Being sponsored by an employer (research academia)
 

I am a recent graduate working full time in a research laboratory (very well known in its field-doing novel research etc). Not sure about this but it is possible that I may get a first or second-author publication in the next year or so (fingers crossed!) as I have been working here for the past 3 years. I have no postgrad degree (such as a Masters, PhD or MD degree). What are the chances that it would be possible to get sponsorship through the employer sponsorship (via EB1, EB2, or EB3)...? I highly doubt this is possible but I was just wondering...

Thanks!!!

Re: Being sponsored by an employer (research academia)
 

Zero if you're not covered under 245(i). Dept of Labor will issue you a PERM certification, USCIS will happily take the company's money for I-140 and deny your I-485 since you're out of status.

If you're covered under 245(i) then your chances are pretty good. You only need a Bachelor's to get EB-3, or Bachelor's and 5 years of experience to get EB-2. Only problem being the process is painstakingly long, especially if your PERM falls under a random audit you'll be looking at 2 years of just waiting for DOL to stop twiddling their thumbs.