CASE: I-140 / National Interest Waiver
CLIENT: Korean
LOCATION: Chapel Hill, NC
Our client contacted us about doing a National Interest Waiver self-petition. She is from South Korea working at an academic institution in Chapel Hill, NC as a post-doctoral fellow. She is a biomedical engineer specializing in developing cellular constructs using mammalian cells and synthetic biomaterials, as well as studying how in vitro 3D cells behave with extracellular matrix.
Our client’s contributions have placed her at the pinnacle of her field. Her research outcomes have merits in developing new therapeutic methods, diagnostic tools, and medical solutions that can improve patient outcomes and the overall quality of US healthcare. Our client’s work was evaluated by reviewers of journals and by experts in the field.
Upon review, our office determined that she was qualified for the National Interest Waiver category. Our office prepared a 21-page brief for our client’s NIW filing. Our client also obtained 5 letters of recommendation from her colleagues and recognized researchers. We showed that our client is one of the few researchers who have made great contributions to her field, and it would be beneficial to the United States to waive the requirements of a job offer and thus of a labor certification for our client.
Our office filed her I-140 petition to the USCIS on December 7, 2023. On April 17, 2024, the USCIS approved her I-140.