EB-VoiceImmigration
02-24 08:50 PM
Moving to the Faster Lane : Changing EB3 to EB2
We at the Murthy Law Firm receive many inquiries as to whether it is possible for an individual with an employment-based, third preference (EB3) case to change to the employment-based, second preference (EB2) category. As explained in this article, it is possible for many some people to make this transition. When combined with the potential to retain the priority date from the earlier employment-based (EB) case, this can be a powerful tool for qualified individuals to obtain permanent residence, or the "green card," much earlier.
EB3 Cannot Simply be Changed to EB2
Often individuals ask whether their current EB3 cases can somehow be converted to EB2s. They will usually mention that they had enough education and/or experience to meet the EB2 requirements at the time the EB3 case was filed. The answer to this is simply, "No." The EB category of any labor certification-based case is set at the beginning, when the labor certification is prepared and filed. The category depends on the requirements specified in the labor certification. If these requirements are at the EB3 level, then the case is filed as an EB3, even if the foreign national beneficiary may have qualifications in terms of the education and work experience sufficient for an EB2 level job.
New EB2 Case Filing Based on Minimum Job Requirements
It is possible for an individual with an EB3 case to have either the existing employer / sponsor or a new employer file a new case in the EB2 category. Of course, the new position must meet the EB2 requirements, and the individual must qualify for the offered position. The starting point must always be with the job requirements, not one's own education and experience. It is the job that must fit within the EB2 category, as the law requires that the employer specify the minimum education and other qualifications for the specific job. Then, of course, the beneficiary must be able to establish that s/he meets the education and experience required for the job.
New EB2 Filing Permissible with Job Change
It is not unusual for an individual with an EB3 case to qualify for EB2. This happens when one acquires additional education and/or experience through the years during which the EB3 case has been pending. Over time, people often are promoted into jobs that may meet the EB2 requirements.
Typically, questions about potentially changing to EB2 come from individuals who have reached the point where they have filed their I-485s. They have waited for a number of years, but are suffering under the enormous waiting times in the EB3 category. Many have used AC21 to change jobs, are advancing in their careers, and now hold jobs that could meet the EB2 standards.
EB2 Filing can be with Existing or New Employer
As explained above, in order to move from EB3 to EB2 it is necessary to start over with an entirely new labor certification. This often is filed through a new employer, when an individual has moved to a different job.
It potentially could be filed through the same employer that filed the EB3 labor certification. This could be appropriate if one obtained a promotion or otherwise moved into an EB2 job. If filing through the same employer, the employee ideally should have completed the minimum years of work experience for the EB2 position before starting work with the current employer. This is because there are legal issues and potential restrictions when relying on the experience gained with the same employer to qualify for the new job. These issues should be analyzed and discussed with an attorney experienced and knowledgeable immigration law.
Transfer of Earlier Priority Date to New Case Filing
The greatest benefit to utilizing the strategy of re-filing comes in the potential to retain the priority date from the EB3 case. This option exists if the EB3 I-140 petition has been approved. If so, then it is possible to request retention of this priority date in the later-filed EB2 case. This means that it potentially is possible to transfer the earlier EB3 priority date to the later-filed EB2 case with a new or the same employer. In many cases, this means that the individual could have a current or closer-to-current priority date, thus saving many years of waiting to become eligible for permanent residence.
There are some issues with respect to retention of the priority date if the I-140 has been revoked. Generally, however, it is the policy of the USCIS to allow the retention and transfer of the earlier priority date if the I-140 petition has not been revoked by the USCIS for fraud or misrepresentation.
Is Earlier EB3 Filing Made Vulnerable by Filing New EB2?
Most people inquiring about this option are concerned about any potential risks to their current EB3 cases. There are some procedural options with respect to the final step in the re-filed cases. However, it is possible to process the new case without risk of disruption to the EB3 case. This assumes that all information provided in the course of the prior filing was accurate.
A new labor certification filing, even if not approved, would not disrupt a prior approval. The same holds true for an I-140 filing. Conversely, approvals of the labor certification and I-140 do not disrupt or displace existing approvals. It is possible to have multiple approvals of labor certifications and I-140s for the same individual. Even when the request to retain the earlier priority date from the EB3 case is granted, the prior EB3 case remains undisturbed. There is nothing transferred or taken away from the EB3 case in the process of requesting that the EB2 case be assigned the same priority date.
