From H1B to greencard...

[pixie05]

Hi all!
I would like to know how long does it take to go from an H1B visa to a green card?
I am currently on an H1B which will expire in March 2008. I have approached my boss about starting the greencard process rather than just renewing the H1B, but he said that according to the lawyer it will take up to 3 years to get it (I will qualify for EB2), and cost him $10,000. Is this correct? I though it would take less time with an EB2.
Any help will be greatly appreciated. I know that the period of time it takes is different for everyone, but would like to get an estimate.
Thanks

 

[st4rguitar]

That's a fair estimate by your employer. Up to 3 years is also conservative, and it's ignorant to assume that's a long time. There are clients who have labor certification cases still pending at the backlog center since 2001. Anyway, if you have a cooperative employer, you can prep and file a GC within 60-90 days. After the PERM is approved, you can file an I-140. You can process that under premium which will give you a response within 15 days. You can file for your I-485 anytime after/while filing your I-140 as long as your priority date (the day you file your PERM LC) is current.

Also, it's not going "from an H1B to a Green Card." You must ensure to maintain your H-1B status the whole time while you are processing your Green Card.

 

[misza]

That's a fair estimate by your employer. Up to 3 years is also conservative, and it's ignorant to assume that's a long time. There are clients who have labor certification cases still pending at the backlog center since 2001. Anyway, if you have a cooperative employer, you can prep and file a GC within 60-90 days. After the PERM is approved, you can file an I-140. You can process that under premium which will give you a response within 15 days. You can file for your I-485 anytime after/while filing your I-140 as long as your priority date (the day you file your PERM LC) is current.

Also, it's not going "from an H1B to a Green Card." You must ensure to maintain your H-1B status the whole time while you are processing your Green Card.

Maintain h-1b status the whole time you are processing your Green Card? ???? I think you don't have to maintain you status when you get a Notice of Action of I-485. You have to keep your status until you file I-485 or it's also possible to be out of status up to 180 days before filling I-485 based on 245(k).