Applying for EAD/AP and Misc

[ragunathd]

Applying for EAD/AP and Misc (CSC)

Greetings.

I just got my LC approved and planning to file I140D (in EB2) and I485 within a week. I was considering applying for EAD and AP for myself and my wife. My lawer is asking

EAD: Legal Costs: $500
BCIS Fee: $120

AP: Legal Costs: $500
BCIS Fee: $110

The costs above are per applicant and miscellaneous costs will be added.

1. Do you think these fees are reasonable? If not, what is reasonable? Do you know any pointers? Can we do this ourselves?. I have read it is reasonably easy to renew EAD online. How about first time? Any experiances?

2. My lawyer is telling me that my I-140 will take 6-8 months to complete. BCIS is currently processing 7/17/2003. It means it should be approved within 3 months or so. Am I missing something?

3. What is the status in portability of I-485 now? I have been hearing many things.
a) I-140 should be approved, I-485 should be pending for more than 180 days, New job should be same as old one.
b) I-140 should be applied and need not be approved, I-485 should be pending for more than 180 days, New job should be same as old one.
Which one is correct?

I appreciate your time and comments.

Regards,
Ragunath.

 

[ginnu]

I just got my LC approved and planning to file I140D (in EB2) and I485 within a week. I was considering applying for EAD and AP for myself and my wife. My lawer is asking

EAD: Legal Costs: $500
BCIS Fee: $120

AP: Legal Costs: $500
BCIS Fee: $110
---- Lawyer fees is too much, many lawyers charge only 150 for EAD and 150 for AP as lawyer fees. File your I-140 and I-140 once you get the I-485 filing receipt you can file EAD AP your self

The costs above are per applicant and miscellaneous costs will be added.

1. Do you think these fees are reasonable?
--- NO
If not, what is reasonable?
--- $ 150 lawyer fees
Do you know any pointers? Can we do this ourselves?. I have read it is reasonably easy to renew EAD online. How about first time? Any experiences?
--- You can do it yourself after you get I-485 filing receipt, we all are here to help you
2. My lawyer is telling me that my I-140 will take 6-8 months to complete. BCIS is currently processing 7/17/2003. It means it should be approved within 3 months or so. Am I missing something?
----- Don’t go by service center processing times they keep on changing, depends on your service center or if any RFE for I-140
3. What is the status in portability of I-485 now? I have been hearing many things.
You should read both the links one is for concurrent filers other is recent BCIS Memo on AC21 180 days rule:
http://www.murthy.com/UDportis.html
http://www.lianglaw.com/INS/2003/081103-485-180days.pdf



a) I-140 should be approved, I-485 should be pending for more than 180 days, New job should be same as old one.
----Correct, and new employer shold be able to provide you letter of future job and layer should matach your Skills with past approved LC ( better try to get copy of approved LC from lawyer or employer if you want to use AC21 in future, Approved LC has forms ETA 750 A and ETA 750B and approval letter from DOL attached on top.)
b) I-140 should be applied and need not be approved, I-485 should be pending for more than 180 days, New job should be same as old one.
Which one is correct?
------ Read the above links

 

[tammy2]

It is expensive. In fact your I485 fees should include for first AP and EAD. If he is charging extra for that you can apply on your own. But you need to get receipt notices for I-485 and I-140 for that. If you are planning to stay on H1 there is no need of applying immediately. But depends upon your present conditions and future plans.

Doing on your own is concern I would say no problem. I did it own for second EAD as my attorney was charging $250 for that. It just took 28 days for approval at VSC.

 

[ragunathd]

Thanks ginnu and tammy2 for answering my questions. It is good that I asked those questions here. This forum is really useful. Keep it up.

I will try to get a copy of LC approval, ETA750A&B, I140&485 receipts as soon as they are available from my lawyer. I will do my own homework for applying EAD and AP.