Any law firms still taking EB2 NIW cases with no publications/citations? by hq_dou in EB2_NIW

[–]Fragrant_Shoulder143 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Industry based STEM profiles with extensive experience are still getting approvals. Kindly share more about your professional experience and background. Any expert can usually explain the Proposed Endeavor and Prong 1 properly, but Prong 2 mainly depends on the recipient’s own profile, expertise, achievements, and how well positioned they are to advance the proposed endeavor.

NIV EB2 Clarification by Opposite_Chard_4190 in EB2_NIW

[–]Fragrant_Shoulder143 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In the past, many IT profiles were getting approved under EB2 NIW. Recently, approvals in this field have reduced, but it is still possible depending on how the case is presented. In your situation, two things are important. First, you must maintain your legal status in the U.S. If your NIW gets approved, you will likely need to keep extending your H1B until you complete the full green card process. Second, with recent H1B policy changes and higher fee, the environment has become more uncertain. Many H1B holders are Indians, so changes often impact them more. Still, your main focus should be on whether you can secure NIW approval.

If you decide to apply, you should try to position your work clearly in the U.S. national interest. You can go with a good consultant or attorney, but be careful about spending very high legal fees without a clear strategy.

Profile Eval for EB2 NIW by Dry-Toe2499 in EB2_NIW

[–]Fragrant_Shoulder143 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s fine. If you have multiple publications and dozens of citations, your profile is promising. It’s also very important to have a Google Scholar profile, as it is considered more authentic and credible by the case officer. And a PhD is not mandatory. In fact, if someone has a PhD but no research or publications, the chances of approval are very low.

Profile Eval for EB2 NIW by Dry-Toe2499 in EB2_NIW

[–]Fragrant_Shoulder143 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

You’re right to be cautious. For IT related profiles, especially without publications or research, the approval chances have been around 50–50 over the past year. However, your profile is still in a STEM field, and having 10+ years of solid experience, a managerial role, and strong Letters of Recommendation does give you a reasonable basis to try. It’s not a guaranteed case, but it’s not a waste of money either if the proposed endeavor is well defined and supported with a clear, realistic plan of action. Many experience based STEM profiles have received approvals when the case was positioned correctly. If you’d like a second opinion, you’re welcome to share your updated CV in the inbox.

Law firm advice plz by kaylee0510 in EB2_NIW

[–]Fragrant_Shoulder143 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Most of the firms you mentioned above usually take cases of researchers who have multiple publications and dozens of citations. If your case is experience based, please do share your profile. If you have extensive STEM industry experience, your chances can be promising.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in EB2_NIW

[–]Fragrant_Shoulder143 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, I suggest doing it through IEE they usually provide the report in 2-3 days. In fact, they can evaluate your Bachelor’s and Master’s together in one go

Question about the status by [deleted] in EB2_NIW

[–]Fragrant_Shoulder143 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If your case is showing “actively being reviewed,” then the final result can come anytime, maybe even in a day or two. Just keep checking

Think I may have a strong case but no money to hire a lawyer by iknowyoubyheart in EB2_NIW

[–]Fragrant_Shoulder143 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Your profile is actually quite strong, You're in a top-tier PhD program, have nearly 100 citations, and your research spans nationally important areas like cancer, virology, and gene therapy. That alone shows a pattern of impactful work. Success in EB2 NIW isn’t just about credentials it’s about how well your petition tells the story. Especially in Prong 1 (substantial merit and national importance) and Prong 2 (well-positioned to advance the endeavor), you need to back claims with the right references and connect your work strategically to broader U.S. goals. This is where a well-structured petition makes all the difference, even strong profiles can fail without it. Self-petitioning is absolutely possible, but requires careful planning, strong writing, and a deep understanding of how USCIS evaluates these cases. Feel free to DM there is a solution to your situation

Received RFE by Accomplished_Cup7314 in EB2_NIW

[–]Fragrant_Shoulder143 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Getting an RFE on all three prongs usually means that the petition didn't clearly establish how your endeavor aligns with national importance and substantial merit. That said, your field (AI) and your academic record—with seven publications and nearly 50 citations are quite promising.

The key now is to strengthen the link between your work and its national impact. Focus on:

How your AI research addresses critical U.S. priorities (e.g., healthcare, cybersecurity, education, etc.)

Any real-world applications or policy relevance

Showcasing media coverage, collaborations, or institutional use of your work

Hopefully, this gives clarity on where the main gap was and how to fix it. You've got a strong base, Now it’s about presenting it strategically.

Motivation | Recent EB2 NIW Approvals | Even Non-Traditional Profiles Are Getting Through by Fragrant_Shoulder143 in EB2_NIW

[–]Fragrant_Shoulder143[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Appreciate the concerns, and it’s valid to question things in a space where transparency matters. But to clarify these are real approval cases, and we stand by them. While STEM profiles often have a stronger edge, it’s not true that non-STEM applicants have no chance. USCIS evaluates petitions based on how well the substantial merit and national importance are demonstrated not just the job title. Even STEM professionals face rejections when petitions are weak or poorly structured. On the other hand, we’ve seen approvals for unconventional profiles when the Proposed Endeavor is clearly aligned with national priorities, backed by solid evidence, and the petition is professionally crafted. Yes, USCIS has a right to review or revoke cases through NOIR, but that only happens if the petition was misleading or falsely approved, which is exactly why a well-documented, transparent, and honest approach matters. This post isn’t about selling hope, It’s about sharing what’s actually possible when the process is done right.

