Form I-140 Petitions for Outstanding Professors and Researchers (EB1-2)
Foreign Nationals who seek to acquire the classification of outstanding professor or researcher must file an Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (Form I-140) with the documentation required to meet the criteria of this category. This petition must be submitted to USCIS by FSS to establish that the foreign national is qualified for this employment-based category by presenting evidence that the three criteria above are met.
The required items for Form I-140 petitions which provide evidence of the qualifications for the outstanding professor/researcher category are posted below.
Evidence
The foreign national is responsible for assembling these exhibits:
- Honors and Awards
Submit photocopies only - Membership in Professional Associations
Submit photocopies of membership certificates or invitational letters from associations that require outstanding achievement for membership. - Evidence of Published Material Written by Others about the Beneficiary’s Work
Submit, where applicable, photocopies of the articles citing to the individual's published work or presentation; and highlight the individual's name wherever it appears in the citing article. In some cases it is impractical to photocopy every such citing article; the individual should try to be selective and present at least twenty articles. Additionally, please submit the citation for the individual's work.
and/or - Evidence of Professional Presentations
Submit list of presentations, including date and place, and photocopies of invitations, lists of speakers or other evidence of presentation. Where feasible, present primary evidence such presentation, for example, a copy of the brochure, or a webpage from the organizers of the presentation that evidences the individual's participation. - Evidence of Judging the Work of Others
Submit photocopies of editor’s letters inviting the individual to referee publications, thank you letters for performing these services ( thank you letters are preferred ) , evidence of supervision of Ph. D. student, etc. - Evidence of Original Scientific or Scholarly Research Contributions
Submit letters from professionals in the field that provide an explanation of how the individual’s work is original and/or significant - Evidence of Authorship of Scholarly Articles
Submit a list of publications and the abstracts of at least five selected publications particularly those where the individual’s name is listed as the primary or secondary author. Please highlight the applicable individual’s name.
Letters of Recommendation
The individual should obtain several letters of recommendation from recognized experts in his or her academic field. The letters should evidence the individual’s three years of experience after the terminal degree and all original scientific and/or scholarly research contributions.
At least two letters from a reputable researcher who resides abroad (to support the international reputation criterion) should be included in the petition. Letters may be written by UF faculty, however; these letters will serve as supplemental evidence to the core evidence provided in letters submitted by experts who are not employed at UF.
Letters should be addressed to: Service Center Director, USCIS Texas Service Center, 4141 St. Augustine Road, Dallas, TX 75227.
The content of the letter should include:
- description of letter writer’s expertise and reputation; and some discussion of the importance of the individual's work ,
- description of how letter writer knows the individual, and
- description of the foreign national’s original scientific or scholarly research contributions to the field, which must include information about how the research is internationally significant and recognized as outstanding internationally. The description should also provide statements that explain why the contributions are original, unique, exceptional and innovative.
Note: Curriculum vitas of the individuals of who are writing the recommendation letters must be submitted with the letters of recommendation.
Letter(s) Verifying Three Years of Experience
If any of the individual’s required three years of experience in the applicable field was acquired previous to his or her employment period at UF, letter(s) must be obtained from the appropriate former employer(s). Experience verification letters should be printed on company letterhead and addressed to USCIS Texas Service Center, Mesquite, TX 75185 and the salutation should read: Dear Service Center Director. The content of the letters should include:
- Position held by the foreign national,
- Description of duties and responsibilities associated with the position
- Exact dates of Employment (MM/DD/YYYY)
Professional Biography of the Foreign National
A short professional biography, usually two pages in length should be submitted to FSS before the Form I-140 case is compiled. An electronic version of this document should be sent via email to the Faculty and Scholar Services Coordinator in the International Center.
Administrative Documents
The sponsoring department/center is responsible for assembling these exhibits:
- Coversheet
- Form I-140
- Offer of Employment Letter
A letter that is issued by a UF department or center offering a tenure-track teaching position, a permanent research or professional position (See section about Letters of Offer for terminology that must appear in offer letters), - Verification of Educational Qualifications (diploma or transcript)
If the diploma is written in a foreign language, a translation is required; signed by the translator with a statement that addresses his or her competency to translate the document, and the completeness and accuracy of the translation - Curriculum Vitae (current)
- Verification of Number of Years of Experience Letter
- Department/Center’s Intent to Continue to Employ Letter
- Confirmation of Three Full Time Researchers in Department/Center Letter (required only if filing under Outstanding Researcher category)
Statement must confirm that the department or center employs at least three persons in full-time research positions, and that the department or center has achieved documented accomplishments in the applicable academic field.