Advice required re. GC application
Aug 23rd 2010, 1:54 pm
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 101
Advice required re. GC application
Hi all
I have just moved over here on an L1-A and my company has agreed to sponsor me for a Green Card.
I have an immigration person lined up (who sorted my L1-A) and she has suggested it will probably take 18 months to secure a GC with I140 and I485 filed concurrently and will cost, all in, around $5,000.
Does this sound reasonable (in terms of timeframes) and cost? I have been reading that folks have been getting GCs in way less that 18 months so any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
I have just moved over here on an L1-A and my company has agreed to sponsor me for a Green Card.
I have an immigration person lined up (who sorted my L1-A) and she has suggested it will probably take 18 months to secure a GC with I140 and I485 filed concurrently and will cost, all in, around $5,000.
Does this sound reasonable (in terms of timeframes) and cost? I have been reading that folks have been getting GCs in way less that 18 months so any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Aug 23rd 2010, 2:05 pm
#2
Account Closed
Joined: Aug 2002
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 38,865
Re: Advice required re. GC application
Eighteen months and $5K is entirely reasonable.
Aug 23rd 2010, 2:38 pm
#3
not even a fake TV lawyer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 444
Re: Advice required re. GC application
$5K is not an unreasonable fee... Be sure to ask what this includes...(Some charge for later calls and visits to follow up on their progress, Fee may or may not include USCIS filing fees, postage, fax, paper, phone call charge, etc...
Find this out upfront so you are fully aware of what it will cost. I have always chosen lawyers that did not "nickle and dime"d me, but filing fees are most always quoted separately, as they may change also. )
Also, as for a reference or three, with the same case type as yours, and call them and check on them. Are they responsive ? do you get a call back when they tell you they'll call back ?
$5K and 18 months is not marriage, but some marriages last less than that too.... Best to be prepared and aware of as much as possible to have a good "relationship" with the lawyer you are (not) marrying...
Find this out upfront so you are fully aware of what it will cost. I have always chosen lawyers that did not "nickle and dime"d me, but filing fees are most always quoted separately, as they may change also. )
Also, as for a reference or three, with the same case type as yours, and call them and check on them. Are they responsive ? do you get a call back when they tell you they'll call back ?
$5K and 18 months is not marriage, but some marriages last less than that too.... Best to be prepared and aware of as much as possible to have a good "relationship" with the lawyer you are (not) marrying...
Last edited by A I; Aug 23rd 2010 at 2:43 pm.
Aug 23rd 2010, 7:34 pm
#5
L2, GC, Surrey, OH, TX!
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Surrey to Dallas (via Ohio)!
Posts: 6,363
Re: Advice required re. GC application
my husbands firm sponsored us for a gc in 2009 (from L1a). It took about 6 months to come through after about 2 months of us filling in paperwork and getting medicals etc. The legal firm they used was Fragomen which is one of the most well known immigration specialists - and the budgetted amount was (iirc) about $10k - but with a firm like that im not surprised its a higher amount.
so i think the budget you have is reasonable and not withstanding any difficulties I think you will hear back somewhat faster than 18 months.
so i think the budget you have is reasonable and not withstanding any difficulties I think you will hear back somewhat faster than 18 months.
