From January to March 2018, our firm received 56 EB-1 case approvals: 44EB-1(a), 9 EB-1(b) and 3 EB-1(c). USCIS approved 45 of these cases without a request for evidence. In addition, from January to March 2018, our firm received 72NIW case approvals.

Out of the 56 EB-1 cases approved in the first quarter of 2018, most applicants had a Ph. D. and conducted scientific research. Among those approved applicants, most conduct research in medical science, biology, and engineering, while others focus on insurance, furniture and table tennis, etc.

Ph.D.	35
Master	5
Bachelor & Others	16

Three of the most popular job titles for applicants who received approval were that of a “postdoctoral research associate”, “research scientist” and “assistant professor/instructor”. Those specializing in these occupations mainly conduct research, produce papers, and attend conferences. Because of the nature of scientific work, it is much easier to meet EB-1 requirements. Of course, as mentioned earlier, this should not discourage you from applying if you happen to fulfill different, but equally comparable criteria. Each case varies and it is difficult to determine whether or not you qualify unless you come in for an evaluation.

In addition to the above, our firm has also compiled data on other criteria. The median number of journal papers published among these applicants was 13. The median number of citations was 190. The median number of reviews conducted was 23. The average processing time for these applicants was 178days orabout sixmonths. The longest amount of time it took to approve an application was 589 days, while the shortest was 10days.

Median number of journal papers	13
Median number of independent citations	190
Median number of reviews	23
average processing days	178

 

Finally, premium processing service was adopted in filing 31 out of the 56 EB-1 cases. In our experience, we have found that premium processing can expedite adjudication of your application. However, if you are not a highly qualified applicant, you could receive a RFE notice as a result of adopting that service. Furthermore, in our practice, we have heard that a USCIS officer only has 15 minutes to read through an application. Given the stringent time constraints, officers sometimes automatically issue a RFE to fulfill the 15-day processing guarantee while not having to approve or deny a petition. Please note, an applicant can adopt premium processing when initially filing one petition or do so after the petition has been filed. In either case, USCIS will issue and serve on the petitioner or applicant an approval notice, a denial notice, a notice of intent to deny, a request for evidence or open an investigation for fraud or misrepresentation within the 15 calendar day period.

Before you start the application process, it is imperative that you consult with a highly trained legal professional.If you are interested in filing a NIW or EB-1 but not sure if you are qualified, please contact Attorney Jerry Zhang at info@hooyou.com or call our offices at 1-800-230-7040. Attorney Zhang will provide you with a free evaluation.

For more information on the 56 EB-1 cases approved from January to March 2018, please refer to the table below.

