Success Stories: Our Smashing Efforts and the Help of PP Service Got a Scientist from Portugal Attain O1-A Approval in Just a Week

Posted by wegreened on January 28, 2022 in Success Stories O1-A, Biology (Pathology and Immunology, Human Genetics, Genomics, Molecular Biology, Animal, Plant, Microbiology, Genetics, Botany)

Client’s Testimonial:

“North America Immigration Law Group processed my petition for a O1-A visa in a time crunch and with extreme professionalism. As a result, I got an answer from USCIS prior to the 15-day timeline (premium processing). I recommend all future clients to read and understand the provided package of documents, which greatly helps expedite the process. I thank North America Immigration Law Group for their assistance with my visa petition. Thank you!”

On May 28^th, 2021, we received another O1-A (Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement) approval for a Scientist in the Field of Molecular Biology (Approval Notice).

General Field: Molecular Biology

Position at the Time of Case Filing: Scientist

Country of Origin: Portugal

State of Residence at the Time of Filing: California

Approval Notice Date: May 28^th, 2021

Processing Time: 7 days (Premium Processing Requested)

Case Summary:

A scientist from Portugal hired North America Immigration Law Group to help her file a petition under the visa category of O1-A (Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement). To help her fully, we began to evaluate her credentials in order to render a strong petition on her behalf. Our comprehensive experience in building employment-based visa petitions armed us with great legal strategies to secure our client’s O1-A petition approval. We aimed at proving our client’s clear intentions to continue her research in the United States to the USCIS by incorporating the following points in her petition packet:

We corroborated her meticulous doctoral degree in biochemistry with extensive experience in the field of molecular biology, researching sample processing, and bioinformatic analysis to improve genome sequencing methodologies, including those used in forensic investigations. We deduced that our client's research addresses some of our nation’s most pressing issues in DNA sequencing technologies. Therefore, she is a molecular biologist of the highest order, one who has been consistently producing an extremely impressive nature of work and the continuation of her work unimpeded is in the best interests of the United States.
Also, we delved into a useful tool for measuring a researcher’s influence on his or her field by looking at their citation record. In this regard, our client proved herself to be a fundamentally influential molecular biologist. Since the 7 peer-reviewed journal articles, 1 peer-reviewed conference article, 1 peer-reviewed conference abstract, 2 US patents, and 2 book chapters she published garnered 264 citations from fellow researchers, this confirms that it’s a notable number that honors her as a molecular biologist who unfailingly operates at the top of her field.
Besides, she has also conducted 15 reviews for highly acclaimed journals in the field of molecular biology to date whereas only prominent researchers in their field are invited to perform this critical evaluating of the work of others, authenticating once again that our client occupies a place of authority among other molecular biologists and the overall field.
To bolster her case further, she obtained 4 recommendation letters from leading researchers from top universities and research groups from the United States and abroad, documenting her as a researcher of extraordinary ability in her specialized field. One of the recommenders stated:

“It is clear from her combination of background and experience that [client] is unique in her field of molecular biology. Her work benefits other researchers and those involved with criminal justice, as well. The work that she does in determining the most effective methods of analysis and providing necessary insight into DNA usage is tremendously important. She serves at the top of her field and will continue to do so. I look forward to seeing her continued success here in the United States.”

We successfully conveyed to the USCIS that our client is not only a uniquely qualified researcher but also that she is offering innovative ideas to the field at large. Thus, without any further ado, she received her O1-A approval. A special thanks to premium processing, our client’s case was adjudicated in just 7 days. PP is a paid option offered by the USCIS that allows petitioners to enjoy accelerated adjudication (the case will be processed within 15 days instead of 9-12 months). Therefore, we would like to thank him for trusting our law firm and allowing us to prepare his O1-A petition.

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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 Sixty-four 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

(2012.01 - 2025.12)

Category	Approval or Refund^®		Approval or Refiling^TM
	Approval or Refund^®
Category	Approved Sum	Success Rate	Approved Sum	Success Rate
NIW	42,047	99%	5,258	97%
EB1A	9,218	91%	4,534	86%
EB1B	1,488	98%	448	93%
Total	52,753	98%	10,240	92%