Success Story: NIW Victory Without RFE for A Postdoctoral Research Associate from Sri Lanka in Under 12 Months

Posted by wegreened on April 3, 2026 in NIW, Chemistry (Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biochemical Engineering, Electrochemical Engineering, Physical Chemistry, Macromolecular Engineering, Polymer Chemistry, Chemical Engineering)

Client’s Testimonial:

"It was a pleasure working with you as well.”

On February 12^th, 2026, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Field of Physical Chemistry (Approval Notice).

General Field: Physical Chemistry

Position at the Time of Case Filing: Postdoctoral Research Associate

Country of Origin: Sri Lanka

State of Residence at the Time of Filing: Washington

Approval Notice Date: February 12^th, 2026

Processing Time: 11 months, 24 days

Case Summary:

"[Client]’s work has been recognized by the many peer-reviewed journals that have published his work, positioning [Client] as a uniquely valuable figure in the field of physical chemistry."

The statement above is taken from one of two recommendation letters submitted as part of the EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) petition for a researcher from Sri Lanka holding a Ph.D. in chemistry.

Client Background and Proposed Endeavor

The proposed endeavor is to continue developing innovative, scalable energy storage solutions by investigating and manipulating hydrogen bonding in two-dimensional graphene-like materials composed of carbon, nitrogen, and boron (CBN) to advance carbon-neutral hydrogen technologies and address the global need for clean and renewable energy.

Impressive Credentials and Achievements

We emphasized that this research is of significant importance and has far-reaching implications for the United States. The work directly addresses the urgent need for scalable energy storage solutions, strengthening the clean energy transition and energy security nationwide.

To further strengthen the case, we highlighted exceptional credentials:

Publications: An impressive portfolio of 5 peer-reviewed journal articles (4 of them first-authored) and 1 first-authored peer-reviewed conference article.
Citations: The work has been cited 16 times.
Major Funding Sources: The research has been supported by major funding sources, including the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy (DOE), affirming the significance and national importance of the work.

Case Outcome

Considering the exceptional strength of the accomplishments and the national importance of the proposed endeavor, we are delighted to share that this NIW petition was approved in under 12 months without an RFE. The innovative work in hydrogen bonding mechanisms, bimetallic catalyst stability, and high-temperature surface analysis positions this researcher to make transformative contributions to U.S. clean energy innovation, grid stability, and sustainable economic growth for years to come.

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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.

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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%