An Analysis of NIW Cases Approved from January to March 2012
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 |
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.
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Tel: | 1-800-230-7040, 713-771-8433 |
Email: | info@hooyou.com |
website: | http://www.hooyou.com |
(04/10/2012)