Success Story: An Infectious Diseases Expert Earns NIW Approval in over 1 month under Premium Processing
Client’s Testimonial:
"Thank you for the update and for your support throughout the NIW process. I appreciate your team's work.”
On May 5th, 2026, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Fellow in the Field of Infectious Diseases (Approval Notice).
General Field: Infectious Diseases
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Fellow
Country of Origin: Pakistan
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: New York
Approval Notice Date: May 5th, 2026
Processing Time: 1 month, 15 days (Premium Processing Requested)
Case Summary:
We are pleased to share another EB-2 NIW approval for a fellow in the field of infectious diseases. With an M.B.B.S. degree, this case was built around research focused on identifying predictors of antimicrobial resistance and evaluating novel treatment strategies through clinical epidemiology, microbiological data analysis, and outcomes research. At the time of filing, active service as an infectious diseases medical fellow at a U.S. healthcare institution helped demonstrate a clear commitment to advancing the proposed endeavor within the United States.
Establishing a Strong Scientific Record
The publication record included 29 peer-reviewed journal articles (10 of them first-authored) and 2 preprints, with 84 citations. With at least 30 reviews completed to date, it further demonstrates recognition by the academic and medical community as a trusted evaluator in the discipline.
The research achievements were further recognized through an expert recommendation letter, which noted:
“These experiences have equipped [Client] with both the clinical insight and systems-level expertise necessary to advance antimicrobial stewardship, infectious disease preparedness, and public health protection in the United States.”
In an NIW case, having the publication record, citation impact, peer review service, and expert endorsement all point in the same direction carries significant weight, and the overall record here does exactly that.
Demonstrating National Importance Through Antimicrobial Resistance Research
In preparing the petition, North America Immigration Law Group (Chen Immigration Law Associates) emphasized the national significance of this work by connecting it to well-documented public health priorities in the United States. The petition demonstrated that antimicrobial resistance represents a growing and costly burden on the U.S. healthcare system, and that research aimed at identifying resistance predictors and optimizing treatment strategies directly addresses that challenge. The proposed endeavor was also tied to federal technology priorities, showing its alignment with areas recognized at the national policy level as critical to long-term U.S. health and security interests.
A Positive Outcome
This I-140 NIW petition was approved in over 1 month, without RFE. This case illustrates how a clinician-researcher with a focused proposed endeavor grounded in a critical public health priority, supported by a strong publication record, meaningful citation impact, and active engagement with the scientific community, can present a persuasive national interest case. We are proud that NAILG had the opportunity to assist in presenting this case successfully.