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Immigration and Visa Issues: A Primer for Postdocs and Young Scientists

This primer covers essential information on J-1 waivers, O-1 visas, permanent residency, and more, tailored for postdocs and young scientists. It addresses common questions and options related to immigration processes in the U.S.

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Immigration and Visa Issues: A Primer for Postdocs and Young Scientists

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  1. Immigration and Visa Issues: A Primer for Postdocs and Young Scientists Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP Suzanne B. Seltzer Kate Kalmykov Philadelphia - New York

  2. Immigration OpportunitiesAgenda • J-1 Waivers • The O-1 Visa • Permanent Residence Status • Q&As

  3. J-1 Visa • Who is subject to 2-year return? • Exchange Visitor Skills List • Right Skill? • Right List? • Government Funding • U.S. or Home Country • Direct or Indirect • Graduate Medical Training

  4. What Doesit 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…

  5. If Subject, Are there 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

  6. J-1 Waiver Options • Waiver options • Hardship • Persecution • No objection waiver • Federal government agency waiver • Health & Human Services • National Science Foundation • Department of Energy

  7. 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

  8. O-1 (cont’d) • What’s Included in the Petition • Reference letters • Independent referees • Addressing O-1 criteria • Corroborating Documentation • Processing time/issues • Length of approval • Extensions

  9. What is Permanent Residency? • 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

  10. Immigrant vs Non-Immigrant Visas • Immigrant Visa • Green Card/Permanent Residency • Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) • H, F, J, O, etc • Limited duration • Specific to employer/institution • Specific to purpose (work/study/tourism)

  11. Permanent Residency Quotas • Annual Limit on Permanent Residency • Per Country Limit – 7% • Allocated by: • Priority Date – place in line • Preference Category

  12. How Do I Apply? • Family • Investment • Asylum • Employment • DV Lottery

  13. Permanent Residency Quotas • Employment Based Preferences • First Preference (EB-1) • Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Researcher, Multinational Executive • Second Preference (EB-2) • Nat’l Interest Waivers, Advanced Degreed Professionals, Bachelors plus 5 years exp. • Third Preference (EB-3) • Skilled Worker (2+ years experience), Bachelor’s Degree

  14. Permanent Residency Quotas, Where Are We Now? Visa Bulletin for March 2010

  15. Permanent Residency Quotas,Where are We Now? • “Oversubscribed” versus “Available” • Available if: • Visa Bulletin indicates “C” = current • Priority date earlier than posted date • Best Case Scenario for FY2010 • EB-2 • China – October 2005 • India – February/March 2005 • EB-1 – expected to remain current

  16. Employment Based (EB) Permanent Residency • Employer-sponsored or self-sponsored • Extraordinary/National Interest/Exceptional • Multiple petitions • Multi-Step Process • Non-Immigrant Status?

  17. Employment Based (EB) Permanent Residency: Self-Petitions Extraordinary Ability/EB-1 (I-140, filing fee $475) • “One of a Few at the Top” • Factors Considered in Initial Evaluation • 1st authored articles/impact factors • Citations to 1st authored work • Conference Presentations • Peer Review/Manuscript Review Work • References from independent Experts • Documenting Regulatory Criteria • Preparation/Processing Times

  18. I-140 Self-Petitions (cont’d) National Interest Waiver/EB-2 (I-140, filing fee $475) • Three Prong Test • Field is of Substantial Intrinsic Merit • National Impact of Your Contributions • You Are “Substantially Better” Than Your Peers • Preparation/Processing Times

  19. Employment Based: Employer Sponsored Outstanding Researcher/EB-1(I-140, filing fee $475) • Similar to Extraordinary Ability • At least 3 Years experience • Permanent job offer • Qualified Employers: • Academic Institutions • Industry • at least 3 FT researchers • Recognition in field

  20. Permanent Resident StatusAdjustment of Status (I-485) • Timing • Preference categories/quotas • Priority dates • Processing times • Concurrent filing (I-140/I-485) • I-485 filing fee $1010, includes: • Employment authorization (I-765) • Advance parole (I-131)

  21. Issues Relating to NIV Status During Permanent Residency Process • Travel • Extensions of Status • Dependents • Eligibility for OPT

  22. Contact Information Suzanne B. Seltzer, Esq. Kate Kalmykov, Esq. • Telephone: 212-796-8840 • Fax: 212-297-1799 • Email: • sseltzer@klaskolaw.com • kkalmykov@klaskolaw.com • Websites: • www.klaskolaw.com • http://blog.klaskolaw.com • www.eb5immigration.com • www.worksite-compliance.com

  23. Questions Any Questions?

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