How you can obtain the green card in less than four months.
I applied as self-petition and from abroad. No employer, no sponsorship, no labor certification required.
Classification: Alien of Extraordinary Ability (EB-1) under Section 203(b)(1)(A).
Type: Consular Processing (U.S. Consulate in Frankfurt, Germany)
Time required: 3,5 months
It went better than planned!
Timeline:
Petition filed to USCIS: January 16, 2015.
Green card approved: January 22, 2015.
Final interview approved at the U.S. Consulate: April 29, 2015.
Organizations involved:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS),
National Visa Center (NVC),
U.S. Consulate.
General advice:
Immigration is a serious matter. Treat it with proper respect. Work with professionals and only with the best attorneys, make sure they understand your situation.
Be honest and assertive with your attorney, every office, agency, and representative.
Double check on every advice/rumor.
Use the wisdom of crowds (e.g., http://www.visajourney.com).
Call/email the agencies (i.e., USCIS, NVC, U.S. Consulate) every time you have second thoughts. The representatives mostly want to help you. Be polite. Be factual. Do not be afraid to ask, do not be afraid to ask why, do not be afraid to ask for other options.
Do not break the law/rules even if it is because of your lack of knowledge. It may cost you a denial to enter the U.S. at the point of entry!
Breakthrough point #1: Find attorneys who think “Yes! We can!”. This is the crucial factor that made the process smooth and easy. Select an attorney from the U.S. not from the country where you apply from.
Breakthrough point #2: Ask world-class experts in your field for references. Your attorney should draft the application reference letters in legal language.
Breakthrough point #3: Use crowd-sourced information. When in doubt crowd-ask (e.g., http://www.visajourney.com/). Such collective knowledge is focused and up to date.
Breakthrough point #4: Stick to the norm in your application. Prepare it as recommended by USCIS rules. Back it up with data, facts, and evidence (e.g., http://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/permanent-workers/employment-based-immigration-first-preference-eb-1).
Breakthrough point #5: Make sure you understand how NVC process works. You will need it after USCIS approval. You may be able to expedite every step at NVC. I was. Take time for doing this right.
Shortcuts:
USCIS case status: https://egov.uscis.gov/casestatus/landing.do
U.S. Department of State CEAC i.e., NVC application: https://ceac.state.gov/ceac
USCIS ELIS Immigrant fee: http://www.uscis.gov/online-filing
Disclaimer: Please note that the services of USCIS and NVC change often and get much improved. That is, the information provided herewith is based on my own experience and is valid for the period of January 2015 through July 2015, but soon may be outdated since the agencies consistently automate and digitize the processes.
Good luck!