Please help the confused

[tuppy]

Hello,

I am a F-1 student. My mom filed I-130 and after 3.5 years, received letter with Notice type: Approval Notice. The instruction is not clear if I can apply for I-485 and get my green card. OR do I still have to wait for the visa date. I am going to call them Monday though. But I can't wait Thanks in advance. Oh..can I also file work permit too and get it while Green card is still processing?

[ChetanV]

you will have to wait until your priority date becomes due. Check the visa bulletin to see the current processing date.

when your priority date is current, you can apply for adjustment of status, work permit and advance parole (travel document).

I think you can get a work permit only between filing adjustment of status and getting (or not getting!) the actual green card. I am fairly certain that you cannot get a work permit when you are awaiting your priority date to become current.

(I am not an attorney, so any advice should be checked by your attorney!)

[tuppy]

Thanks for your reply. I also found out about having to wait for visa date. Mad that night But I hope I will get it sooner after mom becomes citizen in 2011 and visa date now is 2004 for that catergory so about 2 years more that way. I will just go talk to an office to see what benefits I can get out it of this situation. May be I could have some special F-1 status like not having to take full 12 units/semester May be just wishing, but who knows..better ask than not ask