Success Stories After RFE: 3 I-140 Approvals on March 17, 2026

Posted by wegreened on March 18, 2026 in Daily Approval Summary

A Request for Evidence, or RFE, is not a final adjudication outcome. In many I-140 filings, it reflects the adjudicating officer’s need for clearer evidentiary linkage, tighter legal framing, or a more direct explanation of how the petition satisfies the governing standard. Even cases that ultimately succeed may face additional scrutiny when the procedural history includes service center transfers, different premium processing strategies, or credential profiles that are not especially large on paper.

The following three success stories highlight I-140 approvals secured after RFE scrutiny. These success stories include one EB-1A approval and two NIW approvals. Together, they show that approval after an RFE depends not only on the applicant’s background, but also on whether the filing remains coherent, well supported, and durable enough to withstand closer review.

Cases With Inherent Challenges

Repeated Service Center Transfers During Review

All three approvals followed a more complicated adjudicative path than a single-center review. The EB-1A case moved from the Texas Service Center to the Nebraska Service Center and back again, while the two NIW approvals bounced from the Nebraska Service Center to the Texas Service Center and back. Procedural movement of this kind can make consistency especially important, because the same filing must remain persuasive as review shifts across locations.

Modest Research Profiles Under Continued Scrutiny

These approvals also reflect meaningful variation in the scholarly record. One applicant presented 21 publications and 1,017 citations, while another secured NIW approval with only 1 publication and 42 citations. This contrast underscores a recurring feature of post-RFE adjudication, namely that officers do not assess numbers alone, but whether the overall evidentiary picture remains persuasive under the applicable standard.

Mixed Premium Processing Paths

Procedural strategies also differed across these matters. Two cases advanced via a premium processing upgrade, while one proceeded with upfront premium processing. This variation proves there is no single route to approval after an RFE, even when petitions share transfer activity and continued officer scrutiny.

EB-1A Approvals After RFE (1)

#1: EB-1A in Crop Genetics

This EB-1A approval involved a Chinese-born applicant residing in the United States, working as a Postdoctoral Associate and proposing to remain in the same role. The petition in Crop Genetics received an RFE before ultimately reaching approval.

The applicant held a Ph.D. in a STEM field and presented a substantial research record that included 21 publications, 1,017 citations, and a latest peer-reviewed publication from 2024, together with four recommendation letters.

The case proceeded with a premium processing upgrade and moved through multiple transfers, from the Texas Service Center to the Nebraska Service Center and then back to the Texas Service Center.

Notable: This case stands out for combining a strong citation record with multiple service center transfers before approval.

NIW Approvals After RFE (2)

#2: NIW in Computational Material Science

This NIW approval involved an applicant from India residing in the United States, working as an R&D Engineering Staff Engineer in industry and proposing to remain in the same role. The petition in Computational Material Science received an RFE from Officer XM2481 before ultimately being approved.

The applicant held a STEM Ph.D. and presented 4 publications, 60 citations, and a latest peer-reviewed publication from 2024. The filing was also supported by two recommendation letters and two testimonial letters.

This petition proceeded with upfront premium processing, and the procedural path was not straightforward. The case moved from the Nebraska Service Center to the Texas Service Center and then back to the Nebraska Service Center.

Notable: This approval involved multiple service center transfers.

#3: NIW in Communication and Network Engineering

A Bangladeshi Ph.D. candidate residing in the United States, this applicant proposes to work as a Senior Engineer in industry. The NIW petition in Communication and Network Engineering received an RFE from Officer XM2560 before reaching approval.

The applicant held a master’s degree in a STEM field and presented a comparatively modest research profile that included 1 publication, 42 citations, and a latest peer-reviewed publication from 2023, supported by two recommendation letters.

The case utilized a premium processing upgrade and also experienced a complex adjudicative path, moving from the Nebraska Service Center to the Texas Service Center and then back again to the Nebraska Service Center.

Notable: This NIW was approved after an RFE despite a very small publication record and multiple service center transfers.

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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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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%