Success Story: We Helped a Canadian PhD Candidate Win NIW Approval without RFE
Client’s Testimonial:
“I am beyond thrilled with the successful outcome of my EB2 NIW petition, and I owe it all to the incredible team at Chen Immigration. Their professionalism was evident in every interaction. What stood out to me was their deep expertise; they provided excellent legal advice that was clearly based on tons of experience, giving me confidence throughout the process.
They were exceptionally patient as I drafted my documents and were always quick to respond to my questions. Every document they drafted for me was of outstanding quality. I wasn’t even aware that I could apply for the EB2 NIW during my PhD until I had a conversation with them, and their guidance was essential. I highly recommend anyone unsure about their options to book a consultation with them. Their fees are more than reasonable for the quality of representation. I am deeply grateful for their hard work and guidance.”
On November 3rd, 2025, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a PhD Candidate in the Field of Immunology (Approval Notice).
General Field: Immunology
Position at the Time of Case Filing: PhD Candidate
Country of Origin: Canada
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: New York
Approval Notice Date: November 3rd, 2025
Processing Time: 9 months, 5 days (Premium Processing Upgrade Requested)
Case Summary:
Our client, an immunology specialist with a B.S. in the field, entrusted North America Immigration Law Group (Chen Immigration) to prepare and submit the case to USCIS.
Our team strategically framed the petition to meet the NIW requirements under the Dhanasar analytical framework, demonstrating that the client’s research has both national importance and substantial merit. We also emphasized that continued work in the United States would significantly contribute to addressing widespread and costly diseases affecting millions of Americans.
To strengthen the case, we highlighted several key qualifications:
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As an expert in immunology, the client is advancing understanding of how macrophages drive and resolve disease—research with direct relevance to improving treatments for cancer, obesity, and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.
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The client has established a respected publication record, including 7 peer-reviewed journal articles (including 2 first-authored), 3 abstracts (one first-authored), and 1 preprint, demonstrating strong scientific productivity early in a promising career.
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These publications have accumulated 423 citations, underscoring the significant influence of the client’s work within the international immunology research community.
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The petition also included evidence of major funding sources linked to the client’s work from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Arthritis National Research Foundation (ANRF), PhRMA Foundation, Rheumatology Research Foundation, Burroughs Wellcome Fund, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis, Innovative Medicines Initiative, and AMP RA/SLE, demonstrating that the client’s research aligns with high-priority scientific initiatives.
Our legal team further strengthened the petition with four expert recommendation letters, each affirming the originality and national relevance of the client’s findings.
“To conclude, [Client’s] leadership in immunology is clearly demonstrated by his study of RA, which has uncovered novel mechanisms related to the pathology of this condition. There is no doubt that [Client] shall continue to produce additional valuable research, both driving progress in the field and bringing immense benefits to national and international health concerns.”
By presenting clear and compelling evidence across all three NIW prongs, we demonstrated that it would be in the national interest to waive the job offer and labor certification requirements, enabling the client to continue making impactful contributions in the United States.
We are delighted to report that USCIS approved the client’s I-140 NIW petition, validating the exceptional merit and national benefit of the work. We are proud to support this talented researcher and look forward to seeing the continued impact of this important immunology research.