Success Stories: Based on Matter of Dhanasar, an NIW Petition Was Approved for a Ph.D. Candidate/Research Assistant from Iran
Client’s Testimonial:
“Thank you so much for helping me with my I140 petition.....Once again I am happy that with your accurate and phenomenal work, my case was approved.”
On April 4th, 2017, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Ph.D. Candidate/Research Assistant in the Field of Electrical Engineering (Approval Notice).
General Field: Electrical Engineering
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Ph.D. Candidate/Research Assistant
Country of Origin: Iran
Service Center: Nebraska Service Center (NSC)
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: California
Approval Notice Date: April 4th, 2017
Processing Time: 11 months, 2 days
Case Summary:
When an Iranian Ph.D. candidate/research assistant specializing in the field of electrical engineering approached North America Immigration Law Group (NAILG) for help with an EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) petition, we conducted a quick purview of his credentials to affirm his suitability for the national interest waiver. Based on Matter of Dhanasar, the USCIS determined approval based on substantial merit of our client’s work, its national importance, and how our client is well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor.
After countersigning the legal agreement, we started the meticulous compilation of an effective NIW dossier. The points we highlighted included:
- We detailed our client's scholarly contributions including 8 peer-reviewed articles in prominent journals and conferences which had accrued 33 citations at the time of filing.
- The various peer reviews which our client conducted for esteemed journals was noted.
- Our client's influence in the field of electrical engineering, especially pertaining to optics and photonics was also listed. He has designed and fabricated optical and photonics devices with applications in novel medical treatments and advancements in electronic devices. Notably, our client's research results directly contribute to American communications, electronics, transportation, and medical device industries as well as help improve the understanding of optical devices, especially optical resonators.
- Finally, to establish a solid case, we submitted recommendation letters proffered by 6 other electrical engineering experts. A highly distinguished professor noted:
“[Client's] skills are highly specific and unique within our field, making him a valuable asset for further advancing nano-optics and nano-photonic technology. I am confident that, given a chance to continue working in the United States, [Client] will continue to have a successful career researching and designing integrated optical components with immediate and optimal processing and calculating capabilities.”
Collectively, all six experts found our client to be highly deserving of the national interest waiver.
Months of hard work resulted in the NIW approval received by our client 11 months and 2 days after filing. Though the adjudication timeline went beyond the anticipated 4 to 9 months, we are still elated that our client successfully overcame the first hurdle in the green card process. We thank him for retaining us to file an I-485 application on his behalf—the approval of which will grant him permanent residency in the US. As we wait for the USCIS to take action on our client’s application, we wish him well as he continues to conduct impactful research here in the US.