Success Story: Advanced Air Mobility Research Earns NIW Approval for a Ph.D. Student
Client’s Testimonial:
"I truly want to thank you for all of your help, guidance, and support throughout this process. I sincerely appreciate everything you have done to help me reach this approval.”
On September 3rd, 2026, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Ph.D. Student in the Field of Advanced Air Mobility (Approval Notice).
General Field: Advanced Air Mobility
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Ph.D. Student
Country of Origin: Iran
Approval Notice Date: September 3rd, 2026
Processing Time: 21 months, 22 days (Premium Processing Requested)
Case Summary:
When North America Immigration Law Group (Chen Immigration Law Associates) prepared the NIW petition, the client was a Ph.D. student conducting research in Advanced Air Mobility. The client had previously earned a master’s degree, providing an advanced academic foundation for continued work in the field. At the time of filing, the client’s research record included 4 peer-reviewed papers, 16 citations, 2 completed peer reviews, and 4 recommendation letters. These credentials helped demonstrate the client’s growing expertise and record of contribution to the field.
NAILG also presented evidence showing that the client’s published work had received recognition from other researchers. Rather than relying solely on publication and citation numbers, the petition placed these accomplishments in context to demonstrate that the client had already established a meaningful research record and was well positioned to continue contributing to Advanced Air Mobility.
To establish the national importance of the proposed endeavor, our team explained the broader significance of continued advances in Advanced Air Mobility and connected the client’s work to U.S. interests in transportation, technological development, and public welfare. The petition further showed that the client’s work involved artificial intelligence, an area recognized as a critical and emerging technology, supporting the broader national relevance of continued research in this field.
A premium processing upgrade was made in July 2026, USCIS approved the NIW petition on September 3rd, 2026, concluding a 21-month, 22-day adjudication process. The approval reflects both the client’s established research record and NAILG’s careful presentation of how the client’s continued work in Advanced Air Mobility could contribute to broader U.S. technological and transportation interests.