gc_check
01-30 04:44 AM
This is indeed very good news, if the final rule to eliminate the Labor Cert substitution is approved by OMB and made into a rule and enacted ASAP.
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cgs
07-20 09:52 AM
Can anyone share some information on this?
arihant
02-09 03:14 PM
Does the SKIL bill apply only to MS, or MBA too ?
I do not think the language of the SKIL bill clarified that. All it said was advanced degree from the US (which can be interpreted as MS, MBA and any other degree (minimum 2 years) received after a 4 year bachelor's degree). So, who knows. We will have to wait and see how it will be interpreted if and when SKIL bill comes back for discussion.
I do not think the language of the SKIL bill clarified that. All it said was advanced degree from the US (which can be interpreted as MS, MBA and any other degree (minimum 2 years) received after a 4 year bachelor's degree). So, who knows. We will have to wait and see how it will be interpreted if and when SKIL bill comes back for discussion.
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psgprasad
07-19 03:39 PM
Was a recurring contributor. $50 per months nearly contributed $600/-
Stopped contributing when the CIR 2007 failed, lost hope in the system, I am sorry for that.
Now after seeing the efforts of the member in the flower campaign and sanjose rally, I am getting my confidence back and started my subscription again for $50 per month.
Will do additional contributions.
No single person needs to spend $64000/- for the community, which are supposed to have a decent earning and educated.
Everyone legal immigrant now has some debt to pay to Aman and IV.
Please help yourself by making a little contributions, if we 15,000 active members and everyone is contributing $10 per month, it will be 150,000 dollors, which is a good amount for lobbying. I am sure everyone can afford this amount monthly.
Start contributing, and let us make our dream realized.
Stopped contributing when the CIR 2007 failed, lost hope in the system, I am sorry for that.
Now after seeing the efforts of the member in the flower campaign and sanjose rally, I am getting my confidence back and started my subscription again for $50 per month.
Will do additional contributions.
No single person needs to spend $64000/- for the community, which are supposed to have a decent earning and educated.
Everyone legal immigrant now has some debt to pay to Aman and IV.
Please help yourself by making a little contributions, if we 15,000 active members and everyone is contributing $10 per month, it will be 150,000 dollors, which is a good amount for lobbying. I am sure everyone can afford this amount monthly.
Start contributing, and let us make our dream realized.
more...
chanduv23
03-13 10:23 AM
One step closer.
With last year crisscrossing, EB2 India most apps are cleared upto september 2004. We should not have too many in 2004 except substitution cases.
Hope it will step into 2005 in next 4 months....
Yes, I guess the slowdown will happen when it hits the 2005 mark when PERM was introducted and a lot of EB3 were converted into EB2
With last year crisscrossing, EB2 India most apps are cleared upto september 2004. We should not have too many in 2004 except substitution cases.
Hope it will step into 2005 in next 4 months....
Yes, I guess the slowdown will happen when it hits the 2005 mark when PERM was introducted and a lot of EB3 were converted into EB2
deletedUser459
06-14 05:41 PM
good job!
welcome to the forum
welcome to the forum
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JazzByTheBay
12-13 04:21 PM
<Deleted Deleted Deleted>
Sorry for the extra bit of sarcasm here, but I seriously expect us to raise a million $ for our efforts from the 25,000 members (or at least raise our targets significantly... ), and get some more ideas on resolving some of the communication and logistics issues - so any ideas that help us towards such a goal are welcome.
jazz
I agree. I feel that the only thing that would be acheived if IV became a paid website is loss of membership. Then our PR documents will start with "IV is an organization of 200 members who are affected by ... "
Human nature is such that a few lead and others follow. We should recognize this and move on.
Sorry for the extra bit of sarcasm here, but I seriously expect us to raise a million $ for our efforts from the 25,000 members (or at least raise our targets significantly... ), and get some more ideas on resolving some of the communication and logistics issues - so any ideas that help us towards such a goal are welcome.
jazz
I agree. I feel that the only thing that would be acheived if IV became a paid website is loss of membership. Then our PR documents will start with "IV is an organization of 200 members who are affected by ... "
Human nature is such that a few lead and others follow. We should recognize this and move on.
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GreenCard4US
08-23 02:39 PM
Thank you for the reply. When you say that if I go with Company A that there will be more scrutiny, do you mean they will check the vailidity of the offer and their ability to pay? I work for a Govt. Agency(Company C), they will give me an EVL but I am not sure if they will specify "in accordance with I140". I am actually doing the same job, same place, before as a contractor(Company A) and now as an Employee(Company C).
