PERM - Labor Certification

EB-2/EB-3 Options in PERM Filing and EB-2 to EB-3 downgrade and upgrade

Question details

Q: 1.  If the Priority date is current in EB-3 then my I-140 and I-485 can be filed EB3 (Lower it) but you said that after EB-3 will come then I should file I-140 in EB-2. Not sure about the whole concept, if possible can you elaborate in more detail?

2. Can I-140 be filed in EB-2 and EB-3 together? Or I-140 can be filed in EB-3 first once it gets approval in EB-3 and then need to file in EB-2 or vice versa.

3. My company attorney told me that once I downgrade to EB3 then I can't upgrade to EB2.

 

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

A: 1. You can always downgrade if you start your case in a higher category, but if you file your case in the lower category it's not possible to upgrade without refiling.

2. The answer is yes, although I like to do it separately for several reasons, most of all to avoid confusion, but now the government is well aware of these downgrades and I think you could file both of them together as two separate filings.

3. They must be saying something different as that is not true. If your PERM was filed as an EB-2 and I-140 was approved as an EB-3 you can always go back to EB-2 by filing another I-140 under EB-2. More...

 

 

Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.

Is there a problem listing one location in a PERM application while living and working remotely in a different location?

Question details

Was just wondering if there could be any issues with my prospective PERM application if I am living and working remotely in Minneapolis (consistent with my H-1Blocation) and my employer in Dallas files the PERM application using Dallas as the work location. I am open to eventually relocating to Dallas, so just wondering if this could cause any delays or RFEs for the PERM. Do you think it would be a better option to file an H-1B amendment with Dallas as the work location, and then go through with the PERM or it doesn't matter?

 

Video URL
FAQ Transcript

It is not a problem as long as these two scenarios are followed. First of all you could be working in location X and the PERM is filed for location Y as long as you have the intention to join the location Y you can file even though you are currently working at location X. 

The interesting thing is once the I-485 is filed and the I-140 is approved after 180 days of the I-485 you can choose to be wherever you want to be because you are allowed to port your green card. The only requirement is when you start the PERM.  File the I-140 and the I- 485. Your intention throughout was to work at location Y but after 180 days if the intention changes it is absolutely no problem.

The second scenario which is very common is when you have consulting jobs and you could be moving from a month to a year with no predictability where you are going to be, it is normally recommended and legally allowed to file the PERM application as though your job is located in the corporate headquarters or principal place of business. More...

 

 

Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.

Oct 14, 2021 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)

Immigration.com

Discussion Topics, Thursday, October 14, 2021:

FAQ: Reentering the U.S.A. on a Visitor’s/Tourist Visa Soon After Leaving || Can GC-EAD holder start business and what impact on the pending I-485? || FAQ: Can GC-EAD holders start a business and what impact on the pending I-485? || Is there a problem listing one location in a PERM application while living and working remotely in a different location? || EB-2/EB-3 Options in PERM Filing and EB-2 to EB-3 downgrade and upgrade

Sept 30, 2021, Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)

Discussion Topics, Thursday, September 30, 2021:

FAQ: Obtaining student or visitor's visa while a green card is pending || Continuing to use H-1B when I return on Advance Parole || Nuances of changing employers during the green card process || Green card holder working on multiple jobs - Is it legal? || How long can green card holders stay outside the U.S.? || Effect of a career change on naturalization process and timing.

Rajiv's Article - Can student visa holders apply for a Green Card?

Published by: The Economic Times - Date: June 30, 2021 

Synopsis

A green card is considered to have been filed usually when an application for an immigrant visa (Form I-140) is filed with the USCIS. The majority of the green cards require preclearance from the US Department of Labor, referred to as labor certification or PERM petition.

For more on this article please see the attachment below.