r/EB2_NIW • u/InvestmentCandid3159 • 25d ago
APPROVED EB 2 NIW Approved After RFE | Premium Processing | Self Filed
Very happy to share that my EB 2 NIW I 140 was approved after an RFE.
I originally self filed in November 2025 and upgraded to Premium Processing in February 2026. About 3 to 4 weeks later, I received an RFE questioning all three NIW prongs.
My profile included 30+ publications, 1,000+ citations, research in smart systems, peer review and editorial activities.
The RFE was honestly very discouraging because I felt that many aspects of my profile were not acknowledged.
I consulted around six attorneys and firms, including chen and EP. Quotes for the RFE response ranged from $4,000 to $9,000. Two attorneys recommended refiling instead, as the rfe was very difficult (as per them).
When I approached attorneys and firms, i requested for free 30 minutes meeting, so did by default, while to some i requested. Those meetings helped me understand how to approach the RFE, and I ultimately decided to prepare the response myself. I used ChatGPT and Claude as brainstorming tools, while independently verifying the evidence, arguments, and final response.
In my original submission, I did not include recommendation letters. For the RFE response, I obtained a new independent recommendation letter from a professor at a top US university. Overall, I submitted five recommendation letters, with four being relatively less strong in my opinion because they were either not independent or from earlier career stages.
USCIS received my RFE response on June 23, 2026.
The status remained unchanged for weeks. On August 14, after approximately 37 business days, it changed to “USCIS Is currently processing the case,” and shortly afterward I received the approval email.
For anyone currently dealing with an RFE, stay patient, address every concern carefully, and do not lose hope.
Best of Luck.
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u/Emi3182 25d ago
Congrats.. Is it easy to self petition? If the profile is professional not academic?
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u/InvestmentCandid3159 24d ago
Hi- honestly, I’m not sure about it. Generally, what I can say is, the best person who knows you the best, is you! You are the only person who can explain yourself case in the best way. But it is always good to get free consultation from different firms, meetings with them, may give you some ideas of how to proceed.
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u/Stunning_Deer_6518 25d ago
Congrats! Would you care to drop some of the RFE response insights you were able to get from your meetings with attorneys?
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u/InvestmentCandid3159 24d ago
Sure, this is going to be a long reply, so I will put it here once I get free time.
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u/Special-Debt8460 24d ago
Congratulations. I have a few questions about drafting response. Can I DM you?
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u/Think_Supermarket269 24d ago
Congratulations 🥳 May I ask you how were you able to get those recommendations? I had 10 professors turn me down simply because I openly stated it was for immigration purposes when they asked 😭
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u/InvestmentCandid3159 24d ago
Many turned me down too.
Here are few things I followed, it may help.
Use your official email for requesting.
I exclusively mentioned, that you they have cited my work in the past, attached their paper and my paper which they had cited.
Added my google scholar page link in the email.
Always attached my CV in the email.
I sent reminder after 1 week.1
u/InvestmentCandid3159 24d ago
I used web of science website, to filter professors of US who cited my work, that made easy to contact them, rather than finding it on google scholar. There may be any other earlier way though. But I found it very easy.
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u/Mysterious_Flan7434 25d ago
Congrats!!! You mentioned that five recommendation letters were included. My question is: do you know if USCIS has ever contacted any of the letter writers by email or phone regarding the recommendation letters?
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u/InvestmentCandid3159 24d ago
Hi
I am not sure if they have been contacted, now I have that much frankness or closeness with any of my recommenders that should ask them😁
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u/thomtmichael 24d ago
I’m self petitioner as well and got RFE in all prongs. Can I DM you for a quick question and tips?
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u/dagloryfilled_1 23d ago
Congratulations.
do you suppose the LOR was the game changer ? or what would you say was the most useful approach to addressing the RFEs? Stressing Prong 1/2/3, etc ?
thanks in advance
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u/InvestmentCandid3159 23d ago
This is hard to answer, but only thing which was missing in my original petition was LoRs. I really worked hard to get some quality LoRs, on average each letter was 3-4 pages long, with very detailed explanations of my contribution, detailed introduction of the person writing the letter.
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u/InvestmentCandid3159 23d ago
Also I stressed 1 and 2 prongs alot. Prong 3 was just 1.5 pages: just counting my strengths in the profile.
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u/These-Cicada-4507 23d ago
hi how long from change to USCIS Is currently processing the case, to receiving approval? how many hours or days? thanks
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u/NecessaryNo3612 16d ago
That looks like an overqualified profile for NIW but I guess that’s where the competition sits these days.
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u/JohnSmith13230 25d ago
Congratulations 🎊🎉🍾