EB-2 NIW Case Study: Bachelor’s Degree Quality Systems Professional from Argentina Secures Approval, No RFE

Argentina

Quality Systems Engineer

As companies scale, some reach a point where growth begins to expose structural weaknesses. When operations expand faster than internal systems, gaps can emerge in training, consistency, and quality control. This challenge is especially common among medium-sized U.S. businesses that lack the internal resources to modernize their quality management frameworks. In this EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) case, our client proposed to address that gap by helping U.S. companies strengthen operational performance through ISO 9001 quality management systems and targeted training programs.  

Under the guidance of Colombo & Hurd Senior Attorney Nicolas Vargas, his petition achieved approval without a Request for Evidence (RFE). Our client’s successful EB-2 NIW petition demonstrates that this immigrant classification is not limited to master’s or Ph.D. degree holders. With our team’s careful planning, strategic documentation, and expertise in immigration laws and policies, we can help professionals with a bachelor’s degree plus at least five years of progressive experience achieve EB-2 NIW approval. Strategic positioning, documented impact, and genuine market demand can outweigh traditional credential requirements in EB-2 NIW petitions.   

EB-2 NIW Approval for Argentinian Professional
Client Profile

Built for Precision: A 30-Year Quality Systems Career

With 30 years of experience in quality systems engineering, our client has spent his career helping businesses run with greater control and reliability. Through ISO 9001 implementation, internal audits, and training programs, he has delivered measurable improvements across high-stakes industries. His background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, combined with decades of applied quality systems to work across complex operational settings.  

Over the course of his career, he earned internationally recognized credentials, including certification as an ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, and later revalidated his qualification under the ISO 9001:2015 standard. These qualifications, maintained alongside extensive hands-on experience, supported the petition’s argument that he remained well positioned to apply current quality management standards and advance his proposed endeavor in the United States. 

The Challenge

Proving National Importance Through Business Impact

The central challenge in this EB-2 NIW petition was demonstrating that the client’s proposed work to advance ISO 9001 adoption and quality management systems served the national interest of the United States, rather than providing benefits limited to individual companies. The petition also needed to establish how our client stayed positioned in a field shaped by evolving standards and continuous industry updates. Attorney Vargas emphasized the importance of demonstrating sustained professional preparation: “This wasn’t a case where the client picked up a few certifications just to file the petition. He had been earning and maintaining them throughout his career.  

Rather than centering the case on formal academic credentials, the petition focused on how business impact, real U.S. demand, and long-term professional readiness can independently satisfy EB-2 NIW requirements.  

Strategic Response

Building a Strong Case Around Letters of Interest

Attorney Vargas’ central objective was to connect the client’s proposed work to measurable business value for medium-sized U.S. companies and support it with real indicators of demand. To reinforce the national importance argument, the petition anchored the case in U.S.-based interest from organizations that wanted to work with the petitioner. Attorney Vargas also highlighted this as the defining strength of the filing: “He was very successful at getting a lot of letters of interest.”Those letters helped demonstrate that the proposed work is relevant to the U.S. market and that businesses recognized the petitioner’s value in improving operational systems. 

Additionally, our client demonstrated continuous professional development across many years, supporting the argument that he remained current in ISO standards and quality systems. Attorney Vargas explained that the client’s consistent engagement with evolving industry standards demonstrated sustained, career-long preparation, which directly strengthened the well-positioned prong of the EB-2 NIW analysis. The petition emphasized professional merit, documented outcomes, and market relevance, which are key factors that USCIS evaluates regardless of degree level.  

The Result

EB-2 NIW Approved Without an RFE

USCIS approved the EB-2 NIW petition, confirming that his proposed work satisfied all three prongs underthe Matter of Dhanasar with no RFE, reflecting how the petition presented national importance and our client’s long-term professional qualifications. Attorney Vargas summarized the significance of the outcome:“No RFE, no master’s degree… this case shows that it can be possible.” This success story shows that our expert immigration attorneys are adept in guiding bachelor’s degree holders through the EB-2 NIW process, demonstrating that a graduate degree is not a requirement for success. 

Why This Case Succeeded

Four Reasons why USCIS Approved this EB-2 NIW Petition

Documented U.S. demand: Multiple U.S. Letters of Interest from real businesses and professionals across sectors, showing they wanted his ISO 9001 and training support. 

Clear national importance angle: The petition tied ISO 9001 implementation to strengthening medium-sized U.S. businesses, improving operational efficiency, competitiveness, and economic stability, supported by government-aligned evidence (Commerce/Department of Defense/NASA). 

Exceptionally strong “well-positioned” record: 30 years of hands-on quality systems work across industries, repeated ISO 9001 implementations and audits, and continuous certifications from early career through ISO 9001:2015 Lead Auditor revalidation in 2022. 

 Strong EB-2 qualification through experience and strategy: A bachelor’s degree combined with extensive progressive experience and expert legal framing resulted in approval in 23 months with no RFE. 

What this Approval Enables

Opening the Door for U.S. Business Impact

This EB-2 NIW approval enables the petitioner to pursue his proposed endeavor in the United States and provide ISO 9001 quality management system implementation and training support to medium-sized businesses seeking stronger operational structure and performance. It allows him to collaborate directly with U.S. organizations that have already expressed interest in his services, helping them strengthen internal systems, improve consistency, and support long-term growth through internationally recognized quality standards. 

Case Overview
Category  Details 
Visa Classification  EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) 
Nationality  Argentina 
Professional Field  Quality Systems Engineering (ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems and Training Programs) 
Education  Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (U.S. equivalent) 
Request for Evidence (RFE)  No 
Final Outcome  Approved 
I-140 Timeline  23 months 
Lead Attorneys  Nicolas Vargas. 
Attorney Perspective

Nicolas Vargas

Senior Attorney

The letters of interest made the case stronger because they showed real demand and made the endeavor easy to understand from a business standpoint. 

Related Resources

How Supporting Small And Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Can Strengthen Your EB-2 NIW Case  

EB-2 NIW Processing Time (2025): Realistic Timeline & How To Avoid Delays 

EB-2 NIW Visa: Complete Guide For 2026 

This case was handled by Attorney Nicolas Vargas of Colombo & Hurd, a U.S. immigration law firm focused on extraordinary ability and national interest cases. The firm has secured over 10,000 successful visa and green card approvals for clients from more than 100 countries, including 2,500+ EB-2 NIW and EB-1A approvals since 2023.