Finally it happened, my 485 application was approved. Here are the details:
PD 2/96
EB3 India
RD 4/99
ND 5/99
485 approved 9/20/00
Notice received 9/25/00
- NO RFE
- Did not contact senator/congressman; Was considering doing it very soon.
- Spoke to IIO first time on 9/25 and was caught completely off gaurd when she said the case was approved; Could\'n believe it to be true until I saw the actual notice in mail the same day. (automated message not updated to date 9/29).
It\'s been a long and strange journey upto this point. About 5 years since I initially started collecting paperwork and company approval to begin GC processing. Survived a few rounds of lay-offs in the company. At that time (1995) it took about 1 year to get through the whole process. But who knew the concept of PD becoming oversubsribed and 485 processing taking 2 years at that time. Some of my colleagues with a slightly earlier PD got their GC a few years back. What a difference that few weeks of delay in submiting the LC application made.
Some general thoughts (probably answers some questions people always ask)
- Received two promotions (S/W Eng -> Sr. S/W Eng -> Principal S/W Eng) since LC was submited. DId not seem to cuase any problems. (Company attorney\'s stand - as long as the base job desc does not change, job title does not matter, so OK to move up within the job family)
- Received substantial salary raise from the amount in LC (again attorney\'s stand, you need to be paid at least what was specified in the LC) BTW - I did start off at a lower base ;-)
- Had run out of 6 years H1B time before date become current
- Due to above, I was pretty sure about getting an RFE..... Pleasently surprised to not get one.
- Don\'t spend too much time worrying about your case and harrasing IIO\'s. Instead spend that time working hard and making yourself indispensible to your organization. This will help keep your peace of mind and survive tough times.
- Many of us don\'t have a choice on which Lawyer/Attorney\'s firm to engage for our GC processing. If you have a choice do your homework and select a good firm. But once process is started, do not spend too much energy questioning each and every decision your attorney makes - this will only raise your blood pressure. Company engaged attorneys hardly make any exceptions and they are conditioned to take the safest route for protecting company\'s interest. And finally in case of RFE or any other problem - it\'s the lawyer\'s who have to answer it, so trust their judgement.
- These forums (immigration.com & isn.com) have been very useful support tools during this time. I suggest all of us should contribute some $ to both these organizations to keep the forums going (although I don\'t personally agree with some of ISN\'s agenda items).
Good luck to all waiters. Keep the faith. I will hang around for a few more days to answer questions.
Some (probably unwanted) advice to folks who seem to call IIO\'s every other day - What if you stopped calling on IIOs? Wouldn\'t the number of staff required to attend the phone reduce, thus freed up resources could be applied at some other places such as actual approval process? Just another random thought......
PD 2/96
EB3 India
RD 4/99
ND 5/99
485 approved 9/20/00
Notice received 9/25/00
- NO RFE
- Did not contact senator/congressman; Was considering doing it very soon.
- Spoke to IIO first time on 9/25 and was caught completely off gaurd when she said the case was approved; Could\'n believe it to be true until I saw the actual notice in mail the same day. (automated message not updated to date 9/29).
It\'s been a long and strange journey upto this point. About 5 years since I initially started collecting paperwork and company approval to begin GC processing. Survived a few rounds of lay-offs in the company. At that time (1995) it took about 1 year to get through the whole process. But who knew the concept of PD becoming oversubsribed and 485 processing taking 2 years at that time. Some of my colleagues with a slightly earlier PD got their GC a few years back. What a difference that few weeks of delay in submiting the LC application made.
Some general thoughts (probably answers some questions people always ask)
- Received two promotions (S/W Eng -> Sr. S/W Eng -> Principal S/W Eng) since LC was submited. DId not seem to cuase any problems. (Company attorney\'s stand - as long as the base job desc does not change, job title does not matter, so OK to move up within the job family)
- Received substantial salary raise from the amount in LC (again attorney\'s stand, you need to be paid at least what was specified in the LC) BTW - I did start off at a lower base ;-)
- Had run out of 6 years H1B time before date become current
- Due to above, I was pretty sure about getting an RFE..... Pleasently surprised to not get one.
- Don\'t spend too much time worrying about your case and harrasing IIO\'s. Instead spend that time working hard and making yourself indispensible to your organization. This will help keep your peace of mind and survive tough times.
- Many of us don\'t have a choice on which Lawyer/Attorney\'s firm to engage for our GC processing. If you have a choice do your homework and select a good firm. But once process is started, do not spend too much energy questioning each and every decision your attorney makes - this will only raise your blood pressure. Company engaged attorneys hardly make any exceptions and they are conditioned to take the safest route for protecting company\'s interest. And finally in case of RFE or any other problem - it\'s the lawyer\'s who have to answer it, so trust their judgement.
- These forums (immigration.com & isn.com) have been very useful support tools during this time. I suggest all of us should contribute some $ to both these organizations to keep the forums going (although I don\'t personally agree with some of ISN\'s agenda items).
Good luck to all waiters. Keep the faith. I will hang around for a few more days to answer questions.
Some (probably unwanted) advice to folks who seem to call IIO\'s every other day - What if you stopped calling on IIOs? Wouldn\'t the number of staff required to attend the phone reduce, thus freed up resources could be applied at some other places such as actual approval process? Just another random thought......