PTsponsor.com H1b Versus Greencard

Side by Side Comparison of H1b/ Green Card or Both

	H1b	Green Card	Both
Filing date	April 1	Anytime	April 1 for H1b, anytime for green card
Processing time (When can employee begin work)	Earliest: October of that year Latest: Should apply again the year after if not selected	2 years after filing date	Earliest would be October of that year, Latest would be 2 years after filing date
Available slots	65,000	No quota
Chances of getting approved	Computer generated random selection process	A matter of time; based on priority date; Based on the date petition is files with USCIS	Having both gives you a fall back position if you did not get chosen for H1b
Visa	3 years, renewable for 3 more years	10 years, can be converted to U.S. Citizenship
Portability	Employee is required to work for H1b sponsor; may switch employer by filing a petition to USCIS which takes at least 3 months	Employee is required to work for the green card sponsor at least 6 months
Fees:	USCIS Fees (Effective as of July 30, 2007) I 129: Petition for Non-Immigrant Worker= $320.00 I-907: Premium Processing Fee=$1,000.00 Average Lawyer Fees=$1.000.00- $4,000.00	USCIS Fees: (as of July 30, 2007) I-140: Petition for an Immigrant Worker = $475.00 I-485: Adjust status and become permanent resident while in the U.S. (includes filing plus biometric= $1,010 I-765: Employment Authorization Document=$340.00 Average Lawyer Fees: $2,000-$10,000.00

With a well written contract, you may require a year or more of employment with your prospective physical therapist in exchange for all the expense you incurred.

Reference:

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. www.uscis.gov

“Before contacting the USCIS, USCIS may be able to help you if you have a question about immigration procedures, or need clarification, by calling the USCIS National Customer Service Center (NCSC) at 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833). This toll-free call center has additional information and, during their specified office hours, can connect you to live assistance in English and Spanish. The NCSC will be able to answer most questions - although they cannot provide information about the status of your case over the telephone.”