Hello all, I am posting my recent expereince of getting green card. I am a physician from paksitan who did residency on J-1 from 2001 to 2004, started with J-1 waiver job on H-1 from july 2004. After starting my waiver on H-1, ( not stamped on passport), I simutaneously applied for labor cert. and NIW. I got EAD and Advance Parole using my NIW application and was able to travel to Pakistan using advance parole. I had to renew both EAD and parole every ear which I did. I travelled to Pakistan for a total of three time using parole. I did not go to Embassy to get H-1 stamped. I got married on one of my trips, my wife cmae over on visitors visa which we swtiched to H-4 and then her name was added to my NIW application, subsequently she got her EAD and ADvance parole as well which she used for travelling. I applied for consulor processing rather then AOS, based on several facts including lesser time for security check. I did have parole, so even if my name was put in security check, I could come back on Parole to resume my job and then return once clearance was done.
Anyways, I went for consular processing interview on Oct. 10 in Islamabad, It went really smoothly, no real questions or hassles, consulor did not put my name in security check. SHe asked me about my return date which was oct. 18th, after thinking about it, she asked me to come back to get my passport with IV stamped then next day which I did. My port of entry was JFK on Oct. 20th, no problems there either, passport stamped and told that I will recieve my green card in mail in about 4 weeks. So thats my story.
I am writing this experience to give back, I have learnt a lot from this site and want to give back. I will be following this thread for next 2-3 weeks. If anyone has any questions, feel free to post and I will reply.
I am really happy and relieved that my immigration stuff is done, I wish everyone luck while going through trails of this process.
Anyways, I went for consular processing interview on Oct. 10 in Islamabad, It went really smoothly, no real questions or hassles, consulor did not put my name in security check. SHe asked me about my return date which was oct. 18th, after thinking about it, she asked me to come back to get my passport with IV stamped then next day which I did. My port of entry was JFK on Oct. 20th, no problems there either, passport stamped and told that I will recieve my green card in mail in about 4 weeks. So thats my story.
I am writing this experience to give back, I have learnt a lot from this site and want to give back. I will be following this thread for next 2-3 weeks. If anyone has any questions, feel free to post and I will reply.
I am really happy and relieved that my immigration stuff is done, I wish everyone luck while going through trails of this process.