ihabkal Posted June 21, 2005 Share Posted June 21, 2005 Hi, I am at my 4th year in the US, which means in a couple of years my H1B expires and I have to leave which is not a bad thing except I might lose my house, my car, my furniture, my expensive pc, all the money I worked night and day to buy these things with. Anyone here is a foreigner in the US who has an H1B? anyone who got a greencard? how did you get this or that? how hard was it to get the firm that hired you to get you one? what was their hold back if any? how long did it take? how much did it cost? did you have a lawyer? If anyone can write his experience about this greencard in our line of profession I would appreciate it deeply. I wrote that here instead of an immigration forum becasue our profession is special so we are different than other greencard applicants. thanks... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlangas Posted June 21, 2005 Share Posted June 21, 2005 Hi Ihab, I sent you a private message, you might want to check your inbox. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Burden III Posted June 21, 2005 Share Posted June 21, 2005 I don't know anytrhing about the imigration procedures you mention, but a house and car and such are salable assets. You shouldn't have to 'lose' it all. By the way, what country are you from originally? Is that where you would go to if your status in the US expired? If you are here and working on a program to get qualified people in important jobs (I guess rendering is, if it is seen as a part of construction) it would be a shame to then lose those skills from the American workforce. In otherwords, if the skills were important to have, why wouldn't they still be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 I just recently moved to the US from Canada. As a Canadian Citizen with an architectural education, it was extremely simple to aquire a TN status card to live and work in the US. As a part of NAFTA, professionals, including architects, can quite freely move between Canada, US, and Mexico. The TN ($56) is a temptorary work permit valid for one year and can be re-aquired indefinitley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Burden III Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 The TN ($56) is a temptorary work permit valid for one year and can be re-aquired indefinitley. Depending on the direction of the political winds, I would think. Where have you moved to, Steve? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihabkal Posted June 22, 2005 Author Share Posted June 22, 2005 thanks guys for the concern. I am Lebanese. back home the market isn't as advanced as here so I can't find work in our domain. TN works for Canadians and Mexicans but not for other countries....It's sad that the INS doesn't make a difference between a talented architect helping with the construction of the country (my company that I work for now even is working on presentation material for the World trade center), and someone who sneaked in without any degree...they take so much tax out of my paycheck they should give me citizenship...(federal, medicare, city, state, social security...etc.) and they don't help me with medicare if I get disabled... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Burden III Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 they take so much tax out of my paycheck they should give me citizenship...(federal, medicare, city, state, social security...etc.) Then you have a 'real' job. Can your employer help you stay beyond whatever limit is imposed on your entry papers? I have heard from people that the US is not always very nice to foreigners who are here LEGALLY and just trying to follow the rules, but the government is usually nicer to 'our own'. Usually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihabkal Posted June 22, 2005 Author Share Posted June 22, 2005 Then you have a 'real' job. Can your employer help you stay beyond whatever limit is imposed on your entry papers? I have heard from people that the US is not always very nice to foreigners who are here LEGALLY and just trying to follow the rules, but the government is usually nicer to 'our own'. Usually. I worked here on my visa for 4 years, still 2 years left, no extension beyond that. employers don't like to get greencards for people like me becasue they feel I will leave as soon as I get it and start my own business and make 4 times the income. that's what my previous employer told me in my face then I quit even he tried to apply for it for me to keep me but the trust bond was broken so I quit. my new employer is a huge firm, 7800 employees, so I hope they have the ability to go with it and get me one...I feel the government is not nice to anyone. if you don't pay taxes they take it from your account by force and probably will put you in jail wether you're arab or american...sad world... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecastillor Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 It truly is a sad world.... Good luck Ihab Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlangas Posted June 22, 2005 Share Posted June 22, 2005 Marry some girl with a greencard and youll get one within a year, or two. Just kidding, did you ever talked to any of those lawyers??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihabkal Posted June 23, 2005 Author Share Posted June 23, 2005 I am trying to talk to the administration at the firm I work for but they don't reply to my e-mails regarding this matter. I am trying to get my act together and go talk to them face to face frankly and without intimidation. but I have been with them for 2 months only and I haven't done any amazing renderings yet to show them how much they need me. still time is running out... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlangas Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 I know what that feels like Ihab, be persuasive and dont give up. Hope it all works out in your favor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radii Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Even if your current employer would sponsor you for a greencard, it can take years until it is granted. Looking at my own immigration experience, I advise you NOT to count on your current/future employer when it comes to your immigration status in the US. The only viable long-term sollution that will give you stability and peace of mind (in my mind anyway), is to sincerly get married and have a family. The US will recognise this, still have you go through all the paperwork, and then grant a greenard. Having a lawyer is not absolutely neccessary, but it helps having somebody else fil out all those damn' forms .-) Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihabkal Posted June 23, 2005 Author Share Posted June 23, 2005 the reason I came to the US is becasue I was married and didn't have money to feed and shelter my wife...but I know personnaly and heard of many foreigners who came on a student or tourist visa, did a government paperwork thing they call marriage and got a greencard in months...and after 2 years when the greencard is finalised either they do government paperwork they call divorce and get rid of their american so called wife and leave her confused and lost (sad thing) or at the beginning they had an agreement with her and paid her money (which I saw on TV they put you to jail for that).... why is it so hard for hard working people to get that a greencard? oh it's useless...begging the government to help you is like asking a wall no response... