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National Interest Waiver

A method to obtain green card used to avoid the need for PERM based labor certification.

Do I Qualify for EB-1

10 years ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I got my Ph.D. (biochemistry and molecular biology) and I have 3+ years of post-doctoral experience. I have 4 publications (3 lead author) in human pathogenic research. Could you please comment on my eligibility for EB-1 or NIW.

My best GUESS is probably not. While NIW/EB-1 should not be a numbers game: how many publications, how many citations..., but it often ends up like that. Given that if you had one publication in a premier journal like Science, that would could count a lot more than 5 or 10 publications in a lower impact factor journal.

Benefits of National Interest Waiver

1 month ago By Chief Editor
Question details

Two general questions,

1. What are the benefits of filing an EB2 NIW for a person whose I-140 has already been approved by an employer in the same category apart from NIW, not depending on your employer? Also, can you get your I140 approved priority date to your NIW?

2. Is it possible to renew the H-1B visa stamp before expiration? For example, if my H1B expires on November 1st and I apply for a visa stamp in October with approved extension I797, Would I be able to renew it?

 

FAQ Transcript

While an approved I-140 with an employer offers some benefits, an EB-2 NIW grants portability - you can keep your green card across job changes in your field. It also allows extending your H-1B past the 6-year limit and enables your spouse to work and travel with you.  For those with backlogged priority dates (e.g., India), NIW can help with I-130 petitions in specific situations. If your I-140 is approved already, the main advantage of NIW becomes self-sponsorship.  Finally, you can renew your H-1B visa stamp before expiry, though consulate lead times (like four months) might apply.

 

Recording for May 09, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

2 months ago By Chief Editor

Nonimmigrant Visas

Immigration Law

Green Card

Discussion Topics:

FAQ’s: EAD delayed - options || Benefits of National Interest Waiver

Layoff during Self-NIW application, changing jobs with NIW not yet filed, pending or approved

2 months ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I started the self-NIW application while working with employer A, but for some reason, I could not file the petition. Later I got laid off from employer A and now I'm working with employer B.

I want to restart the NIW application. Questions:

1. Since I got laid off with employer A, will that be a challenge/red flag in my petition?

2. It's only been one month with employee B. Shall I wait some time at company B to restart my NIW application? or doesn't it matter?

 

FAQ Transcript

Answer 1. Being laid off is not a challenge/red flag. 

Answer 2. There's no reason it should be. You don't need to wait to restart the application. You can file it even though you've only been with employer B for a month.

Recording for April 25, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

2 months ago By Chief Editor

Immigration.com

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

FAQs:
1) H-1B lottery layoff before start, Automatic status change, Multiple filings, and Traveling
2) Layoff during Self-NIW application, changing jobs with NIW not yet filed, pending, or approved
3) What is Cap Gap extension? How does it work?
4)Is it COS to change from cap-exempt H-1B to cap H-1B?

National Interest Waiver standards; AI list of critical and emerging technologies focus

4 months ago By Chief Editor
Question details

Can having an MS in STEM degree with an AI focus and an intention to create a high impact with it for the US along with a plan for it, be enough for NIW? Or would more qualifications typically be needed even at the current stage?

FAQ Transcript

The full impact of working with emerging and critical technologies on National Interest Waiver (NIW) applications remains unclear, with potential new regulations expected by April 2024.  While there's a presumption that these technologies align with national interest, you must go beyond that. Highlight the national or non-local impact of the specific work you do – whether it's responsible AI development or ensuring AI transparency. Emphasize how your work extends benefits beyond a single company, as this is essential for a successful NIW application.

 

Recording for February 15, 2024 Conference Call with Rajiv S. Khanna

4 months ago By Chief Editor

Nonimmigrant Visas

Green Card

FAQs: Blacklisted employer, F-1, H-1B, L-1 turned back at the airport || H-1B visa and entrepreneurship: Launching a business with US citizen brother, Shareholding, Green card || National Interest Waiver standards; AI list of critical and emerging technologies focus || OPT EAD errors and typos: Eligibility for resubmission or renewal strategy? || How to calculate time: H-1B grace period; H-4 COS; H-1B transfer delays

The path for an entrepreneur from STEM OPT or H-1B

5 months ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I'm on F-1 OPT with a STEM MS Degree. If I put a startup, I will be performing my roles directly related to the degree.

1) To establish employer-employee relations would having a board of directors be sufficient during STEM OPT?

2) If I apply for EB2-NIW and get I-140 approval then can I immediately shift to other non-tech roles within my startup (CTO -> CEO) Or do I have to wait for 6 months before doing that, all the while when I-485 is pending?

3) If I shift immediately and use I-485 EAD instead of F-1 EAD, then can that lead to I-485 being rejected?

Should I wait at least 6 months before using I-485 EAD? Also, if the startup fails, does that discontinue my I-485 process having approved I-140?

 

FAQ Transcript

There are various visa options for entrepreneurs both inside and outside the USA, between non-immigrant and immigrant visas. Non-immigrant options include B-1 for temporary business visits, the International Entrepreneur Rule for temporary parole, and treaty visas like E-1 and E-2. Immigrant visa options include EB-1 for exceptionally qualified individuals, EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) for those impacting US interests, and EB-5 for investors. Overall, EB-2 NIW offers flexibility in job changes within the same field and may lead to a green card without being tied to a specific job or employer.

 

Advantages of a National Interest Waiver, transitioning to EB-1, entrepreneurship, and H-4 employment for spouse

5 months ago By Chief Editor
Question details

I entered the US to complete my Masters on an F-1 visa in 2018, I got my H1B visa approved in Oct 2022. I was planning to go for a green card through the EB2 NIW route. I have a few questions, which are as follows:

1. Suppose that I got EB2 NIW approved and I am waiting in queue for a green card, but I went back to India and worked in India (employer may or may not be related to the US). Can I collect my GC whenever the priority date becomes current?

2. Suppose that I have already applied for an EB2 NIW visa but then I build my profile and want to apply for an EB1 visa, can I do that?

3. When can I start my business/startup during the EB2 NIW application process? or Do I need to wait until the visa is approved to start a business?

4. When can my wife start working on an H4 visa? Is it during the EB2 NIW application process? Does she need to wait until the visa is approved?

 

FAQ Transcript

With an approved EB-2 NIW, even if you work in India in an unrelated job, you can still collect your green card as long as you intend to work in the field for which you got the NIW when you arrive in the US. Additionally, you can apply for an EB-1 and transfer the priority date from NIW to EB-1. Starting a business during the EB-2 NIW process depends on various factors, but there's no interim visa except for limited options like entrepreneurial parole. However, potential changes in H-1B regulations for entrepreneurs could provide extended H-1B options and the ability to work for your own business. Spouses can start working on H-4 once the NIW is approved and the H-4 EAD application is filed, as the NIW I-140 petition approval doesn't require a visa.

 

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