approved EB-2 (NIW) RFE Issued

Research Associate II

Microbiology · Malaysia · 2025-07-17

Processing Time
216 days
Decision Date
2025-07-17
Location
California
This case is from a publicly available case study. Case studies tend to feature successful outcomes and may not reflect the full range of petition results.

Proposed Endeavor

The petitioner proposes to develop and apply molecular and genome engineering tools, specifically gene-editing technologies, to study and treat human genetic disorders. This work includes managing microbiome-related diseases and enabling precise genetic interventions for patients with rare genetic conditions to advance personalized medicine.

Framework Evaluation

3 of 3 criteria met
1 Substantial Merit and National Importance Met

The endeavor addresses pressing health challenges and aligns with the federal Critical and Emerging Technologies list.

2 Well-positioned to Advance the Endeavor Met

The petitioner has a prolific scholarly record including patents, highly-cited publications, and innovative research in droplet microfluidics.

3 Balance of Factors Met

The petitioner’s expertise in molecular medicine is vital to the nation’s scientific competitiveness, justifying a waiver of the job offer requirement.

Why This Petition Was Approved

The approval was supported by 4 peer-reviewed journal articles, 5 conference abstracts, and 2 granted patents. The petitioner's work garnered 178 citations, with papers ranking in the top 10% and 20% of the field. The case successfully demonstrated alignment with the federal Critical and Emerging Technologies list and U.S. national health priorities.

Request for Evidence (RFE)

Successfully Addressed

USCIS issued an RFE during the seven-month processing period, which the legal team addressed by highlighting the client's professional record and innovation in microbiology.

RFE Targets
prong 1 national importanceprong 2 well positionedprong 3 waiver benefit

Evidence

Evidence Types
Peer Reviewed Publications
Citations
Patents
Conference Presentations
Original Contributions
Government Alignment

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Frequently Asked Questions

A approved EB-2 NIW (I-140) petition means USCIS determined the petitioner met the eligibility requirements. For appealed cases, "sustained" means the appeal reversed a prior denial. The petitioner can proceed to the next step in the immigration process.

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Case data sourced from publicly available petition decisions and case studies. Decision date: 2025-07-17.

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At a Glance

Outcome approved
Processing 216 days
RFE Issued
Criteria Met 3 / 3
Evidence Types 6

EB-2 (NIW) Case Data

Scraped Case Data

Total Cases 3,895
Success Rate 54.2%
Sustained 2,112
Dismissed 1,687

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