hianupam
04-26 08:17 AM
I'll. I am big foodie (from all places)...
We moved from Allentown, PA to Houston in 2008. As some of the other IVers have alluded, Houston is a BIG city (if you include the burbs that is). Most of the major roads are backed up during peak traffic hours and typical commute time start to be measured in hours.
Finding a place to live in Houston (read buying a house) can be a tough decision when you have so many choice. Things can be complicated if your spouse works and you have school going kids.
Some terms you will hear when you talk about location in houston:
1. Inside the Loop (610) which is the ring road that encircles downtown houston and the medical center. If you are not in the energy corridor, you are most likely to work within the loop. However finding a place to live within the loop can be challenging (that is if you are looking for a house in the sub 1 mil category). Good neighborhoods within the loop are riveroaks, memorial. There are some decent neighborhoods in the medical center montrose area but the schools (publlic schools) may not be to your liking.
When we moved, we initially rented near the medical center (a highrise called mosaic, opposite herman park) and put our daughter in a daycare called Creme De La Creme in downtown.
2. Inside the Beltway (8) which is the outer ring road that encircles houston. You have to be really careful if you choose to live in the area between 610 and 8 as there are some very shady areas. West (along I 10) is mostly fine.
3. Outside the beltway is where you have most of your master planned communites (read burbs). Down south (along 59) you have sugarland. West (along 10) you have Katy (and most of the energy companies). Northwest (along 290) you have Lakewood, Tomball (along 249), spring cypress etc. North (along 45) you have woodlands northeast (along 59 north) you have spring, kingwood and east (again along 45 east) is League City (read NASA).
The main things to consider are (at least I did when I bought a house)
1. Safety : There are some very shady parts of town.
2. School District (ISD)
3. Commute : Both current and future (if you were to change your place of employment). Say now you work downtown and chose to live in sugarland and a year later you found yourself a Job in the woodlands, you will have to move or deal with a 2 hour 1 way commute !
4. Availability of public transport: Which in most cases is non existent in Houston. But they do have a good commuter bus system from several places in the burbs if you work downtown. Lots of employers that have offices downtown will subsidize this. This can be a decent chunk of change as parking downtown will typically run you about $200/month.
These are the salient points that I could think of.
Let me know if you have more questions. PM me if you guys are visting Houston in the near future.
We moved from Allentown, PA to Houston in 2008. As some of the other IVers have alluded, Houston is a BIG city (if you include the burbs that is). Most of the major roads are backed up during peak traffic hours and typical commute time start to be measured in hours.
Finding a place to live in Houston (read buying a house) can be a tough decision when you have so many choice. Things can be complicated if your spouse works and you have school going kids.
Some terms you will hear when you talk about location in houston:
1. Inside the Loop (610) which is the ring road that encircles downtown houston and the medical center. If you are not in the energy corridor, you are most likely to work within the loop. However finding a place to live within the loop can be challenging (that is if you are looking for a house in the sub 1 mil category). Good neighborhoods within the loop are riveroaks, memorial. There are some decent neighborhoods in the medical center montrose area but the schools (publlic schools) may not be to your liking.
When we moved, we initially rented near the medical center (a highrise called mosaic, opposite herman park) and put our daughter in a daycare called Creme De La Creme in downtown.
2. Inside the Beltway (8) which is the outer ring road that encircles houston. You have to be really careful if you choose to live in the area between 610 and 8 as there are some very shady areas. West (along I 10) is mostly fine.
3. Outside the beltway is where you have most of your master planned communites (read burbs). Down south (along 59) you have sugarland. West (along 10) you have Katy (and most of the energy companies). Northwest (along 290) you have Lakewood, Tomball (along 249), spring cypress etc. North (along 45) you have woodlands northeast (along 59 north) you have spring, kingwood and east (again along 45 east) is League City (read NASA).
The main things to consider are (at least I did when I bought a house)
1. Safety : There are some very shady parts of town.
2. School District (ISD)
3. Commute : Both current and future (if you were to change your place of employment). Say now you work downtown and chose to live in sugarland and a year later you found yourself a Job in the woodlands, you will have to move or deal with a 2 hour 1 way commute !
4. Availability of public transport: Which in most cases is non existent in Houston. But they do have a good commuter bus system from several places in the burbs if you work downtown. Lots of employers that have offices downtown will subsidize this. This can be a decent chunk of change as parking downtown will typically run you about $200/month.
These are the salient points that I could think of.
Let me know if you have more questions. PM me if you guys are visting Houston in the near future.
