243 POSTS
Soumya Pillai is a Senior Assistant Editor, and covers subjects ranging between science, environment and space. She writes about the latest developments in the field of science and technology from the world over, focusing on bringing stories from the ground. She also anchors ThePrint’s weekly science show, Pure Science. She can be reached at soumya.pillai@theprint.in
I’ve been a regular reader of The Print for years and greatly admire the work your team does. However, I was disappointed to see a recent article on the EB-1 visa that, in my view, misrepresents the reality of the process and requirements. The article gives the misleading impression that obtaining an EB-1 visa is relatively easy, which is far from the truth.
As someone currently conducting research in the U.S., I’d like to offer some clarity on this issue. The EB-1 visa has exceptionally high standards, especially for applicants from India. Typically, candidates must hold a Ph.D., have a substantial record of peer-reviewed publications, several hundred citations, and 4–5 strong recommendation letters from recognized leaders in the field. Simply publishing a single paper or paying a fee does not meet the bar for this category. While the process may be somewhat more accessible to applicants from countries with lower demand due to per-country limits, the pathway for Indian applicants is highly competitive and rigorous.
You can verify my credentials via LinkedIn or Google Scholar, and I can confidently say that my research profile places me among the top 10% in my field. Even with such credentials, qualifying for an EB-1 visa remains uncertain.
Given this, I respectfully believe that publishing an article under the title “Indians are gaming US immigration to get Einstein visas meant for top scientists” is misleading and unfair. It risks undermining the genuine and often arduous efforts of researchers who are navigating this complex process with integrity.