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O-1A Form I-129 cover letter for scientist

Updated: Author: Alina Kanametova

Guide Guides 8 pages Anonymized Access on request

Sample O-1A petition cover letter #2: an 8-page variant from a DIY kit with a different way of organizing the criteria argument.

O-1 EB-1A EB-2 NIW Petition

About this document

A sample O-1A petition cover letter for a research scientist in science and education, filed on Form I-129. It outlines the job offer, summarizes the applicant's research in ionic liquids and theoretical chemistry, and argues extraordinary ability through publications, citations, and peer review. The letter also lists the supporting exhibits and enclosed forms and fees.

Key points

  • Filed as Form I-129 petition for O-1A classification with USCIS Vermont Service Center.
  • States a job offer for a Research Scientist role from May 1, 2019 to April 30, 2022.
  • Lists salary of $81,000 per year plus fringe benefits, contingent on O-1A approval.
  • Claims the applicant has 23 publications, including 12 first-author papers, in high-impact journals.
  • Says the publications have been cited more than 150 times and some were selected for a feature article.
  • Argues original work on ionic liquids, molecular interactions, dioxin capture, glucose solvation, and battery-related ion transport.
  • Says the applicant reviewed articles for three journals and was asked for an independent opinion after differing referee reports.
  • Enclosed materials include Form I-129, fee, passport page, CV, exhibits 1-11, and 3 reference letters.

What is inside

  1. Introduction and petition request
  2. Research background and national-importance argument
  3. O-1A criteria 1: authorship
  4. O-1A criteria 2: original contributions
  5. O-1A criteria 3: judging the work of others
  6. Conclusion and enclosed documents
  7. Exhibits 1-11

When it helps

A cover letter supporting an O-1A petition by organizing the claim under the three criteria discussed in the text: authorship, original contributions, and judging the work of others. It also serves as the filing summary that lists the enclosed forms, fee, passport copy, CV, exhibits, and reference letters.

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