At the final stage, there are options as to how to complete the case. The pros and cons should be discussed with a qualified immigration attorney. It is possible to proceed with the cases essentially in parallel, allowing for two cases and two potential avenues for eventual approval of permanent residence. The best way to proceed depends upon one's situation and, ideally, should be analyzed to consider the risks and options. What is helpful to most people, however, is that they do not have to risk their current EB3 cases to try to move to EB2.
Conclusion
At the Murthy Law Firm, we have successfully utilized the strategy discussed in this article for many of our clients by filing for each a new EB2 case with the same or a new employer. While it requires starting over with a new labor certification, for many it offers a significant advantage in terms of timing when the earlier priority date can be retained. MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers who wish to explore this option further should contact the Murthy Law Firm to help them with this process or for a consultation to determine whether it is appropriate for them.
Copyright � 2010, MURTHY LAW FIRM. All Rights Reserved
We at the Murthy Law Firm receive many inquiries as to whether it is possible for an individual with an employment-based, third preference (EB3) case to change to the employment-based, second preference (EB2) category. As explained in this article, it is possible for many some people to make this transition. When combined with the potential to retain the priority date from the earlier employment-based (EB) case, this can be a powerful tool for qualified individuals to obtain permanent residence, or the "green card," much earlier.
EB3 Cannot Simply be Changed to EB2
Often individuals ask whether their current EB3 cases can somehow be converted to EB2s. They will usually mention that they had enough education and/or experience to meet the EB2 requirements at the time the EB3 case was filed. The answer to this is simply, "No." The EB category of any labor certification-based case is set at the beginning, when the labor certification is prepared and filed. The category depends on the requirements specified in the labor certification. If these requirements are at the EB3 level, then the case is filed as an EB3, even if the foreign national beneficiary may have qualifications in terms of the education and work experience sufficient for an EB2 level job.
New EB2 Case Filing Based on Minimum Job Requirements
It is possible for an individual with an EB3 case to have either the existing employer / sponsor or a new employer file a new case in the EB2 category. Of course, the new position must meet the EB2 requirements, and the individual must qualify for the offered position. The starting point must always be with the job requirements, not one's own education and experience. It is the job that must fit within the EB2 category, as the law requires that the employer specify the minimum education and other qualifications for the specific job. Then, of course, the beneficiary must be able to establish that s/he meets the education and experience required for the job.
New EB2 Filing Permissible with Job Change
It is not unusual for an individual with an EB3 case to qualify for EB2. This happens when one acquires additional education and/or experience through the years during which the EB3 case has been pending. Over time, people often are promoted into jobs that may meet the EB2 requirements.
Typically, questions about potentially changing to EB2 come from individuals who have reached the point where they have filed their I-485s. They have waited for a number of years, but are suffering under the enormous waiting times in the EB3 category. Many have used AC21 to change jobs, are advancing in their careers, and now hold jobs that could meet the EB2 standards.
EB2 Filing can be with Existing or New Employer
As explained above, in order to move from EB3 to EB2 it is necessary to start over with an entirely new labor certification. This often is filed through a new employer, when an individual has moved to a different job.
It potentially could be filed through the same employer that filed the EB3 labor certification. This could be appropriate if one obtained a promotion or otherwise moved into an EB2 job. If filing through the same employer, the employee ideally should have completed the minimum years of work experience for the EB2 position before starting work with the current employer. This is because there are legal issues and potential restrictions when relying on the experience gained with the same employer to qualify for the new job. These issues should be analyzed and discussed with an attorney experienced and knowledgeable immigration law.
Transfer of Earlier Priority Date to New Case Filing
The greatest benefit to utilizing the strategy of re-filing comes in the potential to retain the priority date from the EB3 case. This option exists if the EB3 I-140 petition has been approved. If so, then it is possible to request retention of this priority date in the later-filed EB2 case. This means that it potentially is possible to transfer the earlier EB3 priority date to the later-filed EB2 case with a new or the same employer. In many cases, this means that the individual could have a current or closer-to-current priority date, thus saving many years of waiting to become eligible for permanent residence.
There are some issues with respect to retention of the priority date if the I-140 has been revoked. Generally, however, it is the policy of the USCIS to allow the retention and transfer of the earlier priority date if the I-140 petition has not been revoked by the USCIS for fraud or misrepresentation.
