Success Story: Advancing Cancer Research and Precision Treatment: I-140 NIW Approval Secured for a Vietnamese PhD Student
Client’s Testimonial:
"It has been a very smooth process working with the Chen Immigration Team to prepare and file for I-140 (EB2-NIW). The team was not only very careful in preparing all the documents but also in keeping everything on track. All petition letters and support letters were drafted and tailored very well to my case, with very minimal changes needed, which made the process very smooth and fast. Additionally, the team made sure I was aware of all the advantages and potential risks of every decision, which might take a bit longer compared to other firms, but was definitely necessary to ensure a high approval rate. Thus, while many people reported their applications getting RFE or denied, my case (with premium processing) was approved directly. I would highly recommend anyone to work with the Chen Immigration Team.”
On May 7th, 2026, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a PhD Student in the field of Cancer Research (Approval Notice).
General Field: Cancer Research
Position at the Time of Case Filing: PhD Student
Country of Origin: Vietnam
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: California
Approval Notice Date: May 7th, 2026
Processing Time: 2 months, 18 days (Premium Processing Requested)
Case Summary:
This case involved a Vietnamese cancer researcher whose work focused on the tumor microenvironment, cancer progression, metastasis, and drug resistance. His research utilized single-cell genome sequencing and related analytical methods to better understand how tumors interact with surrounding cells and develop resistance to treatment.
At the time of filing, the client was conducting cancer research at a U.S. research institution, where he continued his work related to pancreatic cancer, melanoma, tumor organoid models, and precision immunotherapy.
Research Contributions in Cancer Research
The client’s work has advanced understanding of how tumor microenvironment dynamics influence cancer progression and treatment response. His research supports the development of more precise therapies by identifying mechanisms involved in drug resistance, metastatic behavior, and immune evasion across cancer types.
Academic Contributions and Recognition
The client’s record included 4 peer-reviewed journal articles, 3 first-authored conference abstracts, 224 citations, and at least 2 peer reviews for an authoritative journal in the field. Several of his publications ranked among the most cited Molecular Biology and Genetics papers for their publication years, including one article ranked among the top 1% most cited papers in its category.
Expert Endorsements
Recommendation letters submitted with the petition emphasized the importance of the client’s work in understanding how the tumor microenvironment contributes to metastasis, treatment resistance, and cancer progression. Experts noted that his research helps support more targeted and personalized therapeutic strategies across multiple cancer types.
One recommender stated:
“Altogether, [client]’s work advances more effective, personalized cancer treatments by strengthening immunotherapy delivery and limiting metastasis across cancer types.”
These evaluations highlighted the broader clinical significance of the client’s research and its continued value for advancing precision oncology and immunotherapy development.
NIW Approval and Outlook
Following the upgrade to Premium Processing, the I-140 NIW petition was approved on May 7th, 2026. This approval recognized the value of the client’s cancer research and supported his continued efforts to advance tumor microenvironment research, precision oncology, and improved cancer treatment strategies in the United States.