Client	Case Type	Degree	research field	Journal papers	Citations	reviews	job title	RFE	Premium Pro-cessing	Pro-cessing days
1	EB-1C	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	Director	Yes	No	427
2	EB-1A	Ph.D.	biomedical	23	213	35	Visiting Professor	Yes	No	140
3	EB-1B	Ph.D.	computer vision	4	35	56	R&D Engineer	No	Yes	364
4	EB-1B	Ph.D.	geophysics	13	326	36	Assistant Professor	No	No	46
5	EB-1A	Ph.D.	Machine Learning	18	65	37	Researcher	No	No	348
6	EB-1A	Ph.D.	Mathematical Modelling	16	375	12	Economist	No	No	154
7	EB-1A	Ph.D.	Real-Time computer resource management	4	129	59	Software Application Developer	No	Yes	316
8	EB-1B	Ph.D.	human genetics	13	956	27	Research Fellow	No	Yes	17
9	EB-1A	Ph.D.	Applied Mathematics	19	131	3	professor	Yes	Yes	252
10	EB-1A	Master	entre- preneurship	N/A	N/A	N/A	CEO	No	No	24
11	EB-1A	Master	Biophysics	5	377	N/A	Researcher	No	No	207
12	EB-1C	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	General manager	No	No	244
13	EB-1B	Ph.D.	soft matter physics	8	186	2	Senior Research Scientist	Yes	No	323
14	EB-1A	Ph.D.	geobiology	5	198	11	Postdoctoral fellow	Yes	No	413
15	EB-1A	N/A	furniture	33	152	6	furniture business consultant	No	Yes	19
16	EB-1A	Ph.D.	Geodetic Science	12	112	6	Software Product Developer	No	No	315
17	EB-1A	N/A	Gaming Platforms	8	N/A	N/A	Deputy President	No	Yes	20
18	EB-1A	Ph.D.	Kansei Engineering	14	189	116	Associate Professor	No	No	509
19	EB-1A	Master	insurance industry	18	N/A	N/A	Chief Marketing Officer	No	Yes	15
20	EB-1A	Master	music	N/A	N/A	N/A	violinist	No	Yes	17
21	EB-1A	Ph.D.	Thermal Engineering	73	600	75	Professor	Yes	Yes	77
22	EB-1A	N/A	Oil Painting	N/A	N/A	N/A	painter	No	Yes	18
23	EB-1A	Ph.D.	environmental sciences	17	66	29	Research Scientist	No	Yes	18
24	EB-1A	Ph.D.	diabetes	2	32	N/A	Researcher	No	Yes	15
25	EB-1A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	Competitive Bowler /Business Support Analyst	No	Yes	385
26	EB-1A	Ph.D.	pharmaceutical sciences	5	4	27	Director of Pharmacy	No	No	10
27	EB-1A	Ph.D.	Analytical Chemistry	22	303	73	Assistant Professor	No	Yes	10
28	EB-1A	Ph.D.	materials science	2	104	4	Researcher	No	Yes	22
29	EB-1A	N/A	Quantitative Investment and Analysis	9	104	N/A	Researcher	Yes	Yes	91
30	EB-1A	Ph.D.	Electro cardiology	20	123	N/A	Head of Electro- physiology	No	Yes	24
31	EB-1A	Ph.D.	Oil and Gas Drilling Engineering	20	326	16	Senior Research Engineer	No	Yes	18
32	EB-1C	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	Manager	No	No	456
33	EB-1A	N/A	performing arts	5	N/A	N/A	music director	Yes	No	273
34	EB-1B	Ph.D.	mechanical engineering	7	196	N/A	Applications Engineer	No	Yes	275
35	EB-1B	Ph.D.	mechanical engineering	4	N/A	N/A	Software Engineer	No	Yes	336
36	EB-1A	Ph.D.	nondestructive testing	13	384	8	Associate Professor	No	No	172
37	EB-1B	Ph.D.	mechanical engineering	10	304	6	Software Engineer	No	No	356
38	EB-1A	Ph.D.	geophysics	13	90	N/A	Researcher	No	No	363
39	EB-1A	N/A	packaging industry	11	N/A	6	General Manager	No	Yes	20
40	EB-1B	Ph.D.	Petroleum Engineering	7	36	55	Petroleum Engineer	Yes	Yes	43
41	EB-1A	Ph.D.	Optical Imaging	13	69	70	Imaging Optics Systems Engineer	No	No	356
42	EB-1A	Ph.D.	electrical engineering	20	1032	N/A	Researcher	No	Yes	14
43	EB-1A	N/A	Financial Management	N/A	N/A	N/A	Managing Director	No	Yes	26
44	EB-1A	N/A	Table Tennis	N/A	N/A	N/A	Table Tennis player	No	No	322
45	EB-1A	Ph.D.	Cardiology	16	184	12	Research Fellow	No	Yes	14
46	EB-1A	Ph.D.	Medicinal Chemistry	13	106	52	Postdoctoral Fellow	No	No	353
47	EB-1A	N/A	Machinery Manufacturing	N/A	N/A	N/A	General Manager	No	No	187
48	EB-1A	Ph.D.	biomedical engineering	42	733	65	Research Fellow	No	Yes	46
49	EB-1A	Ph.D.	wind turbine	9	200	N/A	CEO	Yes	No	283
50	EB-1A	Ph.D.	Materials Science	19	225	18	Post- Doctoral Appointee	No	Yes	14
51	EB-1A	Master	coal mining automation	18	403	N/A	General Manager	No	Yes	19
52	EB-1A	N/A	financial management	23	N/A	N/A	Chief Accountant	No	No	589
53	EB-1A	N/A	Interior Design	2	N/A	4	Chief Designer	No	Yes	19
54	EB-1A	N/A	Martial Arts	N/A	N/A	N/A	Martial Arts Master	No	No	252
55	EB-1B	Ph.D.	mechanical engineering	7	191	1	Principal Research Scientist	No	Yes	11
56	EB-1A	Ph.D.	Obstetrics and Gynecology	20	247	N/A	Chief Physician	Yes	Yes	293

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Former U.S. Consular officer, Attorney Sechyi Laiu joined Zhang & Associates, P.C. on June 26, 2017

At Zhang & Associates, P.C., Attorney Laiu specializes on Consular Processing cases and business development. Attorney Laiu also focuses on TN visas, E visas, CBP administrative proceedings (monetary confiscation, deferred inspection), and overseas financial compliance.

Prior to joining Zhang & Associates, P.C., Attorney Laiu worked for the U.S. Department of State as a Chinese and Portuguese speaking diplomat. As a consular-coned officer who served in Vancouver (Canada), Shenyang (P.R. China), and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Attorney Laiu processed over 30,000 visa cases and worked in every section of Consular Affairs overseas (Fraud Prevention Unit, Immigrant Visas, Non-Immigrant Visas, and American Citizen Services).

He will use his experience and expertise to deliver the highest quality of service to our clients.

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Founded in 1996, Zhang & Associates, P.C. offers legal services to clients worldwide in all aspects of U.S immigration law. We have successfully handled over ten thousand 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, EB-5, PERM, I-485 I-130, H-1B, O, L and J cases. In the past twenty-two years, we have successfully helped over ten thousand 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, P.C.

Silicon Valley • New York • Los Angeles • Chicago • Houston • Austin • Seattle • Sunnyvale • Madison • Honolulu

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

 

(05/25/2018)