WeGreened Approval Statistics: Week of January 12, 2026

During the week of January 12 to January 18, 2026, WeGreened received 125 approval notices from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Of the 125 approvals, 80 were for NIW (National Interest Waiver), 31 were for EB1A (Alien of Extraordinary Ability), 11 were for EB1B (Outstanding Professors or Researchers), and 3 were for O1A (Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement).

NIW again represented the majority of approvals, while EB1A remained strong among petitioners whose records could be presented as sustained, field-recognized excellence under a totality-of-the-evidence review.

EB1A and NIW Credential Analysis

EB1A petitioners this week showed concentrated impact metrics. Publications ranged from 3 to 80 (Q1: 9, median: 15, Q3: 24.5), and citations ranged from 0 to 3,433 (Q1: 298, median: 561, Q3: 1,036). Even with variation at the high end, the middle of the EB1A distribution remained relatively tight, which is consistent with how EB1A approvals often cluster around profiles that can be framed as sustained influence and recognition under final merits review.

NIW petitioners reflected a broader spectrum of credential profiles. Publications ranged from 1 to 82 (Q1: 7, median: 10, Q3: 17), and citations ranged from 3 to 1,738 (Q1: 83, median: 150, Q3: 281.2). Compared with EB1A, NIW showed a wider spread across both publications and citations, reinforcing that approvals can include both earlier-stage records and more established profiles when the petition clearly frames national importance, credible forward momentum, and future U.S. benefit.

Insights on Petitioner Backgrounds and Fields

EB1A approvals this week were anchored primarily in biomedical and health-related fields and computer/data-facing specialties, with additional approvals across physical sciences and engineering. A meaningful share of EB1A approvals also involved industry-facing roles, underscoring that EB1A is not confined to academia when the evidence supports field-recognized excellence.

NIW approvals spanned biomedical and health sciences, AI/software and data-driven work, and multiple engineering tracks. Many NIW petitioners were on research-intensive pathways such as postdoctoral or research roles, with a substantial subset in industry. Across these profiles, the strongest NIW outcomes tended to be those where the endeavor was defined with precision, the record showed concrete progress, and the petition explained how a waiver would expand U.S. benefit through flexibility and scale.

Highlighted EB1A Case: EB1A Approved in 18 Days for a FinTech VP With Zero Citations

One notable EB1A approval this week involved a computer science and financial technology expert working in a senior, industry-facing leadership role as a vice president and lead software engineer at a major U.S. financial institution. What makes this case stand out is that the profile did not rely on citation metrics at all. The record included four peer-reviewed publications with zero citations, along with technical and professional contributions more typical of high-impact industry tracks, such as enterprise-scale systems innovation and intellectual property activity. The petition was filed with premium processing in late December 2025 and approved in 18 days (approval date: January 16, 2026). To strengthen third-party validation, our firm prepared four expert recommendation letters and one testimonial letter, designed to translate the petitioner’s real-world influence into evidence that fits EB1A’s legal framework.

Strategically, we structured the filing under the two-part Kazarian approach and focused on evidence that USCIS officers can evaluate clearly even when academic metrics are not the core story. On the regulatory criteria side, we documented field-recognized standing through selective professional memberships (including senior-level recognition within major technical associations), sustained judging activity for respected technology and innovation awards and venues, and scholarly authorship paired with technical credibility. We also supported the leading or critical role element by tying the petitioner’s responsibilities to mission-critical work in digital payments and secure financial infrastructure at a distinguished organization. In the final merits analysis, we connected these criteria into a single narrative of sustained acclaim by showing how the petitioner’s work advanced real-time, high-reliability payment systems and strengthened large-scale validation frameworks that support security, scalability, and trust in U.S. financial technology.

This case is a useful reminder that EB1A is not limited to citation-driven academic profiles. When an industry leader’s influence can be documented through credible, objective indicators and reinforced by strong third-party validation, a well-organized petition can meet both the regulatory criteria and the final merits standard, even with zero citations.

Adjudication Trends and Policy Observations

EB1A approvals this week again turned on sustained acclaim and final merits, where meeting three criteria is only the threshold and the total record must add up to field-recognized excellence. A notable data point this week is that EB1A approvals included a zero-citation profile, reinforcing that officers can credit non-academic, field-appropriate proof when the evidence clearly demonstrates external recognition, critical roles, and consequential contributions that extend beyond internal job performance.

NIW approvals continued to span diverse disciplines and career stages, with outcomes this week stretching across a very wide citation range, including approvals at the lowest end of the dataset. At the same time, the most common procedural pattern for NIW approvals was premium processing used as an upgrade after filing rather than an upfront request. The consistent throughline, however, remained unchanged: approvals tracked best to petitions that precisely defined a nationally important endeavor, organized concrete evidence to show the petitioner was well positioned, and clearly explained how a waiver would expand U.S. benefit through flexibility, collaboration, and scale.

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North America Immigration Law Group (Chen Immigration Law Associates) is a U.S. immigration law firm dedicated to representing corporations, research institutions, and individuals from all 50 U.S. states regarding I-140 immigration petitions. We specialize in employment-based immigration petition and have a proven record of high success rate for the categories of: EB2-NIW (National Interest Waiver), EB1-A (Alien of Extraordinary Ability), EB1-B (Outstanding Researcher/Professor) and O-1 (Alien of Extraordinary Ability).

Our Ten Thousand I-140 Approvals Provide Unprecedented Insight into the USCIS Adjudication Trend

With nearly 64,000 EB-1A, EB-1B, EB-2 NIW and O-1 cases approved, we have first hand information on the manner in which the USCIS adjudicate I-140 cases. As the USCIS has constantly changed its adjudication standards for the EB-1A, EB-1B and EB-2 NIW categories, our firm's huge database of successful cases gives you unprecedented insight to USCIS adjudication trends. We carefully analyze the data for all of our cases and apply the results of our analyses toward giving our clients up-to-date advice and adapting our strategies such that we remain on par with the ever-shifting landscape of immigration law in the U.S. With us, you will always have access to important updates, strategies, and information so that you can make the most informed decisions about your case.

We Have Helped Tens of Thousands of Clients with Credentials and Backgrounds Similar to Yours

With our exceedingly large number of successful petitions, no matter what credentials you have, no matter your background and field of expertise, no matter your visa status or nationality, chances are we have helped hundreds or even thousands of clients just like you. Our clients are usually impressed with how well we understand their research and work. Our insight and understanding stems from the fact that we have handled many cases with elements similar to yours already, and this helps us devise the best strategies for each individual petition.

Vast Majority of Clients Came to Us Because of Referrals

For years, our firm has attracted new clients based solely on word of mouth, recommendations, and the positive collaboration experiences shared with them by their friends and family. We take pride in our reputation and work hard to ensure that we provide a green card application experience that our clients are happy to share with their friends and colleagues. That is how our cumulative total of approved cases grew from 600 in 2013 to nearly 64,000 in 2025.

Track Record of Success EB-1 and NIW Approvals

(2020.01 - 2024.12)

Category	Approval or Refund^®		Approval or Refiling^TM
Category	Approved Sum	Success Rate	Approved Sum	Success Rate
NIW	28,946	99.52%	3,030	98.31%
EB1A	4,322	91.76%	2,870	88.91%
EB1B	793	98.51%	236	90.77%
Total	34,061	98.44%	6,136	93.39%