hianupam
04-26 08:17 AM
I'll. I am big foodie (from all places)...
We moved from Allentown, PA to Houston in 2008. As some of the other IVers have alluded, Houston is a BIG city (if you include the burbs that is). Most of the major roads are backed up during peak traffic hours and typical commute time start to be measured in hours.
Finding a place to live in Houston (read buying a house) can be a tough decision when you have so many choice. Things can be complicated if your spouse works and you have school going kids.
Some terms you will hear when you talk about location in houston:
1. Inside the Loop (610) which is the ring road that encircles downtown houston and the medical center. If you are not in the energy corridor, you are most likely to work within the loop. However finding a place to live within the loop can be challenging (that is if you are looking for a house in the sub 1 mil category). Good neighborhoods within the loop are riveroaks, memorial. There are some decent neighborhoods in the medical center montrose area but the schools (publlic schools) may not be to your liking.
When we moved, we initially rented near the medical center (a highrise called mosaic, opposite herman park) and put our daughter in a daycare called Creme De La Creme in downtown.
2. Inside the Beltway (8) which is the outer ring road that encircles houston. You have to be really careful if you choose to live in the area between 610 and 8 as there are some very shady areas. West (along I 10) is mostly fine.
3. Outside the beltway is where you have most of your master planned communites (read burbs). Down south (along 59) you have sugarland. West (along 10) you have Katy (and most of the energy companies). Northwest (along 290) you have Lakewood, Tomball (along 249), spring cypress etc. North (along 45) you have woodlands northeast (along 59 north) you have spring, kingwood and east (again along 45 east) is League City (read NASA).
The main things to consider are (at least I did when I bought a house)
1. Safety : There are some very shady parts of town.
2. School District (ISD)
3. Commute : Both current and future (if you were to change your place of employment). Say now you work downtown and chose to live in sugarland and a year later you found yourself a Job in the woodlands, you will have to move or deal with a 2 hour 1 way commute !
4. Availability of public transport: Which in most cases is non existent in Houston. But they do have a good commuter bus system from several places in the burbs if you work downtown. Lots of employers that have offices downtown will subsidize this. This can be a decent chunk of change as parking downtown will typically run you about $200/month.
These are the salient points that I could think of.
Let me know if you have more questions. PM me if you guys are visting Houston in the near future.
We moved from Allentown, PA to Houston in 2008. As some of the other IVers have alluded, Houston is a BIG city (if you include the burbs that is). Most of the major roads are backed up during peak traffic hours and typical commute time start to be measured in hours.
Finding a place to live in Houston (read buying a house) can be a tough decision when you have so many choice. Things can be complicated if your spouse works and you have school going kids.
Some terms you will hear when you talk about location in houston:
1. Inside the Loop (610) which is the ring road that encircles downtown houston and the medical center. If you are not in the energy corridor, you are most likely to work within the loop. However finding a place to live within the loop can be challenging (that is if you are looking for a house in the sub 1 mil category). Good neighborhoods within the loop are riveroaks, memorial. There are some decent neighborhoods in the medical center montrose area but the schools (publlic schools) may not be to your liking.
When we moved, we initially rented near the medical center (a highrise called mosaic, opposite herman park) and put our daughter in a daycare called Creme De La Creme in downtown.
2. Inside the Beltway (8) which is the outer ring road that encircles houston. You have to be really careful if you choose to live in the area between 610 and 8 as there are some very shady areas. West (along I 10) is mostly fine.
3. Outside the beltway is where you have most of your master planned communites (read burbs). Down south (along 59) you have sugarland. West (along 10) you have Katy (and most of the energy companies). Northwest (along 290) you have Lakewood, Tomball (along 249), spring cypress etc. North (along 45) you have woodlands northeast (along 59 north) you have spring, kingwood and east (again along 45 east) is League City (read NASA).
The main things to consider are (at least I did when I bought a house)
1. Safety : There are some very shady parts of town.
2. School District (ISD)
3. Commute : Both current and future (if you were to change your place of employment). Say now you work downtown and chose to live in sugarland and a year later you found yourself a Job in the woodlands, you will have to move or deal with a 2 hour 1 way commute !
4. Availability of public transport: Which in most cases is non existent in Houston. But they do have a good commuter bus system from several places in the burbs if you work downtown. Lots of employers that have offices downtown will subsidize this. This can be a decent chunk of change as parking downtown will typically run you about $200/month.
These are the salient points that I could think of.
Let me know if you have more questions. PM me if you guys are visting Houston in the near future.
