Success Story: NIW Approved Without RFE! Our Firm Helped an Ethiopian Research Professor Secure Success

Client’s Testimonial:

“I want to express my appreciation for the overall case preparation process. The consultation was efficient, and my inquiries were met with timely, tailored responses. The team is well-organized and excels in file preparation, drafting recommendations, and evaluating evidence. They genuinely considered my comments and crafted the petition letter with care and professionalism. Overall, I had an excellent experience and highly recommend your services to anyone seeking a trusted immigration lawyer.”

On January 13^th, 2025, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Research Professor in the Field of Biotechnologies (Approval Notice).

General Field: Biotechnologies

Position at the Time of Case Filing: Research Professor

Country of Origin: Ethiopia

Country of Residence at the Time of Filing: Republic of Korea

Approval Notice Date: January 13^th, 2025

Processing Time: 2 months, 27 days (Premium Processing Upgrade Requested)

Case Summary:

At North America Immigration Law Group, we are proud to share the success story of an exceptional researcher whose dedication to advancing the field of biotechnologies recently earned an I-140 National Interest Waiver (NIW) approval. Through strategic case preparation and precise presentation of evidence, our team helped secure approval for this case, reinforcing the client’s crucial role in advancing U.S. innovation in biotechnology and healthcare.

Client Background and Field

Our client holds a Ph.D. in biological engineering and is an established expert in biotechnologies. The client’s research integrates advanced computational techniques and artificial intelligence (AI) to decode complex biological mechanisms, identify new drug targets, and streamline drug discovery processes. This line of work is fundamental to improving healthcare outcomes and promoting innovation across the biotechnology sector — an area formally recognized by the U.S. government as a critical and emerging technology essential for maintaining national competitiveness.

Petition Strategy and Case Highlights

Upon receiving this case, our legal team conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the client’s qualifications and scholarly record. We emphasized the national importance of the client’s ongoing research, aligning it with federal initiatives promoting AI-driven drug discovery and biomanufacturing technologies.

To demonstrate the client’s strong standing in the field, we presented:

8 peer-reviewed journal articles (6 first-authored) and 2 first-authored abstracts, published in top-tier scientific venues in biotechnology and pharmacology.
97 total citations, reflecting the global impact and reliance on the client’s research by independent scholars and research groups.
At least 10 completed peer reviews for recognized scientific journals — a clear indicator of the client’s expertise and trust within the academic community.
Documentation of major research funding from the Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MinT), underscoring both the credibility and societal relevance of the client’s work.

Expert Endorsements

To reinforce the petition, we included four detailed recommendation letters from distinguished researchers across multiple countries. These experts emphasized the client’s pioneering use of computational and genomic approaches for drug discovery and described the client’s findings as “foundational to future AI-assisted pharmaceutical innovation.”

“As a highly prominent researcher in biotechnologies, [Client] has contributed significantly to the treatment efficacy of complex diseases such as AML. His work is particularly valuable in the context of the limited treatment options and the high fatality rate of AML. It is clear that [Client’s] work is of great value to the field and that he is an irreplaceable presence in the research sphere.”

Case Outcome

Our firm’s meticulous presentation of the client’s research impact and alignment with national interests led to a successful NIW approval in just 2 months and 27 days. This result reflects both the client’s remarkable achievements and our commitment to securing favorable outcomes for researchers shaping the future of science and technology in the United States.

We are honored to have supported this client’s immigration journey and look forward to witnessing continued breakthroughs in computational biotechnology that enhance global health and scientific progress.

North America Immigration Law Group (Chen Immigration Law Associates) is a U.S. immigration law firm dedicated to representing corporations, research institutions, and individuals from all 50 U.S. states regarding I-140 immigration petitions. We specialize in employment-based immigration petition and have a proven record of high success rate for the categories of: EB2-NIW (National Interest Waiver), EB1-A (Alien of Extraordinary Ability), EB1-B (Outstanding Researcher/Professor) and O-1 (Alien of Extraordinary Ability).

Our Ten Thousand I-140 Approvals Provide Unprecedented Insight into the USCIS Adjudication Trend

With more than 58,000 EB-1A, EB-1B, EB-2 NIW and O-1 cases approved, we have first hand information on the manner in which the USCIS adjudicate I-140 cases. As the USCIS has constantly changed its adjudication standards for the EB-1A, EB-1B and EB-2 NIW categories, our firm's huge database of successful cases gives you unprecedented insight to USCIS adjudication trends. We carefully analyze the data for all of our cases and apply the results of our analyses toward giving our clients up-to-date advice and adapting our strategies such that we remain on par with the ever-shifting landscape of immigration law in the U.S. With us, you will always have access to important updates, strategies, and information so that you can make the most informed decisions about your case.

We Have Helped Hundreds and Thousands of Clients with Credentials and Backgrounds Similar to Yours

With our exceedingly large number of successful petitions, no matter what credentials you have, no matter your background and field of expertise, no matter your visa status or nationality, chances are we have helped hundreds or even thousands of clients just like you. Our clients are usually impressed with how well we understand their research and work. Our insight and understanding stems from the fact that we have handled many cases with elements similar to yours already, and this helps us devise the best strategies for each individual petition.

Vast Majority of Clients Came to Us Because of Referrals

For years, our firm has attracted new clients based solely on word of mouth, recommendations, and the positive collaboration experiences shared with them by their friends and family. We take pride in our reputation and work hard to ensure that we provide a green card application experience that our clients are happy to share with their friends and colleagues. That is how our cumulative total of approved cases grew from 600 in 2013 to over 58,000 in 2025.