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anurag
02-12 02:13 PM
Jonty,
But the question is how do we change it when I-485 has already been applied. Is there a form for it? Or just a letter with what details attached?
Regards,
Anurag
But the question is how do we change it when I-485 has already been applied. Is there a form for it? Or just a letter with what details attached?
Regards,
Anurag
habil52
09-25 07:50 PM
I am a Master's student and had applied for H1B through a consultant under master quota 2007. I was devastated when the consultant told me today that my H1B was not approved. When i checked online with my WAC no, as expected it said that a decision was mailed to the employer which in most cases means H1B denied.
I have OPT left until dec 07. I haven't yet found a job while on OPT but have been applying for jobs rigorously. I was really banking on the H1B visa for getting a job and then transferring it over to whoever hires me.
With my H1B not approved, I am totally clueless now. Please advice if my H1B application can be reconsidered/re-appealed/ resubmitted. Any other options/suggestions welcome.
Get a job in either an educational, research or a non profit organization and reapply for H1B under quote exempt category. do it soon as that too takes time... preferably through premium processing after securing a job. good luck.
I have OPT left until dec 07. I haven't yet found a job while on OPT but have been applying for jobs rigorously. I was really banking on the H1B visa for getting a job and then transferring it over to whoever hires me.
With my H1B not approved, I am totally clueless now. Please advice if my H1B application can be reconsidered/re-appealed/ resubmitted. Any other options/suggestions welcome.
Get a job in either an educational, research or a non profit organization and reapply for H1B under quote exempt category. do it soon as that too takes time... preferably through premium processing after securing a job. good luck.
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miguy
03-16 08:43 AM
hopein07........do you know if one has to pass the evaluating exam first to get a Statement of Need from Canada for j1?...
more...
prioritydate
07-25 11:11 AM
Here is the calculation I came up with USCIS processing of our I-485 applications.
USCIS should allocate 140,000 applications in a fiscal year. So, in a month they need to process, at least, 140,000/ 12 = 11,667 applications.
Assuming that they have, at least, 20 working days in a month, they need to process 11,667/ 20 = 584 applications.
So, now the question is, how many employees does USCIS have and are dedicated to the I-485 processing? We don�t know the exact number. Considering that USCIS is getting lot of revenue, they should have, at least, 50 employees doing this work.
So, 584/50 = 12(Approx) applications they need to process in a day, per person.
So, do you think it is viable? Of course, it is�
What they need to process the I-485 application? They are not doing any FBI names check, or background check (Assuming that everything is done by other organization). So, how long does it take to review the I-485 application? Well, when I filled the application, it took me about 1 hour. So, to review it, let�s us say, it takes about 1/2 the time fill the application; that�s about half an hour. Considering the calculation that we made, it takes an about 6 hours to process 12 candidates. With this assumption, they still have 2 hours left to do miscellaneous tasks. Now the question is what the heck they are doing all the time? Why did they process only 80,000 applications in about 8 months? Are they lazy? Don�t they have enough employees (This shouldn�t be; an average Indian consultant company will have at least 20 employees!!). This is really a mystery. Anyways, if the USCIS really and whole heartedly wants to process the applications, they can; but they really don�t care about immigrants or their plights. :rolleyes:
USCIS should allocate 140,000 applications in a fiscal year. So, in a month they need to process, at least, 140,000/ 12 = 11,667 applications.
Assuming that they have, at least, 20 working days in a month, they need to process 11,667/ 20 = 584 applications.
So, now the question is, how many employees does USCIS have and are dedicated to the I-485 processing? We don�t know the exact number. Considering that USCIS is getting lot of revenue, they should have, at least, 50 employees doing this work.
So, 584/50 = 12(Approx) applications they need to process in a day, per person.
So, do you think it is viable? Of course, it is�
What they need to process the I-485 application? They are not doing any FBI names check, or background check (Assuming that everything is done by other organization). So, how long does it take to review the I-485 application? Well, when I filled the application, it took me about 1 hour. So, to review it, let�s us say, it takes about 1/2 the time fill the application; that�s about half an hour. Considering the calculation that we made, it takes an about 6 hours to process 12 candidates. With this assumption, they still have 2 hours left to do miscellaneous tasks. Now the question is what the heck they are doing all the time? Why did they process only 80,000 applications in about 8 months? Are they lazy? Don�t they have enough employees (This shouldn�t be; an average Indian consultant company will have at least 20 employees!!). This is really a mystery. Anyways, if the USCIS really and whole heartedly wants to process the applications, they can; but they really don�t care about immigrants or their plights. :rolleyes:
chanduv23
03-03 12:14 PM
chanduv
thanks for the encouraging reply. it seems like some people are getting denials without any NOIDs and are going out of status due to that. my previous company is not going to revoke my I-140 so that is not a problem. however i am concerned about any other stupid reasons that these people might put in a denial and make us go through the suffering process. do you know of any such situations or do you think that the USCIS is completely aware of this AC21 clauses and that they do not simply deny the cases. I know i am asking a completely insane question but just wanted to try any ways.
thanks a lot in advance.
