Outstanding Professor/ Researcher Checklist

The following must be submitted to file for the Outstanding Professor/Researcher Petition.

Documents

Evidence of at least three years of experience in teaching and/or research in the field (post Ph.D.)

Clear documentary evidence. For example: a letter from a previous employer, an employment agreement, or a letter from one's current department. 

Evidence of original contributions to the field

Usually the best evidence of this is letters from people involved in the field - there is no required number of letters and quality is more important than quantity, so consider as few as 5 or as many as 8. Letters should:

  • Be written by people not closely associated with you who are considered particularly objective by the immigration service
  • Be written by people in other countries and U.S. regions can be very helpful
  • Include any other items that might help establish your contributions, like patents, or other kinds of recognition of original work

Evidence of Publications

  • Submit either an abstract of each publication (listing name, date, title, name of publication) or the entire publication (no books, please)
  • Include: articles, chapters, conference presentations, evidence of speaking engagements, etc.

Publications Written by Others About the Scholar's Work

  • Major print or online publications regarding the beneficiary and the beneficiary’s work 
  • Articles that cite the beneficiary's work as one of multiple footnotes or endnotes are not generally about the beneficiary's work

Evidence of One's Review, Evaluation or Comment on the Work of Others in the Field

  • Letters of acknowledgment or e-mail messages confirming that you have reviewed articles, sessions, presentations, etc. submitted for publication (served as a referee)
  • Participation on panels (including conferences) or other reviewing groups
  • Participation in grant proposal reviews
  • Participation in reviewing/judging dissertations

Evidence of the Ways in which one's Work has been used

Including grant-funding awards (any amount), requests for reprints, "thank you" notes, etc.

Prizes and Awards Received

International and other.

Membership in Associations requiring Achievement to be Admitted

Do not include evidence of membership in associations that are open to all members of the profession.

Copy of C.V./Resume

Current, detailed.

Copy of Diplomas/Degrees

Translated if necessary. Include copy of transcript (translated) if highest degree is not in one's current field.

Copies of Current Immigration Documents

  • Passport identity/biographical information page(s)
  • Most recent visa page of the passport
  • Most recent I-94 arrival/departure record, front and back
  • USCIS I-797 Approval Notices granting H-1B status