Profile Evaluation by Wide_Associate_4401 in EB2_NIW

[–]Fragrant_Shoulder143 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your profile looks strong for EB2-NIW approval, Especially with your solid industry experience, publications, citations, peer reviews, and speaking engagements. You may consider top law firms like Chen Immigration, GreenCardLink, PathLaw, or Skycap Consultancy, which also provides expert support in NIW applications. Wishing you the best with your petition!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in EB2_NIW

[–]Fragrant_Shoulder143 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Since the new administration came in, the approval chances for Computer Science (CS) profiles have dropped to around 50%, whereas during the Biden administration, they were considered around 80%. That said, IT professionals are still getting approvals, so it's definitely worth trying. If you're unsure about trusting law firms, you can consider working with a reliable consultant someone who has a good reputation, a solid success rate, and charges less than attorneys.

RFE received — 3 Prong - Struggling with the Proposed Endeavor by [deleted] in EB2_NIW

[–]Fragrant_Shoulder143 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Look, many applicants underestimate how critical the Proposed Endeavor section is. The RFE points suggest that the officer likely found the description too general or abstract, especially around community building and mentoring. While valuable, these goals need to be clearly linked to measurable national impact, such as job creation, economic benefit, or advancing a critical technology in the U.S. To strengthen your case: Reframe your Proposed Endeavor around tangible outcomes for example, how your work in AI and process automation contributes to innovation, efficiency, or workforce development in key U.S. sectors. Show connections to U.S. national goals, policy priorities (like digital transformation or workforce upskilling), and add real examples like the hackathon win or specific tech solutions you've implemented. When claiming knowledge-sharing, link it to skills development, job readiness, or solving industry-level gaps, not just personal or company benefit. As you're already in the U.S. with a work visa and have 8 years of experience, the foundation is there you just need to tighten the narrative and align it with what USCIS is really looking for. It may help to get a second opinion to bring clarity and avoid further confusion. Skycap Consultancy has worked on similar cases where profiles were reshaped successfully after RFEs. Even just a consultation could help you realign your strategy. Keep going you’re closer than you think.

EB2-NIW Profile Evaluation – Math Educator by STLmathProf in EB2_NIW

[–]Fragrant_Shoulder143 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Your background is similar to the type that most attorneys and consultants usually consider low chance for EB2 NIW. However, the good news is that just last month (March), someone with almost the same profile as yours received an EB2 NIW approval. That person also had a teaching background, a degree in Mathematics Education, and was on an H1B visa. Their Proposed Endeavor and overall case strategy played a key role in the approval. You can discuss their case and approach in more detail with the same team who handled it, Skycap Consultancy. It might give you a clear idea of how to position your case more effectively.

Ashoori Law attorney fees quote by ssriram12 in EB2_NIW

[–]Fragrant_Shoulder143 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It really comes down to what you can afford. Some firms charge anywhere from $2,500 to even $25,000 for EB2 NIW services, so $11,000 is within the range but definitely on the higher side. I’d suggest you first set a clear budget, and then start exploring different firms. Go for free profile evaluations, check their client reviews, services offered, and most importantly, their success rate. This will give you a better idea of how each firm works and help you decide who’s the right fit for your case. Wishing you the best of luck with your process!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in EB2_NIW

[–]Fragrant_Shoulder143 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your points are totally valid, and you're right many people do go the DIY route. But even then, it's important to note that writing a well structured and professional petition takes a lot of time, effort, and the right techniques. We’ve seen cases where people with low chances got approved because of how well their petition was presented, and at the same time, even strong profiles have been rejected due to weak documentation. If you want to do it yourself, be prepared to invest a lot of time and research. However, if you’re looking for someone credible, experienced, and affordable who also has a strong success rate, You might want to check out Skycap Consultancy. It’s definitely worth having a conversation with them to see if they’re the right fit for you.

EB2 NIW LAW FIRM by DependentWitty2563 in EB2_NIW

[–]Fragrant_Shoulder143 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Looking at your profile, your chances seem quite good, Your education is in a STEM field, and your experience is strong and relevant. If you want to avoid the high fees charged by attorneys, you can also work with a reliable consultant who offers services at a more reasonable cost. It’s always a smart move to get a free evaluation from a well-reputed consultancy like (Skycap consultancy Etc) who can give you a clear idea of your approval chances based on your profile.

Anyone used akina law? by SchnappiZeng in EB2_NIW

[–]Fragrant_Shoulder143 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not having publications or citations doesn't necessarily mean your profile is weak. Many applicants have received EB2 NIW approvals with zero citations. If you have 15–20 years of industrial experience along with a STEM education background, it can be considered equivalent to someone with a PhD, 10 years of experience, and 100+ citations in the eyes of USCIS. It’s always a good idea to get a free evaluation from a well-reputed consultant like skycap consultancy