Any experiences expediting a K-1 visa at the request of a non-profit?

[K-9 Visa 11]

Today I used Ask Emma to make an expedite request. We're scheduled for a response in eleven days. What should I expect? I have a letter from a non-profit urgently requesting my beautiful fiancee's services. When will the USCIS let me upload the letter?

 

My fiancee is an optometrist with training and experience in low vision. There's a non-profit nearby that is a leader in low vision. They've helped 100,000 patients but they need a Spanish-speaking optometrist for outreach to Spanish-speaking communities. My fiancee is ideally qualified as she's trained in Community Medicine and completed a three year mission in Venezuela, where she provided vision services to all income categories. It's urgent because low vision is caused by progressive diseases. Early diagnosis and treatment can slow the diseases. If I had a progressive eye disease I would consider seeing an optometrist as urgent.

[Lemonslice 4,557]

Best of luck.  K1 are not authorized to work though, so they might need to seek the assistance of someone else for now. 

[K-9 Visa 11]

12 minutes ago, Lemonslice said:

Best of luck.  K1 are not authorized to work though, so they might need to seek the assistance of someone else for now. 

It's a nonprofit. They accept volunteer work.

[Boiler 43,451]

22 minutes ago, K-9 Visa said:

It's a nonprofit. They accept volunteer work.

She needs EAD to volunteer

 

Why do they not sponsor her?

[Ontarkie 13,918]

51 minutes ago, K-9 Visa said:

Today I used Ask Emma to make an expedite request. We're scheduled for a response in eleven days. What should I expect? I have a letter from a non-profit urgently requesting my beautiful fiancee's services. When will the USCIS let me upload the letter?

 

My fiancee is an optometrist with training and experience in low vision. There's a non-profit nearby that is a leader in low vision. They've helped 100,000 patients but they need a Spanish-speaking optometrist for outreach to Spanish-speaking communities. My fiancee is ideally qualified as she's trained in Community Medicine and completed a three year mission in Venezuela, where she provided vision services to all income categories. It's urgent because low vision is caused by progressive diseases. Early diagnosis and treatment can slow the diseases. If I had a progressive eye disease I would consider seeing an optometrist as urgent.

Expedites are usually granted only for the USC petitioner's emergencies. Try but be prepared for a no. 

She cannot volunteer at any place which would normally pay for that position. It cannot be a position that will turn to a paid position later either. She cannot work without and EAD. 

 

Have you looked into what she would need for licensing in the US? It may not be something that transfers just like that to the US.

[SalishSea 16,776]

1 hour ago, K-9 Visa said:

Today I used Ask Emma to make an expedite request. We're scheduled for a response in eleven days. What should I expect? I have a letter from a non-profit urgently requesting my beautiful fiancee's services. When will the USCIS let me upload the letter?

 

My fiancee is an optometrist with training and experience in low vision. There's a non-profit nearby that is a leader in low vision. They've helped 100,000 patients but they need a Spanish-speaking optometrist for outreach to Spanish-speaking communities. My fiancee is ideally qualified as she's trained in Community Medicine and completed a three year mission in Venezuela, where she provided vision services to all income categories. It's urgent because low vision is caused by progressive diseases. Early diagnosis and treatment can slow the diseases. If I had a progressive eye disease I would consider seeing an optometrist as urgent.

She will not get an expedite to volunteer at a nonprofit, which will not be allowed under the K-1 anyway.

 

Have you researched what comes after arrival with the K-1?   The AOS/EAS/AP process?   It is lengthy.   She will not be able to work or travel for many months.

[Boiler 43,451]

Begs the question why you are going K1, and not just Parole in. Then seek an EAD expedite.

[K-9 Visa 11]

7 minutes ago, Jorgedig said:

She will not get an expedite to volunteer at a nonprofit, which will not be allowed under the K-1 anyway.

