Tips for getting a National Interest green card by myself? – TechCrunch

Right here’s one other version of “Expensive Sophie,” the recommendation column that solutions immigration-related questions on working at know-how firms.

“Your questions are important to the unfold of data that permits individuals everywhere in the world to rise above borders and pursue their goals,” says Sophie Alcorn, a Silicon Valley immigration legal professional. “Whether or not you’re in individuals ops, a founder or looking for a job in Silicon Valley, I might like to answer your questions in my subsequent column.”

Additional Crunch members obtain entry to weekly “Expensive Sophie” columns; use promo code ALCORN to purchase a one- or two-year subscription for 50% off.

Expensive Sophie:

I’m working within the Bay Space on an H-1B visa and my employer received’t sponsor my inexperienced card.

I really need everlasting residence, however I by no means received a Nobel prize; I’m single; and I don’t have 1,000,000 {dollars} but. Nevertheless, I believe I’d qualify for an EB-2 NIW inexperienced card.

What are you able to share?

— Nationwide in Napa

Expensive Nationwide:

Fantastic that you just’re taking issues into your personal palms! This can be a sophisticated course of, so a very powerful recommendation I can provide you is to retain an skilled enterprise immigration legal professional to symbolize you and put together and file your inexperienced card case.

For extra do’s and don’ts in U.S. immigration, please take a look at the latest podcast that my regulation agency companion, Anita Koumriqian, and I posted on the commandments of immigration (and especially what to not do when it comes to visas and green cards).

This specific episode focuses on family-based inexperienced playing cards, however these suggestions are timeless and apply to people who’re self-petitioning for employment-based inexperienced playing cards, such because the EB-2 NIW (Nationwide Curiosity Waiver) for distinctive means and the EB-1A for extraordinary means. Our high suggestion in that podcast episode is to keep away from DIY immigration, so undoubtedly retain authorized counsel!

Submitting for an EB-2 NIW or any inexperienced card requires extra than simply filling out the suitable kinds. The method must be understood, because the regulation and authorized necessities, and the evaluation of whether or not and how one can finest qualify is sophisticated.

With any immigration matter, one must have the assets to totally perceive the method, the steps for making use of, and the timing and deadlines. We wish to all the time just remember to all the time keep authorized standing (by no means falling out of standing) so as to stay within the U.S. (and don’t have to go away).