Success Story: NIW Approval without RFE for an Electrical Engineering Expert
Client’s Testimonial:
"I had a great experience working with Chen Immigration on my EB2 NIW petition. The team demonstrated very high professionalism throughout the whole process, especially in helping me to present my research contributions in a clear and well-organized way. They always responded and addressed my questions or concerns promptly, and my case was finally approved smoothly.”
On March 4th, 2026, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for an R&D Engineering/ Staff Engineer in the Field of electrical engineering (Approval Notice).
General Field: Electrical Engineering
Position at the Time of Case Filing: R&D Engineering/Staff Engineer
Approval Notice Date: March 4th, 2026
Processing Time: 21 months, 26 days
Case Summary:
We are pleased to share an EB-2 NIW approval in over 21 months without RFE for an R&D engineering/staff engineer in the field of electrical engineering. With a Ph.D. in electrical and computer engineering, the client built a compelling case for I-140 NIW approval through research in the field of electrical engineering focused on advancing electronic design automation (EDA) and the theory of computing to provide critical support for the semiconductor industry.
Establishing a Strong Scientific Record
The client's record included 2 peer-reviewed journal articles (1 of them first-authored) and 2 peer-reviewed conference papers (1 of them first-authored), with 52 citations. In an NIW case, these figures are most persuasive when they show actual reliance by the field. The client has completed at least 10 reviews to date, a recognition reserved for established experts in their discipline.
The petition also included 2 recommendation letters. One recommender noted:
"Considering the widespread use of semiconductors in key devices such as mobile phones, laptops, televisions, and more, the United States’ technology sector and its economy stand to benefit profoundly from [Client]’s research."
Demonstrating National Importance
Through Semiconductor and EDA Research In preparing the petition, North America Immigration Law Group (Chen Immigration Law Associates) emphasized that the client's work had significance well beyond academic publication. The research was framed as directly relevant to the United States' leadership in critical and emerging technologies, with the client's proposed endeavor falling squarely within technology areas formally recognized by federal authorities as priorities for national security and economic competitiveness. The client's research contributions in the area of circuit design and EDA have been adopted and built upon by independent researchers worldwide, further evidencing their broad impact on the field.
The petition tied this work to broader national stakes, including the rapid growth of domestic semiconductor manufacturing, the urgency of maintaining U.S. technological leadership amid intensifying global competition, and the federal government's significant investments in the domestic semiconductor supply chain. The client's research has also received support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), further confirming its alignment with national priorities.
A Positive Outcome
This I-140 NIW approval demonstrates how a focused proposed endeavor, grounded in a federally recognized critical and emerging technology area and supported by industry-level research experience and rigorous citation evidence, can form a persuasive national interest case. We are proud that NAILG had the opportunity to assist this client in the field of electrical and computer engineering in presenting the case successfully.