National Interest Waiver - Help Needed

[Daniel Vas 1]

Hi Everyone!

My name is Daniel and I currently live in Hungary, however, I also lived abroad in Switzerland.

I have been in talks with an immigration lawyer who reviewed my CV and work experience (I work in cyber security and hold a senior management position for a US-based startup company in operation since 2017, but worked for big4 companies mostly) and recommended the EB-2 I-140 Petition National Interest Waiver. Since we started our 'journey' I got an official evaluation( from Silvergate Evaluations) for a BA degree from a NY-based university based on my work experience as my degree is not at the field of my work (BA in English Linguistics and Literature). And this is where I am stuck now. The immigration lawyer disappeared, since the end of November she only answer once for an email I sent her. We were due to sign the contract to start the VISA process, however, she has not answer any of my mails, calls and I would like to start this process as soon as possible. 

 

Is there anyone that you would wholeheartedly recommend to help me with the VISA process? At this point I even question the validity of the VISA type I needed. Thank you very much! 

 

Daniel

[milimelo 4,475]

Sounds like your lawyer ghosted you. So you're a Hungarian? Look into DV lottery come October/November. 

Otherwise, employment route if you have the years of experience. Unclear if you've pursued actual BA/MA/certificate in cybersecurity - if you haven't, perhaps look into doing that to strengthen your application. 

Here's the USCIS manual update on NIW: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-updates-guidance-on-national-interest-waivers

 

paging @jan22

 

https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-updates-guidance-on-national-interest-waivers

[OldUser 6,604]

Hi @Daniel Vas your case does not seem to qualify for National Interest Waiver.

If your introduction was "Hi my name is Daniel and I am a PhD in Computer Science and a Turing Award winner with 20 years of experience in the field" then maybe it was qualifying.

 

Your route is either DV lottery or H1B.

 

Good luck!

 

 

 

[Daniel Vas 1]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I am Hungarian.

 

I don't have a degree in Cybersecurity, however, based on the recommendation from the lawyer I requested an official work and academic evaluation. They are able to provide an evaluation that my work experience holds up to a BA  degree in Cyber.

[OldUser 6,604]

23 minutes ago, Daniel Vas said:

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I am Hungarian.

 

I don't have a degree in Cybersecurity, however, based on the recommendation from the lawyer I requested an official work and academic evaluation. They are able to provide an evaluation that my work experience holds up to a BA  degree in Cyber.

Let me repeat that, I do not believe you qualify for National Interest Waiver.

 

Not all people with Masters Degrees and PhD qualify for it.

 

You have to have something exceptional in your case + you better have recommendation letters from top Cyber security experts in the US asking US government to help you.

 

Don't waste your time, search for employer who can sponsor you for H1B and play the free DV lottery.

Edited January 23, 2023 by OldUser

[Boiler 45,443]

https://www.wegreened.com/Clients-NIW-National-Interest-Waiver-EB1-Attorney-Lawyer

 

Money back guarantee

[randomstairs 303]

For the NIW you need at least a Masters degree, but practically speaking a PhD would be a minimum educational credential. You also need a decent publication record (for sciences), or equivalent for other fields (books, media coverage, etc). One thing you do NOT need is an employer, as the NIW is self-sponsored.

 

So, have you published in the field of cybersecurity? Is the industry benefiting from your creative work, and can you document that? If so, you can try https://www.wegreened.com/Clients-NIW-National-Interest-Waiver-EB1-Attorney-Lawyer (as recommended by Boiler, above, and myself). Incidentally, I hired the same law firm for my NIW and they ARE good.  

 

But, my guess, based on your post, is that H1B or L-1 would be more appropriate avenues for you at this point, especially if you have an employer willing to sponsor you. 

 

 

[Daniel Vas 1]

I do not have official publications, I do have numerous blog publications through our company website and video podcasts talking about cybersecurity with industry peers. 

 

If I understand right, L-1 is for intercompany transfers, however, the company only have a US-based office. I currently work for them as a contractor based out of Hungary. 

 

For H1B does the company need to hold a permanent sponsorship licence or they can sponsor me on an ad-hoc basis paying for the sponsorship fees?

[OldUser 6,604]

7 hours ago, Daniel Vas said:

For H1B does the company need to hold a permanent sponsorship licence or they can sponsor me on an ad-hoc basis paying for the sponsorship fees?

My advice: find a company who has experience filing H1B and does it regularly. It's not the simplest process in the world, and I would not want my application to be screwed because the company doesn't know what they're doing.

Edited January 25, 2023 by OldUser

[OldUser 6,604]

7 hours ago, Daniel Vas said:

I do not have official publications, I do have numerous blog publications through our company website and video podcasts talking about cybersecurity with industry peers. 

This won't fly for NIW almost certainly.

[SalishSea 17,801]

22 hours ago, Daniel Vas said:

I do not have official publications, I do have numerous blog publications through our company website and video podcasts talking about cybersecurity with industry peers. 

 

If I understand right, L-1 is for intercompany transfers, however, the company only have a US-based office. I currently work for them as a contractor based out of Hungary. 

 

For H1B does the company need to hold a permanent sponsorship licence or they can sponsor me on an ad-hoc basis paying for the sponsorship fees?

You do not equality for the NIW.  Best bet is to look to being petitioned by the employer.