From: [email-masked] (Mi Mi)
Date: Mon, 27 Sep 93 09:39:42 CDT

Q&A: (update on September 27, 1993)
 
Q: Is there any time windows for lads?                
 
A: It depends what category you are talking about, and what 
   kind of lads you are dealing with.
   
   For EB-3, there is a time window. Unless the priority date
   for this particular month is current, or the priority date
   is later than your own priority date, you can not apply.
   Since September's priority date is current, so every CSPA
   principal can apply EB-3 for their lads. Next month, however,
   the priority date has rolled back to July 1. So if your 
   priority date is, say, August 1, then you must wait in 
   October. So it is highly recommended you file ASAP in 
   September.
 
   For FB-2, there is no time window. Once you get your approval
   notice, you can apply for your lads. The date INS receives 
   your application, is the priority date for your lads. So it 
   is highly recommended you file ASAP once you receive your
   approval notice.
 
   You can chose which category to use, either EB-3 or FB-2 or both
   of them. There is no penalty for doing this, except to your wallets.
   It is up to you to chose which category to apply, and it is up to 
   INS to determine for which category you are eligible. So it is 
   possible that by doing both, your lads will get two priority dates.
   Of course your lads can only be approved once, but they may have 
   two choices.

   For lads in US, we have DED and Non-DED lads. DED lads 
   problem has not been fully solved. Some INS local offices
   accept DED lads application, some do not. This is quite
   complicated. For Non-DED, you can file in September, since
   it is current. For those principals with approval notices
   saying their priority date is July 1, Mi Mi believes they
   can still file in October. But if there is no particular
   reason to wait a while, why not do it NOW? You are not 
   required to submit a complete package when you file.
 
   For lads in China, it is different. You can file I-824 for
   them once you get your approval notice. But who knows how
   long they have to wait inside China to be granted a visa?   
   If you managed to obtain nonimmigration visas for them, just
   let them come here. If the EB-3 window is open, apply for 
   EB-3 for them. If it is closed, then apply FB-2. Actually 
   you can file both simultaneously. It does not hurt (except
   your wallet).
   
   Our world quota campaign, can save lads in many ways. It
   can cut off the waiting time both in China and in U.S., and
   save China's quotas for late-arriving-students. Since there
   is no ceiling for us (the projected 25,000 for 1994 was 
   totally groundless, according to the telephone conversation
   between Mi Mi and IFCSS HQ official), it is quite possible
   a huge chunk of 94's world-wide EB-3 will be wasted. So the 
   chance for us is quite good: since we are not hurting anybody
   by using that leftover up, we will not have much resistance.
   The only problem is, how we can organize ourselves and launch
   a successful campaign to grasp that opportunity. Think about
   this!

Mi Mi Sr.
Member of Lads-Net Committee