Soviet Scientists Immigration Act of 1992
PL 102-509 (S.2201), enacted 10/24/1992

106 STAT. 3316 
PUBLIC LAW 102-509—OCT. 24, 1992 
Public Law 102-509 
102d Congress 
An Act 
Oct. 24, 1992 
To authorize the admission to the United States of ceri:ain scientists of the independ-
ent states of the former Soviet Union and the Baltic states as employment-
[S. 2201] 
based immigrants under the Immigration and Nationahty Act. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of 
Soviet Scientists the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
Immigration Act 
of 1992. 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the "Soviet Scientists Immigration 
Act of 1992". 
8 u s e 1153 note. SEC. 2. DEFENITIONS. 
For purposes of this Act— 
(1) the term "Baltic states" means the sovereign nations 
of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia; 
(2) the term "independent states of the former Soviet 
Union" means the sovereign nations of Armenia, Azerbaijan, 
Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, 
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan; and 
(3) the term "eligible independent states and Baltic sci-
entists" means aliens— 
(A) who are nationals of any of the independent states 
of the former Soviet Union or the Baltic states; and 
(B) who are scientists or engineers who have expertise 
in nuclear, chemical, biological or other high technology 
fields or who are working on nuclear, chemical, biological 
or other high-technology defense projects, as defined by 
the Attorney General. 
8 u s e 1153 note. 
SEC. 3. WAIVER OF JOB OFFER REQUIREMENT. 
The requirement in section 203(b)(2)(A) of the Immigration 
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(2)(A)) that an aUen's services 
in the sciences, arts, or business be sought by an employer in 
the United States shall not apply to any eligible independent states 
or Baltic scientist who is applying for admission to the United 
States for permanent residence in accordance with that section. 
8 u s e 1153 note. 
SEC. 4. CLASSIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT STATES SCIENTISTS AS 
HAVING EXCEPTIONAL ABILITY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—^The Attorney General shall designate a class 
of eligible independent states and Baltic scientists, based on their 
level of expertise, as aliens who possess "exceptional ability in 
the sciences", for purposes of section 203(b)(2)(A) of the Immigration 
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(2)(A)), whether or not such 
scientists possess advanced degrees. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—^The Attorney General shall prescribe regu-
lations to carry out subsection (a). 
(c) LIMITATION.—Not more than 750 eligible independent states 
and Baltic scientists (excluding spouses and children if accompany-
ing or following to join) within the class designated under subsection 
PUBLIC LAW 102-509—OCT. 24, 1992 
106 STAT. 3317 
(a) may be allotted visas under section 203(b)(2)(A) of the Immigra-
tion and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(2)(A)). 
(d) TERMINATION.—The authority of subsection (a) shall termi-
nate 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act. 
Approved October 24, 1992. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 2201: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 102-881, Pt. 1 (Comm. on the Judiciary). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 138 (1992): 
May 20, considered and passed Senate. 
Sept. 21, considered and passed House, amended. 
Oct. 2, Senate concurred in House amendments.