Re:. Transfer from H1B to Greencard ...
Mike,
It is recommended that you have been in the U.S. for a year before applying - main reason for this is that it takes about 2 years to get to the Adjustment of Status stage (if all goes well) and at this point they request proof of tax returns from the previous 3 years.
Time line is tricky - I deal with Vermont. My first attorney was totally incompetent - did not know about RIR processing and set me back approx. 14 months until we re-applied (at my insistence) and then didn\'t send in all the required information and got rejected.
My new attorney has been on the case 18 months approx. - DOL processing and I-140 processing has been completed in that time (I-140 took about 6 months - incredibly fast). We are now preparing to file for I-485 (Adjustment of Status). Once filed, this process can take (currently, at the Vermont Service Center) up to 18-24 months!). Hopefully, they will start working on the backlog for these soon (as they did with I-140\'s, and speed things along).
It\'s a long, frustrating (did I mention long) process - it basically comes down to having a decent attorney, who knows what\'s involved AND some of the little tricks to make sure things get approved first time around. I\'m hoping that I can get the I-485 approved within the next 12 months - hopefully, I can then join the military (on an age waiver) and after 3 yrs of service be eligible to apply for citizenship.
Good luck!
