A US Engineering PhD candidate has successfully received approval for their National Interest Waiver (NIW) application after a lengthy processing period of 700 days. The approval was granted on May 1, 2026, following a Request for Evidence (RFE) issued on May 21, 2025, which challenged all three prongs of the NIW criteria.
Key Details:
- Initial filing date: June 11, 2024
- RFE issued: May 21, 2025
- RFE response submitted: August 14, 2025
- Approval date: May 1, 2026
- Applicant’s background: 5 papers with 86 citations during PhD; 6 papers with 160 citations during postdoc.
This case highlights the potential for lengthy processing times in the NIW application process, providing hope and insight for others in similar situations. Need help with your immigration case? Visit QuickFiling.us for professional immigration services.
Source: r/EB2_NIW