Success Story: Postdoctoral Scholar Overcomes RFE And Secures NIW Approval in Development Economics
Client’s Testimonial:
“Excellent support throughout the case preparation process.”
On January 5th, 2026, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Field of Development Economics (Approval Notice).
General Field: Development Economics
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Postdoctoral Scholar
Approval Notice Date: January 5th, 2026
Processing Time: 21 months, 4 days
Case Summary:
Drawing on our extensive experience and a proven track record of over 32,000 successful cases, the expert team at NAILG (North America Immigration Law Group) meticulously crafted a compelling NIW petition for a development economist who holds a PhD in development policy and management.
As a postdoctoral scholar in development economics, the client’s proposed endeavor is to continue analyzing how climate change-induced weather shocks affect the agricultural production of smallholder farmers, especially women, to redesign public policies to improve farmer welfare and address gender inequality in agriculture.
We emphasized that the client’s research addresses critical U.S. priorities in climate change adaptation, agricultural sustainability, and food security. The work provides essential insights for developing strategies that benefit American farmers and policymakers while contributing to global efforts in mitigating climate impacts on vulnerable agricultural communities.
To strengthen the case, we highlighted the client’s credentials: 4 peer-reviewed journal articles (3 first-authored), 2 conference articles, and 2 book chapters, garnering 98 citations. Remarkably, the client authored one paper ranking in the top 1% and 2 papers ranking in the top 10% of most-cited publications. The client has conducted 17 peer reviews and received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme.
Additionally, the petition included 4 expert recommendation letters, which offered strong endorsements of the client’s research impact. One independent expert remarked:
“Considering the socioeconomic benefits his work provides, I am pleased to say [Client] is an excellent asset to the United States.”
Despite receiving a Request for Evidence (RFE), we promptly prepared a comprehensive response. The petition was approved on January 5th, 2026, successfully concluding the process with our assistance. We extend our sincere best wishes for continued success.