19 I-140 Approvals After RFE on November 11, 2026
A Request for Evidence (RFE) represents one of the more demanding stages of adjudication in the employment-based immigration process. When USCIS issues an RFE, a petition undergoes additional scrutiny, and further evidence or clarification may be requested regarding the applicant’s qualifications and eligibility under the applicable immigration standard. Successfully navigating this stage requires an evidentiary record that remains organized, internally consistent, and directly responsive to the concerns raised during review.
The following success stories highlight 19 I-140 approvals after RFE review, consisting of 1 EB-1A approval and 18 NIW approvals. Several cases presented circumstances that added complexity to adjudication, including related EB-1A petition denials, multiple service center transfers, an applicant residing outside the United States, non-STEM academic backgrounds, an applicant with no advanced degree, and petitions initially filed without recommendation or testimonial letters.
Cases With Inherent Challenges
Related Adverse Adjudication Histories
One approval involved an applicant who initially filed an NIW petition and subsequently pursued two EB-1A petitions, both of which received RFEs and were denied. This circumstance added complexity because the NIW petition needed to independently establish eligibility under the national interest waiver standard despite the unfavorable outcomes of the related EB-1A petitions.
Multiple Service Center Transfers
Several petitions underwent multiple transfers between the Nebraska Service Center and the Texas Service Center during adjudication. Such procedural movement can add administrative complexity because the evidentiary record must remain clearly organized and internally consistent throughout review across different service center operations.
Non-STEM Academic Backgrounds
Several approvals involved applicants holding non-STEM academic degrees. These cases demonstrate that a non-STEM academic background does not necessarily prevent successful adjudication after an RFE, provided that the applicants' qualifications, professional contributions, and supporting evidence satisfy the applicable immigration standards.
EB-1A Approval After RFE (1)
#1: EB-1A in Gastroenterology
This EB-1A approval involved an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Gastroenterology in industry, born in Jordan and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Director of Bariatric Endoscopy in industry. Filed in Gastroenterology, the petition received an RFE from the Nebraska Service Center before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held an M.D. degree and demonstrated a substantial scholarly record consisting of 31 publications and 1,090 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The initial filing included 4 recommendation letters and no testimonial letters, while 7 additional recommendation letters were submitted as part of the RFE response.
The petition underwent transfers from the Texas Service Center to the Nebraska Service Center and then back to the Texas Service Center with upfront premium processing.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing EB-1A approval after RFE review in a non-STEM field while undergoing multiple service center transfers.
NIW Approvals After RFE (18)
#2: NIW in Intelligent Systems
This NIW approval involved a Ph.D. Student (Data Scientist), born in Bangladesh and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as a Postdoctoral Researcher. Filed in Intelligent Systems, the petition received an RFE from the Nebraska Service Center before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant did not hold an advanced degree and claimed eligibility through both the exceptional ability and the bachelor's degree plus at least five years of progressive experience pathways. At filing, the applicant's scholarly record consisted of 9 publications and 63 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The initial filing included 2 recommendation letters and 2 testimonial letters, while 2 additional recommendation letters were submitted with the RFE response.
The petition was adjudicated through the Nebraska Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after RFE review through the exceptional ability and bachelor's degree plus at least five years of progressive experience pathways.
#3: NIW in Enzymology
This NIW approval involved a Postdoctoral Research Associate, born in India and residing in the United States, who proposes to remain in the same employment. Filed in Enzymology, the petition received an RFE from the Texas Service Center before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a STEM Ph.D. and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 17 publications and 105 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2023. The initial filing included 4 recommendation letters and no testimonial letters, while 6 additional recommendation letters and 3 testimonial letters were submitted as part of the RFE response.
The petition was transferred from the Nebraska Service Center to the Texas Service Center without premium processing and was approved in 989 days.
#4: NIW in Infectious Disease Ecology
This NIW approval involved a Ph.D. Student (Graduate Research Assistant), born in Bangladesh and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Wildlife Disease Ecology / Population Health. Filed in Infectious Disease Ecology, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM2055 before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a STEM master’s degree and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 18 publications and 312 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2024. The initial filing proceeded without recommendation letters and included 1 testimonial letter, while 2 recommendation letters were submitted with the RFE response.
The petition underwent transfers from the Nebraska Service Center to the Texas Service Center and then back to the Nebraska Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after RFE review while undergoing multiple service center transfers.
