Success Story: A Postdoctoral Research Associate from Vietnam Secures EB-2 NIW Approval Without an RFE
Client’s Testimonial:
"Thank you for your professionalism! Know that the work you guys do in the current landscape matters!”
On April 13th, 2026, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Field of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (Approval Notice).
General Field: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Postdoctoral Research Associate
Country of Origin: Vietnam
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: Illinois
Approval Notice Date: April 13th, 2026
Processing Time: 13 months, 15 days
Case Summary:
It was a privilege for our team to assist a postdoctoral research associate specializing in mechanical and aerospace engineering, a Ph.D. holder in aerospace engineering from Vietnam, with this EB-2 NIW petition. In line with our commitment to I-140 clients, we adopted a strategic, case-by-case approach, carefully analyzing the qualifications presented to craft a well-supported petition that highlighted the national importance of advancing computational tools and physics-informed predictive models for aerospace and manufacturing technologies.
Client Background and Proposed Endeavor
As an expert in mechanical and aerospace engineering, the proposed endeavor is to continue research on advancing and developing computational tools for designing physics-informed predictive models to accelerate the development of new mechanical and aerospace technologies, including spacecraft propulsion, material behavior under harsh environments, and advanced manufacturing techniques. With advanced training spanning computational mechanics, materials science, and fluid dynamics, this researcher was actively conducting this work at a leading national laboratory in the United States at the time of filing.
National Significance of the Research
We emphasized that this research is of significant importance and has far-reaching implications for the United States. The work directly supports the country's aerospace sector, the largest in the world, and advances critical capabilities in spacecraft electric propulsion, materials performance in extreme environments, and energy-efficient manufacturing. By developing scalable, physics-informed computational tools, this research strengthens the nation's capacity to maintain technological leadership in aerospace and advanced manufacturing.
Furthermore, these contributions align with broader federal priorities and have been formally recognized as advancing critical and emerging technology areas, including space propulsion, machine learning, and advanced engineering materials, fields essential to U.S. technological leadership, economic prosperity, and national security. The research has been funded by the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the Office of Naval Research, affirming both its national importance and scientific rigor.
Impressive Credentials and Achievements
To further strengthen the case, we highlighted an exceptional record of achievement. This researcher has authored 8 peer-reviewed journal articles (7 of them first-authored), 2 peer-reviewed conference articles (1 of them first-authored), 3 abstracts (2 of them first-authored), and 1 first-authored conference presentation. This body of work has been cited 63 times. The client has also been invited to conduct peer review for authoritative journals in the field, having completed at least 3 peer reviews to date, a testament to the client's standing as a trusted expert among peers.
Case Outcome
Considering the strength of the accomplishments and the national importance of the proposed endeavor, we are delighted to share that this NIW petition was approved in over 13 months without RFE. The client's pioneering work in computational mechanics and aerospace engineering positions them to make lasting contributions to U.S. technological leadership and industrial innovation for years to come.