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Immigration Support Services

Immigration Solutions for American Business

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Green Card Process Overview

There are three main stages to the overall Green Card Process:

  1. PERM – Labor Certification Petition filed by the employer to the U.S. Dept of Labor (DOL) after pre-filing steps are complete (see more on pre-filing steps further below at **). Once filed, PERM cases are presently taking approximately 7-9 months if not audited (or approximately 10-12 months if audited).
  2. I-140 – Petition filed by the employer to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) requesting classification as eligible to get your immigrant visa based on employment. Once filed, I-140 cases typically take about 6-9 months (or as short as 15 days if Premium Processing is chosen).
  3. I-485 – Application filed by the employee to the CIS requesting your actual adjustment from non-immigrant to immigrant status and culminating in the issuance of the actual green card.  In some cases (depending on the processing backlogs of the government at the time of filing), the I-140 Petition and I-485 Application may be filed concurrently. (Note, there is no ability to Premium Process an I-485 Application).

**Below are the key steps between case initiation and the PERM (9089) filing below:

Please note:  Variation occurs on a case-by-case basis as to the precise order of all steps, and whether certain steps would be sequential or concurrent, but generally speaking, below is the overall order.

  • Request for Scope of Services from employee
  • Requests for initial information from employee and employer
  • Assistance with initial inquiries
  • Review of information for completeness
  • Subsequent requests for remaining information and clarifications from the employer, and receipt of information from follow-up requests
  • Comprehensive legal review and development of a strategy for the case with internal documentation and any necessary advice sessions
  • Drafting the Green Card (GC) case job description (it is drafted in an advertisement format)
  • Communication of the GC job description (ad) with the employer for reviews, finalization, and approval by the employer and approval via internal legal review
  • Qualifications verification process (based on all specific details contained in the finalized job description/ad) with employee
  • File the Prevailing Wage request form 9141 and receive a determination by the DOL (a determination will take about 180-240 days, based on present timeframes)
  • Receiving approval on the wage from the employer
  • Preparing for the active advertisements/recruitment
  • Active advertisements/recruitment stage (minimum 30+ days)
  • Employer finalizes applicant reviews if they received any applicants (this time varies from 30-150 days)
  • Drafting the PERM Form (9089)
  • Internal legal reviews of the PERM form
  • Reviews by employer and employee of the PERM form
  • Electronic filing of the PERM form with DOL

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Testimonials
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Blessed because of ISS

"With the help of ISS, you have or will change the life of our employee for the better. I know...

~ Memorial Hospital - Client since 2007

Immigration Support Services
2016-11-17T11:15:18-05:00

~ Memorial Hospital - Client since 2007

"With the help of ISS, you have or will change the life of our employee for the better. I know she is really blessed because of ISS and all your staff!! Thank you for all of your help in making her life and our hospital succeed."
https://immigrationsupport.com/testimonials/blessed-because-of-iss

You help my business

"Thank you so much and please pass on my gratitude to all of the ISS staff. Not only did you help my...

~ Soccer Instructional Organization - Client since 2013

Immigration Support Services
2016-11-17T13:11:41-05:00

~ Soccer Instructional Organization - Client since 2013

"Thank you so much and please pass on my gratitude to all of the ISS staff. Not only did you help my business but my guys who benefit from these visas have established relationships and friendships here in the U.S." 
https://immigrationsupport.com/testimonials/you-help-my-business

You answer my unending questions; thanks!

"This process is the least favorite part of my job and you make it so easy for me. Thank for...

~Health Research Foundation - Client Since 2011

Immigration Support Services
2017-10-18T15:18:27-04:00

~Health Research Foundation - Client Since 2011

"This process is the least favorite part of my job and you make it so easy for me. Thank for you answering my unending questions!"
https://immigrationsupport.com/testimonials/answer-unending-questions-thanks

With ISS for many years

"We have worked with ISS for many years and have never been disappointed."

~ Worldwide Leader Paint Industry - Client since 2003

Immigration Support Services
2016-11-17T11:16:56-05:00

~ Worldwide Leader Paint Industry - Client since 2003

"We have worked with ISS for many years and have never been disappointed."
https://immigrationsupport.com/testimonials/with-iss-for-many-years

Huge impact

"Thank you all so much. Please do not underestimate the huge impact your hard work and dedication has on so many people's...

~ Soccer Instructional Organization - Client since 2013

Immigration Support Services
2016-11-17T13:12:52-05:00

~ Soccer Instructional Organization - Client since 2013

"Thank you all so much. Please do not underestimate the huge impact your hard work and dedication has on so many people's lives. You have made a lot of people so very very happy."
https://immigrationsupport.com/testimonials/huge-impact
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© Immigration Support Services · ISS is not affiliated with any government agency.

The content of this website does not offer specific legal advice, nor does it create an attorney client relationship.  You should not reach any legal conclusions based on information contained herein without first seeking the advice of private legal counsel.

Immigration Support Services is recognized by SHRM to offer Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP. ISS has met the HR Certification Institute’s criteria to be pre-approved for recertification credit but is not an endorsement of the quality of the program.

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