Success Stories: O-1A Petition Approved for Senior Bioprocess Scientist in Immunology Following RFE Response

Client’s Testimonial:

“Everything is good. I will strongly recommend your company to my friends.”

On July 8^th, 2025, we received another O1-A (Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement) approval for a Senior Bioprocess Scientist I in the Field of Immunology (Approval Notice).

General Field: Immunology

Position at the Time of Case Filing: Senior Bioprocess Scientist I

Country of Origin: China

State of Residence at the Time of Filing: Maryland

Approval Notice Date: July 8^th, 2025

Processing Time: 7 months, 6 days (Premium Processing Requested)

Case Summary:

The O1-A visa benefits aliens of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. These foreign nationals should at least have:

★ Sustained national/international claim;
★ Their achievement must be recognized in the field through extensive documentation.
★ Current/previous employment in a critical or essential capacity for organizations or establishments that have a distinguished reputation.

We are excited to share the O-1A (Individuals with Extraordinary Ability) petition approval secured by North America Immigration Law Group (NAILG) on behalf of a Senior Bioprocess Scientist I, originally from China. This client, a recognized expert in immunology, had previously obtained both EB1B and NIW approvals with our firm. The O-1A petition was filed on December 2, 2024, using premium processing, and though the client received a Request for Evidence (RFE) on June 6, 2025, we were able to achieve case approval by July 8, 2025.

Case Background and Research Impact

The client holds a Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology and has made original, influential contributions in several immunological research areas, including hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutation analysis, CAR T-cell therapy development, and the study of natural killer T-cells in infectious disease. His research has proven essential for enhancing public health strategies and therapeutic innovations. His work has appeared in numerous high-impact journals and has been cited over 600 times, underscoring his sustained influence in the field.

The client has also participated as a reviewer for leading journals such as Frontiers in Immunology, Scientific Reports, and Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, completing at least 89 verified reviews. In addition to his prolific publication and peer review record, the client serves on editorial boards of scientific journals and has received major research funding from entities including the NIH and the German Research Foundation.

How We Met the O-1A Requirements

In support of the petition, we demonstrated that the client met at least three of the O-1A regulatory criteria:

Original Contributions of Major Significance: The client’s work on HBV mutations and CD1 T-cell immunotherapy has been heavily cited by leading immunologists and adopted in clinical applications, with citation evidence showing his studies fall within the top 10% most cited in immunology.
Authorship of Scholarly Articles: With 19 peer-reviewed publications in top-ranked journals, the client’s scholarly impact is undeniable. His research has been featured in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, PNAS, and Cell Reports, among others.
Judging the Work of Others: Beyond publishing, the client has actively reviewed submissions for top-tier journals, a responsibility entrusted to leading minds in their field.

The client’s acclaim is confirmed by letters from international experts, including a statement from a Harvard-affiliated professor who wrote,

“It is evident from his outstanding research as well as the accolades he has received from his colleagues, journals, and the U.S. National Institutes of Health that the [client] is one of the finest researchers working in immunology today.”

Overcoming the RFE Challenge

Despite the strength of the initial filing, the petition triggered an RFE. We swiftly and strategically prepared a comprehensive response, reinforcing all elements of the original petition with additional documentation and expanded expert testimonials. Our response clarified the client’s sustained acclaim and directly addressed the officer’s concerns with robust evidence of national and international recognition. This strengthened submission ultimately led to approval less than five weeks later.

NAILG’s Continued Commitment

This case illustrates how NAILG’s deep understanding of complex petition categories, like the O-1A, paired with our diligence in RFE response strategies, results in success, even when challenges arise. We are honored to have helped this exceptional immunologist secure a nonimmigrant classification to continue advancing immunological science in the United States. With three immigration victories—EB1B, NIW, and now O-1A—the client is well-positioned to continue making vital contributions to public health and innovation.

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.