From January to March 2012, our firm received 56 NIW case approvals. USCIS approved 28 of these cases without a Request ForEvidence. In addition, from January to March 2012, our firm also received 67 EB-1 case approvals. For the year of 2011, our firm received 286 NIW approvals, 206 EB-1 approvals, 815 I-485 approvals, as well as 269 H-1B approvals. 

Out of the 56 NIW cases approved in the past three months, most applicants had a Ph. D degree. However, 12 of these applicants, or approximately 21%, only had a Master’s degree and two of them even only had a Bachelor’s degree. Based on our statistics, those who only possessed a Master degree or even Bachelor’s degree but got approval usually had decent achievement in a rare subject, which make his/her case a strong claim to USCIS.  On the contrary, those who work in fields related to computer, engineering, medicine and biology are forced to compete with a large number of applicants. Of which, USCIS can only approve the strongest.

PhD	44	78.6%
Master	10	17.9%
Bachelor	2	3.5%
N/A	0	0%

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 10. The average number of citations they received was 72 and the median number of citations was 36. The average processing time for these applicants was 209 days or almost seven months. The longest it took to approve an application was 482 days, while the shortest was 47 days.

Average Journal papers	10
Average Independent citation	72
Average Processing time	209

 

 

 

 

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 56 NIW cases approved from January to March 2012, please refer to the table below.

#	Degree	Research field	Journal papers	Citations	Job title	RFE	Processing time
1	Ph. D	Neurobiology	11	35	Research Analyst	RFE	349
2	Ph. D	Biochemistry	23	272	Associate Professor	RFE	278
3	Ph. D	Material Science Engineering	8	13	Material Science Engineer/Researcher	RFE	353
4	Bachelor	Biomedical Sciences	5	24	Research Scientist	RFE	410
5	Ph. D	Computer Science	5	98	Postdoctoral Researcher		159
6	Ph. D	Physics	6	208	Postdoctoral Researcher		236
7	Ph. D	Neurobiology	N/A	N/A	Scientist	RFE	67
8	Ph. D	Biochemistry	9	169	Research Associate		160
9	DMA	Voice with Opera Emphasis	N/A	N/A	Musician/Music Teacher	RFE	407
10	Ph. D	Biomedical Sciences	6	40	Researcher	RFE	17
11	Master	Clothing Production Technology	10	N/A	Researcher	RFE	264
12	Ph. D	Materials	4	62	Engineer		168
13	Master	Power Systems Engineering	8	N/A	Research Assistant		145
14	Ph. D	Electrical and Computer Engineering	5	2	Engineer	RFE	145
15	Ph. D	Biophysics	9	51	Scientist		316
16	Ph. D	Economics	6	N/A	Professor		141
17	Ph. D	Electrical and Computer Engineering	2	15	Teaching Assistant	RFE	104
18	Master	Bioinformatics	8	24	Data Analyst		104
19	Ph. D	Petroleum Engineering	2	7	Postdoctoral Fellow	RFE	143
20	Ph. D	Physics	7	23	Researcher	RFE	196
21	Bachelor	Geologist Engineering	6	10	Principal Geologist	RFE	147
22	Master	Applied Geophysics	8	105	Staff Geophysicist	RFE	129
23	Ph. D	Economics	11	32	Economist	RFE	467
24	Ph. D	Geography	12	18	Geoscientist	RFE	482
25	Master	Surgery	7	3	Research Scientist	RFE	475
26	Ph. D	Medical Science	12	454	Scientist		163
27	Bachelor	Medicine & Surgery	6	2	Medical Doctor	RFE	212
28	Master	Art Management	N/A	N/A	Art Gallery Director	RFE	120
29	Ph. D	ECE	11	44	Assistant Professor in Radiation Physics		47
30	Master	Petroleum Engineering	3	46	Petroleum Engineer	RFE	162
31	Ph. D	Physiology Development and Neuroscience	9	10	Physician Scientist		224
32	Master	Animation & Visual Effects	N/A	N/A	3D Environment artist		156
33	Ph. D	Aerospace Engineering	2	21	Researcher	RFE	147
34	Ph. D	Electrical and Computer Engineering	5	11	Tenure Track Assistant Professor		75
35	Ph. D	Agriculture Economics	2	6	Economist	RFE	243
36	Ph. D	Microbiology	5	14	Postdoctoral Researcher		123
37	Ph. D	Materials Engineering	10	142	Material Engineer	RFE	182
38	Ph. D	Chemical Engineering	5	55	Engineer		170
39	Ph. D	Industrial and Management Engineering	26	330	Professor		172
40	Ph. D	Chemistry	13	50	Scientist	RFE	26
41	Ph. D	Computer Engineering	3	26	Graduate Assistant	RFE	132
42	Ph. D	Curriculum/Instruction and Professionalism	20	4	Evaluation/Project Director	RFE	468
43	Ph. D	Physics	10	58	Research/Education		140
44	Ph. D	Biochemistry	5	88	Post Doctoral Senior Fellow		166
45	Ph. D	Electrical and Computer Engineering	3	16	Postdoctoral Fellow	RFE	479
46	Ph. D	Corp Science	19	36	Researcher		162
47	Ph. D	Electrical and Computer Engineering	13	20	Postdoc		185
48	Ph. D	Veterinary Medicine	N/A	N/A	Agriculture Extension Agent		183
49	Ph. D	Applied Mathematics	3	63	Advanced Financial Modeling Analyst		96
50	Ph. D	Physics	60	53	Applications Physicist		132
51							154
52	Ph. D	Psychology	17	153	Drug Research/Development	RFE	213
53	Master	Textiles, Merchandising and Interiors	9	111	Graduate Assistant		151
54	Ph. D	Medicine	24	109	N/A		157
55	Ph. D	Mathematics	13	194	Quantitative Analyst		385
56	Ph. D	Aerospace Engineering	10	41	Post Doctoral Appointee		109

 

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

At Zhang & Attorneys, LLLP, 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 & Attorneys, LLLP

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

 

(04/10/2012)