CATDOG might be telling the truth after all!!!..
Guys,
Please no offence but see the issue/options this way.
You all are stuck as far as GC process is concerned. Its time to get real, wake up and smell the coffee!!!.Your I485 processing itself won't start in next 3 yrs or so. Even if it starts after 3 yrs, don't expect GC very next day!!!. My date was current when I filed. The dates never retrogessed all papers were in order, no delays in FBI check etc, still it took 18 months to process(after filling for 485 with approved 140). So assuming all goes smoothly you can expect your GC in 4.5 yrs. Now this does not assume cases where , FBI checks get bothched up,the BCIS favorite "RFE" is issued, files getting lost, BCIS asks for medical again and worst case is transfered to local office. If that happens add 2-3 yrs more. In all on an average you can expect GC in 5 yrs.This is average considering all good, bad possibilities.
Now with 5 yrs estimate here is what happens if you choose to remain here in USA versus you choose to go back to India.
CASE 1: You choose to continue pursuing GC dream in USA.
(1) You can kiss goodbye your raises, promotions etc.
All bosses utilize "game theory" at work. If you have not read the book go read it. You will not get REAL raises, bonuses, promotions(you will be given 1% or small amount, this to keep Dept of Labor happy and avoid potential lawsuits later). Your boss "knows" no matter what ( whether he gives you raise, bonuses or not) you WILL stay as you are pursuing the GC dream. Furthur you will work 16 hrs a day without complaining, since you can't risk losing job either. In short according to game theory your boss has no incentive to give you raise or bonus. Forget about human values, business is done for bottom line. So don't expect your boss to be "nice". Remember he himself is working for raise, bonus and only way he can get it is by reducing the budget and still getting work done. You will just get HIM the raise but not GET the raise.
Changing job using AC21 or that 180 day portablity clause won't be a solution either. All boses know this clause. They also know when a person is using this clause he is in tight position. You might get a new job, well yes in same occupation, but things won't be different. Just the boss and compnay will change.
In all there won't be any resume growth in 5 yrs.
(2) This point only applies to IT field.Consider the future of software development. Do you really think after 5 yrs you will find development jobs?. You won't get promoted in 5 yrs so after 5 yrs you would still be developer not Project Manager. Unfortunately, there won't be many new development jobs left in USA with current outsourcing trends in market. Development jobs are similar to those manufacturing jobs in late 80s. With no jobs, you again are stuck with salary. There won't be salary growth again.Just when you thought you had your GC, you would find singing "Where have all software jobs gone?!!!" . No brownie points for guessing the answer to that.
In short you would completely waste 5 yrs of your young, productive life.
****I am Project Manager BTW and have GC. I know all these tactics of bosses as I use them!!!!!!!!
(3) With on going "GC tension" most of you would be better off not buying house. This is especially true if you are employed by Desi Bloodsucking consultant. They will move you when it suits them. Also with no guarantee of GC there is no reason for buying house. Now why this is important?.
Because, financially you would loose atleast $30,000 if you keep on renting for 5 yrs!!!!!.Thats huge sum of money.
(4) Your wife if she is not employed on H1 on her own will have to work menial jobs with EAD. She would go to walmart etc. No harm in that. But Psychologically she will loose self esteem. She might have been earning 10000 rupees in India but she was a software developer with future. In walmart she has no future. This is even true if your wives are not working here because you can't get EAD...
Would you like to make your most precious someone suffer from low esteem as a result of GC wait?.
Worst this low self esteem usually moves into kids as kids ape their moms and dads.
(5) Increase in fights between wives/husbands as a result of frustrations occuring from, promotion denials, GC wait. Be real we are all humans and we will all do this. Kids would see you fighting and most likely will be the worst affected.
(6) Onset of long term health problems like ulcers, Diabetes etc.
(7) Till now we have made assumptions that you will get GC in 5 yrs. What if you wait for 5 yrs and don't get it for any reason?. You will be totally depressed if that happenes. You will be like the gambler who has lost everything gambling in Vegas. Just go to vegas and see these people. Would you risk wanting to be like them Psycologically?.
CASE 2:
Now what if you pack your bags and go back?.
(1) You are overwhelmed by noise, pollution, dirt.
Well there is nothing you can really do about it. But then these are minor irritants as your work place and home will be air conditioned anyway.
(2) Reduction in salary because you are moving from dollars to rupee.
This is what most of you would give as your sole reason for sticking back. But how much do your really save in USA?. You earn in dollars here but then forget that you spend in dollars as well. It really does not matter in long term
(3) Huge opportunities in choice of jobs.
(4) Bosses can 't exploit you. You are in "demand". Equation has changed. You can threaten to quit if you don't get good quality coffee!!!(just kidding).
(5) In 5 yrs you can climg 4-5 levels easily.
(6) You may well have chance to work in Europe, Australia, singapore, even back to USA on assignments. This will increase you global exposure increasing your market value. And yes in 5 yrs you can actually grab a job as a "boss" with international exposure in USA. This time as EB1 candidate and managing EB3 people who have been waiting for 5 yrs.The very same EB3 people asking for feedback from you after having worked 16 hrs a day. While you tell advise them that they need to work on communication skills,be more proactive rather than beng reactive,you are planning for weekend golf outing with another boss from another big company.While you tell these 16hrs a day EB3 worker that 1.5% raise is great and all you can give them, you get 20% raise for getting project done in minimum budget and time.
(7) For the 5 yrs in India your wife would be pursuing the career of her choice. She would equally progress in her career.
(8) Advantages of being in a exponetially growing economy.
In all everybody will be happy. Yes the only thing you may not have is the elusive GC.
Now decide with a cool head what you want to be in next 5 yrs?.