 

Have you researched what comes after arrival with the K-1?   The AOS/EAS/AP process?   It is lengthy.   She will not be able to work or travel for many months.

That makes no sense. 8 CFR Volume 1 Part A Chapter 5 paragraph 5 says nothing about AOS or EAS or AP or XYZ. The paragraph says "urgently needed" and "vital interests" of the United States. Examples include a COVID-19 researcher. There's no way the USCIS would have stopped a COVID-19 researcher from developing a vaccine in early 2020 because they didn't have working papers. 

 

[K-9 Visa 11]

1 minute ago, Boiler said:

Begs the question why you are going K1, and not just Parole in. Then seek an EAD expedite.

I've never heard of "Parole in." "Parole" isn't in the index of Ilona Bray's book.

[Boiler 43,451]

4 minutes ago, K-9 Visa said:

I've never heard of "Parole in." "Parole" isn't in the index of Ilona Bray's book.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/01/09/2023-00252/implementation-of-a-parole-process-for-cubans

[SalishSea 16,776]

43 minutes ago, K-9 Visa said:

That makes no sense. 8 CFR Volume 1 Part A Chapter 5 paragraph 5 says nothing about AOS or EAS or AP or XYZ. The paragraph says "urgently needed" and "vital interests" of the United States. Examples include a COVID-19 researcher. There's no way the USCIS would have stopped a COVID-19 researcher from developing a vaccine in early 2020 because they didn't have working papers. 

 

That is hardly a fair comparison.

 

Anyone is free to ask for an expedite, so go for it.  Seasoned VJ members are telling you that expedites have certain criteria, and volunteering for a nonprofit, while important and honorable, is not one of them.  But again, you'll never know until you ask.

 

CR-1 would have been a much better choice, as it takes the same time overall with no wait for a green card.

 

 

[Loren Y 2,732]

55 minutes ago, K-9 Visa said:

There's no way the USCIS would have stopped a COVID-19 researcher from developing a vaccine in early 2020 because they didn't have working papers. 

Anyone smart enough to develop a covid vaccine in early 2020 would also be smart enough to stay out of the US, and just sell the formula to the highest bidder and moved on.

[nastra30 1,987]

9 hours ago, K-9 Visa said:

There's no way the USCIS would have stopped a COVID-19 researcher from developing a vaccine in early 2020 because they didn't have working papers. 

 

How would US allow someone to work on covid related research inside the US without papers? Makes no sense. 

You've made up your mind so go ahead and request the expedite. There's no harm in trying actually. All they can say is no. I have seen expedite granted for unexceptional reasons so go ahead and try your luck but be prepared for a no.

[Crazy Cat 39,278]

9 hours ago, K-9 Visa said:

That makes no sense. 8 CFR Volume 1 Part A Chapter 5 paragraph 5 says nothing about AOS or EAS or AP or XYZ. The paragraph says "urgently needed" and "vital interests" of the United States. Examples include a COVID-19 researcher. There's no way the USCIS would have stopped a COVID-19 researcher from developing a vaccine in early 2020 because they didn't have working papers. 

 

Apples and Oranges. But, you are free to try.  Good luck.

Edited January 14, 2023 by Crazy Cat

[K-9 Visa 11]

9 hours ago, Boiler said:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/01/09/2023-00252/implementation-of-a-parole-process-for-cubans

Thanks, I heard this message when I called the USCIS yesterday for the expedite request (you can't get an expedite request by phone but Ask Emma worked). I found this press release: https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/dhs-implements-new-processes-for-cubans-haitians-and-nicaraguans-and-eliminates-cap-for-venezuelans

 

My question is, can I apply for Parole when I have a K-1 pending? The press release says,

 

Quote

DHS strongly encourages Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans seeking entry in the U.S. who do not have and are not eligible for a visa to instead seek entry via this process...

That doesn't say that you can't apply for Parole if you have another visa pending. I'll try to file I-134A today and see if it asks about pending visas.