Am I eligible to apply for Green Card through Self Petition, National Interest Waiver (NIW), (EB2)

[kolli1025]

Hi All,
I am planning to start my green card process. I came to US in 2003 and did MS, PhD and MBA all three from US. I did my MS in biology, PhD in Environmental toxicology and MBA general business. I completed my PhD in 2011 may. Currently I am on OPT and working as a research associate in a Toxicology company.
I am planning to go for a self petition of EB2 NIW green card. Even though I have PhD I don’t have many research paper. I have one and that too not a first author. I wrote 3 paper and they are sitting with my major advisor. I don’t see them coming out any soon. I gave couple of presentations at national conference and I have 4 poster presentations at different national conferences.
My question based on the above information can you please help me some advise on the questions I have.
1) Am I eligible to apply for Green Card through Self Petition, National Interest Waiver (NIW), (E21)
2) Or Should I wait till I get all the papers out (I really don’t know how long it’s going to take) and try for EB1 and if I am eligible.
3) I don’t want to go through my current employer as I am planning to change my employer
4) Are the EB2 (NIW) are processed faster than the regular EB2.
5) Is there any site where I can down load the full application for applying the EB2 (NIW) and fill by self and send the complete application package to USCIS?
Thanks for all your support and help
Have a good day
Regards

 

[Sindhu9]

Hi,

I am almost in the similar boat. I did my PhD in Toxicology (Dec 2010) in US and currently doing my Post doc in UPenn.

I will try my best to answer your questions.

1. I don't think you can apply for green card on OPT in any category. I was told by my friend that they need atleast 1 first author publication in order to qualify for EB-2 (NIW).

2. If I were you, I would have waited till all the papers get accepted at least 2-3 years from now and then file for EB-1 employ sponsored category. I believe we need at least 3 years of research experience post PhD and 3 first author papers, possibly grants, presentations. In the meanwhile, urge your boss to submit papers. These professors never really care about paper submission because they are unaware of our job situation without GC or citizenship. It's sad to know that all of us have similar problems in getting our papers submitted from our Bosses. I am really trying hard to get my papers submitted. I'm urging my boss almost every week for the paper submission process. Hopefully, she does it this week.

3. EB-2 NIW are processed at a similar speed than EB2. Two of my friends did in NIW EB2, she is still waiting in line with regular EB-2 people. With your PhD, wait for some more time till you get more papers and apply through EB-1. This is just my suggestion. I am planning to apply in EB-1 when I get at least 3 first author publications (probably in 2 years) which will have be more influential in acceptance in EB-1. Of course, the more the better it is.

I hope it works for you.
Good luck,
Sindhu

Hi All,
I am planning to start my green card process. I came to US in 2003 and did MS, PhD and MBA all three from US. I did my MS in biology, PhD in Environmental toxicology and MBA general business. I completed my PhD in 2011 may. Currently I am on OPT and working as a research associate in a Toxicology company.
I am planning to go for a self petition of EB2 NIW green card. Even though I have PhD I don’t have many research paper. I have one and that too not a first author. I wrote 3 paper and they are sitting with my major advisor. I don’t see them coming out any soon. I gave couple of presentations at national conference and I have 4 poster presentations at different national conferences.
My question based on the above information can you please help me some advise on the questions I have.
1) Am I eligible to apply for Green Card through Self Petition, National Interest Waiver (NIW), (E21)
2) Or Should I wait till I get all the papers out (I really don’t know how long it’s going to take) and try for EB1 and if I am eligible.
3) I don’t want to go through my current employer as I am planning to change my employer
4) Are the EB2 (NIW) are processed faster than the regular EB2.
5) Is there any site where I can down load the full application for applying the EB2 (NIW) and fill by self and send the complete application package to USCIS?
Thanks for all your support and help
Have a good day
Regards

 

[kolli1025]

Thanks Sindhu,
I guess what u say makes sense. I will give it a serious thought.. I thank once for your time in replying to me.

Hi,

I am almost in the similar boat. I did my PhD in Toxicology (Dec 2010) in US and currently doing my Post doc in UPenn.

I will try my best to answer your questions.

1. I don't think you can apply for green card on OPT in any category. I was told by my friend that they need atleast 1 first author publication in order to qualify for EB-2 (NIW).

2. If I were you, I would have waited till all the papers get accepted at least 2-3 years from now and then file for EB-1 employ sponsored category. I believe we need at least 3 years of research experience post PhD and 3 first author papers, possibly grants, presentations. In the meanwhile, urge your boss to submit papers. These professors never really care about paper submission because they are unaware of our job situation without GC or citizenship. It's sad to know that all of us have similar problems in getting our papers submitted from our Bosses. I am really trying hard to get my papers submitted. I'm urging my boss almost every week for the paper submission process. Hopefully, she does it this week.

3. EB-2 NIW are processed at a similar speed than EB2. Two of my friends did in NIW EB2, she is still waiting in line with regular EB-2 people. With your PhD, wait for some more time till you get more papers and apply through EB-1. This is just my suggestion. I am planning to apply in EB-1 when I get at least 3 first author publications (probably in 2 years) which will have be more influential in acceptance in EB-1. Of course, the more the better it is.

I hope it works for you.
Good luck,
Sindhu

 

[Sindhu9]

Hi,

You are welcome.
I am sorry was busy with my stuff. I couldn't reply to your email.
Please tell me something about Toxicology job opportunities for PhDs like us now as i am very much worried about it .

Thanks in advance,
Sindhu

 

[doc_007us]

Hello Guys,

Kolli1025 and Sindhu,


Here is the bottom line.

As of Year 2012,

As of EB2 NIW Category for Scientific field such as toxicology OR such,
Publications and Citations are a MUST. First you need to Publish and then it would be hopefully Cited.

After the two-tier rule which came out in 2009, which means in year 2012 as of today's date
Without Citations No Lawyer will Touch the case.

Remember publications and Citations are a MUST. Minimum needed.

However, preferably one also must be Reviewer of Journal, Judge for Conferences etc.
One must have internationally acclaimed awards ( for EB1 Categories).. OR members of associations where only Elite Scientists are allowed.


I exactly know what you are going through. I also have PhD in Toxicology. I agree that it is a nightmare to get papers published from certain advisors and i have myself begged, pleased, forced, fought and finally got it done. Got 2 papers out. But again, everything is not perfect in the world and some maybe little less fortunate than others.

My problem is that the final 2 papers I worked on, The industry funding which I generated is not allowing me to publish the papers.


So Bottom Line is,

Publish, Get Citations, Get published papers downloaded, Try to Get Awards, Become Journal reviewer.
If you look at people for whom EB2-NIW Cases are Approved here then you will see how their profile are.


Kolli1025, There should be a way to get your EB1 done through the Company, while hiring your own lawyer maybe.


Sindhu9 and Kolli1025
Contact me at:

doc_007us@hotmail.com