Can you use experience prior to MS?

[kae_jolie]

I have 4 years of experience before I got my Masters. I would like to file in EB-2 category. I know I could do MS+0 and it'll be considered EB2. If I do MS+1, would my experience before I got the Master's count?

Thanks.

 

[columbus_dude]

You cannot use your experience before Master's if qualifications are MS with 1+ yrs experience. At the I-140 stage your application will trigger a RFE or a RFE with intent to deny if you do not submit letter of experience with atleast one year of experience after you have completed your Master's.

It is better to go for a MS+0 in your case.

 

[perm08]

Why it has to be after Master's?

Where you found that the experience has to be after master's?? Can you show a reference document.

You cannot use your experience before Master's if qualifications are MS with 1+ yrs experience. At the I-140 stage your application will trigger a RFE or a RFE with intent to deny if you do not submit letter of experience with atleast one year of experience after you have completed your Master's.

It is better to go for a MS+0 in your case.

 

[peyag]

It does not matter whether you got your exp before Masters or after master as long as it is relevant and your experience letters state them.

 

[kae_jolie]

I am hearing mixed messages here. Could someone refer me to a USCIS source or to a post by someone who did MS+1 for EB2 and got it approved considering that year of experience was before Masters. I believe the key is in how you word it. If you say MS + 1 year of progressive experience then you better have one year of experience after Masters. If you leave the word "progressive" out, you might get an RFE because they got nothing better to do at the INS offices but to make people's lives more miserable.

 

[braniand]

You do not use PROGRESSIVE with Masters. And yes, you can use experience before masters, as long as it is relevant. I have posted that question before, and someone told me that they have been approved with that.