Either way is fine. Is company A willing to hire you, and you intend to join them when GC comes through? If so, send that letter. There might be alittle bit more scrutiny that way.
If you intend to stick with company C in the future, you can send the EVL of C and include a letter explanining you invoked AC21.
Its not an issue that your H1 transfer to C occured before the 485 filed by A. Once its past 180 days, you are free to work whereever you wish.
Either way is fine. Is company A willing to hire you, and you intend to join them when GC comes through? If so, send that letter. There might be alittle bit more scrutiny that way.
If you intend to stick with company C in the future, you can send the EVL of C and include a letter explanining you invoked AC21.
Its not an issue that your H1 transfer to C occured before the 485 filed by A. Once its past 180 days, you are free to work whereever you wish.
more...
hopefull
05-24 01:37 PM
Most of the big firms Oracle, MICrosoft, Lehman etc..all the big ones are full of H1B people.
These firms literally depend on itellectual labour from across the world for their revenues.
If you might notice that all these Senators who are coming up with these brilliant ideas are either from some god forsaken place in the US where there is nothing except a WalMart and a Church or the Senator doesnt know his economics right and is using VOTE BANK POLITICS parallel that to the recent Mayawati being elected in UP & AB & AMbani getting hit in scams and SEZs.
But the BIG BULLS in CA & NY wont let these senators have it their way as they would loose their $$..so let them speak their heart out ..when it comes to money these senators will loose their deposits ...& REMEMBER THE WORLD IS FLAT. ANY MOVE WILL CREATE A BACK LASH AND IF PEOPLE STOP BOARDING THOSE PLANES FROM INDIA TO US where would BOEING SELL those PLANES ;-) ...
These firms literally depend on itellectual labour from across the world for their revenues.
If you might notice that all these Senators who are coming up with these brilliant ideas are either from some god forsaken place in the US where there is nothing except a WalMart and a Church or the Senator doesnt know his economics right and is using VOTE BANK POLITICS parallel that to the recent Mayawati being elected in UP & AB & AMbani getting hit in scams and SEZs.
But the BIG BULLS in CA & NY wont let these senators have it their way as they would loose their $$..so let them speak their heart out ..when it comes to money these senators will loose their deposits ...& REMEMBER THE WORLD IS FLAT. ANY MOVE WILL CREATE A BACK LASH AND IF PEOPLE STOP BOARDING THOSE PLANES FROM INDIA TO US where would BOEING SELL those PLANES ;-) ...
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waitingGC
01-30 08:34 AM
01/29/2007: Special Alert: DOL Submitted "Final" Regulation of Substitution Elimination Rule to OMB on 01/26/2007
* Since this is a final rule, upon approval by OMB, the elimination of substitution and 45-day validity of certified labor certification will be triggered. Take this message as a very special alert! This rule will not only eliminate substitutition on the OMB approval and release in the Federal Register but also kill the certified labor certification unless it is used within 45 days from the date of certification! Please stay tuned to this web site reporting.
* The planned implementation day appears to be April 2007. But it can be earlier!
Will OMB approve this rule? What is OMB?
* Since this is a final rule, upon approval by OMB, the elimination of substitution and 45-day validity of certified labor certification will be triggered. Take this message as a very special alert! This rule will not only eliminate substitutition on the OMB approval and release in the Federal Register but also kill the certified labor certification unless it is used within 45 days from the date of certification! Please stay tuned to this web site reporting.
* The planned implementation day appears to be April 2007. But it can be earlier!
Will OMB approve this rule? What is OMB?
more...
desixp
12-27 08:39 AM
Rajgopal,
It is taking about 8 to 9 business days to process. This does not include the courier time. For my wife's passport we got it after two days because VFS handed the passport to Blue Dart after the cut off time at Chennai. We had our interview on 7th of Dec and we got our PP's on 20th and 22nd. I would not recommend any changes to the airline tickets until you get your PP in hand.
Hope this information helps.
DesiXP.
It is taking about 8 to 9 business days to process. This does not include the courier time. For my wife's passport we got it after two days because VFS handed the passport to Blue Dart after the cut off time at Chennai. We had our interview on 7th of Dec and we got our PP's on 20th and 22nd. I would not recommend any changes to the airline tickets until you get your PP in hand.
Hope this information helps.
