In today’s global economy, many individuals seek to immigrate to the United States to pursue career opportunities and entrepreneurial ventures. However, navigating the complex US immigration system can be challenging, especially for those with specialized skills and qualifications.
In this blog post, we will present the journey of Pritam, a successful engineer, entrepreneur and PhD holder, who recently received his EB1A approval. We will explore his experience navigating the EB-1A and EB-2 NIW green card categories, his tips for preparing a successful petition, and the importance of early planning and thorough documentation.
This is a summary of the conversation I had with Pritam on my YouTube channel, “Oscar’s Green Card” that you can find at the end of this article.
Pritam’s Story: From PhD to Entrepreneurship and EB1 Approval
Pritam’s journey began with his pursuit of a PhD and his subsequent venture into entrepreneurship. As a startup owner and entrepreneur, Pritam combined his research skills and entrepreneurial spirit to secure federal grants (including Department of Defense and National Science Foundation) and launch his own business related to 3D printing to commercialize his PhD research innovations. His unique background and achievements positioned him as an ideal candidate for the EB1A visa, which is designed for individuals with extraordinary ability.
Initially, Pritam was not sure about what immigration path was right for him. After starting his education journey into the employment based green card categories, he realized that even if EB2 NIW was an attractive category for his profile, the wait times for Indian born applicants like himself were too long. That is when his focus switched to EB-1A, another green card category in which the petitioner can sponsor his own case without the need for a company or job offer, and even without lawyers.
Crafting a Successful EB1A Green Card Petition: Tips and Strategies
Pritam’s successful EB1A petition was the result of careful planning and strategic execution. He emphasizes the importance of structuring a compelling cover letter that effectively communicates his extraordinary abilities and achievements. Additionally, Pritam stresses the significance of providing comprehensive evidence to fulfill as many of the 10 criteria for the EB1A green card, showcasing his expertise and contributions in his field. An applicant must meet at least 3 of those criteria, and it is always better to shoot for as many as possible in case the officer does not agree with one or more.
Based on the EB1A criteria for extraordinary ability, Pritam likely used the following seven criteria to demonstrate his extraordinary ability in his field:
- Receipt of lesser nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence
- Membership in associations in the field which demand outstanding achievement of their members
- Published material about the individual in professional or major trade publications or other major media
- Original scientific, scholarly, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field
- Authorship of scholarly articles in the field, in professional or major trade publications or other major media
- Display of the individual’s work at artistic exhibitions or showcases
- Performance of a leading or critical role in distinguished organizations
Key Points on Petitioning for EB1 and EB2 Visas
Pritam’s journey offers valuable lessons for individuals seeking to petition for the EB1 and EB2 visas. He underscores the need to demonstrate extraordinary ability and national importance when applying for the EB1 visa, emphasizing the significance of awards, contracts, and competitions as supporting evidence. Additionally, Pritam highlights the importance of entrepreneurship and job creation when pursuing the EB2 visa, showcasing the impact of entrepreneurial endeavors on the immigration process.
Tips for Entrepreneurial Visa Applicants and the USCIS Approval Process
Entrepreneurial visa applicants can benefit from Pritam’s insights on navigating the USCIS approval process. He emphasizes the importance of starting earlier if one has an entrepreneurial spirit, as there are opportunities available to F1 student visa holders to start businesses based on their expertise. This, in his case, helped him to build his profile to later apply for an EB-1 green card even if it wasn’t planned in that way.
Other advice to EB-1 applicants
Pritam stressed out the importance of organizing the evidence in the petition properly, in his case he presented his Exhibits in a table format so the officers could easily access all the attached evidence.
Additionally, Pritam highlighted how USCIS officers are not the enemy, but are usually helpful and will let us know what deficiencies we have incurred into. For example, in his case, he had forgotten to sign form I-907 for Premium Processing so his I-907 was first rejected until he corrected the lack of signature and sent his form back to USCIS.
Discussion on EB1A Approval and Adjustment of Status
Pritam’s successful EB1A approval marks a significant milestone in his journey. As he reflects on the current situation for Indian applicants in the Visa Bulletin, he emphasizes the importance of planning for the adjustment of status and employment authorization. Indian nationals face longer wait times than applicants from all the other countries, which calls for extra planification and care when it comes to strategize the immigration path.
Conclusion
Pritam’s journey serves as a compelling example of the challenges that individuals encounter when navigating the US immigration system. His insights offer valuable guidance for PhD holders, entrepreneurs, and aspiring immigrants seeking to pursue their professional and entrepreneurial aspirations in the United States. By leveraging early planning, thorough documentation, and a strategic approach to the immigration process, individuals can position themselves for success in securing visas such as the EB1A and EB2 NIW, ultimately realizing their ambitions in the dynamic landscape of the US economy.