Check out my blog on IV also check some threads that ran in past.
Remember - RFE for employment does not necessarily get triggered because of 140 revoke - it can be triggered even if you change address (see some threads)
thanks for the encouraging reply. it seems like some people are getting denials without any NOIDs and are going out of status due to that. my previous company is not going to revoke my I-140 so that is not a problem. however i am concerned about any other stupid reasons that these people might put in a denial and make us go through the suffering process. do you know of any such situations or do you think that the USCIS is completely aware of this AC21 clauses and that they do not simply deny the cases. I know i am asking a completely insane question but just wanted to try any ways.
thanks a lot in advance.
Check out my blog on IV also check some threads that ran in past.
Remember - RFE for employment does not necessarily get triggered because of 140 revoke - it can be triggered even if you change address (see some threads)
more...
pawnrule
01-15 03:05 PM
1) General test.
2) Best thing is not to ask them to send results. Just get an extra copy for yourself and mail it to Buffalo. No specific officer just write on the address
TO
File # B4567890
Immigration section
Consulate General of Canada
Best of luck
Nozerd - Thanks for your help/response.
2) Best thing is not to ask them to send results. Just get an extra copy for yourself and mail it to Buffalo. No specific officer just write on the address
TO
File # B4567890
Immigration section
Consulate General of Canada
Best of luck
Nozerd - Thanks for your help/response.
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glus
10-09 01:12 PM
Sorry to scare you in my previous reply....I did not read your question properly....
Since you are from a Non-Retrogressed Country, you may be eligible to apply for AOS. As you mentioned, you may apply I-140, I-485, I-131, and I-765 all together without any hassle. Make sure your attorney files all your applications with the right fee, since the fee structure has changed recently.
Sorry about my previous post though...
Good Luck!!
Please be careful giving such advises. The person in question was out-of-status because he never worked for company A, so it is not certain if he is in valid status at this point. I would not generalize saying he could file without any hassles. He should speak to a qualified attorney before doing that.
Since you are from a Non-Retrogressed Country, you may be eligible to apply for AOS. As you mentioned, you may apply I-140, I-485, I-131, and I-765 all together without any hassle. Make sure your attorney files all your applications with the right fee, since the fee structure has changed recently.
Sorry about my previous post though...
Good Luck!!
Please be careful giving such advises. The person in question was out-of-status because he never worked for company A, so it is not certain if he is in valid status at this point. I would not generalize saying he could file without any hassles. He should speak to a qualified attorney before doing that.
more...
sameer2730
06-21 09:28 AM
@sameer2730 : So when you made the mistake "Country Of Citizenship" on your EAD eFile, how did you get that corrected? Did you send in a "Request For Correction" along with your supporting documentation to USCIS? Did they send you an RFE or did they accept your docs and approved your EAD?
Sent the request for correction with my supporting documents.
Sent the request for correction with my supporting documents.
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hatighora
07-30 02:54 PM
I think there is a chance if the baby becomes a celebrity baby. If our babies become a hollywood star,sports star or a baby genius, there should be some possibility of getting greencard thru that baby, but with an ordinary baby chances are slim with the current immigration rules.
more...
santb1975
02-14 12:47 PM
We need help
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waitin_toolong
07-29 05:04 AM
how is the baby supposed to sponsor the parents ??
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Berkeleybee
05-17 01:22 PM
BerkeleyBee,
Thanks for opening a seperate thread for this.
Looking at the proceedings for the last 2 days i feel those opposed to immigration r using the delaying tactic to somwhow push out and kill the bill. It also looks like some form of the bill will come out eventually.
There are enough provisions in the bill which will have a significant effect on retrogression when it becomes a law.
As the bill progresses in the senate and in the conference, they may push out the effective date ( for the bill to become a law) to get the house aboard.
I wonder if we can ask for some non controversial portions of the bill such as capturing unused VISA numbers (they must be 90K) to become law immediatly. This will ease retrogression significantly as there will be no country limits for those numbers.
Can we ask any Senator to bring such an amendment.
