An Analysis of NIW Cases Approved from July to September 2018

From July to September 2018, our firm received 49 NIW case approvals. USCIS approved 39 of these cases without Requests for Evidence (RFEs).

Out of the 49NIW cases approved in the three months, most applicants had a Ph.D. degree when applying. However, 12 of these applicants, or approximately 24%, 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 finance, painting, and music, 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.

30

61.2%

Master

12

24.5%

Bachelor & others

7

14.3%



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 104. The average processing time for these applications was 199 days, or over 6 months. The longest it took to approve an application was 437 days, while the shortest was 112days.

Median number of Journal papers

10

Median number of independent citations

104

Average Processing days

199



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 49NIW cases approved from July to September 2018, please refer to the table below.

Client

Degree

Research field

Journal papers

Independent Citations

Job title

RFE

Processing days

1

Ph.D.

urology

7

44

Doctor

No

141

2

Ph.D.

medicine

36

353

Quality Assurance
Specialist

No

141

3

Ph.D.

Organic
Chemistry

10

79

Scientist

Yes

266

4

Ph.D.

Physiology

9

439

Postdoctoral
Scholar

No

166

5

Master

Interior
design

N/A

N/A

Assistant Project
Manager

Yes

257

6

Master

diabetes
treatment

N/A

N/A

Medical
doctor

Yes

240

7

Ph.D.

Organic
Chemistry

7

175

Postdoctoral
Fellow

No

201

8

Ph.D.

Computer
Engineering

9

22

Design
Engineer

No

195

9

Master

 Accounting

 5

 8

 CFO & COO &
General Manager

No

162

10

Ph.D.

Pharmaceutical
sciences

5

78

Postdoctoral
fellow

No

150

11

Ph.D.

physical
therapy

33

65

Postdoctoral
Research Fellow

No

372

12

Master

Mechanical and
Aerospace Engineering

16

N/A

Researcher

No

176

13

Master

Pain
Management

3

N/A

Director and
Medical Doctor

No

146

14

Bachelor

finance

N/A

N/A

Manager

Yes

247

15

Ph.D.

biomedical
science

25

81

Assistant
Professor

No

147

16

Master

Aesthetic
Surgery

1

N/A

Clinic Director

No

193

17

Ph.D.

Applied
Physics

16

110

Postdoctoral
Associate

No

126

18

Master

petroleum
engineering

N/A

N/A

Deepwater GoM
Appraisal
Reservoir Engineer

No

192

19

Ph.D.

Obstetrics and
Gynecology

2

N/A

Representative
Director

Yes

264

20

Ph.D.

music

N/A

N/A

pianist

Yes

255

21

Bachelor

laser
application
technology

N/A

N/A

Deputy
Director

Yes

211

22

Ph.D.

systems
biology

18

162

Researcher

No

164

23

Ph.D.

data
science

6

80

Statistician

No

115

24

Ph.D.

Computer
Engineering

12

125

Software
Engineer

No

133

25

Ph.D.

 Financial
Technology

 12

 496

 Chief
Engineer

No

197

26

Master

Shipping
Industry

N/A

N/A

Lead Freight
Analyst

No

147

27

Master

biotechnology

3

N/A

Project
Manager

No

179

28

Ph.D.

Civil
Engineering

6

21

Adjunct
Faculty

No

174

29

Ph.D.

Chemical
Engineering

27

950

Associate
Professor

Yes

437

30

N/A

orchestral
and
opera
conducting

N/A

N/A

Principal Guest
Conductor

No

158

31

Ph.D.

Astrophysics

11

436

Postdoctoral
Fellow

No

151

32

Master

battery
science

2

N/A

Researcher

Yes

188

33

Ph.D.

analytical
chemistry

8

87

Postdoctoral
Scholar

No

136

34

Ph.D.

medicine

12

117

Researcher

Yes

354

35

Bachelor

Electrical and
Computer Engineering

N/A

N/A

R&D Engineer

No

373

36

Bachelor

Painting

N/A

N/A

Painter

No

212

37

Ph.D.

neurosurgery

25

443

Postdoctoral
Fellow

No

175

38

Ph.D.

biomedical

19

432

Research
Fellow

No

155

39

Ph.D.

oncology

12

680

Postdoctoral
Scholar

No

152

40

Ph.D.

Chemical
Engineering

10

78

Postdoctoral
Research
Associate

No

167

41

Ph.D.

Mechanical
Engineering

6

81

Postdoctoral
Researcher

No

167

42

Ph.D.

Forest
Economics

6

6

postdoctoral
research
associate

No

186

43

Master

news media

10

N/A

news media
professional

No

126

44

Bachelor

Business
Administration

N/A

N/A

CEO

No

165

45

N/A

business
development
and management

N/A

N/A

Director

No

195

46

Ph.D.

 Cardiology

 18

 428

 Associate
Professor

No

293

47

Ph.D.

materials
science

2

104

Research
Scientist

No

196

48

Master

Software
Engineering

N/A

N/A

Solutions
Engineer

No

112

49

Ph.D.

Combustion
Science

20

N/A

Combustion
Specialist

No

273

 

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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.


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.

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(02/08/2019)