work permit while waiting for I-130

[SJL 0]

Hi everybody,

I am married to a US citizen (have been married for 6 years, we have two kids)

My husband filed I-130 for me 3 weeks ago. I know that I-130 can take a long time to be processed.

I am a vetreinarian and want to work in the US while waiting for my I-130 to be approved.

I was wondering how I would go about getting a workpermit and which one to file exactly.

If I can find someone who would hire me, would that help or would I just have to get a general permit and then look for work.

All help is greatly appreciated.

[Ryan E 10]

The fact you are married to an American will be irrelevant for any work permit other than the IR-1 which you will apply for once the I-130 is approved.

I think you need to look into the H1B visa or perhaps the H2A (agriculture). AFAIK, it is tied to a specific employer, expensive, and not so easy to get. Others or a search can get you more information.

[kzielu 1,149]

Hi everybody,

I am married to a US citizen (have been married for 6 years, we have two kids)

My husband filed I-130 for me 3 weeks ago. I know that I-130 can take a long time to be processed.

I am a vetreinarian and want to work in the US while waiting for my I-130 to be approved.

I was wondering how I would go about getting a workpermit and which one to file exactly.

If I can find someone who would hire me, would that help or would I just have to get a general permit and then look for work.

All help is greatly appreciated.

Are you in US ? Did your husband file I-485 as well ? If yes, he should have filed I-765 with it, if you are eligible for adjustment of status, you would have work permit in about 2 to 3 months. If he filed only I-130 (for whatever reason), then you can't file for any work permit.

[SJL 0]

I am not in the US right now I am still in Holland.

We are waiting for our kids to get their Amrican passports, so they can travel as US citizens.

We only filed for I-130 so far, it did not say anything about filing for a work permit at the same time.

[belinda63 3,038]

Not to burst your bubble but my spouse is also a veterinarian in his country and he cannot practice here. I don't know if a license from the netherlands is recognized here in the US but worth checking into. He could take a test, cost about $6,000, to try to obtain his license here.

As to a work permit.....not until you arrive. With the CR-1 you will be able to work the day you enter the country if you have a social security number. Or as soon as you obtain the social security number.

The only way to come here and work prior to obtaining the CR-1 visa would be to find an employer who will sponsor you.

[SJL 0]

Okay thanks for all the input. Fortunately you did not burst my bubble...

I know about the licensing, I am a graduate from a AVMA accredited school and I passed the NAVLE, so I am eligeble for a license. It depends on the state because some requier you to have a SSN, which off course I don't have yet.

So far it seems that (after another day of searching the internet and some help from all of you) I can ask the imployer that wants to hire me to file for a H1B work permit (I-129) and that this could be expedited with a I-907 form to be completed in 15 days.

As I understand H1B allowes for dual intent and it can be filed for while waiting for my I-130.

Yes I seen that it was expensive (mainly for the employer), and this I should talk through with the employer that want to hire me.

Just checking to see if you think I'm right or that I'm still living in a bubble, hoping the sun will shine on me.....

[kzielu 1,149]

You do realize that soonest anybody can get H-1B is October this year ? Since you're reading about H-1bs, don't miss the quota part of it....

[christeen 966]

Cutoff for h1b applications is in April... If you have not found a company that filed the paperwork, I am afraid you won't make it this year... Besides, h1b is for speciality occupations not sure where veterinarian falls as far as that... Works visas are very cumbersome and difficult to get ... Unfortunately, without the work visa, you will have to wait till entering on IR1