Success Story: Overcoming an RFE to Secure NIW Approval for a Pharmaceutical Sciences Researcher
Client’s Testimonial:
"When I decided to apply for an EB-2 NIW petition, I was unsure which immigration law firm would give me the best chance of success, especially since I felt my case was not among the strongest. Choosing the right legal team was therefore one of the most important decisions I had to make. After hearing positive experiences from several friends, I decided to work with the North America Immigration Law Group. Looking back, I am very glad I made that choice. Throughout the entire process, the attorneys and staff handled my case with exceptional professionalism and genuine care, making me feel as though they were treating my case as their own. They were consistently responsive to my questions at every stage of the process, providing clear explanations and guidance whenever I needed clarification. Beyond helping me prepare a strong petition, they also assisted with submitting inquiries to USCIS regarding different aspects of my case and kept me informed throughout the process. Overall, my experience with the North America Immigration Law Group was outstanding. Their expertise, responsiveness, and dedication gave me confidence during what could have been a very stressful process. I highly recommend them to anyone seeking professional and reliable legal representation for their immigration case."
On July 4th, 2026, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a Research Assistant in the Field of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Approval Notice).
General Field: Pharmaceutical Sciences
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Research Assistant
Country of Origin: Iran
Approval Notice Date: July 4th, 2026
Processing Time: 27 months, 9 days (Premium Processing Upgrade Requested)
Case Summary:
Receiving a Request for Evidence (RFE) can significantly increase the complexity of a National Interest Waiver (NIW) petition, requiring a carefully structured response that addresses the adjudicating officer’s concerns while reinforcing how the beneficiary satisfies the legal standard. Through a comprehensive presentation of the client's qualifications, research accomplishments, and future plans, North America Immigration Law Group (Chen Immigration Law Associates) successfully helped secure approval of this NIW petition despite the additional scrutiny.
The client is a researcher in the field of pharmaceutical sciences whose work focuses on employing advanced methodologies in drug design, synthetic chemistry, pharmaceutical characterization, validation, and optimization to develop innovative compounds for diseases that currently lack effective therapeutic options. At the time of filing, the client was conducting research in the field while continuing to expand methodologies that support the discovery of new therapeutic compounds. The NIW petition demonstrated that these research efforts have broad implications for improving future treatments for complex and difficult-to-treat diseases, supporting advances in drug development and public health. Following USCIS's issuance of an RFE, we prepared a comprehensive response that further clarified the national importance of the client's work and why the client was well positioned to continue advancing this area of research.
To demonstrate that the client was well positioned to carry the proposed work forward, we highlighted a combination of academic training and an emerging record of scholarly achievement that would be viewed favorably by adjudicators evaluating sustained research potential. The petition emphasized the client's:
- Ph.D. in pharmaceutical sciences;
- 9 peer-reviewed journal articles (including 5 first-authored articles), 3 abstracts (including 2 first-authored abstracts), and 1 preprint;
- 27 citations from other researchers;
- Completion of at least 4 peer reviews for scholarly journals.
Rather than presenting these accomplishments as merely numerical indicators, we explained how they reflected growing recognition within the scientific community. The client's publications had been relied upon by independent researchers, demonstrating that the research had contributed useful knowledge to ongoing investigations. Likewise, invitations to review manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals showed that the client's expertise had earned the confidence of journal editors responsible for maintaining scientific quality. Together, these achievements supported the conclusion that the client possessed both the expertise and the research trajectory necessary to continue making meaningful contributions in pharmaceutical sciences.
The petition was further supported by 2 recommendation letters from recognized experts familiar with the client's research and its significance. These letters helped explain the originality of the client's work, its relevance to the broader scientific community, and its potential to advance the development of new therapeutic approaches for diseases with limited treatment options. One expert noted:
“As such, it is crucial that his scientific work continues without interruption to ensure that the United States fully benefits from its value.”
By combining objective evidence of the client's scholarly record with detailed legal analysis addressing the NIW eligibility requirements, we presented a persuasive case demonstrating both the importance of the client's ongoing research and the client's ability to continue advancing this nationally important field. The successful approval following the RFE illustrates how a carefully developed response can effectively reinforce a petition when additional scrutiny is applied.