I-140 and I-485

[greencard13 0]

Hi everyone,

My university is sponsoring me for permanent residency. There are 3 steps, and I should be done with step 1 (PERM) anytime now (almost at the end of the 4 months).

Someone in the same situation said that he filed step 2 and 3 alone/without a lawyer (he said that step 1 was processed by a lawyer that the university had hired). That was just 2 years ago. I wonder if he is mistaking and if, in fact, his university filed step 1 and 2 with a lawyer, and he did step 3 alone.

1) Is it possible to file I-140 on my own? Would you recommend it ? (I have no family, just me).

2) I think filing at least I-485 on my own is pretty easy, right?

3) I want to file both at the same time to not waste any time. Can I do so if the lawyer does the I-140 and I do the I-485?

4) How long did the process take for you (step 1, 2, and 3- and did you file 2 and 3 at the same time?)

5) Should I go ahead and get the medical part done already or should I wait to have the approval of PERM

6) Also, my H1B is expiring in May, and I will need a travel document (called Advance Payroll) to travel over the summer. Have you had experience with that?

7) If I did not apply for an extension of the H1B, is it possible that I might not be able to work in the Fall if the green card was not approved by then? Or would I be ok because I am already in the process of the green card?

8) Anything you think I should know/ you want to warn me about? Please, share!

Thanks a lot!!

[canadian_wife 1,822]

Why aren't you discussing this with your univeristy's immigration lawyer?

good luck

[greencard13 0]

He has not been very responsive when I had question, and I also get a sense that he might recommend to do whatever will bring in legal fees.