Immigration Opportunities for Post Doctoral Researchers Suzanne B. Seltzer Kate Kalmykov Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Philadelphia - New York
Dec 26, 2015
Immigration Opportunities for
Post Doctoral Researchers
Suzanne B. SeltzerKate Kalmykov
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLPPhiladelphia - New York
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Immigration OpportunitiesAgenda
H-1B Quotas J-1 Waivers The O-1 Visa Permanent Residence Status Q&A’s
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H-1B Quota What is it and what does it mean? Who is not subject to the quota?
Universities Nonprofit institutions affiliated with universities Employed “at” university Nonprofit or government research organization Previous H-1B under cap Concurrent employment
Cap Exempt to Cap Subject
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J-1 Visa Who is subject to 2-year return?
Exchange Visitor Skills List Government Funding
U.S. or Home Country Direct or Indirect (i.e. – International
Organization that receives U.S. or home country funding)
Graduate Medical Training
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What Does it Mean to be Subject Ineligible for Certain Visas
H-1B L-1 K
Ineligible to apply for final step of Green Card I-485 IV Consular Processing But may commence initial steps…
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If Subject, What are the Options Return home
Where is home? Aggregating trips
Apply for a Waiver Obtain an O-1 Visa
Requires an employer willing to sponsor Must Demonstrate “Outstanding” in field
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J-1 Waiver Options
Waiver options Hardship Persecution No objection waiver Federal government agency waiver
Health & Human Services National Science Foundation Department of Energy
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O-1 – Alien of Extraordinary Ability Factors Considered in Initial Evaluation
1st authored articles/impact factors Citations to 1st authored work Conference presentations Book Chapters/review articles Peer reviewer/manuscript reviewer
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O-1 (Cont’d)
Included in the Petition Supporting Documentation Reference letters
Independent referees Addressing O-1 criteria
Processing time/issues Length of approval Extensions
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Permanent Residency/Green Card Authorization to Live & Work Indefinitely in the
United States “Immigrant Visa” The “Green Card” or “Form I-551” Not always ‘forever’ – may be abandoned or
taken away
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Employment Based (EB) Permanent Residency
Employer-sponsored or self-sponsored Labor certification or extraordinary/national
interest/exceptional Multiple petitions Multi-Step Process
I-140 – establishing eligibility I-485 – register for permanent residency
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Permanent Resident Quotas
Annual Limit on Permanent Residency Per Country Limit – 7% Allocated by:
Priority Date – place in line Preference Category
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Permanent Resident Quotas
Employment Based Preferences First Preference (EB-1)
Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Researcher Second Preference (EB-2)
Nat’l Interest Waivers, Advanced Degree Professionals, Bachelor’s plus 5 years exp.
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Permanent Resident Quotas,How to Determine if Current
Visa Bulletin http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_136
0.html “Oversubscribed” versus “Available”
Available if: Visa Bulletin indicates “C” = current Priority date earlier than posted date
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Employment Based (EB) Permanent Residency: Self-PetitionsExtraordinary Ability (I-140 Petition)
EB-1 Initial Evaluation Similar to O-1 Documentation/Reference Letters Similar to O-1 Slightly Higher Standard
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Employment Based (EB) Permanent Residency: Self-PetitionsNational Interest Waiver (I-140 Petition)
EB-2 Three Prong Test
Substantial Intrinsic Merit National in Scope Substantially Better than Peers
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Employment Based (EB) Permanent Residency: Employer-Sponsored Outstanding Researcher (I-140)
EB-1 Evaluation/Documentation Similar to O-1 Three Years Experience in Academic Field
If gained during studies, research must have been recognized as “outstanding”
“Permanent” or Tenure Track Job Offer Employer – Academia or Industry
If industry, must have 3 FT researchers If industry, must document accomplishments
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Employment Based (EB) Permanent Residency: Employer-Sponsored PERM
EB-2, as long as job requires advanced degree Employer MUST Pay Costs Test of Job Market – Extensive Recruitment Minimum Requirements for Position Prevailing Wage from Department of Labor Filed with Department of Labor First of 3 steps (precedes I-140/I-485)
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Permanent Resident StatusAdjustment of Status (I-485) Timing
Preference categories/quotas Priority dates Processing times
Concurrent filing (I-140/I-485) Employment Authorization Document (EAD) Advance Parole (AP) Adjustment portability
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Contact Information
Suzanne B. Seltzer, Esq. Telephone: 212-796-8846 Fax: 212-297-1799 Email: [email protected] http://www.klaskolaw.com/information-for-individuals.php
Kate Kalmykov, Esq. Telephone: 212-796-8856 Fax: 212-297-1799 Email: [email protected] http://www.klaskolaw.com/information-for-individuals.php