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Mussy · Jun 24, 2008, 06:17 AM

Greetings everyone,

I visited the US twice, in 1999 and in 2000, on J1 Visas in order to participate in a Peace Education program along with other teachers from the Middle East and North Africa. After completion of the program, I came back to my country and have been living and working here since then. This means that for both Visas mentioned above, I have fulfilled the two-year rule.
Is it possible now to apply for Green Card? If yes, where shall I apply for it? At the local consulate or through a Department of State body online? And, if possible, what kind of form should I be using to apply for a Green Card?

Thank you very much in advance,

lawanwadee · Jun 24, 2008, 08:43 AM

There are categories for immigrant visas... which one do you fit in?

* Asylees and Refugees
* Diversity Visa
* Family Based Visas
* Employment Based Visas

For further info, go to USCIS Home Page

Mussy · Jun 24, 2008, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by lawanwadee

There are categories for immigrant visas... which one do you fit in?

* Asylees and Refugees
* Diversity Visa
* Family Based Visas
* Employment Based Visas

For further info, go to USCIS Home Page

Thanks lawanwadee for your reply. Actually, If I want to move to the USA because I completed the two year rule, then It's obviously to settle down and find a job. Which means employment Based Visa.
And, yes, I have been to the USCIS web site but I just got lost in their maze. Would it be possible to do that through an attorney?

Thanks again for your time,

lawanwadee · Jun 24, 2008, 10:13 AM

For employment based visa, you would need to have a job offer first, which means H-1B. After working on H1-B for a while IF your employer is willing to sponsor visa for you, then it will be processed from there.

Attorney would help greatly with paperwork but not with finding job.

Mussy · Jun 24, 2008, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by lawanwadee

For employment based visa, you would need to have a job offer first, which means H-1B. After working on H1-B for a while IF your employer is willing to sponsor visa for you, then it will be processed from there.

Attorney would help greatly with paperwork but not with finding job.

Thanks again for your reply.
I guess anyone who is offered a job could be entitled to the H-1B Visa; whether they previously were on J1 or not. And if yes, then why is it said that an exchange visitor with a J1 Visa CAN live in the USA provided he complete two years back home?

Cheers

lawanwadee · Jun 24, 2008, 12:28 PM

You misunderstood the term..... Simply it means that once you complete your J-1 term, you cannot change your status to other types of visa in order to work or live in US unless you have finished 2 years term in your home country. Many of programs under J-1 are funded by foreign governments.

Mussy · Jun 24, 2008, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by lawanwadee

You misunderstood the term..... Simply it means that once you complete your J-1 term, you cannot change your status to other types of visa in order to work or live in US unless you have finished 2 years term in your home country. Many of programs under J-1 are funded by foreign governments.

Yeaaaah! I guess I'd better stay where I am.
No tornadoes, no floods, no guns,.

Thanks, for the info, anyway!

:)

sadia anjum · Mar 2, 2009, 11:20 PM

Hi my name is sadia I have come in usa in August 2007 on j-1 visa (2 years rules applies )(I have one year visa)as
Montessori teacher I'm working on this visa can I get married with green card holder boy or I can only get
Married with citizen bcoz I don't want to go back from here and want to get married as soon as possible please
Tell me what to do and how to do?? my visa is going to be finished in July 4,2009 I'm worry about it
Please let me know if you know something.. my e mail address is [email protected] cell no 703-622-9203