About Oleg Khokhlov Expertise I`ll be glad to answer your questions about basics of
russian legislation and organization of State. You can
ask specific questions about problems with entry to
Russia,trade regulations,customs formalities,investment`s
protection.
Experience I have 3-year practice of legal consulting for
private investors and traders from USA,Austra-
lia and countries of European Union.
Other legal experience includes citizenship problems, international family law,civil trials.
Education/Credentials USIA Fellowship
George Soros Fund Fellowship
Question -------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Dear Oleg,
Years ago I worked as a patent engineer with semiconductors factory in former USSR, which stopped to exist for a long time. It designed and produced electronic devices for the defense, used in various control systems of medium range missiles, and I indicated this in my petition for immigrant visa for engineers who worked on defense projects. Now I am requested to submit an evidence of my experience in such applications (missiles) as well as exceptional(!) ability.
I thought that indication of my position from trudovaja knishka with the company (most definitely listed) would be sufficient, and really don't know how to prove it, as topics and assignments were of closed thematic and all data in bulletins were only stated with numbers. Also I have no access to that information since I no longer have such a clearance. I do have a letter from a former colleague from Moscow Institute of Patent Expertise, but evidently it does not count.
Could you advice me what can I do in this situation? Thank you very much! Lyudmila
Answer -
Dear Lyudmila,
Could you please clarify the following:
1. Are you applying for US immigrant visa based on your exceptional knowledge and skills? What are the basic requirements of your type of visa?
2. What is your current status?
Generally, it is quite difficult to prove anything, because of the nature of work you were doing.
I would try to find any officials from your factory even if they now retired etc - chief engineer, general director etc.
However, be careful with any information disclosure in such recommendation/evidence letters, because it may contain state secrets, that are still protected now.
Letter from your former colleague can be used as well - something is better than nothing.
Kind regards,
Oleg.
Dear Oleg,
Thank you very much for your suggestion to locate my former colleagues. They woun't be able to state where new production was used, because when we get an assignment, say, for system control, one may not state in writing, that it will be used, say, in missiles, although we had a very good idea about that. However, specialists in Moskow' In-t of Patent Expertise new much more, and I do have a letter from such a specialist, as I already indicated.
It apparently did not count.
The problem, as it appears, that the State Dept. (it makes evaluation for the CIS in cases like my) apparently does not consider a factory's patent engineer as a specialist of a star caliber, and so he/she cannot be of exceptional ability as his other team's engineers on the projects.
Some time ago, you may remember,I asked you how I may prove that patent engineer is no clerk. (That's how they evaluated my position). I did request and submit on your advise dolzhnostnaia instruktsia, I was thankful for your very lucky advise, but it clearly did not change the dept. mind of my expertise, and my I-140 is about to be denied if I would not be able to convince the dept. of my "exceptional ability"
Of course, it cannot be said that patent engineer is so exceptional as to have scientific works in area applicable to WMD, like technical specialists may represent, but still, it should be some way out. That is a picture of my situation. Do you think I can improve my position with some document (I even can't think of one which would help me prove exceptional ability) and ask the dept. to reconsider?
Once aagain, thank you very much!
Respectfully,
Lyudmila
Answer Dear Lyudmila,
I do remember your question. However, it seemed to me that this was raised in the context of your job search. Now I can see, that this is all about evidence of "exceptional abilities" for the purposes of US Visa - this is another question. My view is that it would be difficult to prove that you qualify for this kind of visa, taking into account what you have described. This visa is primarily designed for outstanding scientists, young talented engineers, leading sportsmen, outstanding musicians etc.
I would fundamentally change the thinking framework:
1. Do you qualify any other criteria - for example, ethnical?
2. Do you qualify for any other immigration programs - for example, in Canada.
3. Consider returning to Russia, if you have any legal status there - there is a great demand for qualified patent engineers and after certain searches it is possible to find well-paid job.
