Thanks to everyone
Thank you for your greetings.
I feel so relieved now. Finally, After living in this country for 7 years, 7 months and 16 days I became permanent resident of this country. Here are my details:
Number of labor certs applied for - 3
Number of I-140s applied for - 3 (including pro-active amended I-140, don\'t know if it was approved)
Number of EAds - 2
Number of APs - 2
Total time taken for the entire process - 5 years
PD 9/1996
ND 10/1999
FP 3/2001
Company name change and hence I-485 was on hold until June 19, 2001
RFE issued 7/16/2001
RFE reply received by VSC 8/1/2001
Approved on 8/10/2001
Contacted Senator when my case was on hold and the Senator contacted the VSC on my behalf
Nothing else in this world more frustrating than waiting for INS to approve your petetion. In my case, the process was delayed at every satge.
Initially, during labor certification stage, the attorney forgot to inform my company to place the advertisement and hence the labor cert app was withdrawn. The second app was filed 4 months later and was approved SIX months later.
By the time my I-140 was approved, the priority dates went back and had to wait for TWO yeasr and 4 months for priority date to become current. Meanwhile, I had almost run out of my SIX year H1B term.
In Aug 1999, I sent in my I-485 app and due to large number of app with INS I got my receipt dated Oct 1999.
Every one who applied around that time got FP done around Aug 2000 but by the turn my turn came, the VSC changed the policy for Indian and Chinese nationals and finally got my FP done in March 2001.
Due to company name change, my case was put on hold in April 2001 until June 19, 2001.
Got an RFE on July 16th and replied on July 25th. Got approval today .
Once again, I thank everyone for your greetings and good wishes. All of you waiting for approvals, will see the light at the end of the tunnel very soon. Just hang in there. Pray to God. I am not sure if calling IIO will help, but paying to God will definitely help. Have hope and be optimistic. I will be glad to answer any specific questions you may have.