Guys,
Please no offence but see the issue/options this way.
You all are stuck as far as GC process is concerned. Its time to get real, wake up and smell the coffee!!!.Your I485 processing itself won't start in next 3 yrs or so. Even if it starts after 3 yrs, don't expect GC very next day!!!. My date was current when I filed. The dates never retrogessed all papers were in order, no delays in FBI check etc, still it took 18 months to process(after filling for 485 with approved 140). So assuming all goes smoothly you can expect your GC in 4.5 yrs. Now this does not assume cases where , FBI checks get bothched up,the BCIS favorite "RFE" is issued, files getting lost, BCIS asks for medical again and worst case is transfered to local office. If that happens add 2-3 yrs more. In all on an average you can expect GC in 5 yrs.This is average considering all good, bad possibilities.
Now with 5 yrs estimate here is what happens if you choose to remain here in USA versus you choose to go back to India.
CASE 1: You choose to continue pursuing GC dream in USA.
(1) You can kiss goodbye your raises, promotions etc.
All bosses utilize "game theory" at work. If you have not read the book go read it. You will not get REAL raises, bonuses, promotions(you will be given 1% or small amount, this to keep Dept of Labor happy and avoid potential lawsuits later). Your boss "knows" no matter what ( whether he gives you raise, bonuses or not) you WILL stay as you are pursuing the GC dream. Furthur you will work 16 hrs a day without complaining, since you can't risk losing job either. In short according to game theory your boss has no incentive to give you raise or bonus. Forget about human values, business is done for bottom line. So don't expect your boss to be "nice". Remember he himself is working for raise, bonus and only way he can get it is by reducing the budget and still getting work done. You will just get HIM the raise but not GET the raise.
Changing job using AC21 or that 180 day portablity clause won't be a solution either. All boses know this clause. They also know when a person is using this clause he is in tight position. You might get a new job, well yes in same occupation, but things won't be different. Just the boss and compnay will change.
In all there won't be any resume growth in 5 yrs.
(2) This point only applies to IT field.Consider the future of software development. Do you really think after 5 yrs you will find development jobs?. You won't get promoted in 5 yrs so after 5 yrs you would still be developer not Project Manager. Unfortunately, there won't be many new development jobs left in USA with current outsourcing trends in market. Development jobs are similar to those manufacturing jobs in late 80s. With no jobs, you again are stuck with salary. There won't be salary growth again.Just when you thought you had your GC, you would find singing "Where have all software jobs gone?!!!" . No brownie points for guessing the answer to that.
In short you would completely waste 5 yrs of your young, productive life.
****I am Project Manager BTW and have GC. I know all these tactics of bosses as I use them!!!!!!!!
(3) With on going "GC tension" most of you would be better off not buying house. This is especially true if you are employed by Desi Bloodsucking consultant. They will move you when it suits them. Also with no guarantee of GC there is no reason for buying house. Now why this is important?.
Because, financially you would loose atleast $30,000 if you keep on renting for 5 yrs!!!!!.Thats huge sum of money.
(4) Your wife if she is not employed on H1 on her own will have to work menial jobs with EAD. She would go to walmart etc. No harm in that. But Psychologically she will loose self esteem. She might have been earning 10000 rupees in India but she was a software developer with future. In walmart she has no future. This is even true if your wives are not working here because you can't get EAD...
Would you like to make your most precious someone suffer from low esteem as a result of GC wait?.
Worst this low self esteem usually moves into kids as kids ape their moms and dads.
(5) Increase in fights between wives/husbands as a result of frustrations occuring from, promotion denials, GC wait. Be real we are all humans and we will all do this. Kids would see you fighting and most likely will be the worst affected.
(6) Onset of long term health problems like ulcers, Diabetes etc.
(7) Till now we have made assumptions that you will get GC in 5 yrs. What if you wait for 5 yrs and don't get it for any reason?. You will be totally depressed if that happenes. You will be like the gambler who has lost everything gambling in Vegas. Just go to vegas and see these people. Would you risk wanting to be like them Psycologically?.
CASE 2:
Now what if you pack your bags and go back?.
(1) You are overwhelmed by noise, pollution, dirt.
Well there is nothing you can really do about it. But then these are minor irritants as your work place and home will be air conditioned anyway.
(2) Reduction in salary because you are moving from dollars to rupee.
This is what most of you would give as your sole reason for sticking back. But how much do your really save in USA?. You earn in dollars here but then forget that you spend in dollars as well. It really does not matter in long term
(3) Huge opportunities in choice of jobs.
(4) Bosses can 't exploit you. You are in "demand". Equation has changed. You can threaten to quit if you don't get good quality coffee!!!(just kidding).
(5) In 5 yrs you can climg 4-5 levels easily.
(6) You may well have chance to work in Europe, Australia, singapore, even back to USA on assignments. This will increase you global exposure increasing your market value. And yes in 5 yrs you can actually grab a job as a "boss" with international exposure in USA. This time as EB1 candidate and managing EB3 people who have been waiting for 5 yrs.The very same EB3 people asking for feedback from you after having worked 16 hrs a day. While you tell advise them that they need to work on communication skills,be more proactive rather than beng reactive,you are planning for weekend golf outing with another boss from another big company.While you tell these 16hrs a day EB3 worker that 1.5% raise is great and all you can give them, you get 20% raise for getting project done in minimum budget and time.
(7) For the 5 yrs in India your wife would be pursuing the career of her choice. She would equally progress in her career.
(8) Advantages of being in a exponetially growing economy.
In all everybody will be happy. Yes the only thing you may not have is the elusive GC.
Now decide with a cool head what you want to be in next 5 yrs?.