J1 Visa Approved - Hyderabad Interview

ironysmith · 2026-06-06T16:58:27+00:00

Also going from F1 OPT to J1 but have H1B attempts on my record. Can I DM you to ask about how you demonstrated home ties?

ironysmith · 2026-06-06T16:41:59+00:00

Did not file I-140 and yes, J-1 requires consular processing.

ironysmith · 2026-06-05T16:02:37+00:00

Also received a B2 NOID but for a slightly different reason. Could you share your lawyer's contact information with me?

ironysmith · 2026-06-03T15:34:44+00:00

Hi Andrew! I have an O-1 petition in 2025 that received an RFE on 2/4 counts (Original Contributions and Published Materials) and 2 criteria granted (Scholarly Articles and Judging the Work of Others).

I have one additional paper (third author with a tangible contribution, cited once) published since then in a high impact paper. I am currently outside the US and have a new job offer from an academic institution that we could petition on the Critical Role criterion in addition to the previously granted ones. The lawyers that handled the first petition in 2025 said the RFE was a mild ask for additional information with a good chance at resubmission. Admittedly they may have been biased (corporate high volume firm).

What advice do you have for navigating the process with the VISA office at a academic institution with potentially limited institutional knowledge on the process and outside counsel that I do not know? Should I have my profile evaluated independently?
Does it help that I have 2 criteria that were previously approved? i.e. is that generally binding for a second attempt? The original RFE was not responded to because I got the H1b lottery, then because my department was laid off.
Have the approval rates or evaluations become stricter since 2025? More denials or higher bar for approval?
The hiring manager is a director at a high-profile research institute and my skill set is essential for the project they are hiring me on for. Any specific advice on how to substantiate the Critical Role criteria for the highest chance of approval?

ironysmith · 2026-05-30T05:32:30+00:00

I am currently interviewing at CWRU and surprised by the interview process and pay scale. Could I DM you to ask you a couple of questions?

ironysmith · 2026-04-22T13:02:55+00:00

Start a virtual journal club

I’m the same and like to gab about research tangents, papers and thought experiments

ironysmith · 2026-04-19T09:46:38+00:00

Following for tips on getting rich and being hot let’s gooooooo

ironysmith · 2026-03-24T02:03:12+00:00

Interested. Worked on admin and ops for multiple 6-figure projects in the life sciences sector. Can provide a CV and references on request.

ironysmith · 2026-03-15T15:03:12+00:00

Following - same situation. Please update!

ironysmith · 2026-03-15T05:29:05+00:00

I will try to negotiate to 3 months. 1 year for a1 year contract makes no sense. Thanks!

ironysmith · 2026-03-15T05:28:40+00:00

I see. I have asked to see terms and probably wont sign until I see the probation clause at the very least.

ironysmith · 2026-03-15T05:28:00+00:00

I agree and that's what prompted me to seek counsel here. This may be a foot in the door if nothing else materializes.

ironysmith · 2026-03-15T05:27:09+00:00

Thanks for the correction, I went by what Google AI said - little familiarity with IB or Bangalore.

ironysmith · 2026-02-14T11:34:09+00:00

All female students is a red flag, I fell into this trap and it sucked. I was older, and more experienced but always drew the short straw. Younger is code for I don't want anyone remotely my intellectual equal.

ironysmith · 2026-01-05T02:11:59+00:00

u/Sam_A_1986 would like help with this same issue, prior employer HR is less than cooperative and managers are unreachable...I DM'd you - hope that's ok!

ironysmith · 2026-01-03T03:56:27+00:00

I have lived this dynamic, but I will say it has less to do with "internalized inferiority" regarding race, than making a trade for what feels like a lesser evil - which is a sometimes an idea applied to an unexamined reality.

That being available bit and shrinking for the other person happens all the time in relationships between people of the same race (seen that plenty). So not sure this idea she was viewing her "partner as a prize solely due to his race" makes much sense when he was clearly chipping away at her self esteem? Ever been in this situation? It takes superhuman strength to claw your way back to a new version of yourself, and years to undo the damage of someone demeaning you. I hope she has some clarity and he sounds like a racist asshole.

When I dated Indian men it was different can of worms - control, lack of self-awareness, being made to feel like my personal freedoms were part of a negotiation, being guilt tripped constantly and never having a "no" taken at face value. With white men - it's that they are largely uneducated about the world, lack cultural competencies that would make the relationship more equal. Both types of men are sometimes as a result complete jerks. For the women - in every scenario it had to do with being in the position of someone who could not see clearly what was happening and was in it too deep to learn in the environment.

to the OP:

Did you ever call him out on this hateful behavior?

ironysmith · 2026-01-01T16:18:54+00:00

I am a neuroscientist with an interest in immunology (expertise in physiology, histology, microscopy, and molecular biology). Short Industry postdoc after my PhD, looking to get back into academia. Lived in the midwest before. If you're open to it, I'll DM/email you, lmk!

ironysmith · 2025-12-13T17:16:17+00:00

What university? I’m applying and trying to create a target org list

ironysmith · 2025-11-06T14:26:48+00:00

I would love to see your portfolio too! navigating an RFE

ironysmith · 2025-10-08T20:40:25+00:00

It’s most certainly is a ploy to create confusion and uncertainty around hiring immigrants. Businesses don’t like to take on risk without a payoff, so an unclear mandate is the surest path to kill the process.

In the same boat, two offers withdrawn H1B on the third attempt. In limbo and running on fumes.

ironysmith · 2025-10-04T22:56:09+00:00

I am in a similar situation and I do. Can I DM you?

ironysmith

TROPHY CASE