Indian applying for 2 year waiver - Preliminary questions

indian-waiver

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Hi all,

I am just getting started with my waiver application so any guidance is very much appreciated. For now I have some specific questions. I did look through all the threads to see if they've been addressed already. Thank you for any insights.

I'm an Indian citizen currently living in Israel, but my parents in Delhi are handling the paperwork.

Some preliminary questions:

1. My first passport was issued in India, but my second in the US, in San Francisco. Where should I send the third copy of the NORI? To the consulate in San Francisco or to the Passport office in New Delhi?

2. What should I list as my current address in the NORI form? My address in Israel? The truthful option appeals most to me, but I am worried it may complicate things. The other option is to list my parents address since I am doing all the paperwork from that address. I have the feeling that this makes some difference to the police verification that happens.

I am planning to visit the Indian embassy here in Tel Aviv to see if they have any insight.

Below, I've also attached my background for reference. Many thanks!

I am an Indian citizen and was in the US as follows (rough dates):

August 2001 - 2008: on an F1 and the last year on an EAD, while I did my PhD and one year of postdoc. Phd in Computer Science and Math related area. Postdoc in a department of Statistics.

August 2008 - June 2009: on a J1. Continued my postdoc in the Statistics department.

In September I moved to Israel to do a postdoc for one more year. Now I am considering moving back to the US and my employer is willing to sponsor an H1. And it seems I need to apply for the waiver. (More background: my boyfriend and I are trying to move together to the US, he is on a Green Card. We have some hazy notion that at some point we will get married and this will in the long run make things easier, but for now, it seems I am on my own trying to coordinate so we can move together.)

You might wonder: why didn't I already start the waiver process 6 months ago!!!!????

So, the side story is that when I changed from F1 to J1, I was in the US. Then I traveled outside to Israel, and needed to get my J1 in my passport in Tel Aviv. Tel Aviv stamped me "2 year rule does not apply" and (stupid me!) I took this to mean it proof that I did not need to apply for the waiver. Unfortunately, I should have double checked. My prospective employers claim that I still need the waiver because the consulates can make mistakes like this. :mad:
 
indian-waiver, I am in a similar situation as you, and have some of the same questions (but no answers yet). Have you looked at an O-1 visa instead of the H1-B, which does not require a waiver?
 
ankzap,

Good to know that I am not alone (though I wouldn't wish this on anybody! :( ).

What I heard about the O-1 is that you have to have "extraordinary recognition or ability in your field", and I don't feel that I have a good shot at applying for it - or of my university supporting me. But its a good suggestion, and I will look into it more thoroughly.

Keep in touch about your situation.

Best,
indian-waiver
 
One update:

I emailed the consulate in San Francisco about which passport office I need to send the 3rd form to. They say New Delhi Passport office. Transcript below.


Dear Sir,
You have to send your application to RPO Delhi, with the copies of your old and new passport.
Thanks
Misc

----- Original Message -----
From: XXXXXXX
To: Miscellaneous Services
- Hide quoted text -
Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2010 4:40 PM
Subject: Re: NORI

Hello,

Thank you for all your responses earlier. I have a question regarding one part of my NORI attestation.

My current passport was issued by the CG in San Francisco. My previous (first) passport was issued in New Delhi. Where should I send my NORI form - to the Passport office in New Delhi or to the CG in San Francisco?

Thank you very much for your time,
Dr. XXXXXX YYYYYY
 
ankzap,

Good to know that I am not alone (though I wouldn't wish this on anybody! :( ).

What I heard about the O-1 is that you have to have "extraordinary recognition or ability in your field", and I don't feel that I have a good shot at applying for it - or of my university supporting me. But its a good suggestion, and I will look into it more thoroughly.

Keep in touch about your situation.

Best,
indian-waiver

From what I have heard, the O-1 is not that hard. If you have a few publications with citations, have given talks at conferences, and can get some good recommendations, you should be able to get it. It is also cheaper to apply than the H1-B (though it requires a lot more paperwork on your part).

I finally spoke with someone at the new york consulate today. They recommended following the instructions on the new york site, and ignoring everything else. So that means the fee is $60, and no need for the misc services form. I am sending out my documents to the new york consulate today. My visa expires in about 2 months, so I can't afford to waste any more time!

Also, I just sent you a PM.
 
ankzap,
Just curious if you chose to get the O-1 visa. And was it a success?!

If yes, what kind of qualifications one should have. How many publications, citations, talks, awards etc? And how many references one should get.
I haven't done any research on the procedure yet. But I may have to consider the option of O-1 in future.
Thanks.
 
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