Got my approval for National Interest Waiver - here is how it worked
Filed I-140 electronically on March 14.
Approved April 16.
No lawyer used.
No requests for evidence.
Used a do it yourself kit for general guidance (greencardapply - paid about $80). Also looked at the bestchinesehelp website.
Cover letter - 19 pages with 2-3 figures and a decent amount of technical explanation (in laymans terms).
Exhibits - 100+
8 letters of support.
Ph. D. Electrical Engineering.
16 papers (10 first author).
Included citation records (and selected papers - have over 200 citations), and overall h-index statistics.
Reviewer for NSF and DOE.
I had to use a USPS flat rate medium box to mail this stuff (has to be there within 7 working days of electronic filing).
Stuff I discovered at the last moment - you need to punch the top of your documents at two places (IIRC) and tag the bottom (this is hidden as a desirable on USCIS website). I tagged it every 10 exhibits, and lots of people on other sites said it was important if you have a large submission (it is important not to piss them off).
I found enough law references to include them (to guide the reviewer). These include references to the NYSDOT case as well as various Senate bills.
Took me a week to write the letter (every night). Went through multiple edits and having just looked at it, it still contains multiple half sentences (where I did not finish the thought). Its personally embarrassing since I pride myself on the correctness of my prose. Still, it worked. Make sure you proof read it, and not in a rush - read it a few days after you stop writing.
I can provide the outline of the letter if anyone is interested. A lot of people here helped me during the preparation - so it is my way of saying thanks.
One thing - electronic filing takes you to Texas Service Center - which is known to be better from an RFP standpoint.
I am in the sixth year of my H-1B, so whew, a weight off my mind. Almost makes me wonder if I should have gone for the extraordinary ability classification. Still, I can at least now extend my H-1B status indefinitely.
Congratulations! Can you please post an outline of your cover letter. This will be very helpful. Thanks in advance,
congratulations. Hey I am writing my cover letter curently. The DIY package I am using does not refer anything to the laws. Can you please give me your cover letter outline. I would really appreciate it.
rendezra at yahoo.com
Filed I-140 electronically on March 14.
Approved April 16.
No lawyer used.
No requests for evidence.
Used a do it yourself kit for general guidance (greencardapply - paid about $80). Also looked at the bestchinesehelp website.
Cover letter - 19 pages with 2-3 figures and a decent amount of technical explanation (in laymans terms).
Exhibits - 100+
8 letters of support.
Ph. D. Electrical Engineering.
16 papers (10 first author).
Included citation records (and selected papers - have over 200 citations), and overall h-index statistics.
Reviewer for NSF and DOE.
I had to use a USPS flat rate medium box to mail this stuff (has to be there within 7 working days of electronic filing).
Stuff I discovered at the last moment - you need to punch the top of your documents at two places (IIRC) and tag the bottom (this is hidden as a desirable on USCIS website). I tagged it every 10 exhibits, and lots of people on other sites said it was important if you have a large submission (it is important not to piss them off).
I found enough law references to include them (to guide the reviewer). These include references to the NYSDOT case as well as various Senate bills.
Took me a week to write the letter (every night). Went through multiple edits and having just looked at it, it still contains multiple half sentences (where I did not finish the thought). Its personally embarrassing since I pride myself on the correctness of my prose. Still, it worked. Make sure you proof read it, and not in a rush - read it a few days after you stop writing.
I can provide the outline of the letter if anyone is interested. A lot of people here helped me during the preparation - so it is my way of saying thanks.
One thing - electronic filing takes you to Texas Service Center - which is known to be better from an RFP standpoint.
I am in the sixth year of my H-1B, so whew, a weight off my mind. Almost makes me wonder if I should have gone for the extraordinary ability classification. Still, I can at least now extend my H-1B status indefinitely.
Congratulations! It sounds to me that you have a fairly solid case for EB1-EA. If you are from India (which I assume to be the case based on your username), I think it is still a good idea for you to apply for EB1-EA, since the EB1 category is current in the visa bulletin for all countries, including India and China. By contrast EB2 (which is what youd have to use with NIW) has priority date Sept 2005 for India at the moment.