Frank

Ingo,

I as a follow-up to my previous post - I found processing times for
work permits at the following link:

http://members.aol.com/MDUdall/instimes.htm

If we get married in, say, Atlanta, it looks like the processing time
is 60-90 days for work authorization. In Charlotte (NC), the
processing time is 30-50 days.

QUESTION: If we get married in Charlotte, will we be able to submit
paperwork in Charlotte and receive the response in the 30-50 days that
they are currently processing applications, or will we need to sumbit
paperwork in Atlanta (and thus wait the 60-90 days), since that is
where we will be living? Can we "shop" the Districts for the best
times??

Again, many thanks!

Frank

"Ingo Pakleppa" wrote in message news:...
    > On Sat, 22 Feb 2003 06:14:02 +0000, Frank wrote:
    >
    > > There is a girl (there always is, isn't there...) who is currently
    > > sponsored as a research doctor in California. Her H1-B visa
    > > (research-based) is sponsored by the university where she works. She
    > > has taken and passed the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 and CSA tests, but just
    > > recently found out that she must take the USMLE Step 3 test in order to
    > > get the Clinical H1-B that she needs to begin her residency (sorry for
    > > all the medical-specific terminology, but just in case there is an
    > > expert lurking here...). She has not prepared for the USMLE Step 3
    > > test, and becaue of the timeline we are working under, she is terribly
    > > afraid that she will not pass (and no Step 3 then no H1-B...)
    > >
    > > We have talked about marriage, but have made no decisions (didn't think
    > > we needed to rush things until a couple of weeks ago...). Well, now we
    > > are talking about marriage, and it is kind of scary.
    > >
    > > If she takes the USMLE test in early April, she should receive the
    > > results in the middle of May.
    > >
    > > QUESTION: If she passes, would premium processing get her the H1-B visa
    > > that she needs to begin in July? Can she transfer her research visa to a
    > > clinical visa? I have heard various people say that a transfer is a
    > > transfer and that it is presumed to be valid as soon as INS receives it.
    >
    > Yes, no problem. She may not even need premium processing because as long
    > as the H-1B is FILED before the previous H-1B expires, she remains in
    > status and can indeed take advantage of the transfer provision and change
    > to the clinical job right away.
    >
    > > QUESTION: If she fails the test, we can get married - how long does it
    > > take for her work permit/green card application to be approved? She has
    > > heard a lawyer say that he can get the work permit in as little as four
    > > weeks. Is this true??
    >
    > Yes, from the date of filing that is realistic, depending on where you are
    > located. In some places it can be 90 days, in other places the employment
    > authorization is actually issued immediately the day you walk in.
    >
    > But there may be additional delays. After you get married, you first need
    > to get the long form marriage certificate, which depending on the state
    > and city where you are can take a few weeks. Until then, you may not even
    > be able to file the paperwork. There are other ducks to line up, too, but
    > those are probably easier: the medical examination, your tax returns for
    > the last three years, etc.
    >
    > > Thanks for your patience in reading this and providing me with resources
    > > and (hopefully) answers.
    > >
    > > Also - this same lawyer mentioned that he could get her an INS interview
    > > within six-to-nine months... Sounds a lot quicker than what I have seen
    > > elsewhere...
    >
    > That all depends on where you are located. In some cities, that is indeed
    > realistic, in others the wait can be three or four years. You may want to
    > go to http://www.visalaw.com or http://www.shusterman.com and find
    > inofficial INS processing times there.