Sign up for our Email Newsletter

Email:

Visa Bulletin

We provide updated immigration Visa bulletin and Processing time information...

Read More

Free Seminars

We are committed to educating those interested in learning U.S immigration laws ...

Read More

Immigration Library

We provide the professional
and comprehensive on-line immigration law library...

Read More

Our Services

We are dedicated to provide
all aspects of US immigration services and counseling...

Read More

An Analysis of NIW Cases Approved from April to June 2011

From April to June 2011, our firm received 23 NIW case approvals. USCIS approved 20 of these cases without a request for evidence. In addition, from April to June 2011, our firm also received 43 EB-1 case approvals.

Out of the 23 NIW cases approved in the past three months, most applicants had a Ph. D. However, 2 of these applicants, or approximately 9%, only had a Master’s degree. We had one applicant who received a master degree and works as a software engineer.  As this area is less saturated than other more popular fields like the medical sciences, applicants are not only competing against a smaller pool, but more than likely, one not as strong. This client’s case was approved within 25 days without a RFE.  On the contrary, those who work in fields related to medicine and biology are forced to compete with a large number of applicants. Of which, USCIS can only approve the strongest.

Those who work as a “postdoctoral fellow”, “research scientist” or any other similar title mainly conduct research, produce papers, and attend conferences. Because of the nature of scientific work, such applicants find it easier to show that they have exerted national influence and sustained a past record of achievement through more objective evidence (i.e. citations, downloads, commercialization of work, etc). Of course, this should not discourage you from applying if you feel you lack such evidence. On the contrary, each case varies and USCIS could deem your particular qualifications and skill set to be of intrinsic merit to the United States. As shown above, USCIS does not adjudicate petitions solely on the basis of concrete numbers. With our highly experienced attorneys, we will help you highlight your strongest professional assets, while downplaying your weaker ones.    

In addition to the above, we have also compiled other relevant data from our sample. Among the sample of approved applicants, many conducted research in Engineering, Medical, and Biology related fields while a few approved applicants work in Physics, Chemistry, and other fields. The average number of journal papers published by these applicants was 14. The average number of citations they received was 125 and the median number of citations was 57. The average processing time for these applicants was 198 days or over six months. The longest it took to approve an application was 356 days, while the shortest was 25 days.  

Again, before you start the application process, it is imperative that you consult a highly trained legal professional, particularly since USCIS has experienced delays in processing NIW applications. By consulting with an attorney at our firm, you will learn not only learn about your options, but also specific application strategies for your immigration needs.  

If you are interested in contacting us for a free consultation, please call our offices at 1-800-230-7040 or email us at info@hooyou.com.

For more information on the 23 NIW cases approved from April to June 2011, please refer to the table below.

Client

Degree

Research field

Journal papers

Citations

Job title

RFE

Processing days

1

Ph.D.

Chemical engineering

12

60

Research Assistant Professor

No

197

2

Ph.D.

NMR analytical chem

18

125

 Research Assoc.

No

143

3

Ph.D.

materials science

10

113

Research associate

Yes

260

4

Ph.D.

genetics

8

57

Postdoc

No

146

5

Ph.D.

materials science

36

106

Research Assistant Professor

No

35

6

Ph.D.

organic and medicinal chemistry

12

161

Postdoc

No

302

7

Ph.D.

Computer science

1

26

Senior Software Engineer

No

199

8

Master

biomedical imaging

11

57

Research Fellow

No

314

9

Ph.D.

plant genetics

9

179

Postdoc

No

157

10

Ph.D.

Mechanical Engineering

10

63

Research Assistant

No

251

11

Ph.D.

semiconductor spintronics

90

730

Research Scientist

No

107

12

Ph.D.

Medical science

1

6

Research Associate

No

211

13

Ph.D.

Electrical and Computer Engineering

6

15

Research Assistant

Yes

306

14

Ph.D.

Biochemistry

10

23

Researcher

No

174

15

Ph.D.

Physics

9

62

Researcher

No

104

16

Ph.D.

Polymer science

9

84

Senior Scientist

No

126

17

Master

Data mining

1

50

Software Engineer

No

25

18

Ph.D.

Bioengineering

4

2

Research Scientist

No

268

19

Ph.D.

Atmospheric Science

6

3

Postdoc

Yes

352

20

Ph.D.

Metallurgical engineering

12

18

Postdoc

No

356

21

Ph.D.

Physics

10

44

Postdoc

No

209

22

Ph.D.

Mathematical engineering

9

23

Postdoc

No

67

23

Ph.D.

 Physics

21

865

Senior Research Scientist 

No

239


Founded in 1996, Zhang & Associates, P.C. offers legal services to clients nationwide in all aspects of U.S immigration law. We have successfully handled thousands of immigration cases.

At Zhang & Associates, P.C., our attorneys and supporting professionals are committed to providing high-quality immigration and non-immigration visa services. We specialize in NIW, EB-1, PERM, and I-485 cases. In the past fifteen years, we have successfully helped thousands of clients get green cards. If you plan to apply for a green card, please send your CV to Attorney Jerry Zhang (info@hooyou.com) for a free evaluation.

Zhang & Associates, PC.

Silicon Valley • New York • Los Angeles • Chicago • Houston • Austin

Tel: 1-800-230-7040, 713-771-8433
Email: info@hooyou.com
website: http://www.hooyou.com

 

(07/29/2011)