PHANI_TAVVALA
12-02 02:39 PM
And also, my wife is on H1B with 4 & 1/2 years remaining on hers with 1st extension. Is my converting to H4 going to help upon my h1b expiration in Sept 2009? can I convert to F-1 and possibly work on CPT if any university would allow me to do so? Thanks for your response.
Hermione
09-27 10:55 AM
[QUOTE=h1techSlave;174221]"Aligning with illegals will be benefitial to us." That was the philosophy that we have been following all along. The result - you talk to an average American and he thinks we are illegals. You talk to lawmakers (IV's lawmaker meeting attendees can confirm this) and the lawmakers think we are illegals. That is why we may have start thinking of another strategy.
[QUOTE]
So what??? You tell them you are not, and you go on talking about what you would like to have done. Then you talk to the undocumented lobby and get their support for your bills, then they contact their sponsor Senators. I see absolutely nothing detrimental to the cause of IV that some people think you are illegal - on the contrary I see a lot of positive in it, since all of a sudden you have a story to tell.
[QUOTE]
So what??? You tell them you are not, and you go on talking about what you would like to have done. Then you talk to the undocumented lobby and get their support for your bills, then they contact their sponsor Senators. I see absolutely nothing detrimental to the cause of IV that some people think you are illegal - on the contrary I see a lot of positive in it, since all of a sudden you have a story to tell.
venky80
06-16 06:44 PM
That is pretty cool, I hope other people who are in my scenario respond here, so that we can explore specific strategies, coz regardless of your masters in any degree you so learn sophisticated skills to handle specialized jobs.
I definitely believe my masters gave me those skills.
I definitely believe my masters gave me those skills.
more...
sunny1000
11-27 03:27 PM
Usually I get my Visa stamped in Chennai. I have enough info to survive in Chennai.
This time it is not going to help much as I am going to Mumbai. It is a pain from the first step. I finally got the appointment for 10th Dec. I have to have some body hand deliver documents there in India..Oh well..
I have the appointment at 9:30 AM and was planning to fly out of Mumbai Airport same day at 1:30 PM. Now it looks very ambitious! What do you think? :confused:
I have no idea about lodging near consulate. I tried my luck near the airport many times. It wasn't pretty.
Any recommendation on Hotels and area near consulate ? I am not going near Five star / Rs 10,000 per day.
I am looking at ~ Rs 2,000 for 7 hours..
Any help is appreciated..:)
Waiting Game,
I don't know about Mumbai but, as you know in Chennai, they don't give back the passport until the next day atleast. I got mine 2 days later at Chennai last month, that too by going personally to the VFS office to pick it up. So, you may want to give yourself at least a day for your flight back.
Good luck with your stamping.
This time it is not going to help much as I am going to Mumbai. It is a pain from the first step. I finally got the appointment for 10th Dec. I have to have some body hand deliver documents there in India..Oh well..
I have the appointment at 9:30 AM and was planning to fly out of Mumbai Airport same day at 1:30 PM. Now it looks very ambitious! What do you think? :confused:
I have no idea about lodging near consulate. I tried my luck near the airport many times. It wasn't pretty.
Any recommendation on Hotels and area near consulate ? I am not going near Five star / Rs 10,000 per day.
I am looking at ~ Rs 2,000 for 7 hours..
Any help is appreciated..:)
Waiting Game,
I don't know about Mumbai but, as you know in Chennai, they don't give back the passport until the next day atleast. I got mine 2 days later at Chennai last month, that too by going personally to the VFS office to pick it up. So, you may want to give yourself at least a day for your flight back.
Good luck with your stamping.
harryom
04-10 11:16 AM
Gurus:
I am into 8th year of my H1b and getting it approved every year becuase of pending I-140/I-485 application.
Situation1-->I recently I noticed my I-94 number with new I-797 approval notice does not match with the one I had only passport. New I-94# does belong to me in tha past I-797 approvals.
Q1: Is it major problem and do i need to fix it right away or I can wait to apply for extension for next year? My immigration depatment is silent on this , may be because they made a mistake in I-129 petition form.
Situation2: Even my paspport in I-129 has typo...but I have recetnly got new passport from NYC as it was due for renewal.
Question2: Do I need to update USCIS with new passport#, if Yes..how?
Situation3: While submitting I-129 form my immigration dept also did not put in Alien number and I noticed that its not showing up on my I-797 approval notice.
Question: Is it something that also need fix or shall I wait form next year extension. Is it required in H1b notice as I have pending I-140/485.