DesiXP.
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IndiaNJ
07-18 10:16 AM
Date Recieved by USCIS 7/2/2007 10:30 AM
Status : Don't Know
Status : Don't Know
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fasterthanlight�
05-31 12:09 PM
My entry:
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cashah19
06-15 09:12 AM
[QUOTE=manojp4]You cannot do CP for your spouse unless your I-485 is approved (an immigrant visa number is available for you). That is why the adjustment of status within the US is so much more preferable for most people - it lets you and the spouse get the EAD and start working without waiting for the approval of your GC.
Thanks manojp4, appreciate your help. Just to clarify my doubt, she would need to file a 485 anyhow, before the dates retrogress again, right. Would it matter if I included her name in my filing, along with the marriage certificate. I guess all I am trying to understand is I know 100% that I will be married before I file, would that help her in anyway, lets say if the dates retrogress in August and she cannot file till then.
Thanks manojp4, appreciate your help. Just to clarify my doubt, she would need to file a 485 anyhow, before the dates retrogress again, right. Would it matter if I included her name in my filing, along with the marriage certificate. I guess all I am trying to understand is I know 100% that I will be married before I file, would that help her in anyway, lets say if the dates retrogress in August and she cannot file till then.
more...
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GC_1000Watt
01-09 12:18 AM
This shows that the backlog is more than the numbers on USCIS website. People need to stop wasting time on tracking and spend time in their office work. Backlog means more business money for lawyers and trackers. IV is very small. Unless IV had hundreds of thousands of members, they cannot do lobbying like AILA or Microsoft. EB3 India and now EB3ROW is in a pitiable state. All those EB3ROW who used to be happy will now see the reality. Thank god I ported to EB2 but the dates for EB2 do not move enough. I think anyone who can should port to EB2 ASAP. This is the only solution.
You're right. No offence but no authority seems to be listening to IV suggestions. I agree that people at IV are doing great job, but the problem is nobody is listening. They just don't care. And this think will go on & on. I remember s'body suggesting hunger strike and at that point of time I thought that won't work. But now it seems we have to go extreme and do hunger strike and stuff to pressurize this crappy system.
EB3 people don't think I am being selfish here. The truth is we have to work unitely and pressurize for visa recapture. That will be beneficial for e'body.
Lets target the 'Asses' asking for a kick. Let's all kick ass.
You're right. No offence but no authority seems to be listening to IV suggestions. I agree that people at IV are doing great job, but the problem is nobody is listening. They just don't care. And this think will go on & on. I remember s'body suggesting hunger strike and at that point of time I thought that won't work. But now it seems we have to go extreme and do hunger strike and stuff to pressurize this crappy system.
EB3 people don't think I am being selfish here. The truth is we have to work unitely and pressurize for visa recapture. That will be beneficial for e'body.
Lets target the 'Asses' asking for a kick. Let's all kick ass.
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trueguy
12-17 02:31 AM
Guys, Plz vote
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kaisersose
11-02 03:19 PM
nope, if the alternative to the GC system is outsourcing (as you yourself mentioned) all the profits go to big corporations and our salaries are spent in India. The corporations are notorious for avoiding taxes so teh government gets nothing. By making us stay here longer (on H1 or GC) we end up spending our salaries here, paying taxes, paying social security, paying medicare.
65K H1-Bs earning 70k a year is 4.5 billion dollars. 140K new GC holders each year earning the same comes out to 10 billion dollars. Out of that taxes alone are an easy couple of billion or more dollars. Then take into account the side-effect (we buy cars, we buy appliances, we rent apartments) and the contributions we make to this economy are a lot.
And to say that we are stealing jobs is also inaccurate. There is nothing called stealing-a-job. In general every job is worth how much someone is willing to be paid to do it. If an American citizen wants 100K and the GC holder wants 90K and the H1-B visa guy wants 80K (and all of them are going to work in the same city and same office) the job is worth 80K. The H1-B visa holder is not stealing a job. The days of knowing HTML tags and commanding a salary of 100K a year (1999-2000) are long gone and now replaced by 'that kind of work gets done in India or Ukraine for 10k a year'. Looking at the resumes we got in response to job ads placed in the last 3 companies I worked for, there are simply not enough qualified americans interested. Thats a fact. So the IT sector needs help from abroad to get the job done. They can either send the work over, or bring the people here. Bringing the people here also benefits the rest of the economy.