Is Earlier EB3 Filing Made Vulnerable by Filing New EB2?
Most people inquiring about this option are concerned about any potential risks to their current EB3 cases. There are some procedural options with respect to the final step in the re-filed cases. However, it is possible to process the new case without risk of disruption to the EB3 case. This assumes that all information provided in the course of the prior filing was accurate.
A new labor certification filing, even if not approved, would not disrupt a prior approval. The same holds true for an I-140 filing. Conversely, approvals of the labor certification and I-140 do not disrupt or displace existing approvals. It is possible to have multiple approvals of labor certifications and I-140s for the same individual. Even when the request to retain the earlier priority date from the EB3 case is granted, the prior EB3 case remains undisturbed. There is nothing transferred or taken away from the EB3 case in the process of requesting that the EB2 case be assigned the same priority date.
At the final stage, there are options as to how to complete the case. The pros and cons should be discussed with a qualified immigration attorney. It is possible to proceed with the cases essentially in parallel, allowing for two cases and two potential avenues for eventual approval of permanent residence. The best way to proceed depends upon one's situation and, ideally, should be analyzed to consider the risks and options. What is helpful to most people, however, is that they do not have to risk their current EB3 cases to try to move to EB2.
Conclusion
At the Murthy Law Firm, we have successfully utilized the strategy discussed in this article for many of our clients by filing for each a new EB2 case with the same or a new employer. While it requires starting over with a new labor certification, for many it offers a significant advantage in terms of timing when the earlier priority date can be retained. MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers who wish to explore this option further should contact the Murthy Law Firm to help them with this process or for a consultation to determine whether it is appropriate for them.
Copyright � 2010, MURTHY LAW FIRM. All Rights Reserved
akilaakka
07-26 09:01 AM
The link is not working.
trueguy
07-31 02:56 PM
From where you got this fact? If this is the fact then PD won't be hovering in 2001 since last 5 years. In those days, PD for EB3 was always current so every body applied in EB3.
Sorry but you guys seem to forget the fact that there were very few 2001, 2002 filers.
I dont know about 2003.
Sorry but you guys seem to forget the fact that there were very few 2001, 2002 filers.
I dont know about 2003.
Rockford
09-11 10:59 AM
My 485 application was filed on July 1st, 2007. Yesterday I received an email from my lawyer indicating that they have received the receipts for 485, 765 & 131 for all the applicants in my family.
I understand that it takes 3 to 4 weeks after receiving the receipt notices to hear about the fingerprinting appointment.
1. Considering the number of AOS applications filed in July, when can I expect the fingerprinting appointment?
2. Also how will that correspondence occur: mail or telephone ? Will I hear about this directly or will my lawyer hear about it?
3. Can few of you who have received the appointment for fingerprinting after filing AOS application in May 07 - Aug 07 timeframe post some details:
a) When did you receive the AOS receipts?
b) When did you hear about the fingerprinting and how?
c) When are you expecting EAD or if you have received it, how long did it take? I am aware that it takes 90 to 120 days from the date of filing and this was answered in one of my questions posted on this forum but wanted to know these stats in the current conditions.
Thanks,
There is no hard and fast rule but this is general trend:
Texas service center is sending EAD and AP almost along with the receipt or even before the receipt in some cases.
The NSC is sending the FP for those the notice date is around 8/10.
NSC is processing EAD for those files AOS in first week of Jun. Again as I said this is general trend. There are a few lucky Jul 2nd filers that got EAD from NSC.
FP notice will be sent to your home address with appointment details. No one knows howlong it takes to get EAD from NSC. Your guess is as good as any body else's. Hope is that some of the Huly 2 nd filers get their EADs in a month's time.
I understand that it takes 3 to 4 weeks after receiving the receipt notices to hear about the fingerprinting appointment.
1. Considering the number of AOS applications filed in July, when can I expect the fingerprinting appointment?
2. Also how will that correspondence occur: mail or telephone ? Will I hear about this directly or will my lawyer hear about it?
3. Can few of you who have received the appointment for fingerprinting after filing AOS application in May 07 - Aug 07 timeframe post some details:
a) When did you receive the AOS receipts?
b) When did you hear about the fingerprinting and how?
c) When are you expecting EAD or if you have received it, how long did it take? I am aware that it takes 90 to 120 days from the date of filing and this was answered in one of my questions posted on this forum but wanted to know these stats in the current conditions.
