Success Stories: National Interest Waiver (NIW) Approved for a Ph.D. Candidate from Lebanon Without RFE Issuance
Client’s Testimonial:
“North America Immigration Law group has been nothing short of exceptional throughout this process. Their expertise, responsiveness, and professionalism allowed for a smooth NIW application process.”
On September 14th, 2021, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Ph.D. Candidate in the field of Mechanical Engineering (Approval Notice).
General Field: Mechanical Engineering
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Ph.D. Candidate
Country of Origin: Lebanon
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: Michigan
Approval Notice Date: September 14th, 2021
Processing Time: 10 months, 5 days
Case Summary:
Our client, a Ph.D. candidate in mechanical engineering based in Michigan, hired North America Immigration Law Group to help him file an I-140 NIW (National Interest Waiver) petition on his part. He was assured of his strong credentials from his MS degree in aerospace engineering to his splendid citation record. He had also published 13 peer-reviewed journal articles (11 of them first-authored) and 3 first-authored conference papers in esteemed journals, altogether acquiring 49 citations at the time of case preparation. His proficiency in his area of expertise could be further demonstrated by his service as a session chair for one conference and his presentation of his research at one of the international conferences, thus underscoring his professional interest in his research.
With a background of more than 25,000 approved visa cases for such gleaming clients, we know the particulars of the USCIS trends to determine how an NIW candidate can achieve the EB-2 visa without any obstacles. Therefore, we accumulated all the relevant details in his NIW case petition, starting with his novel research on developing new hierarchical composite materials with multifunctionality and improved properties by integrating nanomaterials to tailor composite materials for specific applications. We explained how his research will develop nanostructured interphases and interlayers for high strength and toughness fiber-reinforced composites, study the effect of nanomaterials on fabrics used in soft body armor, and investigate the utility of laser-induced graphene in sensing strain and detecting damage for structural health monitoring in composite materials. Our client’s research advancing his proposed endeavor is thus of great importance as it improves the performance of composite materials currently available for use.
Also, by creating novel materials that are more effective than traditional materials at resisting gunshots and stabbings, our client has enabled the development of more effective body armor, thus ensuring the safety of law enforcement officers. The materials he develops are also critical for the United States aerospace industry, which is a major contributor to the country’s economy. Furthermore, due to its clear national importance, his research has been supported with funding from the Army Research Office, BASF Corporation, and the National Science Foundation. This funding is reserved solely for research directed at advancing the national interest, including driving cutting-edge scientific discoveries to improve Army technologies, promote scientific progress, advance national health and welfare, and secure national defense. Thus, serving as evidence that his research is critical for ensuring the security of the United States.
In addition to this, we consolidated five recommendation letters from other researchers in the field along with documentary evidence of his academic and professional achievements. One of the five recommenders had the following to say about our client’s research work:
“In particular, [client’s] research is hugely advantageous to the United States military and aerospace industry in the development of new airframes with improved performance, lightness, strength, and fuel efficiency. Commercial airlines in the United States have begun to transition to the use of carbon-fiber-reinforced composites because the reduction of weight improves fuel efficiency, saving airlines money and increasing profitability… Key to improving the performance of composite airframes, [client] has provided a method to increase laminar strength and monitor for damages, thus improving maintenance strategies.”
Consequently, his education, experience, expertise, record of publication and citation, and history of successful research in the field all indicate that he is well-positioned to advance the proposed endeavor. These facts establish that it is beneficial to the United States to waive the requirements of a job offer and labor certification. Thus, he qualifies as an alien of extraordinary ability and his entry will substantially benefit prospectively the United States. We were thus very happy to know the positive response in his favor from the adjudicating judge and are grateful to him for his continued trust in us. We truly congratulate and thank our client for this breakthrough.