(remember those who r here illegally and who need to wait for 8 years to apply for G.C can wait an year more. Need i say about those stuck in the Employment based categories.)
--MC
Mchundi,
I understand your anxiety. To answer your questions:
There is no chance of having any single set of provisions "become law immediately."
Unfortunately, we have to let this current round of discussions on CIR play out. What should we root for? That amendments to the current CIR that basically gut the bill fail. If the bill survives these amendments then we stand a good chance of succeeding in our efforts.
For strategic reasons, we cannot disclose everything we know about behind the scenes agreements.
Hang in there!
best,
Berkeleybee
Thanks for opening a seperate thread for this.
Looking at the proceedings for the last 2 days i feel those opposed to immigration r using the delaying tactic to somwhow push out and kill the bill. It also looks like some form of the bill will come out eventually.
There are enough provisions in the bill which will have a significant effect on retrogression when it becomes a law.
As the bill progresses in the senate and in the conference, they may push out the effective date ( for the bill to become a law) to get the house aboard.
I wonder if we can ask for some non controversial portions of the bill such as capturing unused VISA numbers (they must be 90K) to become law immediatly. This will ease retrogression significantly as there will be no country limits for those numbers.
Can we ask any Senator to bring such an amendment.
(remember those who r here illegally and who need to wait for 8 years to apply for G.C can wait an year more. Need i say about those stuck in the Employment based categories.)
--MC
Mchundi,
I understand your anxiety. To answer your questions:
There is no chance of having any single set of provisions "become law immediately."
Unfortunately, we have to let this current round of discussions on CIR play out. What should we root for? That amendments to the current CIR that basically gut the bill fail. If the bill survives these amendments then we stand a good chance of succeeding in our efforts.
For strategic reasons, we cannot disclose everything we know about behind the scenes agreements.
Hang in there!
best,
Berkeleybee
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nousername
04-07 01:12 PM
What the hell.. Can someone please explain this in plain English?
AAO Decision on Substituted Labor Certifications (http://www.cilawgroup.com/news/2010/04/03/aao-decision-on-substituted-labor-certifications/)
AAO Decision on Substituted Labor Certifications (http://www.cilawgroup.com/news/2010/04/03/aao-decision-on-substituted-labor-certifications/)
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eager_immi
01-31 01:44 PM
aren't u contradicting urself?
Revoking the previously approved I140 doesn't invalidate the H1 extension/transfer. But to get further extensions/transfers, you need A) labor pending for one year OR B) approved I140 from the new employer.
Revoking the previously approved I140 doesn't invalidate the H1 extension/transfer. But to get further extensions/transfers, you need A) labor pending for one year OR B) approved I140 from the new employer.
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neoneo
07-17 12:49 AM
Hi,
My attorney is requesting that I need to submit Tax return for filing AOS.
I had sent W2 forms
Is tax return separate from W2 , I am confused..:confused:
Pls help
W-2 is the form you would have received from your employer. Against which you field your tax returns. relax and send both. W2- says what you've earned. Tax returns explains what IRS has earned on you. Everyone's happy.
there are cases where people earned W2 but did not pay tax differences ie did not file returns.
Well, some of this maybe extra information. Basically the attorney is trying to play safe.
My attorney is requesting that I need to submit Tax return for filing AOS.
I had sent W2 forms
Is tax return separate from W2 , I am confused..:confused:
Pls help
W-2 is the form you would have received from your employer. Against which you field your tax returns. relax and send both. W2- says what you've earned. Tax returns explains what IRS has earned on you. Everyone's happy.
there are cases where people earned W2 but did not pay tax differences ie did not file returns.
Well, some of this maybe extra information. Basically the attorney is trying to play safe.
more...
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FinalGC
05-12 05:02 PM
hopefulgc:
Are you willing???
Are you willing???
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zCool
04-03 03:35 PM
See below for answers:
Hi there,
this is going to be a bit complicated but I'd appreciate any thoughts (or even just the advice to go get a/which lawyer for this one)....
Anyway, I am on an H1B right now but am going to switch jobs. My understanding is that once the new petition is filed I can start working for the second employer. I also would like to travel home during this time... So, here are my questions:
- Can you work for 2 employers at the same time while making the switch?
-- Simple words. NO. If you want to be on the payroll of 2 full-time employers at the same time, unless otherwise it is mentioned so in LCA it's illegal.
That does not stop you from holding approved H1b Petitions from 2 (or for that matter more than 2) employers at the same time. But you can only work for 1 employer.