I did not say outsourcing is the only alternative. I said they will have their own people take these jobs or if not, they will ship out these jobs. Do we really believe there aren't enough Americans to handle IT work in America?
H-1b is not cheap labor. American companies prefer to hire H-1bs with US master's degrees or with substantial amounts of US experience. When they do hire foreigners, they do not discriminate against them by paying them lesser.
H-1bs are abused by desi vendors and the like who take advantage of the indenturing nature of the visa and also on the naivety of "fresh off the boat" people who newly arrive into the US and are unfamilar with US economy. They are starry eyed, still busy converting each dollar into their local currency and feeling happy they are earning relatively more and dreaming about paying off their EMIs back home, sooner. It takes quite a few months for them to settle down and understand US dynamics.
Lastly, we should not confuse the need for H-1bs as equal to the need for GC holders. Take the example of middle eastern countries. They use foreign labor, but they never grant them permanent status. That way, they do not get stuck with them in the event of a downturn. American could have chosen to follow a similar model. Use H-1b temps when necessary and send them out when they are expendable. They have no reaons to hand out GCs, like I said earlier. The benefit is all ours.
65K H1-Bs earning 70k a year is 4.5 billion dollars. 140K new GC holders each year earning the same comes out to 10 billion dollars. Out of that taxes alone are an easy couple of billion or more dollars. Then take into account the side-effect (we buy cars, we buy appliances, we rent apartments) and the contributions we make to this economy are a lot.
And to say that we are stealing jobs is also inaccurate. There is nothing called stealing-a-job. In general every job is worth how much someone is willing to be paid to do it. If an American citizen wants 100K and the GC holder wants 90K and the H1-B visa guy wants 80K (and all of them are going to work in the same city and same office) the job is worth 80K. The H1-B visa holder is not stealing a job. The days of knowing HTML tags and commanding a salary of 100K a year (1999-2000) are long gone and now replaced by 'that kind of work gets done in India or Ukraine for 10k a year'. Looking at the resumes we got in response to job ads placed in the last 3 companies I worked for, there are simply not enough qualified americans interested. Thats a fact. So the IT sector needs help from abroad to get the job done. They can either send the work over, or bring the people here. Bringing the people here also benefits the rest of the economy.
I did not say outsourcing is the only alternative. I said they will have their own people take these jobs or if not, they will ship out these jobs. Do we really believe there aren't enough Americans to handle IT work in America?
H-1b is not cheap labor. American companies prefer to hire H-1bs with US master's degrees or with substantial amounts of US experience. When they do hire foreigners, they do not discriminate against them by paying them lesser.
H-1bs are abused by desi vendors and the like who take advantage of the indenturing nature of the visa and also on the naivety of "fresh off the boat" people who newly arrive into the US and are unfamilar with US economy. They are starry eyed, still busy converting each dollar into their local currency and feeling happy they are earning relatively more and dreaming about paying off their EMIs back home, sooner. It takes quite a few months for them to settle down and understand US dynamics.
Lastly, we should not confuse the need for H-1bs as equal to the need for GC holders. Take the example of middle eastern countries. They use foreign labor, but they never grant them permanent status. That way, they do not get stuck with them in the event of a downturn. American could have chosen to follow a similar model. Use H-1b temps when necessary and send them out when they are expendable. They have no reaons to hand out GCs, like I said earlier. The benefit is all ours.
girlfriend FC Barcelona and Brazilian
kshitijnt
07-17 10:29 PM
Since Visa numbers trickle down, the more visa numbers there are available, the more will trickle down to countries with high demand... recapturing visa numbers might be easier than taking a poke at per country limit.. IMHO...
I am thinking about future generations as well.
1) Remove per country cap.
2) Remove dependant number count
Recapture of visas is good but its only 1 time thing. Unless its automatic recapture by law.
I am thinking about future generations as well.
1) Remove per country cap.
2) Remove dependant number count
Recapture of visas is good but its only 1 time thing. Unless its automatic recapture by law.
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baburob2
02-22 12:58 PM
This is the agenda for Bush's agenda to India
He outlined his plans for his forthcoming visit to India and Pakistan. He said India and the US will be holding extensive dliberations on five broad areas:
Defeating terrorism.
Promoting democracy.
Improving economic ties.
Health, environment and climate control.
Nuclear energy co-operation
http://ia.rediff.com/news/2006/feb/22ndeal4.htm?q=tp&file=.htm
there is an agenda on Improving economic ties . Will it be possible to touch base with the corresponding Indian representative on the above meeting to stress on removing retrogression. This would be a good platform to include the idea bcos of higher visibility and more negotiations possibility.