#5: NIW in Agricultural and Biological Engineering
This NIW approval involved a Research Assistant, born in Pakistan and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as a Research Assistant Professor. Filed in Agricultural and Biological Engineering, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM2265 before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a master's degree and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 3 publications and 123 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2023. The initial filing included 2 recommendation letters and no testimonial letters, while 3 additional recommendation letters were submitted as part of the RFE response.
The petition was adjudicated through the Texas Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after RFE review in a non-STEM field.
#6: NIW in Computer Science
This NIW approval involved a Research Assistant, born in Iran and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as a Postdoctoral Researcher. Filed in Computer Science, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM2486 before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a STEM master's degree and had a scholarly record consisting of 7 publications and 35 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The filing included 4 recommendation letters and 3 testimonial letters.
The petition was adjudicated through the Texas Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.
#7: NIW in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology
This NIW approval involved an Interventional Radiologist in industry, born in Egypt and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as an Assistant Professor of Interventional Radiology. Filed in Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, the petition received an RFE from the Texas Service Center before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held an M.D. degree and demonstrated a substantial scholarly record consisting of 18 publications and 716 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The initial petition proceeded without any supporting letters, while 2 recommendation letters were submitted as part of the RFE response.
The petition was adjudicated through the Texas Service Center with upfront premium processing.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after RFE review in a non-STEM field.
#8: NIW in Extension Education
This NIW approval involved a Ph.D. Student (Graduate Research Assistant), born in Nepal and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as an Assistant Professor of Extension Education and Program Evaluation. Filed in Extension Education, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM2420 before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a master's degree and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 24 publications and 343 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The initial filing included 1 recommendation letter and 1 testimonial letter, while 3 additional recommendation letters were submitted with the RFE response.
The petition was adjudicated through the Texas Service Center with upfront premium processing.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after RFE review in a non-STEM field.
#9: NIW in Electrical Engineering
This NIW approval involved a Research Assistant, born in Iran and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as a Postdoctoral Researcher. Filed in Electrical Engineering, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM2482 before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a STEM master's degree and had a scholarly record consisting of 7 publications and 23 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2024. The initial petition proceeded without any supporting letters, while 3 recommendation letters and 1 testimonial letter were submitted as part of the RFE response.
The petition was adjudicated through the Texas Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.
#10: NIW in Computer Networking
This NIW approval involved a Software Engineer, Networking Software in industry, born in China and residing in the United States, who proposes to remain in the same employment. Filed in Computer Networking, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM2144 before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a STEM master's degree and had a scholarly record consisting of 4 publications and 37 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The initial filing included 2 recommendation letters and no testimonial letters, while 2 additional recommendation letters were submitted with the RFE response.
The petition underwent transfers from the Nebraska Service Center to the Texas Service Center and then back to the Nebraska Service Center with upfront premium processing.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after RFE review while undergoing multiple service center transfers.
#11: NIW in Biophysics
This NIW approval involved an Assistant Professor, born in Poland and residing in the United States, who proposes to remain in the same employment. Filed in Biophysics, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM1922 before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a STEM Ph.D. and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 13 publications and 86 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2024. The filing included 4 recommendation letters and no testimonial letters.
The petition was adjudicated through the Texas Service Center without premium processing and was approved in 875 days.
#12: NIW in Environmental Communication
This NIW approval involved a Ph.D. Candidate (Teaching Assistant), born in Bangladesh and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as an Assistant Professor - Tenure System. Filed in Environmental Communication, the petition received an RFE from the Texas Service Center before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a master's degree and had a scholarly record consisting of 2 publications and 77 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2022. The filing included 2 recommendation letters and no testimonial letters.
The petition underwent transfers from the Nebraska Service Center to the Texas Service Center and then back to the Nebraska Service Center with upfront premium processing.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after RFE review in a non-STEM field while undergoing multiple service center transfers.
#13: NIW in Artificial Intelligence
This NIW approval involved a Ph.D. Student, born in China and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as an Associate Professor. Filed in Artificial Intelligence, the petition received an RFE from the Texas Service Center before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a STEM master's degree and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 12 publications and 189 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The initial filing proceeded without recommendation letters and included 2 testimonial letters, while 4 recommendation letters were submitted as part of the RFE response.
The petition underwent transfers from the Nebraska Service Center to the Texas Service Center and then back to the Nebraska Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after RFE review while undergoing multiple service center transfers.
#14: NIW in Computer Science
This NIW approval involved a Senior Machine Learning Research Engineer in industry, born in Nepal and residing in the United States, who proposes to remain in the same employment. Filed in Computer Science, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM1926 before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a STEM Ph.D. and demonstrated a relatively modest scholarly record consisting of 5 publications and 23 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2024. The initial petition proceeded without any supporting letters, while 5 recommendation letters were submitted as part of the RFE response.