- How long does it take to file a petition (can i/my new employer do that myself)? If no, any advice on which lawyer to pick??? Anybody heard of Visa PRO?
-- It should take less than 3 days. If an attorney has previously worked with your employer and has their records on the file etc. then maybe less. A lot of h1b and LCA application documentation involves writing big statements and letters related to employer's business, their need for your speciality skills etc. First time applications for any new employer-attorney pair will take couple of days to prepare these docs.
Good part is you can apply and get receipt in couple of weeks (Earlier if you apply in Premium) and then you are allowed to work for new employer.
- Is traveling to my home country OK while filing the petition or is it better to wait until I come back?
-- It it better to wait. Coz any travel outside can get you stranded if something goes wrong. but if you MUST travel then postpone change of employer till you come back. Meaning you can apply for h1 from new employer but do not join them, Continue working for your current employer. Go visit india, come back , join your current employer and then after 1 paycheck at least give notice and work for new employer. Hopefulyl by then your transfer would have come thro' there by reducing your risk of joining them before h1 approval and then RFE or denial creating issues for you.
Thanks a lot!
BTW, as queries go.. this one wasn't complicated :) Relax!
Hi there,
this is going to be a bit complicated but I'd appreciate any thoughts (or even just the advice to go get a/which lawyer for this one)....
Anyway, I am on an H1B right now but am going to switch jobs. My understanding is that once the new petition is filed I can start working for the second employer. I also would like to travel home during this time... So, here are my questions:
- Can you work for 2 employers at the same time while making the switch?
-- Simple words. NO. If you want to be on the payroll of 2 full-time employers at the same time, unless otherwise it is mentioned so in LCA it's illegal.
That does not stop you from holding approved H1b Petitions from 2 (or for that matter more than 2) employers at the same time. But you can only work for 1 employer.
- How long does it take to file a petition (can i/my new employer do that myself)? If no, any advice on which lawyer to pick??? Anybody heard of Visa PRO?
-- It should take less than 3 days. If an attorney has previously worked with your employer and has their records on the file etc. then maybe less. A lot of h1b and LCA application documentation involves writing big statements and letters related to employer's business, their need for your speciality skills etc. First time applications for any new employer-attorney pair will take couple of days to prepare these docs.
Good part is you can apply and get receipt in couple of weeks (Earlier if you apply in Premium) and then you are allowed to work for new employer.
- Is traveling to my home country OK while filing the petition or is it better to wait until I come back?
-- It it better to wait. Coz any travel outside can get you stranded if something goes wrong. but if you MUST travel then postpone change of employer till you come back. Meaning you can apply for h1 from new employer but do not join them, Continue working for your current employer. Go visit india, come back , join your current employer and then after 1 paycheck at least give notice and work for new employer. Hopefulyl by then your transfer would have come thro' there by reducing your risk of joining them before h1 approval and then RFE or denial creating issues for you.
Thanks a lot!
BTW, as queries go.. this one wasn't complicated :) Relax!
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newuser
02-17 07:54 AM
Hi Everyone,
I am relatively new to this forum and for the first time, I attended the conf last night and happy to see many people coming forward and discussing the immigration issues. I learned a lot about what IV is trying to do and would like to help IV any possible way by spreading the word.
As discussed last night, I will print out of the flyers and put them inlocal grocery stores and temples.
Best of luck to everyone.
I am relatively new to this forum and for the first time, I attended the conf last night and happy to see many people coming forward and discussing the immigration issues. I learned a lot about what IV is trying to do and would like to help IV any possible way by spreading the word.
As discussed last night, I will print out of the flyers and put them inlocal grocery stores and temples.
Best of luck to everyone.
mhtanim
06-10 02:40 AM
Wow.. one should wonder why USCIS wants its' own documents. Don't they have any way to track someone's immigration records in their system?
Anyway, as somebody else has mentioned - you should consult with an experienced attorney.
Anyway, as somebody else has mentioned - you should consult with an experienced attorney.
mammoy2k
11-12 05:56 PM
I wouldappreciate if any of you could shed light on the following scenario:
If485 i spending for over six months and someone switched the job using AC21 for a position which would require extended stay [upto 2-3 years] outside the US. Would it any way impact the GC process? Given that priority date is 2007, it is unlikely(?) that 485 would be adjusted in that time.
Thanks
If485 i spending for over six months and someone switched the job using AC21 for a position which would require extended stay [upto 2-3 years] outside the US. Would it any way impact the GC process? Given that priority date is 2007, it is unlikely(?) that 485 would be adjusted in that time.
Thanks
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