He outlined his plans for his forthcoming visit to India and Pakistan. He said India and the US will be holding extensive dliberations on five broad areas:
Defeating terrorism.
Promoting democracy.
Improving economic ties.
Health, environment and climate control.
Nuclear energy co-operation
http://ia.rediff.com/news/2006/feb/22ndeal4.htm?q=tp&file=.htm
there is an agenda on Improving economic ties . Will it be possible to touch base with the corresponding Indian representative on the above meeting to stress on removing retrogression. This would be a good platform to include the idea bcos of higher visibility and more negotiations possibility.
arnab221
11-06 02:04 PM
Actually, not all he said was wrong.
We should not support what these IT consulting companies are doing with H1B programme just because we are on H1. These big companies are hoarding H1B visas so they can have an upperhand when dealing with the employees.
My own employer was trying to get as many H1s as possible without having ANY work for them. They sent us all a few emails asking us if we had any family or friends back home who want to come to US on H1. These guys make the H1 applicants pay for the application expenses, then just keep them there or get them here and keep them on bench and almost everybody here is familiar with what happens next.
Think from an American's point of view.. It is THEIR country, THEY make the laws that benefit their society and economy.. they have all the right to stand up against these practices by foreign based companies..
I like his statement "H1B is supposed to be used when there IS a job but no American to do it" What these Consulting companies have turned it into is "There is a person on H1B avaliable If and when there is a job to do" OR worse "There is an H1B holder available, on bench, but no job to do"
I totally support reform in the H1 process with a target to reduce fraud. That will ultimately benefit people like us who will come here on H1B in future.
Please don't fire me for taking his side, I'm not. I'm in favour of market deciding what it needs, but I'm 100% against fraud, and all of know these so called consulting companies ARE indulging in fraud..
Cannot agree more on the fraud prevention . Increasing the H1B application fees is not way of preventing fraud .This is punishing the small innovative companies from catching up and importing much needed talent .Keep the same fees , catch the fraudsters and make an example of them to others .
We should not support what these IT consulting companies are doing with H1B programme just because we are on H1. These big companies are hoarding H1B visas so they can have an upperhand when dealing with the employees.
My own employer was trying to get as many H1s as possible without having ANY work for them. They sent us all a few emails asking us if we had any family or friends back home who want to come to US on H1. These guys make the H1 applicants pay for the application expenses, then just keep them there or get them here and keep them on bench and almost everybody here is familiar with what happens next.
Think from an American's point of view.. It is THEIR country, THEY make the laws that benefit their society and economy.. they have all the right to stand up against these practices by foreign based companies..
I like his statement "H1B is supposed to be used when there IS a job but no American to do it" What these Consulting companies have turned it into is "There is a person on H1B avaliable If and when there is a job to do" OR worse "There is an H1B holder available, on bench, but no job to do"
I totally support reform in the H1 process with a target to reduce fraud. That will ultimately benefit people like us who will come here on H1B in future.
Please don't fire me for taking his side, I'm not. I'm in favour of market deciding what it needs, but I'm 100% against fraud, and all of know these so called consulting companies ARE indulging in fraud..
Cannot agree more on the fraud prevention . Increasing the H1B application fees is not way of preventing fraud .This is punishing the small innovative companies from catching up and importing much needed talent .Keep the same fees , catch the fraudsters and make an example of them to others .
StuckInTheMuck
04-27 08:04 PM
With my very best wishes to those of you waiting for your GC, this thread is created for the lucky among us who received it recently. I am putting together a list of things to do, and not do, to maintain our freshly minted PR status, which should also help during future citizenship application. The list is mostly about little things that others have learned from experience (and I am learning from their experience, by reading in immigration-related forums such as IV). The more obvious things that can be found for example in USCIS handbook (http://www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/M-618.pdf) are not included here. Below is a snapshot of what I have gleaned from Internet so far, and please add your own input(s):
LIST of DO's :
1. Carry the original PR card on your person at all times (e.g. in your wallet), keep photocopies in different places, and also store A# on your computers. Note: This is a contentious issue (do a google on "carry green card" and see for yourself), despite being required by law (http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=fe17e6b0eb13d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCR D&vgnextchannel=4f719c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1 RCRD). Some people are naturally worried about losing wallet and the eventual hassle of replacing the lost card (http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=b3f7ab0a43b5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCR D&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1 RCRD), whereas others, including me, prefer to follow the law, in case I am suddenly asked to produce evidence of my legal status (e.g. in some border states, or unforeseen events, such as being involved in an out-of-state car accident where showing my DL might just not be enough). Failure to comply may result in, at best a fine, and at worst detention for breaking a law. (See comments by InTheMoment below for additional perspectives.)
