Interim Decision #1716 

. MATTER OF MOSTAFA 

In Visa Petition Proceedings 

A-17003045 

Decided by District Director March 9, 1967 

Since a geophysicist is a member of the professions within the meaning of 

section 101(a) (82) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended by 

P.L. 89-280, and since beneficiary, who has a bachelor of science degree in 

geology and chemistry, is a qualified geopbyslcist, be is eligible for preference 

classification under section 203(a) (3) of the Act, as a geophysicist. 

The petition was filed to accord the beneficiary third preference clasSifiCitil0n as a member of the professions based upon his qualifications 

as a geophysicist. 

The petitioner is a. thirty-four-year-old married male, a native and 

citizen of the United Arab Republic. On January 20, 1967, he filed a 

petition to classify himself as a member of the professions, entitled to 

preference under section 203(a) (3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended. The statute provides for immigrant visas to 

be made available "to qualified immigrants who are members of the 

professions, or who, because of their exceptional ability in the sciences 

or the arts will substantially benefit prospectively the national economy, cultural interests, or welfare of the United States." The beneficiary was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in geology and 

chemistry by the University of Cairo, Cairo, Egypt in May 1953. He 

was employed as a geophysicist trainee from February 1955 to September 1956 by Sahara Petroleum Company, Alexandria, Egypt. From 

January 1957 to November 1963, the beneficiary was employed as a 

geophysicist by Societe Cooperative Des Petroles, Cairo, Egypt. He has 

been employed as a geophysicist by Pan American UAR Oil Company, 

Cairo, Egypt since December 1964. 

A certification pursuant to section 212(a) (14) of the Act, as 

amended, has been issued by the Department of Labor. 

Geophysicists are listed under professional, technical and managerial occupations, Code 024.081 in the Dictionary of Occupational 

Titles, Volume II, Third Edition, prepared by the Department of 

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Interim Decision #1716 

Labor. Occupations in this physical scientist group are concerned with 

the composition and physical aspects of the earth, its interior and 

atmosphere, as well as the land and bodies of water on its surface 

and underground. To conduct their investigations, geophysicists apply 

the principles andtechniques of physics, geology, mathematics, chemistry, and engineering. The Occupational Outlook Handbook, 1966-67 

Edition, of the United States Department of Labor, states that a 

bachelor's degree with a major in geophysics or a bachelor's degree 

in a related science or in engineering is adequate preparation for entrance into this field. This Handbook further states that for geophysical specialties other than exploration, and for the more desirable 

positions in exploration work, graduate education in geophysics or 

in a related science is usually required. A doctor's degree with a major 

in geophysics, or in a related science with advauml courses in geophysics, is generally required for teaching careers, positions involving 

fundamental research, and for advancement in most types of geophysical work. 

It is concluded that entry into the field of geophysics requires the 

high education that is associated with the occupations named under 

section 101(a) (32) of the Act, and that a geophysicist is a member of 

the professions within the meaning of the Act. The beneficiary, as a 

geophysicist, is entitled to classification as a member of the professions. 

ORDER: It is ordered that the petition be approved and the beneficiary accorded third preference under section 203(a) (3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended. 

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