Case Summary:

A Research Engineer from China recently received approval for his I-140 NIW (National Interest Waiver) petition without any Request for Evidence (RFE). With a Ph.D. in materials science and engineering, he has built a strong career developing life-cycle management strategies to improve the safety, reliability, and longevity of large-scale mechanical structures across critical sectors in the United States.

His proposed endeavor focuses on comprehensive strategies to optimize the structural performance of systems in transportation and energy, including railways, aircraft, ships, automotive systems, and wind power infrastructure. His work supports national goals of modernizing infrastructure, extending service life, and minimizing operational risks and costs.

He has demonstrated a strong track record in mechanical engineering research.

To support his petition, we outlined his notable academic and professional contributions:

● Authored 15 peer-reviewed journal articles—including 3 as first author and 1 as co-first author—and contributed to 4 additional peer-reviewed conference papers, showcasing consistent research productivity across multiple platforms

● His body of work has been cited 174 times, reflecting a growing influence in the fields of mechanical design, diagnostics, and infrastructure systems.

● At least 5 papers ranked among the most highly cited in engineering for their respective publication years

● 98 peer reviews completed for leading journals, including Scientific Reports, Sensors, and Structural Health Monitoring

● Research supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), which funds projects with national scientific and economic relevance

His work has appeared in top-tier journals such as Additive Manufacturing, ISA Transactions, and IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Vehicles. His research has improved diagnostics, optimization, and fault prediction in mechanical systems.

His innovations enhance engineering design, predictive reliability, and infrastructure resilience.

His work broadly contributes to improving the reliability and long-term performance of complex mechanical systems. He has developed diagnostic tools, data-driven modeling techniques, and engineering strategies aimed at enhancing structural safety, fault detection, and operational stability. His findings have influenced design evaluations and maintenance strategies across engineering applications.

Four expert recommendation letters supported the national importance of his work.

Among the four expert recommendation letters submitted to support his petition, one independent authority in the field specifically highlighted the significance of his research contributions, stating:

“[Client’s] research on the life-cycle management and reliability design of mechanical structures has a direct and meaningful impact on the infrastructure systems that the United States relies upon daily. His work on fatigue crack propagation, welding behavior, and predictive maintenance has been instrumental in improving the safety, performance, and service life of transportation and energy systems such as railways, aircraft, and wind turbines.”

Approval granted in just over 16 months with no RFE.

Following a well-prepared petition and thorough documentation, USCIS approved his I-140 NIW in 1 year, 4 months, and 4 days. This success was achieved without any issuance of a Request for Evidence. In addition to this achievement, we have also received approvals for the client’s J waiver and O1A cases before. We are honored to support his case and excited to see his continued impact on infrastructure and engineering innovation in the United States.