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlangas Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Have you considered moving to Canada? Ive heard that their immigration laws are way less strict and its easier to live there legally. just a thought... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted June 23, 2005 Share Posted June 23, 2005 Where have you moved to, Steve? Grand Forks, ND. Moved down to be with my girlfriend who is Grad School. I dont get to do so much 3D vis anymore, but I have started working through IDP towards NCARB certification. To those thinking of moving to Canada, it may not be any easier. Although people with education (professionals) are prefered, destination, sponsors(family), and language play major factors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihabkal Posted June 24, 2005 Author Share Posted June 24, 2005 Oh Canada. a bit cold but wonderfull country. I always wanted to go there since I was a teenager...I am french educated so I know both spoken languages there. a few months ago I decided to try to apply for immigration to Canada. so I got all paperwork, and they ask for a bigger amount of paperwork than the US asks for when you get greencards, me and my family got fingerprinted on FBI specific forms, I got good behavior certificates from police in the US and my wife traveled to Lebanon and got lebanese ones (they ask for that for any country you visited), even sent out w2 forms to prove I am a professional who makes money and not live on welfare, a stack of paperwork, forms, and stuff, plus the $1250 fees for the application (non refundable, and they ask for more money if approved, $900/family member) . spent 3 months preparing the paperwork. I sent that and waited. after 6 weeks they were sent back with a note saying I need to write N/A (not applicable or none) in any blank info line/box in the 10 pages of the application. did that, sent the papers back, (with photos of my visa and US w2 forms/tax return forms that prove I was legally working here), and 6 weeks later they sent them back asking for original H1B paperwork from the INS so they would make sure I was working legally...why? is Canada interested in my legal status in the US????????????????????????????????????what's the connection?????????????????????????? I am applying for immigration. not temporary work visa. and there is no mention of that they need that kind of paperwork in any place on their website, at their embassy, in their forms. it's like the official who was working on my case hated my skin color. a racist ba*(*&rd come one Canadian officials....I know personnaly some people who travelled to canada, lived on wellfare for years, then went to the states just like that and did the paperwork for a so called marriage to an american, got a greencard, did the paperwork for a so called divorce from the american, and sent for their original wife from Lebanon or Canada to join them with their 3 kids. many people did it. why do you have to make my case a hard one, while anyone without a degree can come in, take money from wellfare, and get citizenbship? a relative of mine made 1 million dollars because he worked without paying taxes and he was getting wellfare for 10 years. free health insurance from the government too. it's a perk. they don't even charge fees at the beginning of the application if you apply from a poor country like Lebanon my home country. this sucks... maybe now you know why I am a nervous wreck who posts comments like a weirdo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Burden III Posted June 24, 2005 Share Posted June 24, 2005 a relative of mine made 1 million dollars because he worked without paying taxes and he was getting wellfare for 10 years. free health insurance from the government too. it's a perk. Actually, it's a crime. I applaud you for doing things legally, though it's obviously discouraging to have so much trouble just because you're following the rules, being honest. But honesty is its own reward, let others get their rewards from sin. it's like the official who was working on my case hated my skin color. a racist ba*(*&rd come one Canadian officials.... this sucks... maybe now you know why I am a nervous wreck who posts comments like a weirdo. If you have actual reason to believe there is racial prejustice involved with any official of the Canadian or US government you should report it. That, too, is a crime. If that is only your impression, I suggest a more forgiving interpretation. It is a serious charge. The policy behind it all can be heavily weighted towards or against people from any country, again at the mercy of the prevailing political winds. So good luck, and hope Lebanon stays in favor. Did you get any final results from your application to Canada? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihabkal Posted June 24, 2005 Author Share Posted June 24, 2005 no results. I have the stack of papers and I am thinking I might file from Lebanon for free in a year or two, once I am forced to leave the US... thanks for your concern...I really appreciate it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abicalho Posted June 24, 2005 Share Posted June 24, 2005 Ihab, I definitelly suggest you get a lawyer. It will cost more $$, for sure, but it saves you from the headaches you are having. I wish you good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihabkal Posted June 24, 2005 Author Share Posted June 24, 2005 thanks:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voltaire_ira Posted June 26, 2005 Share Posted June 26, 2005 i want to migrate to canada or U.S., anyone can help me too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oliviercampagne Posted June 26, 2005 Share Posted June 26, 2005 hey Ihab, i understand all your problems... but if in 2 years you have to leave US, come to europe ! wish you good luck and courage ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwhite Posted June 26, 2005 Share Posted June 26, 2005 Ihab: Hope things work out in the end, but from this thread it does not sound to promising. I was born in the US and my wife is from Europe. When we got married and she applied for her green card and naturalization stuff the US immigration service made her bring all sorts of bills and paper work to prove we were truely married and living together and were extremely rude during the interview process. She even had her Ph.D. by then AND she speaks better than I do. So I know what you are going through - it seems that the process could be less degrading and disorganized. At anyrate, many of us on the forum work over the internet and have never been face to face with our clients. As a 'Plan B' perhaps you could get everything set so that if you had to move back you could still freelance via the internet and be with your family. Again, best of luck and keep persuing every avenue. The one that seems least likely to work can be your best bet in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ihabkal Posted June 30, 2005 Author Share Posted June 30, 2005 hey Ihab, i understand all your problems... but if in 2 years you have to leave US, come to europe ! wish you good luck and courage ! thanks... I really like to go there. 6 years ago when I graduated I went to the French Embassy in Beirut, it is located in a French Cultural center, libraries and events buildings, and got some info, but I had no money and no job offers in France. You are very known and famous, probably you know many artists there, if you know someone who is hiring 3D artists in France please let me know... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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