An Analysis of NIW Cases Approved from April to June 2018

From April to June 2018, our firm received 54 NIW case approvals. USCIS approved 44 of these cases without Requests for Evidence (RFEs).

Out of the 54 NIW cases approved in the three months, most applicants had a Ph.D. degree when applying. However, 11 of these applicants, or approximately 20%, had a Master’s degree when their cases were filed. Among samples of approved applicants, most conduct research in Medical Science, Biology and Engineering, while others focus on fine arts, oil painting, and finance, etc. Those who work in fields related to Engineering, Medical Science and Biology are forced to compete with a large number of applicants from which the USCIS can only approve the strongest applications.

Ph.D.

31

57.4%

Master

11

20.4%

Bachelor & others

12

22.2%



Those who work as a “Postdoctoral Research Associate”, “Research Scientist/Engineer”, “Assistant Professor’, 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. 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 samples. The median number of journal papers published by these applicants was 10. The median number of independent citations they received was 52. The average processing time for these applications was 209 days, or about 7 months. The longest it took to approve an application was 472 days, while the shortest was 70 days.

Median number of Journal papers

10

Median number of independent citations

52

Average Processing days

209



Before you start the application process, it is imperative that you consult a highly trained legal professional.

By consulting with an attorney at our firm, you will learn not only about your options, but also specific application strategies tailoring to the new standard. 

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 54 NIW cases approved from April to June 2018, please refer to the table below.

Client

Degree

Research field

Journal papers

Independent Citations

Job title

RFE

Processing days

1

Master

 Reconstructive and
plastic surgery and
medical cosmetology

 9

 39

director

No

220

2

Ph.D.

Bioanalytical
Chemistry

5

56

Analytical
Chemist

No

262

3

Ph.D.

Cancer

15

705

Researcher

No

255

4

Ph.D.

Obesity, Diabetes

3

N/A

Medical
Director

No

90

5

Ph.D.

biotechnology

17

781

Research
Scientist

No

151

6

Ph.D.

Dentistry

4

7

Instructor

No

120

7

Ph.D.

fine arts

N/A

N/A

Artist

No

111

8

Master

Computer
Engineering

9

83

Business
Analyst

No

294

9

Master

Electronic
Medical Records

N/A

N/A

Interface
Engineer

No

226

10

Bachelor

Dermatology

N/A

N/A

Medial Doctor

No

70

11

Ph.D.

Elderly Medical
Facility Management

13

14

Professor

No

110

12

Ph.D.

 Environmental
Engineering

 6

 13

Postdoctoral
fellow

No

265

13

Ph.D.

Echocardiography

11

52

Research
Associate

No

225

14

Ph.D.

 Petroleum
Engineering

 0

0

 Sr. R&D Engineer

No

152

15

Ph.D.

Psychology

8

25

Assistant
Professor

No

225

16

Ph.D.

Biomedical

2

5

Research
Associate

No

195

17

Ph.D.

cardiovascular

50

157

Physician

No

201

18

Ph.D.

applied
mathematics

2

N/A

Assistant
Professor

No

142

19

Bachelor

Financial Systems
Management

N/A

N/A

Finance
Controller

No

289

20

Ph.D.

biochemical

10

24

Postdoctoral
Research Associate

No

176

21

Ph.D.

Nanotechnology

47

887

Research
Associate

No

181

22

Master

information
technology

N/A

N/A

Senior Quality
Specialist

Yes

210

23

Ph.D.

Petroleum
engineering

2

2

Assistant
Professor

No

293

24

Master

mechanical
engineering

3

22

Sourcing
Leader

No

139

25

Bachelor

software
engineering

N/A

N/A

Deputy
Director

No

116

26

Ph.D.

finance

21

200

Associate
Professor

No

218

27

N/A

petroleum
geology

20

N/A

Development
Earth Scientist

No

209

28

Ph.D.

Biomedical

28

306

Researcher

No

196

29

Ph.D.

Biotechnology

12

272

Research
professor

No

115

30

Ph.D.

oriental
medicine

12

31

Representative
Director

No

120

31

Master

cancer

11

461

Researcher

No

120

32

Bachelor

mobile
technology

N/A

N/A

Chief Research
Engineer

Yes

345

33

N/A

civil engineering

N/A

N/A

Senior Project
Manager

No

166

34

Master

Chinese Music

N/A

N/A

principal
conductor

Yes

405

35

N/A

applied economics
and management

3

22

Researcher

No

256

36

Master

Music

N/A

N/A

violinist

No

123

37

Ph.D.

Education

13

31

Research
Fellow

No

124

38

Master

Urban Planning
and Design

10

21

Researcher

No

137

39

Ph.D.

Dentistry

8

65

Adjunct
Professor

No

132

40

Bachelor

Information
System Engineering

N/A

N/A

Manager

Yes

377

41

Master

Electronic
Engineering

4

156

Principal
Engineer

Yes

174

42

Master

Materials Science

 3

26

 Research
Associate

Yes

472

43

Ph.D.

Chinese Language
and culture

8

40

Lecturer

No

162

44

Ph.D.

Biomedical

4

76

Postdoctoral
Scientist

No

128

45

Ph.D.

Quantitative
modelling

7

12

Quantitative
Research
Associate

Yes

462

46

Ph.D.

Transportation
Engineering
and Safety

38

204

Associate
Professor

No

149

47

Ph.D.

Water Engineering

2

 11

 Postdoctoral
fellow

No

189

48

Bachelor

oil painting

N/A

N/A

painter

No

147

49

Ph.D.

Molecular Biology

11

188

Postdoctoral
Associate

No

232

50

Ph.D.

Mechanical
Engineering

19

325

Postdoctoral
Research
Associate

No

84

51

Bachelor

management
consulting

N/A

N/A

Director

No

278

52

Bachelor

Human Environment
and Design

N/A

N/A

Designer

Yes

271

53

Bachelor

global platform
business development

N/A

N/A

Manager

Yes

295

54

Ph.D.

Electrical and
Electronic
Engineering

9

15

Researcher

Yes

465

 

------
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.


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.

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

 

(10/26/2018)