Evaluation Help! EB1-EA or NIW?

[cjw]

PhD in Computer Science (2001)
Major: Supercomputing
Now working as a research staff in an US top 5 univ for an NSF project.

8 Journal papers (4 1st author)
20 Conference papers (most 1st author)
2 books (2nd author, in Chinese)
1 invited book chapter
1 project proposal evaluator, 1 conference program committee member
5 invited talks, many journal reviewers
IEEE/ACM member
~80 citations

My university can only sponsor EB1-OR after working for 2 years. So want to try EB1-EA myself first. But am I qualified? I am afraid I have no strong awards and memberships. Someone told me computer science and NSF projects are not good background for NIW, is this true?

Thanks a lot for any suggestion!

 

[leroythelion]

PhD in Computer Science (2001)
Major: Supercomputing
Now working as a research staff in an US top 5 univ for an NSF project.

8 Journal papers (4 1st author)
20 Conference papers (most 1st author)
2 books (2nd author, in Chinese)
1 invited book chapter
1 project proposal evaluator, 1 conference program committee member
5 invited talks, many journal reviewers
IEEE/ACM member
~80 citations

My university can only sponsor EB1-OR after working for 2 years. So want to try EB1-EA myself first. But am I qualified? I am afraid I have no strong awards and memberships. Someone told me computer science and NSF projects are not good background for NIW, is this true?

Thanks a lot for any suggestion!

I think the applicability of your CS background to NIW will depend on what you are actually doing with your project. The fact that you work in a "non hard science" should not preclude you from NIW.

I think you have a chance at EA with a strong set of letters and a lot of details on what you actually do now. The critical roles you play in your current position must be strong enough to push you above the EA bar.

Brian

 

[Oberton]

USCIS Administrative Appeals Unit suggested that the following seven factors could be taken into consideration for NIW:

1. improving the U.S. economy
2. improving wages and working conditions of U.S. workers
3. improving education and training programs for U.S. children and under-qualified workers
4. improving health care
5. providing more affordable housing for young and/or older, poorer U.S. residents
6. improving the environment of the U.S. and making more productive use of natural resources
7. a request from an interested U.S. government agency or improving international cultural understanding


If the adjudicator can relate to and appreciate the importance of your work, the petition is more likely to be approved.