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Obtaining visas for exceptionally skilled professionals is a complex procedure that requires some patience. Davlat Kendjaev acquired firsthand experience in this when he was denied an EB-2 visa. Yet, he did not give up and achieved an even more impressive result by obtaining an EB-1 visa, considered one of the most difficult visa categories in the United States.
I studied in America and got my higher education there. Rather, after completing a two-year IT study program in Malaysia, at Asia Pacific University, I decided to continue my studies in another country in order to gain new experience. Among the various options, the United States stood out for its exceptional standards of education and promising post-school opportunities.
I enrolled in an IT program at Monroe College in New York. This private institution was cool because it was flexible and all about the students. A case in point was my last semester, when my stellar academic performance led to a rare chance to take on eight subjects. Typically, students enroll in four to six subjects per semester.
I really liked how positive they were towards students and people in America. After graduation, I applied for a work permit, which was achievable through a student visa. But before getting the green light to go ahead, I chose to head back to Uzbekistan due to the exciting job prospect. Several years later, I thought I'd swing back to the United States, armed with fresh experience.
Most likely, the liberty to act. In America, middle-income people can enjoy a relatively high standard of living. Despite the difficult economic situation around the world, there are excellent financial tools for business growth and opportunities for expanding entrepreneurship. Of course, there are such opportunities in other countries as well, but here I decided to try something new – to set things up for the next generation.
While studying, I was living in New York, first in New Rochelle and then moved to Brooklyn. However, when my wife and I arrived with the purpose of settling permanently, we discovered that New York did not appeal to us as much as we had hoped. Our discomfort came from how crowded the place was, comprising mostly immigrants, which resulted in the high crime rate.
So we decided to move to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where there is a large Uzbek community. This presence made it much easier for my wife to adjust. Furthermore, my sister, along with some friends already living in the area, provided invaluable support in the initial stage.
I am considering relocating to another state like Florida or Texas. However, I have been living in Philadelphia since August 2022 for almost two years now. I hold a permanent position and have promising prospects, and I am working on an IT project in augmented reality. The location of the project is flexible. Even though some states could have offered better conditions for this project, they would not have allowed me to work on multiple projects at the same time.
Initially, we came to the United States as tourists, thinking of checking out what it was like living there. What was planned as a short visit for a few months turned into a decision to stay and start preparing our immigration documents. In search of the most suitable path, we first applied for the EB-2 NIW before choosing the EB-1.
I lack experience in immigration matters, so attorneys' professional insight is crucial. If the lawyers had agreed that my chances of getting an EB-1 were minimal, I would not have insisted.
At first, heeding the guidance of the initial attorney, we applied for the EB-2 National Interest Waiver. My proposal concerned a business project related to augmented reality. It was not just a concept, but a fully operational project with a detailed business plan – a project that I'm still working on after the EB-1A approval. We are currently on the point of launching it.
While in Uzbekistan, I found my first attorney through social media and YouTube. I once met someone in the US who managed to get a green card on an EB-3 visa with the help of this attorney. But after my EB-2 NIW visa application got denied, I encountered another attorney at a business event. From the description of my situation, he was able to identify which lawyer I had previously worked with, precise the documents that had been submitted on my behalf, and point out the downsides of the initial approach. It turned out that my first attorney had not informed me of the urgent need to correct our legal status to avoid our work permits revocation, which would have left us in the country illegally. While immediate deportation was not a threat, this oversight seriously compromised our chances of obtaining new visas. Surprisingly, I discovered this important information quite by chance.
The situation became urgent when I got an RFE in my EB-1A visa case after being denied EB-2 NIW. Getting quick legal help has been quite a challenge, but turning to Relogate was a game-changer. They quickly appointed a new attorney who came up with a precise plan of action. Thanks to their experience, everything fell into place without problems and on time.
I was truly impressed with how quickly Relogate worked. In just a week, they collected 12 letters of recommendation. After a short hour and a half conversation with me, they conducted a thorough review of my entire professional profile on their own. The subsequent documents they produced were of the highest quality. According to my calculations, it would have taken me at least a month to compose such letters on my own, given my workload. No doubt that Relogate's services have really saved me a considerable investment of time and effort.
I figured the total cost would be about $20,000 at first. Yet, after calculating all expenses in both cases and the extra costs, the amount increased to about $30,000.
If done right from the very beginning, it would be possible to reduce the costs of legalization to about $10,000-$15,000 in addition to the costs of moving and living.
We filed EB-1A and EB-2 NIW applications at the same time. This decision was made to make sure we keep our legal status without any interruptions during processing. After our EB-2 visa was denied in November, we received a Request for Evidence (RFE) regarding the EB-1 petition.
On February 23, 2024, we replied to the RFE with our new attorney and Relogate. By March 20, the USCIS had approved our EB-1A petition. A formal endorsement letter came to us at the beginning of April, two weeks later. At this time, we are looking forward to being notified of the medical exam for the green card process.
Do not hesitate to apply for an EB-1A visa for people with exceptional abilities – it is within reach. The main thing is to have a thorough grasp of the process and criteria. Qualified legal assistance is crucial. It would be challenging to create such an extensive case alone.
To respond to the RFE in my EB-1A case, the attorney’s team worked together with Relogat experts, who made sure to have all the needed paperwork ready. The total volume of documents exceeded 1200 pages. Dealing with such a workload by yourself is definitely not easy.
For a smooth journey through the EB-1A immigration program, it's key to understand the accomplishments and paperwork that align with the qualifications. Seeking advice from trusted professionals is of top priority, as some attorneys might provide inaccurate information. So, relying on experts and effective teamwork are key elements for a successful EB-1A immigration journey to the United States.
Thinking about moving to the US on a visa for highly skilled specialists such as EB-1, EB-2 (NIW), or O-1? At Relogate, we increase your chances of success. Our experts are engaged in the preparation of documents – a comprehensive package covering thousands of pages. We offer top-notch immigration attorneys ready to craft a solid strategy for your case. Keep your American dream safe with Relogate's professional expertise. Reach out to us today!
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