Thanks,
There is no hard and fast rule but this is general trend:
Texas service center is sending EAD and AP almost along with the receipt or even before the receipt in some cases.
The NSC is sending the FP for those the notice date is around 8/10.
NSC is processing EAD for those files AOS in first week of Jun. Again as I said this is general trend. There are a few lucky Jul 2nd filers that got EAD from NSC.
FP notice will be sent to your home address with appointment details. No one knows howlong it takes to get EAD from NSC. Your guess is as good as any body else's. Hope is that some of the Huly 2 nd filers get their EADs in a month's time.
more...
jungalee43
04-22 11:23 AM
I don't understand what is strange in this RFE. The only this is that this kind of RFE would be very appropriate if you used AC21 and changed employers.
Rohan99
05-26 04:11 PM
Thank you samswas
All of them might not be applicable for all, but found this on another forum ...
1 - New SSN to get rid of pesky legend "requires INS authorization..."
2 - SSN for wife
3 - Drivers license for wife without pesky legend "temporary for one yr or until H1 validity...", etc.)
4 - Update I-9 form with employer
5 - Someone here said let your mortgage company know about GC if you own a home, not sure why?
6 - Do not hand over the I-94 card to the airlines/immigration offices at the airport. Keep it or through away
7 - Do not need to carry anything other then Passport and Green Card when travelling
All of them might not be applicable for all, but found this on another forum ...
1 - New SSN to get rid of pesky legend "requires INS authorization..."
2 - SSN for wife
3 - Drivers license for wife without pesky legend "temporary for one yr or until H1 validity...", etc.)
4 - Update I-9 form with employer
5 - Someone here said let your mortgage company know about GC if you own a home, not sure why?
6 - Do not hand over the I-94 card to the airlines/immigration offices at the airport. Keep it or through away
7 - Do not need to carry anything other then Passport and Green Card when travelling
more...
kevnss
03-18 03:06 PM
Yesterday I went to SSN Administration office to apply SSN for my wife to get the tax rebate, you definitely need EAD if that person doesn't have work permit. So it automatically changes the status from H4 to EAD. I have also confirmed this the officer about the status, he confirmed that the status will automatically changed to EAD. So H4 no longer exists for spouse if the spouse carried H4 earlier. Hope this will answers your question. Regarding the tax rebate, you have to have SSN to qualify, so that's the main reason I went to SSN administration office for my wife.
aj1234567
12-21 12:40 PM
Hi-
Can any body please tell me how to start new thread in this forum..
Thanks
Aj
Can any body please tell me how to start new thread in this forum..
Thanks
Aj
more...
breddy2000
06-25 10:06 AM
Bumping up.
Atleast , you are sure that you can leave your employer after 2 yrs.
But if you do not file now and the date retrogesses again,. you may not be able to file any time sooner...with this CIR and stuff like that, which are not favourable to us. I would say just go ahead and do it.
See if there is any breakage clause. if they have, then if you like quit them and pay the Penalty or what ever.
I say all these are made up by the Employers to scare the employees.
As of now, just accept in what ever they say....and later on see if it is legal/illegal etc...
Atleast , you are sure that you can leave your employer after 2 yrs.
But if you do not file now and the date retrogesses again,. you may not be able to file any time sooner...with this CIR and stuff like that, which are not favourable to us. I would say just go ahead and do it.
See if there is any breakage clause. if they have, then if you like quit them and pay the Penalty or what ever.
I say all these are made up by the Employers to scare the employees.
As of now, just accept in what ever they say....and later on see if it is legal/illegal etc...
sanjay
12-28 10:01 AM
I have three friends waiting for I - 140 approval whose date are between Feb 16 - 22, 2007 and all are still waiting for approvals. online status show case pending. And dates in NSC shows April 6, 2007.
more...
kunjirs
03-07 04:16 PM
MurthyDotCom : EAD Extension Delays - FAQs, Answers, Suggestions (http://www.murthy.com/news/n_eadmor.html)
redds777
09-20 09:06 PM
go to ur co attorney office and show them the EVL format you would need and try to arrive at common ground interms of language and be done with that.
i think somewhere on IV forums i saw an EVL format . each attorney will have their own format for EVLs but basic datain them will be same . i dont think you will need to mention about AC21 on the EVL But you would need to mention that on the cover letter
good luck
Yes I am going to consult either Murthy or Rajeev. But my problem is that my company which is a big corporate will only give a EVL based on the format that the company's attorney prepare. So even though I can consult Murthy but no way I will be able to use their advice as my current employer will only do what their attorney tells them.
