Suzanne B. Seltzer, Esq. Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP New York Philadelphia
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Transcript of Suzanne B. Seltzer, Esq. Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP New York Philadelphia
Suzanne B. Seltzer, Esq. Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
New York Philadelphia317 Madison Avenue, Suite 1518 1800 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Floor 17 New York, NY 10017 Philadelphia, PA 19103212.796.8840 215.825.8600
[email protected] www.klaskolaw.com
Immigration Opportunities Immigration Opportunities forfor Clinicians and Researchers Clinicians and Researchers
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Suzanne B. Seltzer, Esq.
Suzanne B. Seltzer is a partner of Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer LLP. Ms. Seltzer is the Chair of the American Immigration Lawyer's Association (AILA) USCIS Benefits & Policy Liaison Committee, is a member of AILA’s InterAgency Liaison Committee, and recently completed her tenure as the Vermont Service Center (VSC) liaison and as a NAFSA Regulatory Ombudsman. Ms. Seltzer speaks and writes extensively on visa options for scientists and researchers.
She is listed in Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA, New York SuperLawyers, and the International Who's Who of Corporate Immigration Lawyers.
A magna cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Ms. Seltzer received her law degree from Georgetown University’s Law Center (cum laude).
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Immigration Opportunities
Part I: J-1 Waivers & Options Understanding J-1 two year rule
Who is Subject What Does it Mean to be Subject Options if Subject
J-1 Waivers Research based Clinical based
The O-1 Visa as a bridge to a waiver
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
J-1 Visa
Who is subject to 2-year return?Exchange Visitor Skills List
Right Skill? Right List?
Government Funding U.S. or Home Country Direct or Indirect
Graduate Medical Training
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
What Does it Mean to be Subject?
Ineligible for Certain Visas H-1B L-1 K
Ineligible to apply for final step of Green Card I-485 IV Consular Processing But may commence initial steps…
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
If Subject, are there Options?
Return home Where is home? Aggregating trips
Apply for a Waiver Obtain an O-1 Visa
Requires an employer willing to sponsor Must Demonstrate “Outstanding” in field Does not ‘waive’ the two years, just puts it off for awhile
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
J-1 Waiver Options
Waiver options HardshipPersecutionNo objection waiver (researchers
only)
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
J-1 Waiver Options: Research
Federal government agency waiver based on essentiality to research:National Science FoundationDepartment of EnergyHealth & Human Services U.S. Dep’t of Veteran’s Affairs
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
J-1 Waiver Options: Clinical
Federal government agency waiver based on clinical service:Appalachian Regional CommissionDelta Regional Authority waiverHealth & Human ServicesDepartment of Veteran’s AffairsConrad State 30 waiver
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
J-1 Waiver Options: Clinical
Clinical WaiversRequires at least 3 Year Commitment3 Year Obligation Must be fulfilled in H-1B status If 3 year commitment is extended to 5 years,
may be a pathway to the green card
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
O-1 Alien of Extraordinary Ability
Factors Considered in Initial Evaluation1st authored articles / impact factorsCitations to 1st authored workConference presentationsBook chapters / review articlesPeer reviewer / manuscript reviewer
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
O-1 (cont’d)
What’s Included in the Petition Reference letters
Independent referees Addressing O-1 criteria
Corroborating Documentation
Processing time / issues Length of approval Extensions
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Immigration Opportunities
Part II: Pathways toPermanent Residency
What is Permanent Residency Permanent Residency Quotas Employment Based Permanent Residency
Self Petitions Employer Sponsored
Adjustment of Status and Maintenance of statusFor more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
What is Permanent Residency?
Authorization to Live & Work Indefinitely in the United States
“Immigrant Visa” The “Green Card” or “Form I-551” Not always ‘forever’ – may be abandoned or
taken away
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Immigrant vs. Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigrant VisaGreen Card / Permanent Residency
Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV)H, F, J, O, etcLimited durationSpecific to employer / institutionSpecific to purpose (work/study/tourism)
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
How Do I Apply?
Family Investment Asylum Employment DV Lottery
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Permanent Residency Quotas
Annual Limit on Permanent Residency Per Country Limit – 7% Allocated by:
Priority Date – place in line Preference Category
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Permanent Residency Quotas
Employment Based PreferencesFirst Preference (EB-1)
Extraordinary Ability, Outstanding Researcher, Multinational Executive
Second Preference (EB-2) Nat’l Interest Waivers, Advanced Degreed Professionals,
Bachelors plus 5 years exp.Third Preference (EB-3)
Skilled Worker (2+ years experience), Bachelor’s Degree
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Permanent Residency Quotas, Where Are We Now?
