Success Stories: EB-2 NIW Approved for Research Fellow in Business Administration from Turkey Advancing U.S. Port Optimization Models

Case Summary:         

We are thrilled to share another successful I-140 EB-2 NIW approval secured by the North America Immigration Law Group (NAILG), this time for a research fellow from Turkey working in the field of business administration. Our client focuses on developing and applying yard optimization models to improve the operational efficiency of seaports. With a petition filed on November 6, 2023, and an RFE issued on February 24, 2025, our team built a compelling response that led to the case’s approval on June 5, 2025.

Our client holds a Ph.D. in business administration and specializes in logistics, maritime operations, and supply chain management. Her work is primarily focused on enhancing seaport operations through optimization modeling, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics. These efforts aim to reduce operational inefficiencies, cut costs, and support the ongoing digital transformation of critical maritime infrastructure in the U.S.

Substantial Merit and National Importance of the Research:
NAILG demonstrated that the client’s proposed endeavor—to develop yard optimization models for seaports—offers both substantial merit and national importance. Her work is tied directly to the strategic objective of enhancing American port infrastructure, a sector responsible for supporting over 30 million U.S. jobs and contributing to nearly a quarter of the national GDP. Her research aligns with the federal government’s $17 billion initiative to improve supply chain resilience and port competitiveness. By addressing issues like container congestion and inefficient storage management, her work is pivotal in reducing delays and boosting operational efficiency across U.S. seaports.

Well Positioned to Advance the Endeavor:
The petition outlined the client’s robust academic and professional background, including a Ph.D. and years of applied experience in maritime logistics and inventory optimization. Her eight peer-reviewed journal articles and one conference paper—most of which she authored—have been cited by researchers worldwide in studies related to seaport operations, logistics performance indices, and digital port transformation. She has also completed peer reviews for leading journals, further reinforcing her recognized expertise.

Overcoming the RFE:
When USCIS issued a Request for Evidence challenging all three prongs of the NIW criteria, our team swiftly constructed a thorough response. We submitted additional documentation demonstrating the economic consequences of inefficient seaport operations and how our client’s work addresses these pain points. We also emphasized that her ongoing research intersects with critical and emerging technologies, such as AI and digital transformation in logistics, aligning with national strategies to maintain U.S. technological leadership.

On Balance, Beneficial to the U.S.:
We successfully argued that waiving the job offer and labor certification was in the national interest, citing the client’s STEM background, her alignment with national policy priorities, and the direct applicability of her research to urgent economic and infrastructure challenges. Her continued work supports economic security, national competitiveness, and technological advancement, especially as U.S. ports remain vital nodes in global supply chains.

This approval reaffirms NAILG’s commitment to helping experts in emerging and nationally important fields navigate the complex NIW process. We are proud to have assisted this client.