Success Story: NIW Approved for A Theoretical Chemistry Expert From Taiwan Without RFE
Client’s Testimonial:
"I was referred to Chen's immigration attorney by a friend. After a quick evaluation, they got back to me promptly and offered me an “approval or refund” service. Throughout the process, they responded to my messages quickly and prepared my petition letter in a very fast and professional manner. I am very satisfied with their service. The drafted recommendation letters were well-written and tailored to both my background and my recommenders. Overall, my experience was very efficient, helpful, and positive.”
On May 12th, 2026, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Research Assistant in the Field of Theoretical Chemistry (Approval Notice).
General Field: Theoretical Chemistry
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Research Assistant
Country of Origin: Taiwan
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: Texas
Approval Notice Date: May 12th, 2026
Processing Time: 14 months, 5 days
Case Summary:
Computational chemistry and machine learning are increasingly converging to transform how life-saving medications are designed and developed. The client is a research assistant specializing in theoretical chemistry, with a research focus on leveraging machine learning and advanced computational techniques to address key challenges in drug design and molecular research.
Our team approached this filing with a case-by-case strategy, carefully analyzing the client's background to identify the strongest arguments under the NIW framework. Rather than simply listing credentials, we built a cohesive narrative around three core arguments: the substantial merit and urgency of the researcher's proposed endeavor, the client's demonstrated ability to advance that endeavor based on a documented record of impact, and the broader national benefit of waiving the job offer requirement to allow this cutting-edge research to continue without unnecessary delay.
A key part of our strategy was framing the national importance argument around the real-world consequences of the client's research. We demonstrated that the U.S. pharmaceutical market, the largest in the world, is projected to grow substantially over the coming years, and that the client's AI-driven approach to computational chemistry directly addresses a critical national healthcare need. We further highlighted the alignment of this work with federal priorities.
We organized the supporting evidence to give USCIS a clear and verifiable picture of the client's expertise and influence:
- Publication record: 16 peer-reviewed journal articles (1 first-authored and 1 co-first-authored)
- Scientific influence: 360 citations
- Funding: Research supported by the Welch Foundation, which reserves grants for basic chemical research advancing national health, scientific progress, and national defense
- Education: M.S. in chemistry
We also submitted four recommendation letters from experts in the field. One expert has stated that:
“[Client] has demonstrated research skills through [Client]’s repeated success that make [Client] uniquely qualified to continue conducting highly valuable research in catalysis, computational experimentation, and polymer physics.”
USCIS approved the NIW petition in just over 14 months without an RFE. We are proud to have supported the client throughout this journey and look forward to seeing the continued impact of their work in advancing theoretical chemistry and pharmaceutical innovation in the United States.