I am in a fix as to what to do? My current employer is a big corporate and don't work with personal attorneys. And HR policies are also very stringent.
Even if I want I can't use Murthy/Rajeev/Ron to respond to this RFE.
So confused what to do
i think somewhere on IV forums i saw an EVL format . each attorney will have their own format for EVLs but basic datain them will be same . i dont think you will need to mention about AC21 on the EVL But you would need to mention that on the cover letter
good luck
Yes I am going to consult either Murthy or Rajeev. But my problem is that my company which is a big corporate will only give a EVL based on the format that the company's attorney prepare. So even though I can consult Murthy but no way I will be able to use their advice as my current employer will only do what their attorney tells them.
I am in a fix as to what to do? My current employer is a big corporate and don't work with personal attorneys. And HR policies are also very stringent.
Even if I want I can't use Murthy/Rajeev/Ron to respond to this RFE.
So confused what to do
more...
qualified_trash
11-14 02:35 PM
Lawyer told me that I cannot contest. They screwed it up some thing
I am sorry to hear of your plight. As a public service message, could you post the lawyer's name here..........
Also if you have time on your H1 - 6 mos and more, you should start the process to file for a LC using PERM. You will not have your October 2003 PD. However, you can definitely continue to live and work here.............
I am sorry to hear of your plight. As a public service message, could you post the lawyer's name here..........
Also if you have time on your H1 - 6 mos and more, you should start the process to file for a LC using PERM. You will not have your October 2003 PD. However, you can definitely continue to live and work here.............
LegalIndianInUSA
09-11 01:38 PM
a) When did you receive the AOS receipts?
not yet received. July 2nd filer
b) When did you hear about the fingerprinting and how?
mail from USCIS with a form I797c(notice of action) to go do FP
c) When are you expecting EAD or if you have received it, how long did it take?
not yet received
not yet received. July 2nd filer
b) When did you hear about the fingerprinting and how?
mail from USCIS with a form I797c(notice of action) to go do FP
c) When are you expecting EAD or if you have received it, how long did it take?
not yet received
more...
p.guptapost
06-04 10:20 AM
Can we get the status of EAD application without receipt numbers?
pl. let me know. Thanks.
pl. let me know. Thanks.
michael_trs
05-13 12:11 PM
it was rejected because my labor expired - this is what my lawyer said.
more...
sathyaraj
10-09 05:45 PM
Yes. This is really useful. So when they say same are similar occupation. It does not really matter whether you are business analysts, systems analyst, configuration analyst, web-developer, architect, PM so long as it is in computer field as all these occupation codes start with 15-?????.
http://www.onetcodeconnector.org/ccreport/15-1051.00
I think there is lots of flexibility in changing jobs. I dont know why ppl talk about not taking promotions and stuck in the same job. AC21 clearly says that it should be in the same or similar occupation classification.
Any thougts?
http://www.onetcodeconnector.org/ccreport/15-1051.00
I think there is lots of flexibility in changing jobs. I dont know why ppl talk about not taking promotions and stuck in the same job. AC21 clearly says that it should be in the same or similar occupation classification.
Any thougts?
satishku_2000
11-20 12:40 PM
For July 2nd filers, the freedom is attained on Dec 29th (180 days after filing).
I know ... :)
I know ... :)
solaris27
03-20 10:04 AM
no diffrence in selling a house on H1b or EAD
rb_248
12-13 03:09 PM
I have waited long enough to say that. Came to USA and pursued a career in Traffic Engineering. Now I can't even find jobs in India because, many say that my job is advanced for India right now.
Make sure you do a masters in some field in which you can find opportunities in India.
Make sure you do a masters in some field in which you can find opportunities in India.
petersebastian
04-01 11:31 PM
you dont have to marry. just remain as illegal and they will GC sooner.
Hmm really? I thought that is not possible anymore. Can you give me the details or refer me to a website that has them? Thank you!
Hmm really? I thought that is not possible anymore. Can you give me the details or refer me to a website that has them? Thank you!