Success Stories: NIW Approved with Premium Processing for A Computer Vision Research Engineer in Agricultural Engineering from Nepal
Client’s Testimonial:
“Thank you for helping me through the process of NIW.”
On August 21st, 2025, we received another NIW (National Interest Waiver) approval for an ML/Computer Vision Research Engineer in the Field of Agricultural Engineering (Approval Notice).
General Field: Agricultural Engineering
Position at the Time of Case Filing: ML/Computer Vision Research Engineer
Country of Origin: Nepal
State of Residence at the Time of Filing: Washington
Approval Notice Date: August 21st, 2025
Processing Time: 5 months, 9 days (Premium Processing Requested)
Case Summary:
A research engineer from Nepal specializing in precision agriculture sought the assistance of North America Immigration Law Group (NAILG) for an EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) petition. After reviewing the client’s strong record of scholarly publications, citations, and peer review service, as well as impactful research contributions, we were confident in the client’s eligibility. The petition was filed on March 12, 2025, with premium processing and approved on August 21, 2025.
Proposed Endeavor: Developing Precision Agriculture Systems
The client’s proposed endeavor focuses on creating precision agriculture systems that integrate machine vision, robotics, and artificial intelligence to optimize resource use, reduce environmental harm, and increase crop yield and quality. These innovations are designed to improve efficiency and sustainability in orchards and vineyards, directly supporting US efforts to enhance food security, agricultural productivity, and environmental protection.
Notable Achievements Supporting the Petition
To demonstrate the client’s significance in the field, we highlighted the following accomplishments:
- Publications: 7 peer-reviewed journal articles, 2 conference papers, and 3 preprints in top agricultural and engineering journals.
- Citations: The client’s work has been cited 49 times, with at least four papers ranking among the top 1%, 10%, and 20% most-cited in agricultural sciences for their publication years.
- Peer review service: Completed at least 20 reviews for respected journals in agricultural engineering and robotics, reflecting recognition as an expert in the field.
- Research funding: Projects supported by the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission and the Washington State Wine Commission, demonstrating that the client’s research addresses critical challenges directly tied to US agricultural priorities.
- Research impact: The client’s work on orchard nitrogen management and grape yield estimation has been adopted by independent researchers worldwide, shaping advancements in fruit tree canopy segmentation, disease detection, and vineyard yield prediction.
One expert, reflecting on the broader impact of his contributions, summarized the significance of his research by stating:
“It is clear that [Client] is a leading expert in agricultural engineering, distinguished for his creation of an advanced machine vision system that refines nitrogen management in apple orchards. His influential work in addressing nitrogen inefficiency demonstrates a strong emphasis on fostering sustainable agricultural practices.”
Approval and Outlook
The approval of this NIW petition in just over 5 months with premium processing and without additional requests for evidence highlights both the strength of the client’s qualifications and NAILG’s strategic preparation. We are proud to have guided this research engineer through a successful NIW petition and look forward to the client’s continued contributions to advancing sustainable farming practices and supporting US food security.