alegriamodelo

Hi everyone, I'm hoping to get some advice from forum users in London. I'm currently in the US and almost ready to submit my petition as an EB1 and need to decide if I want to consular process or file an adjustment of status (AOS). My objective is to get my work permit as quickly as possible. If I opt for the AOS, my wait time will be 15 days for the petition (using premium processing) and 3.5-5.5 months for my employment and travel authorisation (EAD). I-495 wait times are currently 18-33 months, but once I get my EAD I'm basically good. If I choose to consular process, it seems I'll have to hedge my bets that I'll get my interview and approval more quickly --> what are the current wait/processing times in London?? I suppose the other thing to consider is I would get my permanent residency more quickly through consular processing i.e. 45-60 days after returning to the US, but I'm not sure there are any distinct advantages to that??

Look forward to receiving your comments. Thanks!

Noorah101

What is your current status in the USA? What was your most recent method of entering the USA?

EB-1 is a category of Immigrant Visa, so if you do consular processing, you'll get an Immigrant Visa. When you use that Immigrant Visa to enter the USA, you become a US Permanent Resident (i.e., you get your green card) immediately.

Rene

alegriamodelo

Sorry if my question was confusing, I'm hoping to find out how long consular processing is currently taking for employment-based visas (EB1 in my case) in London so I can determine the quickest pathway to work.

I'm currently on a G4, which I would retain if I do an AOS from within the US allowing me to travel and work for my current employer, but my goal is to be able to work for other clients as quickly as possible. An AOS will get me there in 3.5 - 5.5 months based on current wait times (my green card would follow in 16 - 33 months). Hence if consular processing is similar AND I get my green card more quickly, I'd be tempted to go that route. If I consular process, I can stay in the US until my interview date.

Noorah101

You would also need a medical exam done at Knightsbridge in London if you did consular processing. The medical would need to be done at least 4 days before your visa interview (to give the results time to get to the embassy).

Rene

alegriamodelo

jxv73

Consular processing will get you to PR faster these days, since AOS now requires an interview. AOS may get you work autorization faster but you won't be able to travel for all those months. (APs are being denied)

alegriamodelo

Rete

First I've heard of advance parole being denied, as well.

Noorah101

First I've heard as well. EAD and AP have typically been issued as a combo card.

Rene

alegriamodelo

Rete

Consular processing for the visa giving you permanent residency status is not a popular use method that is seen on these forums often. There is or was someone rather recently who was doing this but they have since disappeared from radar or perhaps it is just taking so long that they have not been back with an update.

I'm assuming once you have your AOS in process if you are doing so from within the US, you will up and quit working for your current employer who is sponsoring you and work for yourself. AT least this is what I gleam from your post.

I don't know what delays you are reading about in London. Other than approval of waivers, I don't see that there are long delays. Perhaps appointments are not available for immediate interviewing but that is not a delay. Just a circumstance of too many people hoping to leave for what they think might be greener pastures.

alegriamodelo

Rete

The one person I was thinking of was doing it all at the US Embassy in London BEFORE coming to the US. Their company was applying for them rather than their coming to the US on a L visa first.

Jack8602

Source for this information?

Rete

From three sources when googled (https://www.murthy.com/2017/08/10/us...rseas-travel/) they are denied only if the applicant has left the US before the petition was approved.

A big difference from stating they are being denied outright.