LC approved in 2006, can I still apply for I-140?

[otovarm@hotmail.com]

Hi everyone, I am seeking some help:

-My wife's Labor Certification was approved on Oct-09-2006
-Priority Date: April-30-2001

We did stay on H1B (wife) and H4 (me) in the US for about 9 years total, we did extend the H1B year by year once the initial 6year period ended (labor was still pending). We left the US on Dec-27-2007 and have been outside the US since. Now we have our new 5year Turist Visa B1/B2.

1st Question:

Can we still apply for next steps towards the GC based on that approved labor cert, even though more than 2 years have passed since it was approved? (I believe next steps are I-140 and 485, right?

If answer is YES, can we go premium processing?


IMPORTANT: One of the partners in the company which filed the labor for her did die about 3 years ago. It seems like a new partner came in but still one of the original partners and the one who was my wife's boss when she was working for the company is still there. We are a little concerned because when we first approached the guy at the company about 2 years ago (when we got the LC approval notice) he told us that they had to restructure the company because of the other partner's death and they decided to change the company's name (slightly) and start all over again. At that time he told us that original company didn't have strong balance sheets, bank balances or tax docs to support the I-140 and that he wasn't sure if the new partner would agreed to sign the petition. He told us to wait 1-2 years and see if he could do it.

When we got that response we decided to leave the country (didn't have other option) and stay outside the country for at least a year to have the option to come again thru H1B with another company. (We also had twin boys - americans - and it has helped us to be in our home country while they were small babies).

Now we want to return to the US but we would like to know if we still have a chance to apply for the I-140 with that company. Anybody has any insights about this? Does it matter that the company changed its original name, even though the person who signed the LC petition would be the same person who signs the I-140 petition?

In the worst case scenario that this guy won't help us signing the I-140, can we apply thru another company under the original approved LC? I guess that if it is possible, then it should be thru a company under similar industry, or located in same region and Job description should match the one in the LC.

Thanks for taking the time to read this and any insights would be greatly appreciated.

[Green.Tech]

Hi everyone, I am seeking some help:

-My wife's Labor Certification was approved on Oct-09-2006
-Priority Date: April-30-2001

We did stay on H1B (wife) and H4 (me) in the US for about 9 years total, we did extend the H1B year by year once the initial 6year period ended (labor was still pending). We left the US on Dec-27-2007 and have been outside the US since. Now we have our new 5year Turist Visa B1/B2.



Sounds like you are one of those fake profiles.

No answer for you. Come back 1 year! (I hope you watch Seinfeld) :)

[desi3933]

LC approved in 2006, can I still apply for I-140?

No.

[otovarm@hotmail.com]

Well, I am not a fake profile. What happened to us is real. That is what the guy told us. He was basing his decision in the fact that the original company which filed for the LC was no longer in business and that they created a new company. Reality is that they only changed the company's name but they still do the same and have same employees. We believe he didn't want to ask his new partner about signing the I-140 petition. That is our guess.

Honestly, we disconnected ourselves from the whole thing, we were really depressed that after waiting for 5 years we finally got the LC approved and then we got that response. That is why I am looking for help in the forum, I really disconnected myself from the whole process and was not sure how have things changed since in terms of new immigration policies etc etc.

[snathan]

Well, I am not a fake profile. What happened to us is real. That is what the guy told us. He was basing his decision in the fact that the original company which filed for the LC was no longer in business and that they created a new company. Reality is that they only changed the company's name but they still do the same and have same employees. We believe he didn't want to ask his new partner about signing the I-140 petition. That is our guess.

Honestly, we disconnected ourselves from the whole thing, we were really depressed that after waiting for 5 years we finally got the LC approved and then we got that response. That is why I am looking for help in the forum, I really disconnected myself from the whole process and was not sure how have things changed since in terms of new immigration policies etc etc.

What ever it is...you need to file I-140 within 180 days of approvel. Its two years and gone.

[bluekayal]

It happened to me as well. I had a Labor stuck in Dallas and I continued doing a Schedule A application. I did a premium processing and mentioned that I had an approved labor from 2004 (that got approved during my Schedule A processing in 2006). The USCIS sent me an I-140 approval with the old 2004 PD.

Then I kept waiting. My lawyer was suspicious from the beginning. And yes, unfortunately the lawyer was right.
In 2008 after having seen no movement I got in touch with the Ombudsperson's office and requested review. The final result? They said it was a mistake on the part of USCIS and reset the the I-140 place to the correct PD - in my case August 2006.
And now because of the labor rule, so I lost the August 2004 PD as no I-140 was filed within 180 days of approval... The Schedule A I-140 just used the older PD...and later rescinded...
So I have no go...

But thankfully, at least I have a 2006 I-140.

In the meanwhile I've lost my job as well.

If anyone knows an editing job please get in touch!

[otovarm@hotmail.com]

well, that really sucks, I was not aware of the 180day rule. Many thanks for the information.

So I have no other option than start all over again. One question, can I apply directly to a new LC or PERM or I need to go thru H1B first?

My Plan B is Canada, already have Canadian Permanent Resident Card, I need to enter before May 2010....I might need to decide between just moving to Canada and in 3 years get citizenship Vs. Starting new PERM process in USA .....I will be aprox 7 years away from citizenship.


Any thoughts??

[rackinghengxin]

I see your point, the topic above is debatable, and however, I am in your corner. Pallet Racking (http://www.rackingchina.com)

[morchu]

Depends on many variables.

1. What is the field of your / your spouse's job? Can you find a good job in Canada?
2. Is there any other variables that force you to be in USA. (Relatives etc..)?

For a lot of middle category jobs Canada is even better than USA. Infact Canada is more industrial than USA and has very good quality of life. But if you are going to Canada for a "hi-tech" job, think twice..... (opportunities)..

"7 years" for US citizenship is tooo optimistic.
If you are from India, it "may" take 10 years for you to get even a Green Card, filed under EB3. Browse through the forums and you will see than many of the Indians here are waiting for more than 10 years.

-Morchu

well, that really sucks, I was not aware of the 180day rule. Many thanks for the information.

So I have no other option than start all over again. One question, can I apply directly to a new LC or PERM or I need to go thru H1B first?

My Plan B is Canada, already have Canadian Permanent Resident Card, I need to enter before May 2010....I might need to decide between just moving to Canada and in 3 years get citizenship Vs. Starting new PERM process in USA .....I will be aprox 7 years away from citizenship.


Any thoughts??