Success Story: Biostatistics Researcher Secures I-140 NIW Approval After RFE for Advancing Public Health Research
Client’s Testimonial:
“Very professional. Will recommend your firm to my friends.”
On October 8th, 2026, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Senior Statistical Analyst in the Field of Biostatistics (Approval Notice).
General Field: Biostatistics
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Senior Statistical Analyst
Country of Origin: China
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: Illinois
Approval Notice Date: October 8th, 2026
Processing Time: 19 months, 18 days (Premium Processing Upgrade Requested)
Case Summary:
The growing importance of evidence-based healthcare has increased the need for researchers who can transform complex health information into meaningful insights. North America Immigration Law Group (Chen Immigration Law Associates) successfully secured I-140 EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) approval after a Request for Evidence (RFE) for a researcher specializing in biostatistics. With a master’s degree in biostatistics, the client has established a research background in applying statistical methods to public health challenges, particularly those involving disease prevention and population health.
The client's scholarly record included 5 peer-reviewed journal articles and 5 conference abstracts, with his published research receiving 29 citations. To demonstrate the significance of these contributions, we presented comparative citation evidence showing that one publication ranked among the top 10% most-cited articles and another among the top 20% in their respective field and publication years. These comparisons helped establish the relevance of his research within the broader scientific literature rather than relying on citation totals alone.
An important aspect of our petition strategy was demonstrating how the client's research had influenced other scientific investigations. We highlighted examples of independent researchers using his findings to examine healthcare risks, understand changes in cardiovascular health, and inform disease prevention research. Such applications illustrated how his statistical analyses contributed to ongoing studies and provided evidence of his ability to generate findings useful to the wider research community. We also documented research support from a major cardiovascular health organization and a federal biomedical research agency, reinforcing the relevance of his work to public health priorities.
The petition was further supported by 4 recommendation letters, including an independent advisory opinion. These letters provided expert assessments of the client's research experience, scholarly contributions, and capacity to advance his proposed endeavor. Together with the objective evidence, they helped explain why his qualifications and research record were relevant to his future work in biostatistics.
One expert stated that:
“These outstanding achievements showcase the indispensability of his research for the U.S.”
Following the issuance of an RFE, the client's I-140 NIW petition was ultimately approved. The case demonstrates the importance of presenting a cohesive evidentiary record that connects a researcher's qualifications and documented contributions to the three requirements under Matter of Dhanasar. By emphasizing the national importance of evidence-based public health research, the client's demonstrated ability to advance the proposed endeavor, and the benefits of waiving the job offer and labor certification requirements, the petition supported a favorable outcome and the client's continued contributions to public health research in the United States.