Success Story: Dual I-140 NIW and I-140 EB-1B Approval for an Additive Manufacturing Researcher Advancing Critical Manufacturing Technologies
Client’s Testimonial:
"Thank you for your support and guidance throughout the process of preparing the letters and petitions. The attorneys responded promptly to all queries and prepared the petitions and letters in a timely manner. They demonstrated a strong understanding of what to emphasize and how to tailor each petition effectively. Thank you for your expertise and guidance, which contributed to these successful filings without any RFEs."
On June 26th, 2024, and April 25th, 2026, we received another I-140 NIW (National Interest Waiver) and EB-1B (Outstanding Professors and Researchers) Approvals for a Research Scientist in the Field of Additive Manufacturing (Approval Notice).
General Field: Additive Manufacturing
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Research Scientist
Country of Origin: India
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: North Carolina
Approval Notice Date: June 26th, 2024 & April 25th, 2026 (NIW & EB-1B)
Processing Time: 23 days (NIW - Premium Processing Requested), and 11 months, 11 days (EB-1B)
Case Summary:
North America Immigration Law Group (Chen Immigration Law Associates) is pleased to share that we helped a mechanical engineering researcher secure approval for both an I-140 NIW petition and an I-140 EB-1B petition.
The client, who holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and applied mechanics, works as an additive manufacturing scientist. The client’s research focuses on finite element modeling, hybrid additive manufacturing process development, and the development of new additive manufacturing materials. This work supports advanced manufacturing by improving material properties, reducing residual stress, enhancing corrosion resistance, and optimizing manufacturing processes for applications in aerospace and other critical industries.
Research Leadership and Practical Significance
In preparing the petitions, our team emphasized that the client’s work was not merely theoretical. The client’s research offered practical methods for improving hybrid additive manufacturing processes, including strategies involving laser peening, ultrasonic peening, process sequencing, and material characterization. These contributions helped demonstrate how the client’s work addressed important challenges in advanced manufacturing, including process reliability, material performance, and industrial scalability.
We also positioned the client’s record through objective evidence of field recognition. The client had authored 11 peer-reviewed journal articles and 6 peer-reviewed conference articles, with several works appearing in highly regarded publication venues. The client’s research had received 491 citations, including citation levels that placed the client among the top 1% of highly cited authors in manufacturing engineering over the past decade. Rather than presenting these numbers alone, we explained how an adjudicator could view them as evidence that independent researchers had repeatedly relied on the client’s findings to advance their own work.
Peer Trust and Independent Validation
The client had also completed at least 26 peer reviews for journals and conferences in the field. We highlighted this review activity as evidence of peer trust, since editors rely on qualified experts to evaluate whether submitted research is original, technically sound, and valuable to the field.
The petition further documented that the client’s research had received support connected to major federal funding sources, including the National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy. This helped reinforce the argument that the client’s work aligned with broader U.S. priorities in advanced manufacturing, energy efficiency, and critical materials development.
Expert Endorsements
To further support the petitions, we included 6 letters of recommendation from experts in the field, including independent experts who had become familiar with the client’s work through the published record. These letters helped connect the client’s technical achievements to broader field impact and confirmed that the client’s research had influenced other scholars and practitioners.
“By providing more efficient, high-quality manufacturing processes, [Client’s] research directly contributes to the nation's competitiveness and technological advancement across multiple industries.”
Approval and Outlook
The approval of both the I-140 NIW and I-140 EB-1B petitions reflects the strength of the client’s research profile and the careful presentation of evidence showing originality, independent reliance, peer trust, and practical significance. We congratulate the client on these important approvals and wish the client continued success in advancing additive manufacturing technologies in the United States.