EB1 – Michael – Oil and Gas Executive
EB1 – Michael – Oil and Gas Executive – Barbados
Michael is an oil and gas executive who has traveled the world for his work in aviation fuel, but after spending more than eight years in the US on non-immigrant visas, he knew he had to secure his future in the US for himself and his family.
Michael’s career is quite impressive, but he had not yet pursued a green card, and through the EB1 Green Card, Michael discovered that the EB1 Green Card program meant his entire family could all achieve permanent resident status.
If you, too, need to secure your family’s future in the United States or want to build a future in the United States, there is no time to waste – give us a call today.
Tell us a little about where you are from and what you do?
I am originally from the Caribbean, the tiny island of Barbados. For the last 30 years, I have been working internationally in the oil and gas industry living in Asia, Europe, North America, and the Caribbean and working in 51 countries along the way as far north as Yellow Knife and as far south to Melbourne.
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How did you work your way up the ranks to reach your level and what were some of the challenges along the way.
I have been fortunate enough to have been placed in a number of very challenging business opportunities and worked in them with some tremendous people who have supported and advised me, allowing me to enjoy and succeed in those opportunities. While the experiences of an international career have been tremendous and irreplaceable there have been challenges. Three would include balancing work and family demands, the logistical and emotional stresses on my wife and children of moving regularly internationally. One professional challenge has been having a parent company as small as mine. What a larger company would consider small logistical HR issues became problematic (tax reconciliation) and working globally in a multi-national without a company interested in your progression or job prospects was certainly more challenging.
Have you ever lived in the US before? If so, under what circumstances? If not, what aroused your interest in a move to the US?
I lived in the USA as a graduate student and also was posted before to the USA for 8 years, so our girls grew up here, you could say. One daughter is particularly Texan. We were posted a second time to the USA by my company, during that stint when our daughters both decided they wanted to go to university in the USA, we decided in order to keep the family together we would try to all live in the USA. This meant leaving my employer of 30 years.
How did you decide to pursue an EB1?
This was on the advice of Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram.
What was your experience with the EB1 petition process?
We had worked initially with one of the largest immigration firms in the USA and were making slow progress working with a senior partner who did not even raise EB1 as a path to residency. A friend of mine spoke about Lindsey Blue and the excellent experience his family had had with the Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram. I contacted Lindsey, we spoke by phone and she, with the staff of Chris Ingram, revolutionized our immigration experience. Her advice was surgical and succinct, she was supportive and responsive. Fantastic, simply fantastic. With the support and guidance of Lindsey and the rest of the staff I would describe my experience as nerve wracking but surprisingly smooth and quick.
What were some of the challenges you had to work on in the preparation of your case, for example evidence gathering?
There is a fair amount of paper work involved, but no more that say your annual tax return if you are international or run a small business. Evidence of your professional prowess is critical, fortunately I had a large number of industry leaders who were prepared to provide testimony and evidence, I am forever grateful to them for taking the time to do so. There was lots of support from Lindsey as well, guiding me in who best to use and how best to present this evidence, this helped tremendously.
What kind of relationship did/do you have Chris and his team?
I would say professional and also warm. We were in frequent contact and I was impressed that they understand how important this process is to most of their clients and made every effort to not only be informative and clear in describing the process, but personable and patient in answering questions and as appropriate offering encouragement.
What were you doing when you found out you were approved? What was your immediate reaction? How did/will you celebrate?
I called all the family together and told them the news, there were tears and prayers of thanks. To be honest initially we were pretty numb, we had so much riding on this application since I had decided to leave my company before I knew for sure we would be successful. Have you ever had a major operation? There is that feeling when the anesthesia start to take effect before you fall asleep when you are totally relaxed and at peace, after the stress of the previous year that is how I felt. The joy came afterwards like the tide slowing coming in as we took a holiday together to visit some of our favorite spots.
What are you looking forward to most about moving to the US?
Being close to our children, enjoying the vast beautiful country (California is one of our favorites), the numerous and varied professional opportunities that such a large economy has to offer.
What will you miss the most about your home country?
Hmm, we are also British citizens and consider home both the Caribbean and the UK. It is increasingly clear that parts of the USA while changing are still actually pretty provincial compared to the parts of the UK we called home. I will also miss the authentic openness of my Caribbean culture.
What advice would you give to any immigrant considering an EB1 or who is already in the process?
Talk to the Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram, be as immaculate as you can be with your preparation, be patient.
In order to qualify for an EB1 Green Card you need to be able to satisfy three from a list of ten categories. We’ve provided informative videos on each category for your kind perusal so please review them and get back to us if you feel we can help you.
Select Your 3 EB1 Categories
Checkout these EB1 green card categories below. If you can satisfy three categories, then you may just qualify for your green card. Good luck.
EB1 – Green Card – Checklist Summary
EB1 – One Time International Award
EB1 – Visa Award Nomination or Win
EB1 – Invited Memberships
EB1 – Publications About You
EB1 – Participation on Judging Panel
EB1 – Innovation or Invention
EB1 – Published Scholarly Articles
B1 – Exhibitions and Showcases
EB1 – Leading or Critical Roles
EB1 – High Salary or Remuneration
EB1 – Commercial Success in Arts
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EB1 – Ok Let’s Get Started
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Immigration Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram
US Immigration Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram
Chris M. Ingram LL.M., ESQ – Immigration Attorney
Admitted in New York.
Practice Specializing in US Immigration Law
401 Wilshire Boulevard, 12th Floor,
Santa Monica,
California 90401
Tel: 310 496 4292
Everyday the Law Offices of Chris M. Ingram provides a comprehensive range of US Immigration expertise. We also provide a free consultation for our prospective clients.
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Specializing in the E2 Visa, EB1 Green Card, L-1A Visa and O1 Visa and K1 Visa Marriage-Based Immigration. Attorney Chris M. Ingram is dedicated to providing the very best in US Immigration legal representation. Enjoy our website.
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