Path to U.S. Immigration: My EB-2 NIW Green Card Application Experience as a Biomedical Scientist
- Jason Lu
- Dec 27, 2025
- 4 min read
Introduction
As a biomedical scientist who immigrated to the United States, I would like to share my personal experience applying for a U.S. green card (permanent residency) through the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (EB-2 NIW) category.
This article is not legal advice, but a first-hand account intended for fellow scientists, PhD students, postdocs, and researchers who are considering long-term career development in the U.S. and exploring employment-based immigration pathways.
My Background as an EB-2 NIW Applicant
I earned my bachelor’s degree in Taiwan before coming to the United States to pursue my Master’s and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at Cornell University.
After graduation, I continued my research career at Boston Children’s Hospital and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
In early February 2019, I filed my I-140 immigrant petition under the EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver)category.
Because applicants born in Taiwan were current with no priority date backlog at that time, I was able to concurrently file my I-485 Adjustment of Status application shortly after receiving the I-140 receipt notice.
This combination—EB-2 NIW plus current priority dates—makes this pathway especially attractive for many Taiwanese and international researchers.
The Core of EB-2 NIW: A Persuasive Petition Narrative
For EB-2 NIW cases, the most critical element is not the forms themselves, but a strong and well-structured petition letter.
Your goal is to clearly demonstrate to the immigration officer that:
You possess advanced expertise in your field
Your past work has substantial merit
Your future work will benefit the United States at a national level
Demonstrating Professional Expertise
In my petition, I submitted documentation including:
My Ph.D. diploma and academic transcripts from Cornell University
Employment and research verification letters from Boston Children’s Hospital and MIT
These materials established that I had received advanced scientific training and was actively contributing to research at leading U.S. institutions.
Connecting Research to U.S. National Interest
Holding a Ph.D. alone is not sufficient. USCIS officers want to understand why your work matters to the United States.
One example from my petition involved my research on cell-based therapies for Type 1 diabetes. In the petition, I explained:
The number of individuals diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in the U.S. each year
The lack of curative treatments and the lifelong dependence on insulin therapy
How successful cell replacement therapies could potentially transform patient care, reduce healthcare burden, and improve quality of life
The key is not technical complexity, but societal impact—how your work advances public health, innovation, or national competitiveness.
Recommendation Letters: Independent vs. Related References
Recommendation letters play a crucial role in EB-2 NIW petitions, and understanding USCIS’s interpretation is essential.
Related References
USCIS defines “related” very broadly. This often includes:
Thesis advisors
Direct collaborators
Researchers from the same institution or organization (even large ones)
Such letters are still valuable but are generally considered less objective.
Independent References
Independent recommendation letters carry significant weight because the recommenders have no direct professional relationship with you.
Common ways to identify independent recommenders include:
Researchers who have cited your publications (via Google Scholar)
Well-known scholars you meet at international conferences
Experts working in the same field but at different institutions
📌 Practical advice:
Most EB-2 NIW petitions benefit from at least three independent recommendation letters, ideally from recognized experts in the field.
The optimal number and balance should always be discussed with your immigration attorney.
My Timeline: Two Years, Four Months, and a Mystery Approval
My green card process was far from fast.
From filing to final approval, the entire process took two years and four months, much of it during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interestingly, I received two separate I-140 approval notices during this period. To understand why, I consulted:
My immigration attorney
The office of a Massachusetts U.S. Senator
Despite formal inquiries, no clear explanation was ever provided, and USCIS did not respond to the congressional inquiry.
To this day, this remains an unresolved mystery in my case.
Tracking Your Case: USCIS Tools That Actually Help
During the long waiting period, I found several official tools particularly useful.
USCIS Online Accounts (Register Both)
These systems do not always update simultaneously, so checking both can help ensure you see the latest status.
USCIS Processing Time Tool
Key points:
The first three letters of your receipt number indicate the processing center
TSC: Texas Service Center
MSC: National Benefits Center
Even if your case is transferred, processing time is usually tied to the original service center
What If Your Case Exceeds Normal Processing Time?
If your case exceeds USCIS’s published processing time:
Submit an inquiry through USCIS (or via your attorney)
Contact your local U.S. Representative or Senator’s office
📌 If USCIS fails to respond within one month, do not wait—congressional offices have the authority to follow up directly with federal agencies.
Final Thoughts: There Is No Formula—Only Preparation and Patience
From my experience, there is no reliable formula to predict EB-2 NIW processing times.
Some applicants receive approvals quickly
Others wait two or three times longer
Even within the same category, outcomes vary widely
The only things you can control are the strength of your petition and your patience during the process.
I hope this experience helps demystify the EB-2 NIW pathway for fellow scientists navigating U.S. immigration.
Disclaimer
I am not an immigration attorney. This article reflects my personal experience only.
For legal advice specific to your situation, please consult a qualified immigration lawyer.
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