jgalang

I just checked the latest Visa Bulletin a couple of days ago, aren't all EB-3 applications right now are "U" or undertermined? For EB-2 Philippines is current and so are other countries aside from India and China who have a date posted (which I cannot remember right now). I did not check EB-1. Joel

Yes, the H1-B visas are already gone this year (they disappeared all in the first day), this will be for April 1, 2009 which is when the next round of applications will open. As for the H1-B being a lottery, unfortunately you are correct here. It was not always the case, this just started in 2007. Before that the 65,000 a year H1-B cap did not get filled up on the first day it opened. Also I am pretty aware that i should never be out of status even for 1 day, so the H1-B route will definitely mean going back to the Philippines. The only thing good about an H1-B is that since it is independent of a GC application, you can actually legally work in the US while you have your GC pending by another employer (or the same one for that matter). this will enable you (if you get the it) the ability to work while waiting for the retrogression to move. All the points raised so far are valid, H1-B is only good for maximum of 6 years, does not give you permanent residency after, if you lose your job you go home, etc. etc. But again since its independent of the GC, you can even go back home and wait for your GC if you lose your H1-B job as long as the GC petitioner still wants to hire you. I don't think it is an either/or question, having an H1-B visa knowing that you still have to push hard to get a GC somehow should be ok right? Joel

So after reading this forum for about 5 hours now, I see that the moderators stand on H1-B visas for nurses are unfavorable. Please take note that I am not trying to push any opinion here, just really trying to gathering information. I just wanted to ask more details about nurses who were able to go the H1-B route. Can you please share details about yourself like: - prior work experience - what category you applied for in your H1-B application (there are different job codes for each kind of job) - where did you study, what is your degree - what exams did you need to pass H1-B is pretty much about being able to convince the US government agencies concerned that there you are qualified for a position that is needed to be filled by a US company. Its like trying to build a case on what makes the applicant special that he/she deserves the H1-B visa. This is why I asked the questions/details above so that I would know if it is possible for my unique situation. Thanks. Joel

I just checked Murthy dot com's Visa Dates table and found that pretty much all EB-3 applications are labeled "U" which means unavailable. Is this pretty much accurate? If so does this pretty much mean things are in limbo for any EB-3 applicant at least until October 1 right? Also has there been any documented cases that a nurse being granted an EB-2 application approval in order to get her green card? This is because as of today I think EB-2 is "C" or current for Philippines, Mexico and all others (except China and India). Joel