Success Story: NIW Approval in 45 Days for a Structural Engineering Expert with Premium Processing Service
Client’s Testimonial:
"Chen Immigration provided excellent support for my NIW petition. Their team was responsive, professional, and delivered high-quality work. I highly recommend their services.”
On May 29th, 2026, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for an Associate (Graduate Engineer II) in the Field of Structural Engineering (Approval Notice).
General Field: Structural Engineering
Position at the Time of Case Filing: Associate (Graduate Engineer II)
Country of Origin: Nepal
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: Texas
Approval Notice Date: May 29th, 2026
Processing Time: 1 month, 15 days (Premium Processing Requested)
Case Summary:
We are pleased to share that the client’s I-140 National Interest Waiver petition was approved in just 45 days under direct Premium Processing. As an expert in structural engineering, the client proposed to continue research on full-scale cross-laminated timber diaphragm testing and the limitations of current design codes, with the goal of informing updated provisions that help practitioners design safer, more efficient, and more sustainable diaphragm systems.
The client is currently employed as an engineer, where his work continues to involve structural analysis, design, modeling, and code-compliant engineering applications. His proposed endeavor was framed around a practical national need. As mass timber becomes increasingly important to sustainable construction, design practitioners need reliable guidance for how cross-laminated timber diaphragms perform under wind and seismic forces. The petition demonstrated that the client’s work helps address this gap by producing research that can guide code updates, reduce over-conservative design, and support the safe adoption of sustainable building materials.
To establish that the client was well-positioned to advance this endeavor, we highlighted his record of first-authored research, including 2 peer-reviewed journal articles, 3 conference papers, and 1 technical report. These works were not presented as merely a publication list. Instead, the petition explained how they reflected a consistent research focus on structural performance, repairability, diaphragm behavior, and practical design guidance.
Another important part of the case was the external support behind the client’s research. His work had received major funding support from the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Endowment for Forestry and Communities. We used this evidence to show that his research aligned with broader national interests in sustainable construction, natural resource use, and the safe expansion of mass timber applications.
The petition was also supported by 1 expert recommendation letter, which helped explain the client’s technical contributions and why his continued work matters to the United States.
By connecting the client’s technical record to real-world design needs, sustainable construction goals, and nationally relevant code development, the petition demonstrated that his proposed endeavor had substantial merit and national importance, that he was well-positioned to advance it, and that waiving the job offer and labor certification requirements would benefit the United States. We congratulate the client on this swift NIW approval and look forward to his continued contributions to safer and more sustainable structural engineering practices.