Foreign pilots now allowed to apply for a Green Card?

[FlyPete]

Originally Posted by SIDS N STARS

I recently received the news my EB-2 application has been approved. Current priority date with USCIS is June 2023, my priority date is April 2024. Anyone who has also been approved, have any indication how long it will take for them to move along 10 months?

May I ask what kind of background and qualifications you have? Just curious as my petition was denied.

[dlcmdrx]

In my loco in spain ive heard of a couple captains with contacts inside atlas getting a sponsoring for a green card. Any people have more info about this?

[flyingflyer737]

Atlas doesn't sponsor green card

[SIDS N STARS]

Originally Posted by FlyPete

May I ask what kind of background and qualifications you have? Just curious as my petition was denied.

This was my second petition. The first was denied, but the imm. lawyer i used was confident if we tried a second time, we would get a better outcome. It just depends who you get and if they think your petition is good enough.

I have nearly 30 years flying experience, FAA certificate with Boeing and Airbus ratings.

[bafanguy]

S N S,

If I may ask, what's your employment goal in the USA after you get the visa thing settled ?

[awair]

I have two goals in this respect:

• “to make a small fortune in the aviation industry”, and
• maybe unrealistically, continue flying until age 75…

With hindsight, I may have got the maths wrong!

[oldkarim]

How much does a lawyer usually charge for a petition?

[awair]

$7,500-$15,000 are figures I’ve seen quoted. Government filing fees are extra.

[PilotsAnonymous]

Originally Posted by Koan

Permanent Residency is something one applies for after some years in US of living or working on visa/ permission to stay

This is one 100% untrue. There is no requirement to be living or working in the U.S. prior to applying for permanent residency, either for family based or employment based petitions.
It is, however, common for employers to first sponsor a foreign worker for a non-immigrant work visa because it generally takes longer to get permanent residency processed and approved.

[SIDS N STARS]

Originally Posted by bafanguy

S N S,

If I may ask, what's your employment goal in the USA after you get the visa thing settled ?

I'm currently flying Airbus, so I'm looking into the LCCs at the moment, though Atlas and National would also be a big improvement on where I am now. I don't have any FAA time, so this is going to limit my options for now.

[bafanguy]

S N S,

Understand. The LCC situation here is not as encouraging as it was a couple of years ago (e.g., Spirit furloughs or no hiring at Atlas). But things can change on a dime.

The lack of FAA Part 121 time isn't a deal breaker and getting that 1,000 ours of Part 121 time will only take 2 years or so. However, you'll probably encounter a seniority-based system which likely won't offer an upgrade opportunity for a few years anyway.

Good luck.

[awair]

Big jump in the June visa bulletin.

Final action date for EB2 moved 4 months to October 2023.

[Alessandro_]

Hey, have there been any recent EB-2 NIW approval success stories within the past year?

[richardstroker]

Atlas doesn’t currently sponsor GC’s, but has emailed E3 holders saying they fully intend to do so once they start hiring again (a requirement to do so).