Doç. Dr. Koray Başdelioğlu’s Experience with the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW): Interview with Attorney Ergül Çeliksoy

By Ergul Celiksoy, Immigration Attorney at CK Law Firm

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Koray Basdelioglu

The EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) visa is a popular option among academics and doctors seeking to advance their careers in the United States. In this article, we feature an interview conducted by CK Law Firm co-founder Attorney Ergül Çeliksoy with Associate Professor Dr. Koray Başdelioğlu, who successfully obtained the EB-2 NIW visa. His journey and decisions will provide valuable insights into the steps and challenges you may face during the EB-2 NIW application process.

By reading this article, you will gain detailed information on the following topics:

• Associate Professor Dr. Koray Başdelioğlu’s career
• The advantages of the U.S. compared to Germany and the U.K.
• The process of applying for the EB-2 NIW visa
• How to determine your contributions to the U.S. for the EB-2 NIW visa
• The importance of professional support in the EB-2 NIW application process
• What happens after submitting the EB-2 NIW application and the waiting period

Attorney Ergül Çeliksoy: We receive many questions about the EB-2 NIW visa, especially from academics and doctors. Hearing the process from someone who has been approved will surely be helpful. Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

Associate Professor Dr. Koray Başdelioğlu: Of course. I am a specialist in orthopedics and traumatology. I completed my residency in 2016, and since then, I have been actively working in this field for about 7-8 years. The idea of working abroad has been on my mind for a long time, but the decision-making process was difficult. I eventually decided to pursue my career in the U.S., and that’s how we met.

Attorney Ergül Çeliksoy: Choosing the U.S. is interesting since many doctors also consider countries like Germany or the U.K. Why did you choose the U.S.?

Associate Professor Dr. Koray Başdelioğlu: I never considered Germany because learning German felt challenging to me. I seriously looked into the U.K., but I realized there were more opportunities in the U.S. The U.S. offered more options for advancing my career, and after researching with a friend, we concluded that the U.S. was the best option for me.

Attorney Ergül Çeliksoy: How did you decide on the EB-2 NIW visa? Where did you hear about it, and how did your application process go?

Associate Professor Dr. Koray Başdelioğlu: A close friend of mine applied for the EB-2 NIW visa and told me about it. This led me to start my research. At first, I thought I could handle the application process myself, but I quickly realized it was too detailed and technical, so I decided to work with a lawyer. That’s when I reached out to you, and we started the process. Honestly, you were always available whenever I needed assistance, which made the process much easier for me.

Attorney Ergül Çeliksoy: In this visa process, your contributions to the U.S. play a crucial role. What steps did you take in this regard? How did we determine your contributions to the U.S. in your application?

Associate Professor Dr. Koray Başdelioğlu: My professional experience played a significant role in the application. I plan to work in orthopedics in the U.S. and conduct research in molecular oncology. I am currently pursuing a PhD focused on tumors and aim to contribute to the U.S. both financially and scientifically through further research. These plans were critical in my visa application.

Attorney Ergül Çeliksoy: For doctors, exams like the USMLE are important prerequisites to practice in the U.S. How has your experience been with these exams?

Associate Professor Dr. Koray Başdelioğlu: I haven’t taken the USMLE exams yet, but I’m currently preparing for them. Completing these exams before going to the U.S. is essential to accelerate the process. However, passing these exams is not a requirement for the EB-2 NIW visa. After obtaining the visa, I will need to complete these exams to practice in the U.S.

Attorney Ergül Çeliksoy: Finally, what advice would you give to others considering this visa? What should they focus on to make the application process smoother?

Associate Professor Dr. Koray Başdelioğlu: The decision-making stage is the hardest part. Once you’ve decided to pursue this path, it’s important to act quickly. Additionally, professional legal assistance is essential in this process. Preparing and presenting the application correctly is critical; otherwise, there is a risk of denial, which can be very disappointing. Getting professional help minimizes these risks.

Conclusion:

The EB-2 National Interest Waiver visa offers excellent opportunities for successful academics and doctors looking to advance their careers in the U.S. The experiences shared by Associate Professor Dr. Koray Başdelioğlu provide valuable insights for those considering applying for the EB-2 NIW visa. If you’re thinking about continuing your career in the U.S. under this visa, you can contact CK Law Firm’s expert attorneys for professional support. You can also read detailed blog posts on our website or watch videos on our YouTube channel for more information.

Who is Attorney Ergül Çeliksoy?

Attorney Dr. Ergül Çeliksoy is a founding partner of CK Law Firm and also serves as an Assistant Professor of Law at the University of Nottingham. With extensive experience in U.S. immigration law, Dr. Çeliksoy completed a Master’s degree in international law and human rights law at the University of Nottingham in 2017, followed by a Ph.D. at the same university. His Ph.D., completed in 2022 at the University of Nottingham School of Law, marked a significant milestone in his academic career. Dr. Çeliksoy has published extensively in leading academic journals and is internationally recognized for his expertise in modern slavery, criminal justice, and criminal law. As a member of the California Bar, Dr. Çeliksoy offers exceptional service to his clients, particularly in U.S. immigration law cases. His expertise and experience in immigration law significantly contribute to CK Law Firm’s work in this area.

Dr. Çeliksoy provides comprehensive and strategic solutions to his clients in immigration law cases, helping secure their legal status in the U.S. His work on human rights and immigration processes, particularly in modern slavery and criminal law, effectively addresses the complex legal issues immigrants face. Dr. Çeliksoy reinforces CK Law Firm’s leadership in immigration law by offering reliable and effective legal consulting services to his clients, helping them build new lives in the United States.

Who is Assoc. Dr. Koray Başdelioğlu?

Orthopedics and Traumatology specialist Assoc. Dr. Koray Başdelioğlu completed his medical education at Bülent Ecevit University in 2009. Between 2011-2016, he received his specialty training at Balıkesir University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology and became an Orthopedics and Traumatology specialist in 2016. In 2021, Koray Başdelioğlu, who received the title of Associate Professor, worked on Orthopedic Oncology with Prof. Dr. Pietro Ruggieri in October and November 2021 at the Department of Musculoskeletal System Tumors, Faculty of Medicine, University of Padova, Italy. In the same year, he worked in the field of Orthopedic Oncology with Prof. Dr. Bülent Erol at Marmara University for 6 weeks. She is also continuing her PhD education in Molecular Oncology at Istinye University Institute of Health Sciences.

Currently, he is a member of “Turkish Orthopedics and Traumatology Association (TOTBİD)”, “Turkish Orthopedics and Traumatology Education Council (TOTEK)”. Assoc. Dr. Koray Başdelioğlu serves his patients at Izmir Medicana International Hospital.