Vis
a B
ulle
tin fo
r F
ebru
ary
2012
EmploymentBased
All Charge-ability Areas Except Those
Listed
CHINA- mainland born
INDIA MEXICO PHILIPPINES
1st C C C C C
2nd C 01JAN10 01JAN10 C C
3rd 22FEB06 01DEC04 15AUG02 22FEB06 22FEB06
Other Workers* 22FEB06 22APR03 15AUG02 22FEB06 22FEB06
4th C C C C C
Certain Religious Workers
C C C C C
5th Targeted Employment
Areas/Regional
Centers and Pilot
Programs
C C C C C
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Permanent Residency Quotas,Where Are We Now?
“Oversubscribed” versus “Available”Available if:
Visa Bulletin indicates “C” = current Priority date earlier than posted date
Predictions from State Department for FY2012 EB-1 approvals are down almost 50% This will advance EB-2 in China or India China EB-3 will advance a little; India EB-3 not at all
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Employment Based (EB) Permanent Residency
Employer-sponsored or self-sponsored Labor certification or extraordinary / national
interest / exceptional Multiple petitions Multi-Step Process Non-Immigrant Status?
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Employment Based (EB) Permanent Residency: EB-1
Extraordinary Ability/EB-1 (I-140, filing fee $580) “One of a Few at the Top” ‘Self-Petition’ – no need for employer sponsor Factors Considered in Initial Evaluation
1st authored articles/impact factors Citations to 1st authored work Conference Presentations Peer Review/Manuscript Review Work References from independent Experts Documenting Regulatory Criteria
Preparation/Processing TimesFor more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Employment Based: EB-1
Outstanding Researcher/EB-1 (I-140, filing fee $580) Similar to Extraordinary Ability Requires employer sponsor At least 3 Years experience Permanent job offer Qualified Employers:
Academic Institutions Industry
At least 3 FT researchers Recognition in field
(cont’d)
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
New EB-1 Guidance (Kazarian)
Issued December 2010
Establishes Two-Part Analysis of EB-1 Does Petition Contain Evidence of Requisite Number of
Criteria?
‘Final Merits Analysis’ – does evidence demonstrate that beneficiary is one of a very few at the top of the field?
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
New EB-1 Guidance
Implications of Two Part Analysis
‘Final merits analysis’ is an opportunity to second guess the criteria – more subjective adjudication
USCIS provides no clear guidelines for applying final merits analysis
Confusion among adjudicators as to the correct standards to apply
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
(cont’d)
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Employment Based: EB-2
National Interest Waiver/EB-2 (I-140, filing fee $580)
Self-Petition, no employer sponsor required Three Prong Test
Field is of Substantial Intrinsic Merit National Impact of Your Contributions You Are “Substantially Better” Than Your Peers
Preparation/Processing Times India/China backlog
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Employment Based: Employer Sponsored
Labor Certification Application (PERM) Employer MUST Pay Costs Recruitment Prevailing wage First of 3 steps
2nd Step – I-140 3rd Step – I-485 or IV Consular Process
No filing fee for this step
(cont’d)
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Permanent Resident StatusAdjustment of Status (I-485)
Timing Preference categories/quotas Priority dates Processing times
Concurrent filing (I-140/I-485) I-485 filing fee $1070, includes:
Employment authorization (I-765) Advance parole (I-131)
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Permanent Resident StatusAdjustment of Status (I-485)
Adjustment portability H-1B Extensions
One Year Three years
Spouses
(cont’d)
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Issues Relating to NIV Status During Permanent Residency Process
Important to Maintain NIV status Travel Extensions of Status Dependents Eligibility for OPT
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
Materials
Please visit www.klaskolaw.com to download this PowerPoint presentation and relevant articles.
For more information, visit www.klaskolaw.com
Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
For Further Information
Suzanne B. Seltzer, Esq.Klasko, Rulon, Stock & Seltzer, LLP
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: 212-796-8840 (New York)
215-825-8600 (Philadelphia)
Websites: www.klaskolaw.comwww.eb1immigration.com
Blog: http://blog.klaskolaw.com