Waiting for I-140 Approval -- is it worth it?

[tosca_travels]

I am EB2, Indian. Filed for PERM earlier this summer and waiting for approval which I don't expect for another 4-6 months. The situation is that my company is in a very shaky financial position but they have been very supportive and I am hoping to be okay for the next 6 mo to year. My strategy is (assuming I don't lose my job) to just sit out my I-140 approval and that way I get the 3-yr extension and lock in my PD. I don't see being able to file for I-485 at this job.

Soo -- 2 questions:
1) Do you think the financial position of the company will affect the I-140 approval? It's a financial services firm and we have had a bunch of layoffs.
2) Assuming I get my I-140 approved, could I, in theory, leave the US for a while (I am very interested in a one-year fellowship program in Europe) and then come back and go work for a new company using the 3-year H1-B extension and begin the green card process again with my current (2009) priority date?

Thanks very much!

[longwait4gc]

Originally Posted by tosca_travels

I am EB2, Indian. Filed for PERM earlier this summer and waiting for approval which I don't expect for another 4-6 months. The situation is that my company is in a very shaky financial position but they have been very supportive and I am hoping to be okay for the next 6 mo to year. My strategy is (assuming I don't lose my job) to just sit out my I-140 approval and that way I get the 3-yr extension and lock in my PD. I don't see being able to file for I-485 at this job.

Soo -- 2 questions:
1) Do you think the financial position of the company will affect the I-140 approval? It's a financial services firm and we have had a bunch of layoffs.
2) Assuming I get my I-140 approved, could I, in theory, leave the US for a while (I am very interested in a one-year fellowship program in Europe) and then come back and go work for a new company using the 3-year H1-B extension and begin the green card process again with my current (2009) priority date?

Thanks very much!

For question 2: Answer Yes.
If your company had lay offs there is a good chance you might get audit. If you get an audit the Perm process might take upto 2-3 years. If you dont get an audit perm process could finish in a year. Plan accordingly. All the best.