2. Retain all original copies of USCIS documents related to your legal status during the entire period of stay in USA, and shred all photocopies (except when you have a photocopy but not its original).
3. Retain all employment-related documents, particularly original copies of appointment letters.
4. Retain copies of all tax return forms from the year of your first entry, or (at least) previous 10 years (you can request IRS (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf), or your professional tax preparer, for any missing copy).
5. Maintain a detailed log of USA exit/entry, including dates, POE and countries traveled, beginning with the day of first entry.
6. Maintain a detailed list of all legal troubles, including minor traffic infractions such as speeding violations (ignore parking violations, because they do not constitute legal "detention"), going as far back as possible. Keep copies of all relevant court papers, traffic tickets, proof of any payment (e.g. scanned copies of personal checks used, credit card statements), and so on.
7. Update your social security card (http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html) to remove any restrictive clause about work authorization printed on it. Here is another thread (http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20610) that discusses this point further. Note: AFAIK, the procedure changes nothing as far as your privileges go, and some of you may not even have such a clause on your SS card (I don't have it either).
8. Return your I-94 cards to POE on your next trip outside USA, to "close the open files" on your past travels. AFAIK, this may be more relevant to those who applied for GC via special registration (NSEER) (http://www.ice.gov/pi/specialregistration/), and probably does not matter to others.
9. Renew DL to get rid of the annoying "Temporary" word (in case you are in one of those states that do this).
10. Update your status with your employer by filing new I-9 form (thanks to InTheMoment for this point).
11. Continue to notify USCIS (http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=c1a94154d7b3d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCR D) about change of address within 10 days of moving, as before (thanks to seahawks for this point).
12. Keep a list of current and past residential addresses, including dates of stay. Retain all leases/ownership documents.
13. Remember the basics: Initiate your GC/passport renewal process at least 6 months before expiry/Intl travel (Thanks to pappu for this point.)
14. And yes, move the family first commitment at the top of your must-do list, now that you have less worry about re-entry, and make that long-delayed trip home to see your old folks one more time. (I am visiting my 83-yr old Dad, who still has more hair than I do, and less gray too, in June.)
LIST of DONOT's :
1. Do not sign up for voter registration card. In particular, never vote in national/state/local elections that are open only to citizens, because this is also a law (http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=fe17e6b0eb13d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCR D&vgnextchannel=4f719c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1 RCRD). Even an accidental mistake (e.g. voting out of ignorance) is a serious offense, which would not only derail your future citizenship plan, but may even result in deportation.
2. Do not develop a pattern of frequent and/or long absences from USA, unless you have taken prior permission for valid reasons (e.g., studying abroad, medical emergencies etc). Otherwise you may face trouble at POE on your next re-entry attempt, because DHS has become stricter in recent times about possible misuse of PR status, and POE folks are now trained to spot such patterns.
3. Do not switch job soon after getting GC. This is one of the most discussed, but least understood, issues because no one seems to agree on "how soon is soon". The rule of thumb appears to be "6 months", and a safer bet is "1 year" (here is a thread (http://forums.immigration.com/showthread.php?t=154533) on another forum). This again relates to USCIS being increasingly sensitive to possible misuse of PR status, and this question will come up during your citizenship application process. (Invoking AC21 while GC was pending makes the issue somewhat different (http://www.murthy.com/485faq.html#13).)
4. Those of us who self-sponsored our GC via NIW or EB1A route are not bound by such employer-employee commitment, but you should continue working in "similar areas of expertise" that you claimed in your NIW/EB1A petition, and preferably on a longer time scale.
[This is an evolving list thanks to valuable inputs from folks here and elsewhere, so keep checking back.]
