I went yesterday to an INS workshop in San Jose. This workshop was held by the local INS office and the INS spoke person refused to address any CSC-Laguna Niguel processing issues. Most of the people (around 20) had familly based residency questions.
On the EB-based interview questions he confirmed that the interview waiting time is between 3 and 6 months at San Jose. According to him, interviews are \'granted\' to people whose files raise questions (fraud, work experience). Also as a side issue he confirmed that the status of your H1 entry visa in the passport will not affect your US immigration status as long as you have a valid I94.
Let me tell you that the employment based track is simplicity itself compared to the relative-based petition processing. Compare the 3-6 months time frame with interview time for direct relatives of US citizens: 2 years.
Another recurring themes was that it is practically impossible to bring a relative while being a permanent resident, there are up to 7 years of waiting for spouses. At some point during the process you can get your citizenship and \'upgrade\' the application.
I was pretty impressed by the professionalism of the INS worker. He obviously knew the processing regulations inside out, he was knowledgeable of recent development in congress and had a great deal of patience to deal with never ending questions on the familly-based petition process.
I hope this helps and good luck to all of you!
On the EB-based interview questions he confirmed that the interview waiting time is between 3 and 6 months at San Jose. According to him, interviews are \'granted\' to people whose files raise questions (fraud, work experience). Also as a side issue he confirmed that the status of your H1 entry visa in the passport will not affect your US immigration status as long as you have a valid I94.
Let me tell you that the employment based track is simplicity itself compared to the relative-based petition processing. Compare the 3-6 months time frame with interview time for direct relatives of US citizens: 2 years.
Another recurring themes was that it is practically impossible to bring a relative while being a permanent resident, there are up to 7 years of waiting for spouses. At some point during the process you can get your citizenship and \'upgrade\' the application.
I was pretty impressed by the professionalism of the INS worker. He obviously knew the processing regulations inside out, he was knowledgeable of recent development in congress and had a great deal of patience to deal with never ending questions on the familly-based petition process.
I hope this helps and good luck to all of you!