H-1B APPROVAL IN ONLY 3 DAYS

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Case Overview

Merit Law LLP successfully obtained H-1B approval in only three days for a nonprofit, accredited K–12 religious institution seeking to employ a Coordinator of Islamic Studies & Qur’anic Curriculum. The petition was approved without any Request for Evidence (RFE).

A key factor in this case was the school’s formal affiliation with a U.S. university—a relationship fully documented in the filing. This affiliation positioned the employer to qualify for H-1B cap-exempt eligibility, while also offering the strategic option to pursue cap-subject filings when needed. Our firm highlighted and substantiated this affiliation through institutional agreements and accreditation records.

Background

The petitioner operates a full K–12 campus integrating academic instruction with structured religious education. To enhance curriculum quality and ensure theological rigor, the institution required a specialist capable of:
• Advanced proficiency in Arabic
• Academic background in Islamic Studies, Qur’anic Sciences, or Theology
• Expertise in religious pedagogy
• Curriculum design and instructional development
• Training and supporting faculty delivering Islamic Studies programming

Given the specialized nature of these competencies, the position clearly met USCIS’s definition of a specialty occupation.

Additionally, the school maintains a documented educational affiliation with a university, reinforcing institutional legitimacy and enabling cap-exempt H-1B eligibility pathways.

Filing Strategy & Approach

This rapid approval resulted from Merit Law LLP’s precision-driven preparation and evidence-rich petition structure, including:
• A detailed analysis linking job duties to specialized fields (Islamic Studies, Qur’anic Sciences, Theology)
• A comprehensive curriculum-based duty breakdown illustrating the need for advanced knowledge
• O*NET, OOH, and industry data demonstrating specialty occupation standards
• Full proof of nonprofit status, accreditation, and educational mission
• Documentation of the school’s formal university affiliation, submitted to support cap-exempt eligibility
• A strategy addressing both cap-exempt and cap-subject filing options for the institution’s long-term hiring needs

Our firm crafted the petition to eliminate ambiguity and fully align with USCIS adjudication standards.

Result

• Approved in just 3 days
• No RFE issued
• Reinforced the institution’s credibility through a consistent record of successful filings
• Successfully leveraged the school’s university affiliation to strengthen its H-1B profile

This outcome reflects both the strength of the filing and the clear specialty occupation nature of religious curriculum leadership roles.

Key Takeaways

• A highly organized, evidence-driven filing can produce extremely fast approvals.
• Religious education positions qualify as specialty occupations when their linguistic, theological, and curriculum-design components are clearly demonstrated.
• Documented university affiliation is a powerful factor supporting H-1B cap-exempt eligibility.
• Consistent approvals enhance an institution’s long-term immigration profile with USCIS.
• Strategic planning should account for both cap-exempt and cap-subject pathways, depending on the employer’s structure and needs.

Challenges & Considerations

Although the petition was approved swiftly, curriculum-based religious roles often require careful, detailed articulation. Risks include:
• Misclassification of duties as general teaching
• Insufficient linkage between degree fields and job tasks
• Lack of clarity on the specialized linguistic/theological requirements
• Failure to provide proof of accreditation or institutional affiliation

To avoid these risks, our filing included:
• Precise theological, linguistic, and pedagogical duty analysis
• University affiliation documentation
• Accreditation records
• Authoritative academic and occupational evidence

Merit Law LLP Advantage

This case is one of many demonstrating Merit Law LLP’s extensive experience with both cap-exempt and cap-subject H-1B filings, including those involving:
• Nonprofit educational institutions
• University-affiliated schools
• Religious and mission-based organizations
• Specialized curriculum and academic leadership roles

Our advanced petition strategy and sector-specific expertise continue to produce rapid, consistent results.