Cheers,
Stuck(no more)InTheMuck
LIST of DO's :
1. Carry the original PR card on your person at all times (e.g. in your wallet), keep photocopies in different places, and also store A# on your computers. Note: This is a contentious issue (do a google on "carry green card" and see for yourself), despite being required by law (http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=fe17e6b0eb13d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCR D&vgnextchannel=4f719c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1 RCRD). Some people are naturally worried about losing wallet and the eventual hassle of replacing the lost card (http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=b3f7ab0a43b5d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCR D&vgnextchannel=db029c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1 RCRD), whereas others, including me, prefer to follow the law, in case I am suddenly asked to produce evidence of my legal status (e.g. in some border states, or unforeseen events, such as being involved in an out-of-state car accident where showing my DL might just not be enough). Failure to comply may result in, at best a fine, and at worst detention for breaking a law. (See comments by InTheMoment below for additional perspectives.)
2. Retain all original copies of USCIS documents related to your legal status during the entire period of stay in USA, and shred all photocopies (except when you have a photocopy but not its original).
3. Retain all employment-related documents, particularly original copies of appointment letters.
4. Retain copies of all tax return forms from the year of your first entry, or (at least) previous 10 years (you can request IRS (http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf), or your professional tax preparer, for any missing copy).
5. Maintain a detailed log of USA exit/entry, including dates, POE and countries traveled, beginning with the day of first entry.
6. Maintain a detailed list of all legal troubles, including minor traffic infractions such as speeding violations (ignore parking violations, because they do not constitute legal "detention"), going as far back as possible. Keep copies of all relevant court papers, traffic tickets, proof of any payment (e.g. scanned copies of personal checks used, credit card statements), and so on.
7. Update your social security card (http://www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.html) to remove any restrictive clause about work authorization printed on it. Here is another thread (http://immigrationvoice.org/forum/showthread.php?t=20610) that discusses this point further. Note: AFAIK, the procedure changes nothing as far as your privileges go, and some of you may not even have such a clause on your SS card (I don't have it either).
8. Return your I-94 cards to POE on your next trip outside USA, to "close the open files" on your past travels. AFAIK, this may be more relevant to those who applied for GC via special registration (NSEER) (http://www.ice.gov/pi/specialregistration/), and probably does not matter to others.
9. Renew DL to get rid of the annoying "Temporary" word (in case you are in one of those states that do this).
10. Update your status with your employer by filing new I-9 form (thanks to InTheMoment for this point).
11. Continue to notify USCIS (http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=c1a94154d7b3d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCR D) about change of address within 10 days of moving, as before (thanks to seahawks for this point).
12. Keep a list of current and past residential addresses, including dates of stay. Retain all leases/ownership documents.
13. Remember the basics: Initiate your GC/passport renewal process at least 6 months before expiry/Intl travel (Thanks to pappu for this point.)
14. And yes, move the family first commitment at the top of your must-do list, now that you have less worry about re-entry, and make that long-delayed trip home to see your old folks one more time. (I am visiting my 83-yr old Dad, who still has more hair than I do, and less gray too, in June.)
LIST of DONOT's :
1. Do not sign up for voter registration card. In particular, never vote in national/state/local elections that are open only to citizens, because this is also a law (http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.5af9bb95919f35e66f614176543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=fe17e6b0eb13d010VgnVCM10000048f3d6a1RCR D&vgnextchannel=4f719c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1 RCRD). Even an accidental mistake (e.g. voting out of ignorance) is a serious offense, which would not only derail your future citizenship plan, but may even result in deportation.
2. Do not develop a pattern of frequent and/or long absences from USA, unless you have taken prior permission for valid reasons (e.g., studying abroad, medical emergencies etc). Otherwise you may face trouble at POE on your next re-entry attempt, because DHS has become stricter in recent times about possible misuse of PR status, and POE folks are now trained to spot such patterns.
3. Do not switch job soon after getting GC. This is one of the most discussed, but least understood, issues because no one seems to agree on "how soon is soon". The rule of thumb appears to be "6 months", and a safer bet is "1 year" (here is a thread (http://forums.immigration.com/showthread.php?t=154533) on another forum). This again relates to USCIS being increasingly sensitive to possible misuse of PR status, and this question will come up during your citizenship application process. (Invoking AC21 while GC was pending makes the issue somewhat different (http://www.murthy.com/485faq.html#13).)
4. Those of us who self-sponsored our GC via NIW or EB1A route are not bound by such employer-employee commitment, but you should continue working in "similar areas of expertise" that you claimed in your NIW/EB1A petition, and preferably on a longer time scale.
[This is an evolving list thanks to valuable inputs from folks here and elsewhere, so keep checking back.]
Cheers,
Stuck(no more)InTheMuck