Any suggestions/advice..please share it if any one had similar experience..
Thanks
I am into 8th year of my H1b and getting it approved every year becuase of pending I-140/I-485 application.
Situation1-->I recently I noticed my I-94 number with new I-797 approval notice does not match with the one I had only passport. New I-94# does belong to me in tha past I-797 approvals.
Q1: Is it major problem and do i need to fix it right away or I can wait to apply for extension for next year? My immigration depatment is silent on this , may be because they made a mistake in I-129 petition form.
Situation2: Even my paspport in I-129 has typo...but I have recetnly got new passport from NYC as it was due for renewal.
Question2: Do I need to update USCIS with new passport#, if Yes..how?
Situation3: While submitting I-129 form my immigration dept also did not put in Alien number and I noticed that its not showing up on my I-797 approval notice.
Question: Is it something that also need fix or shall I wait form next year extension. Is it required in H1b notice as I have pending I-140/485.
Any suggestions/advice..please share it if any one had similar experience..
Thanks
more...

file485
04-10 07:29 PM
wellwishergc..
looks like u have some more knowledge in these matters. My ex employer got a 45day letter filed in Oct2003 EB2 case. they replied to go ahead with the case. When the labor approves and in a scenario, that employer has no project at the point of time to hire me back, can he file my 140 and then the 485...??
That employer is not a consulting company and thus needs a position for me and is a big-big company. If I request them they will file the 140, but will taht be okay if I am not working at that time...??
thx
looks like u have some more knowledge in these matters. My ex employer got a 45day letter filed in Oct2003 EB2 case. they replied to go ahead with the case. When the labor approves and in a scenario, that employer has no project at the point of time to hire me back, can he file my 140 and then the 485...??
That employer is not a consulting company and thus needs a position for me and is a big-big company. If I request them they will file the 140, but will taht be okay if I am not working at that time...??
thx
p.guptapost
11-06 05:54 PM
2 K number comes from I485 inventory report from USCIS. It shows 2K visas filed overall in 2009 till Aug.
more...
suriajay12
04-06 07:44 AM
Very good one.. USCIS is acknowledging here the severe wait periods. A good sign when (if) trying to fix a problem. Recognizing that there is one..
Good job in posting this article.
Good job in posting this article.
Hello_Hello
11-30 09:48 PM
I have no idea what Mr. Chopra is talking about, as far as I know US administration has become more foreigner unfriendly in last 10 years and Obama administration is even worse. i don't know of 1 friendly law passed in last decade.
The Startup Case For Immigration Reform - Maureen Farrell - Scaling Up - Forbes (http://blogs.forbes.com/maureenfarrell/2010/11/23/startups%E2%80%99-case-for-immigration/?boxes=Homepagechannels)
The United States� Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra says President Obama has tried to lower administrative barriers for bringing foreign nationals into the US for professional development. �In his first year the President wanted to make sure scientists around the world who wanted to visit the US to participate in conferences and seminars could do that,� says Chopra. �We have streamlined that process and efforts so they can participate in ways that are a lot more friendly to their participation.�
�
The Startup Case For Immigration Reform - Maureen Farrell - Scaling Up - Forbes (http://blogs.forbes.com/maureenfarrell/2010/11/23/startups%E2%80%99-case-for-immigration/?boxes=Homepagechannels)
The United States� Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra says President Obama has tried to lower administrative barriers for bringing foreign nationals into the US for professional development. �In his first year the President wanted to make sure scientists around the world who wanted to visit the US to participate in conferences and seminars could do that,� says Chopra. �We have streamlined that process and efforts so they can participate in ways that are a lot more friendly to their participation.�
�
more...
Libra
07-30 02:57 PM
I can't believe you guys are still answering his question.......go to rally threads and contribute, admin i think we should close this thread now.

