Alien of Extraordinary Ability in Washington, D.C.

I have Received my Green Card!

personal
Author

Kadir Jun Ayhan

Published

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Exciting news to share — I’m now a Green Card holder under the EB1 “Alien of Extraordinary Ability” category!

It’s been two months since I received my Green Card, but I’m finally taking a moment to share the update.

Navigating the U.S. immigration system is often filled with uncertainty and complexity, but I’m grateful that my journey has been relatively smooth.

In January last year, I applied for the EB2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) without a sponsor or job offer in the U.S. Based on my publication record, citations, and service as a researcher, I argued that my presence serves the national interest of the United States.

To my surprise, my NIW petition was approved in just four days, even without premium processing.

However, because the priority date wasn’t current, I faced uncertainty about when I could actually apply for a Green Card. So, I decided to pursue the EB1A path — Alien of Extraordinary Ability — again, independently and without employer sponsorship.

This application was approved in just 15 days, with no request for additional evidence, after I opted for premium processing.

With that approval, I applied for permanent residency — and received my Green Card in just four months.

So yes — it’s official: I am now a Green Card holder as an Alien of Extraordinary Ability! 🇺🇸✨

The picture is ChatGPT’s interpretation of me as an Alien of Extraordinary Ability in D.C.! 😅