Israeli EB2

[jackla]

Hello Everyone,

Here's my situation: I'm 25 Israeli and hold an MSc in Electrical Engineering. I've been offered a position in NY to work as a software developer for a quantitative hedge fund. The employer says that they will sponsor me for a GC after 12 months on the job.

1) How long does the process usually take - from filing for the GC ( according to my understanding this starts with the PERM application ) to the point where you actually get the GC ?
2) Can I file for the GC in the EB2 category ?
3) According to the Visa bulletin the Priority Date for EB2 is current ( except for India, China, Mexico ) what does this means in practical terms - do you get the GC immediately after the PERM is approved ?
4) What are the likely pitfalls in the process - PERM / I140 / Etc. ?
5) At what point in the GC application process can I leave my job to pursue an MBA without stopping the process ?
6) Can I ask my employer to sponsor me earlier than the 12 month period ? Is this some kind of legal requirement ?

I am sorry if this has been asked before, but there's a lot of acronyms in this forum and it is really hard to find your way arround.

Thanks alot,
jackla

 

[michvin]

Hello Everyone,

Here's my situation: I'm 25 Israeli and hold an MSc in Electrical Engineering. I've been offered a position in NY to work as a software developer for a quantitative hedge fund. The employer says that they will sponsor me for a GC after 12 months on the job.

1) How long does the process usually take - from filing for the GC ( according to my understanding this starts with the PERM application ) to the point where you actually get the GC ?

1-3 years.

2) Can I file for the GC in the EB2 category ?

If the position that you will apply for in the future (since PERM is for FUTURE employment) will require you to have MSc then you will be EB2

3) According to the Visa bulletin the Priority Date for EB2 is current ( except for India, China, Mexico ) what does this means in practical terms - do you get the GC immediately after the PERM is approved ?

No. PERM is fastest part so far.

4) What are the likely pitfalls in the process - PERM / I140 / Etc. ?

Too much to list

5) At what point in the GC application process can I leave my job to pursue an MBA without stopping the process ?

After you have GC

6) Can I ask my employer to sponsor me earlier than the 12 month period ? Is this some kind of legal requirement ?

Normally they want to see what you worth before applying for GC. I guess it depends on employer

I am sorry if this has been asked before, but there's a lot of acronyms in this forum and it is really hard to find your way arround.

Thanks alot,
jackla[/QUOTE]
good luck. Which Uni your degree is from?

 

[jackla]

Hi michvin

Thanks for your reply. Both my degrees are from Tel-Aviv University.

Could you elaborate more on the post-PERM process ? Assuming that I will file under the EB2 category ( btw, who makes that decision ? Is there a form where I specify the category ? ) and receive my PERM in reasonable time( a couple of months AFAIK), what are the next steps and how long do they usually take.

Thanks,
jackla

 

[michvin]

Hi michvin

Thanks for your reply. Both my degrees are from Tel-Aviv University.

Could you elaborate more on the post-PERM process ? Assuming that I will file under the EB2 category ( btw, who makes that decision ? Is there a form where I specify the category ? ) and receive my PERM in reasonable time( a couple of months AFAIK), what are the next steps and how long do they usually take.

Thanks,
jackla

Post PERM is long, but straightforward. It includes filing of i140 (petitions for imm. worker) and i485 (adjustment of status) petitions. Once they are filed all that is left is to wait for the decision on your case. what's needed for that filing you can find out on USCIS site (uscis.gov). Don't forget to take all paperwork that is required from aretz.
EB issue: as i said before - it's the job requirement that decides if it is EB2 or 3. If the job requires education above MSc or (BSc + 5 years of experience) - it's EB2. Otherwise it's EB3. Search around this forum, i may not remember all the nuances. Any specific questions to me send them to private messages or this thread.
Which part of NY you're comng to?

 

[jackla]

Hi michvin,

The job is in lower Manhattan, I think that in my case I'll go with MSc+1, simply because I don't have BSc+5 .
Again thanks alot! And now for another slew of questions:

1) For non retrograded countries what could impede/hold an EB2 I140/485 ?
2) Are there any specific issues with NY/NYC ?
3) Are there any specific issues with Israelis ?
4) Should my job title reflect the fact that the job requires an MSc ?
5) How high should the sallary be ?

The GC is an important factor in my decision whether to accept the position. I am trying to see if I can complete the whole process in a year or do I need more time. Also, I am trying to avoid making any obvious mistakes along the way!

Thanks alot,
jackla

 

[michvin]

Hi michvin,

The job is in lower Manhattan, I think that in my case I'll go with MSc+1, simply because I don't have BSc+5 .
Again thanks alot! And now for another slew of questions:

1) For non retrograded countries what could impede/hold an EB2 I140/485 ?
2) Are there any specific issues with NY/NYC ?
3) Are there any specific issues with Israelis ?
4) Should my job title reflect the fact that the job requires an MSc ?
5) How high should the sallary be ?

The GC is an important factor in my decision whether to accept the position. I am trying to see if I can complete the whole process in a year or do I need more time. Also, I am trying to avoid making any obvious mistakes along the way!

Thanks alot,
jackla

Hi
1. Namecheck is the bottleneck of the process. some people got stuck for years in this process and there's nothing you can do about it. It doesn't mean that you gonna be stuck in a namecheck though.
2. Not in general, except for everything that is associated with local USCIS office there are longer waiting times: it's an immigrant city.
3. No (but you have more chances to get stuck in the name check if your name is mizrahi - but there's nothing to do about it anyway..)
4. and 5. i suggest that you read PERM rules on dept. of labour website. It makes things very clear and without omissions that i can introduce while explaining.
cheers.