starving_dog
11-03 07:34 PM
Talk to a lawyer. We repeat, talk to a lawyer. Good luck.
more...
xu1
08-24 07:40 PM
Here's a link to a presentation that IV prepared in May for lawmakers. Page 13 has visa availabilities for indians in FY05. Take a look.. The slides has made a strong case with lots of facts compiled together. You can present the slides to your lawmakers or their staff, or the media if you get a chance..
http://immigrationvoice.org/media/ImmigrationVoice_Background_for_Media.pdf
Page 13:
soft quota---- ---- india actual approval---- spill over from ROW
2,803 ---- ---- ---- 6,336 ---- ---- ---- 3,533
2,803 ---- ---- ---- 16,687 ---- ---- ---- 13,884
2,803 ---- ---- ---- 23,399 ---- ---- ---- 20,596
Total
8,408 ---- ---- ---- 46,422 ---- ---- ---- 38,014
http://immigrationvoice.org/media/ImmigrationVoice_Background_for_Media.pdf
Page 13:
soft quota---- ---- india actual approval---- spill over from ROW
2,803 ---- ---- ---- 6,336 ---- ---- ---- 3,533
2,803 ---- ---- ---- 16,687 ---- ---- ---- 13,884
2,803 ---- ---- ---- 23,399 ---- ---- ---- 20,596
Total
8,408 ---- ---- ---- 46,422 ---- ---- ---- 38,014
fromnaija
02-25 07:18 PM
can anybody help me here?
Are you for real? USCIS has nothing to do with LCA amendment. That should be DOL (Department of Labor).
Are you for real? USCIS has nothing to do with LCA amendment. That should be DOL (Department of Labor).
more...
Jaime
09-04 11:57 AM
Rally slogan?
gcdreamer05
11-20 11:13 AM
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano is going to be DHS Secretary in the Obama Administration. This is a major news for us and it does has an affect on EB community as Gov. Napolitano is a strong proponent of Immigration reform and it is now believed that she has been brought to this position to spearhead the immigration reform in the Obama Administration.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/20/transition.wrap/index.html
This is a significant development and one is likely to affects us all.
.
Affect immigrants in a positive way right :confused:
Meaning they will take some steps to reduce backlog or icnrease visa numbers (HR5882)
or is it going to go in negative direction.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/20/transition.wrap/index.html
This is a significant development and one is likely to affects us all.
.
Affect immigrants in a positive way right :confused:
Meaning they will take some steps to reduce backlog or icnrease visa numbers (HR5882)
or is it going to go in negative direction.
more...
ivar
02-07 09:41 AM
Congratulations Ivar.
Thank you, Pappu, tonyHK12, amitjoey, tushbush, gk_2000, manish1905, larun, extra_mint.
Thank you, Pappu, tonyHK12, amitjoey, tushbush, gk_2000, manish1905, larun, extra_mint.
prashantkh
08-23 02:30 PM
in EB3, EB2 and EB1
Not Enough :rolleyes:
Not Enough :rolleyes:
pns27
06-28 04:34 PM
Please don't create any new thred.. Please close it .. We already have 4 threds going with different rumers.. No need to put another one..
My answer is - No body knows what will happen.. So just chill and enjoy..
Hi ramus can you point to the others threads going on this subject?:o I did check other threads to put this info. In fact I don�t want create any new threads. After looking for one that is appropriate, which I did not find, I started this one. The closest one would be the �June 1st filers - receipt � which is a diffrent subject.
This is not a rumor, this a fact and I thought I should share with all so that every one will chill, take it easy and will not stressout in anticipation of 485 approval.
thx.
My answer is - No body knows what will happen.. So just chill and enjoy..
Hi ramus can you point to the others threads going on this subject?:o I did check other threads to put this info. In fact I don�t want create any new threads. After looking for one that is appropriate, which I did not find, I started this one. The closest one would be the �June 1st filers - receipt � which is a diffrent subject.
This is not a rumor, this a fact and I thought I should share with all so that every one will chill, take it easy and will not stressout in anticipation of 485 approval.
thx.
milind70
07-07 02:13 PM
How many years of years of W-2 form copies do we need to attach, when we file I-485 applications?
There is no definate answer,but in general lawyers ask for last three W2 with last three paystubs plus last three years returns filing copy.
There is no definate answer,but in general lawyers ask for last three W2 with last three paystubs plus last three years returns filing copy.
Becks
02-10 07:18 PM
Once you strart using EAD your H1 will be terminated. If you want to switch to H1 again your need to apply for fresh H1 in the new quota. You cant renew because its terminated.
So try to switch the job with H1 transfer if your new employer supports. Use EAD only when you dont have H1 option.
So assuming that I switch to EAD, does this mean that incase for whatever reason our I 485 application is denied, I can re claim the pending time on my h1b ? I am trying to figure out how is my h1b an umbrella?
So try to switch the job with H1 transfer if your new employer supports. Use EAD only when you dont have H1 option.
So assuming that I switch to EAD, does this mean that incase for whatever reason our I 485 application is denied, I can re claim the pending time on my h1b ? I am trying to figure out how is my h1b an umbrella?
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