Success Story: NIW Approval for an Immunology Expert Advancing Personalized Approaches to Difficult-to-Treat Diseases
Client’s Testimonial:
“I was delighted to hear the news regarding the approval of this stage, and I extend my sincere thanks to your capable immigration team as well as my excellent lawyer.”
On August 24th, 2026, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for an R&D Director in the Field of Immunology (Approval Notice).
General Field: Immunology
Position at the Time of Case Filing: R&D Director
Country of Origin: Iran
Country of Residence at the Time of Filing: Iran
Approval Notice Date: : August 24th, 2026
Processing Time: 24 months, 16 days
Case Summary:
One expert summarized the broader relevance of the client’s work by stating, "...[Client]'s research has important implications for public health and the healthcare system..." This perspective was central to how North America Immigration Law Group (Chen Immigration Law Associates) presented the NIW case. The client’s work in immunology has examined approaches relevant to serious and difficult-to-treat diseases, while the client's future research was directed toward advancing immunology and personalized medicine to improve treatment protocols for cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and autoimmune conditions.
Her established record also showed sustained productivity and recognition in immunology. The client held a Ph.D. in medical immunology and had authored 19 peer-reviewed journal articles, as well as 3 book chapters. The client was also a co-inventor on 1 patent application. The client's publications had received 655 citations, and the client had completed at least 8 peer reviews.
NAILG highlighted instances showing that other researchers had incorporated the client’s findings into subsequent investigations. The client's stem cell research supplied data for a later meta-analysis evaluating treatment safety and efficacy, supported other studies examining regenerative approaches for severe respiratory disease, and was referenced by researchers investigating stem cell therapies. This independent use of the client's work helped demonstrate that prior research had already contributed to the development and evaluation of therapeutic approaches within the broader field.
The petition also connected this established research trajectory with substantial U.S. healthcare needs. Cancer, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions imposed significant health and economic burdens, while advances in personalized medicine and immune-based therapies could offer new avenues for improving treatment. By showing that the client had already contributed to research in these areas and had a defined direction for continuing that work, NAILG presented a case in which past achievement and future research reinforced one another.