Success Story: Premium Path to Success: Iranian Postdoc Earns NIW Approval Without Delay

Case Summary:               

North America Immigration Law Group (NAILG) is delighted to share the approval of an I-140 NIW (National Interest Waiver) petition for a physicist with a Ph.D. in physics and astronomy. The petition was approved in February 2025 and submitted under the EB2-NIW category with premium processing. Our client’s proposed endeavor is closely aligned with national priorities related to advanced materials engineering and energy systems, and the USCIS approval confirms the merit and importance of his work to the United States.

Driving Innovation in Quantum and Energy Technologies Through Material Design

Our client’s proposed endeavor centers on designing and engineering topologically protected edge modes and robust sound wave propagation systems for use in quantum computing, noise isolation, energy harvesting, and communication technologies. This work plays a critical role in enabling next-generation quantum systems, enhancing energy-efficient communication infrastructure, and advancing noise-resistant devices.

We demonstrated to USCIS that these research objectives meet the threshold of both substantial merit and national importance. As outlined in the USCIS Policy Manual and supported by documentation submitted in the petition, this area of work aligns with recognized Critical and Emerging Technologies (CETs) as defined by the National Science and Technology Council. By improving the resilience and efficiency of advanced material systems, our client’s research directly supports national competitiveness in quantum information science and energy resilience.

Robust Research Record and Proven Field Impact

To substantiate our client’s qualifications, we presented evidence of his productive and impactful research record, which includes:

• 10 peer-reviewed journal articles, of which 6 are first-authored, along with 2 abstracts

• A total of 103 citations, as verified by Google Scholar
• One first-authored paper has already ranked among the top 10% most-cited Physics papers for its year of publication, highlighting both its relevance and influence in the field

A Recognized Expert with Academic and Professional Credentials

Our client’s educational background, including a Ph.D. in physics, coupled with his current role conducting research in acoustic metamaterials and quantum topological insulators, underscores his preparedness to continue leading innovative work in advanced engineering materials.

As part of our legal strategy, we emphasized his experience serving in conference organizing committees and publishing in top-ranked journals. His leadership in theoretical and experimental studies on laser spectroscopy, disordered nanowire networks, and memristive device modeling has demonstrated clear progress toward his proposed research objectives.

Independent Endorsements from Experts in the Field

We further supported the petition with four strong letters of recommendation from established scientists and engineers. These letters discussed our client’s influence on the field, his scholarly originality, and the broader utility of his findings in addressing key technical challenges in physics, materials engineering, and quantum system development.

“Considering the value presented by environmental monitoring, industrial safety, and remote sensing technologies, halting [Client’s] research would be damaging to efforts in pollution control, emission management, hazardous gas detection, and the development of advanced sensor technologies. It is therefore within the interests of America to allow [Client’s] research to continue.”

NIW Approval Reinforces Value of Research to U.S. Technological Leadership

Thanks to the diligent preparation and strategic positioning of the petition by NAILG, this case received swift approval under premium processing, confirming that USCIS found the record sufficient to meet all three prongs of the Dhanasar framework. The petition was approved without delay, underscoring the compelling evidence of national interest and individual merit.

We commend our client for his ongoing contributions to the field of advanced engineering materials and his commitment to tackling challenges in quantum computing and energy systems. NAILG is proud to have supported this successful petition and looks forward to witnessing the continued impact of his research in the years ahead.