dbj1000

Amazing! After telling me it was taking on average of 320 days, USCIS approved my I-140 National Interest Waiver after only 52 days, and on the same day they started working the case.

Now all that stands between us and our GC is... however long it takes to get AOS.



(needed something to brighten our week, after that git nearly killing my family and writing off our newest car!)

Bob

Nice one..that's cool news

AdobePinon

Congrats.

TouristTrap

Awesome! 485 is going pretty quick from what I've seen

st326

If you don't mind my asking, on what basis did you apply for a NIW? I am considering putting one in in parallel with my employer doing an EB2 application. From what I've read, it looks like I may qualify, but I was wondering just how strong a case it is necessary to make. I can claim an unusual specialism (mathematical techniques for designing provably correct radiation hard circuits for spacecraft), and good references from *cough* certain bits of the US govt interested in that kind of thing. Just wondering, particularly as it avoids labour certification...

dbj1000

You need to "avoid" labor certification at all costs, because priority date retrogression means that there isn't actually a route from an H1-B to a GC at all at the moment. Exceptional Researcher or National Interest Waiver is really the only option until they catch up with the priority dates and start releasing new A-numbers.

I won't go into details of the basis of my NIW application here, but it sounds like you have the makings of a good case very similar to mine. I had around 20 international journal publications, around 100 citations in other primary research papers, one citation in a Nature editorial... but no PhD. Much more importantly, in my view, were my letters of support. I had 4 from within my company, right up to the President of the corporation, but I also had 4 from very senior members of various government agencies. I believe it was those that carried the case.

You're off to work for NASA, and have a PhD, don't you? You should have a very strong case. Work for your PhD should have provided you with enough papers for an Exceptional Researcher case, but if not then your area of expertese sounds to me like you should be able to raise some good letters of support.

PM me if you want more detail... although not about my particular case, since I can't provide much more information on that.

Paul S

You guys are lucky. Just had my LCA approved, yet i'm in EB3 (I don't do anything special other than help US manufacturers meet the legal requirements for selling electrical products into Europe ), so gawd only knows when i'll be able to even consider the GC app

Pi$$ed off, moi??????

dbj1000

Yes, things are pretty crappy for EB3 applicants right now. However, it must all work out at some stage. How long have you been here? How much longer do you have on your visa? Chances are, if you have your LCA approval, you'll be able to continue your GC application sometime in the next year or so, although obviously there are no guarantees when it comes to the USCIS.

AdobePinon

Not surprised they finished your case the same day, dbj. My guess is that they saw who wrote the letters and called it a day. Names are everything....

Paul S

Coming up on a year. MY US boss decided that starting the complete process sooner was a good idea (I can't fault himn for that ). Loads of time left on the H1B so not too much of a concern, just a 'hiccup'

ladyofthelake

I think I might have to look into this a bit more. My OH is in the EB3 category too, priority date of March 2004.
He has a PhD, has done a couple of publications, but more importantly he is a project manager of a $200 million project with a large amount of local government involved. Hmmm......

Angry White Pyjamas

I dunno why but I always had it in my head you were married to a yank.


Congrats dbj by the way.

Ray

Bit of a clever bastard ain't cher!!!

ladyofthelake

Nah, all 100% Brit in my family.

dbj1000

I tries my best!