A geologist’s family from Kazakhstan moved to the US after receiving a green card through the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) program, without entering the lottery and without an employer sponsor. After six unsuccessful lottery attempts, the applicant filed a separate case from Doha, and a year later received approval. Next came an interview at the consulate in Almaty and entry within six months after it.
Why they gave up on the lottery
The family entered the Green Card lottery six times and never won. When the latest results showed this path wouldn’t work, the family started looking for other options. The applicant believed his qualifications weren’t strong enough for a serious program, so he initially considered EB-3. After a consultation, he was advised to aim for EB-2 instead.
What exactly was filed
The applicant filed under the EB-2 National Interest Waiver program as a specialist in core sample analysis — the rock material that, during drilling, provides information about reservoir quality and geological features. Since his education was obtained outside the US, he was advised to get an evaluation. The diploma was assessed as equivalent to a master’s degree, with the main emphasis placed on his research work.
The package included articles, research findings, a doctoral dissertation, proof of over 10 years of experience, recommendation letters from colleagues, diplomas and internship results, career growth documents, and professional development certificates. Conference materials, published articles, and photos of his work were submitted separately. The oil and gas specialization was tied to exploration and field development, as well as the industry’s role in the US economy.
Timeline: from filing to interview
The case was filed in August 2023 from Doha, not from the United States. Approval came about a year later, in the summer of 2024. The interview was scheduled a year after that due to the backlog. There was no Request for Evidence (RFE): the case was accepted on the first attempt, and no additional documents were requested.
The interview took place in the summer of 2025 at the consulate in Almaty. The whole family attended, including the children. They spoke English, as the consul was English-speaking. The questions were general: when the applicants planned to enter the US, and there was a separate package of documents submitted at the interview.
The entry window
After the consul announced that everything was approved, the applicants decided to spend New Year with their parents. There’s a six-month window to enter the US. In this case, the timing left almost a week to spare before the deadline, and they entered after the new year had already begun. The plan was risky, but there were unfinished matters at work, so the family went for it.
Life in Houston and English
According to the applicant, this was his first time in the US, and he liked the air, greenery, parks, and speaking English. The children happily go to school. As soon as they started filing documents, the family decided they would get the green card no matter what, and for almost two years they actively worked on improving their English. It’s enough for everyday life, but for effective work and communicating with colleagues it’s worth improving further. There are many Spanish speakers in Houston, so Spanish is also on their list to learn.
Advice for those who want to emigrate: act now, because the situation changes quickly, and details can prolong the process.
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