Guestbook Entry for Carina, United States
Name
Carina
Country
United States
National Interest Waiver
A method to obtain green card used to avoid the need for PERM based labor certification.
Physician in Medically Underserved Area, EB2/NIW
We have recently won a case for a physician working in several rural clinics as well as his private practice within a medically underserved area. We were retained following a denial of the I-140 petition for NIW. We filed an appeal as well as an amended (new) I-140 application to show that the physician had met the 5-year service requirements for an NIW. The applicant had moved from one medically underserved area to another while the original I-140 was pending. The issue was whether an “amendment” could have been filed in this case to notify USCIS of the move without an approved I-140.
Profession/Occupation
Green Card
Obtaining H-1 Extension beyond 6 years
Question details
My 6 year period of H1b visa expires in Dec 2010 and my labor application is still pending for approval. It was filed in February 2009. Am I eligible to apply for a visa extension , if so when should I apply for that? I assume I still have time.
H-1 extension beyond six years can be obtained under two circumstances:
First, indefinite H-1 extensions in one-year increments can be obtained, if the I-140 (or I-485) was filed and the green card process was started a year ago. The GC process is started for:
- Labor Certification based cases (including PERM) the date for the begining of the countdown is the date when the labor certification is officially received:
- for PRE PERM cases - by the local office (SWA); and
Guestbook Entry for Ravi, United States
Name
Ravi
Country
United States
State
MD
Comment
I used the services of the Law Offices of Rajiv Khanna for my green card under the EB1A/NIW category. I am pleased to say that the firm including Rajiv Khanna and Diane Lombardo were very professional, diligent and prompt. It was comforting to know that I could count on them to deal with the vagaries of the immigration service as I was going through this long, tedious and at times unpredictable process. The entire process took slightly over 3 years for me most of which was due to the long time taken by the immigration service in approving the I-140 and the I-485. My sincere thanks to Rajiv and Diane for helping me through this process.
Criteria for Outstanding Researcher/Professor Category
Preliminary requirement: The applicants must be able to document at least three years of experience in teaching and/or research in the specified academic field and that they are "recognized internationally."
Generally speaking, experience in teaching or research while working on an advanced degree will not satisfy the three year requirement.
Pointers for EB1/NIW filings
The following pointers have emerged from recent cases and comments from USCIS:
1. Make sure you document the citation records (to show how many hits the journal gets), impact factor and circulation figures of the journals in which your publications appear.
2. (This we already knew) Recommendations from people who know you personally carry less weight than from those who know you by reputation.
3. Emphasize/document the "international" nature of your accomplishments.
Filing EB1 while EB2 AOS is pending
I am thinking about applying for green card under EB-1A or EB-1B. Currently I have an approved I-140 (2005, EB2). I have a few questions:
Q.a) Is the EB1A or EB1-B I-140 premium processed?
Q.b) Do I need to submit another set of I-485 with the EB-1 application even though the EB-2 I-485 are pending with USCIS?
Q.c) Which option would be better for me - EB-1A or EB-1B? I am currently an associate professor at XXX University.
Basic Criteria for Extraordinary Ability
Question details
What is the basic criteria for extraordinary ability?
This morning, I was working on explaining to a client (whom I respect greatly), one of the foremost musicians from India, how EB1 (Extraordinary Ability) category applies to musicians and performers. As I was sending him the basic information on EB1 category, I thought I will share the general criteria with all of you. This information is for EA, generally and applies to all fields - not just music. See attached.
Physician in Medically Underserved Area, EB2/NIW
We won a case for a physician who provided a contract for services for 5 years in a medically underserved area. This applicant also submitted copies of his degree, medical license, medical degree equivalency evaluation, USMLE Step 1, 2 and 3, status paperwork, letter from potential employer stating need, documentation of statistical data on medically underserved area and a letter from Bureau of Health Care Services.
Green Card
Physician in Medically Underserved Area, EB2/NIW
This applicant provided a 5-year contract for services in a medically underserved area, a copy of his J-1 residency requirement waiver, letters from the Health and Human Services office in his area requesting his services, documentation to reflect the statistics of the health professional shortage in his employment area as well as copies of his license to practice medicine.
I contacted immigration.com., and got an email back the next day, and phone consult set up with Rajiv Khanna two days later. He was extremely helpful, explaining to me the weaknesses and opportunities of my case, and actually gave me some reference point to talk to my employer. I am grateful to Rajiv and his staff for their assistance, and would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone looking for quality legal opinion on their immigration cases.