The petition was adjudicated through the Texas Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.
#15: NIW in Medical Virology
This NIW approval involved a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, born in Nigeria and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as a Faculty Research Fellow. Filed in Medical Virology, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM2052 before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a STEM master's degree and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 13 publications and 118 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2024. The initial filing included 4 recommendation letters and no testimonial letters, while 3 additional recommendation letters were submitted with the RFE response.
The petition was adjudicated through the Texas Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.
#16: NIW in Transplant Outcomes and Health Services Research
This NIW approval involved a Postdoctoral Research Scholar, born in Pakistan and residing in the United States, who proposes to remain in the same employment. Filed in Transplant Outcomes and Health Services Research, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM2623 before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held an MBBS degree and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 21 publications and 113 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2026. The initial filing proceeded without recommendation letters and included 2 testimonial letters, while 2 recommendation letters were submitted as part of the RFE response.
The petition underwent transfers from the Nebraska Service Center to the Texas Service Center and then back to the Nebraska Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after RFE review in a non-STEM field while undergoing multiple service center transfers.
#17: NIW in Clinical Pharmacology
This NIW approval involved an applicant born and residing in Argentina, who proposes to work as an Associate Director - Pharmacometrics, Quantitative Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics in industry. Filed in Clinical Pharmacology, the applicant initially filed an NIW petition, followed by two EB-1A petitions. Both EB-1A petitions received RFEs and were subsequently denied, with the first RFE issued by Officer EX0413 and the second by the Nebraska Service Center. The NIW petition also received an RFE from the Texas Service Center before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a STEM Ph.D. and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 18 publications and 264 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The initial petition proceeded without any supporting letters, while 3 recommendation letters and 1 testimonial letter were submitted with the RFE response.
The petition was adjudicated through the Texas Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after RFE review despite two related EB-1A petitions having received RFEs and been denied, while the applicant was residing outside the United States.
#18: NIW in Tissue Engineering
This NIW approval involved a Postdoctoral Scholar, born in China and residing in the United States, who proposes to remain in the same employment. Filed in Tissue Engineering, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM2229 before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a STEM master's degree and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 11 publications and 89 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The initial petition proceeded without any supporting letters, while 4 recommendation letters and 1 testimonial letter were submitted as part of the RFE response.
The petition underwent transfers from the Nebraska Service Center to the Texas Service Center and then back to the Nebraska Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.
Notable: This approval is notable for securing NIW approval after RFE review while undergoing multiple service center transfers.
#19: NIW in Quantum Materials and Devices
This NIW approval involved a Ph.D. Candidate (Graduate Research Assistant), born in Bangladesh and residing in the United States, who proposes to work as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in industry. Filed in Quantum Materials and Devices, the petition received an RFE from Officer XM2366 before approval was ultimately secured.
The applicant held a STEM master's degree and demonstrated a scholarly record consisting of 12 publications and 203 citations, with peer-reviewed work published as recently as 2025. The initial filing included 2 recommendation letters and no testimonial letters, while 1 additional recommendation letter was submitted with the RFE response.
The petition was adjudicated through the Texas Service Center with a premium processing upgrade.
The key to our success is the way in which we present supporting evidence and provide the highest quality petition letters. With over 70,000 I-140 EB-1 ( EB-1A Alien of Extraordinary Ability; EB-1B Outstanding Researcher or Professor), EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) and O-1 approvals, our firm has acquired substantial information about USCIS decisions, which gives us significant advantage over firms that only handle a small number of cases.
Based on our close track of USCIS internal memoranda, AAO decisions, and judicial review decisions, we have unique insight into the USCIS adjudication trends. Not only do we apply this insight into our approaches to our clients' cases, but we also carefully review all RFEs (Requests for Evidence), NOIDs (Notices of Intent to Deny), approvals, and denials issued on our cases so that we can further increase our understanding of USCIS strategies and decision-making processes. With the insight, we are able to advise our clients on the best ways to proceed with their petitions.
While other petitioners and attorneys may still use templates to draft recommendation letters or petition letters, our clients' recommendation letters and petition letters are tailored to their individual credentials to best persuade a USCIS officer that our clients meet the requirements of the category they are applying under and therefore their petitions deserve to be approved. To provide the best EB-1 and EB-2 NIW services, our law firm only selects attorneys who have received their professional Juris Doctor degrees from the top law schools in the U.S. and who have garnered rigorous analytical skills through years of experience.