I wish I had found out about this forum sooner. Just want to share my experience. My background: I'm from the Philippines and work as a physician.
1995-2001- Came to the USA on a J-1 visa and did my residency and fellowship training.
2001-2003- Worked on a O-1 visa.
2003- J-1 waiver approved, Conrad State 20
2003-2006 H-1b visa
April 2004- Filed for RIR labor certificate
2/18/2005- RIR sent to Philadelphia backlog center- and is still pending as of this writing.
2006-2009- H-1b renewed.
6/29/06- PERM filed EB2- member of profession with advanced degree.
10/4/06- PERM certified
11/28/06(ND)- I-140 with premium processing, I-485, EAD, and AP filed. Sent to NSC which forwarded to TSC
12/8/06- Biometrics code 3 done
12/11/06- EAD card received. Also my premium processing returned because of wrong signature.
12/22/06- Premium processing sent back with proper signature.
12/26/06- I got an unexpected call from an immigration officer from TSC. He told me that my I-140 is approved and he will approve my I-485 as soon as he receives my W-2 for the past 3 years. I faxed it to him and he called me back (again I was aghast) and told me my card would be mailed to me.
The best Christmas gift!!!
1/3/07- Got my green card today
!!!!
In summary:
Lawyer's fees- $$$$
Application fess- $$$
Premium Processing- $1000
Getting the green card 6 months after filing PERM, not having to vist the US consulate every time I visit my home country- PRICELESS- for everything else there's Mastercard .
1995-2001- Came to the USA on a J-1 visa and did my residency and fellowship training.
2001-2003- Worked on a O-1 visa.
2003- J-1 waiver approved, Conrad State 20
2003-2006 H-1b visa
April 2004- Filed for RIR labor certificate
2/18/2005- RIR sent to Philadelphia backlog center- and is still pending as of this writing.
2006-2009- H-1b renewed.
6/29/06- PERM filed EB2- member of profession with advanced degree.
10/4/06- PERM certified
11/28/06(ND)- I-140 with premium processing, I-485, EAD, and AP filed. Sent to NSC which forwarded to TSC
12/8/06- Biometrics code 3 done
12/11/06- EAD card received. Also my premium processing returned because of wrong signature.
12/22/06- Premium processing sent back with proper signature.
12/26/06- I got an unexpected call from an immigration officer from TSC. He told me that my I-140 is approved and he will approve my I-485 as soon as he receives my W-2 for the past 3 years. I faxed it to him and he called me back (again I was aghast) and told me my card would be mailed to me.
The best Christmas gift!!!
1/3/07- Got my green card today
!!!!In summary:
Lawyer's fees- $$$$
Application fess- $$$
Premium Processing- $1000
Getting the green card 6 months after filing PERM, not having to vist the US consulate every time I visit my home country- PRICELESS- for everything else there's Mastercard
.