Success Stories: Where Culture Meets Code: NIW Granted for Researcher Advancing Digital Heritage and Learning
Client’s Testimonial:
“Thank you very much for this good news! And thanks for all the effort and guidance during the process.”
On January 27th, 2025, we received another EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for a PhD Student/Research Assistant in the field of Cultural Informatics (Approval Notice).
General Field: Cultural Informatics
Position at the Time of Case Filing: PhD Student/Research Assistant
Country of Origin: Iran
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: Illinois
Approval Notice Date: January 27th, 2025
Processing Time: 2 months, 1 day (Premium Processing Requested)
Case Summary:
Our client, a researcher in cultural informatics, is redefining how people learn, interact, and engage with history through innovative applications of data analytics and game design. His research bridges education, digital heritage preservation, and immersive technologies to create educational games that are as engaging as they are effective. By studying how players interact with game environments and mechanics, he develops tools that enhance learning outcomes and deepen cultural understanding, advancing both educational technology and heritage conservation in the process.
With the support of the North America Immigration Law Group (NAILG), his EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) petition was approved, recognizing his record of innovation and the clear national importance of his research. His work stands at the intersection of STEM and education, addressing critical challenges in student engagement while also contributing to the United States’ leadership in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, extended reality, and data-driven learning systems.
He has established a strong interdisciplinary foundation in architectural design, educational gaming, and cultural informatics. His projects combine cutting-edge methods such as data mining, photogrammetry, and VR-based simulation to transform complex historical content into accessible, interactive learning experiences. As noted by one expert:
“[Client]’s work presents actionable insights to enhance historical content engagement and interactive mapping by incorporating advanced data analytics.”
His virtual education platforms and simulation-based experiences allow users to explore historic caravanserais and architectural landmarks through gameplay, turning heritage preservation into a dynamic learning process. This initiative has been supported by funding from prestigious organizations, including the U.S. Department of State (U.S. Mission Türkiye Grants Program), the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and the Research Center for Mediterranean Civilizations, all of which recognized the social and educational value of his work.
His growing influence is reflected in his two peer-reviewed journal articles, 10 peer-reviewed conference articles, 66 citations by researchers worldwide, and his 57 completed peer reviews for respected conferences and journals. His peers continue to build on his findings, citing his work in studies exploring virtual landscapes, digital heritage, metaverse education, and rendering optimization. The diversity and reach of these citations demonstrate how deeply his research is embedded in shaping the future of educational and cultural technologies.
The approval of his NIW petition, expertly prepared by North America Immigration Law Group (NAILG), reflects USCIS’s recognition of his exceptional achievements and the national importance of his research. His continuing work will help revolutionize how Americans learn, interact with culture, and preserve history in the digital age. By combining creativity, technology, and analytics, he is ensuring that education becomes more engaging, inclusive, and impactful for generations to come.