EB-2 NIW Case Study: Surgeon From Nigeria Approval in 6 Months and 21 Days, No RFE

Nigeria

Surgeon

Our client, a cardiothoracic surgeon from Nigeria, set out to redefine cardiovascular medicine using artificial intelligence (AI). Guided by Colombo & Hurd Senior Immigration Attorney Vivian Daher, the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) petition was approved without a Request for Evidence (RFE), recognizing the national importance of his plan to integrate AI into life-saving medical care across the United States. 

EB-2 NIW Approval for Surgeon from Nigeria
Client Profile

From the Operating Room to the Frontier of Medical Innovation

Our client is a Nigerian cardiothoracic surgeon, educator, and researcher with more than 15 years of experience saving lives and training the next generation of medical professionals. His journey started from humble beginnings in Nigerian hospitals and led him to assume leadership roles in advanced surgical centers abroad, all driven by a vision to improve how heart disease is diagnosed and treated. 

From long nights in operating theaters to pioneering emergency protocols that have saved countless trauma patients, his path has always been marked by dedication to human life. While serving as Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at a major hospital overseas, he began exploring how artificial intelligence could complement human judgment in cardiovascular medicine. He realized that technology could analyze patterns like predicting disease, guiding surgery, and personalizing treatment in ways that could transform patient outcomes. This realization shaped his proposed endeavor in the United States to integrate AI into cardiovascular medicine through collaboration with research institutions and hospitals nationwide.  

Alongside his surgical career, he has taught medical students and residents, co-authored research on AI and surgical innovation, and completed advanced training in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare. His goal is to bridge clinical expertise with technology to create a future where cardiac care is safer, faster, and more precise. 

The Challenge

Uniting Medicine and Technology in a Single Vision

When this case first reached Senior Attorney Vivian Daher, it presented a challenge of merging two fields into one. “The client had such a strong profile,” Attorney Daher stated. “But the challenge was translating what he wanted to do into something that truly reflected its broader impact. We had to define how his work with AI and cardiovascular medicine could benefit the United States as a whole.” 

Balancing two complex disciplines under the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) category was a unique opportunity. As Attorney Daher shared, “This was the very first case where I was able to combine both fields. We had not just a doctor in the STEM field of science, but also in technology. That made the case much stronger.”  

Strategic Response

Aligning Every Detail to Strengthen the Case

Attorney Daher built the case on a clear framework that showed both national reach and measurable health impact. “There is no one-size-fits-all strategy,” she said. “All elements of the case including evidence, statements, and documentation, must demonstrate consistency and strategic alignment to reinforce the petition’s credibility and clarity.”  

As an independent contractor, the client had wide influence across hospitals, research institutions, and medical collaborations. Attorney Daher identified specific U.S. partners such as academic centers, cardiology groups, and trauma programs, while encouraging letters of interest to prove early traction. Every element of the endeavor, from AI-driven diagnostics to risk prediction and patient monitoring, was anchored in real clinical applications, which made the science practical and credible. 

She also highlighted the feasibility and structure of the client’s endeavor. The filing included a detailed services and pricing plan, regulatory and ethical guidance, clinician training, and pilot milestones that showed how the work could sustain itself independently. Attorney Daher organized the record to align education, licensure, leadership experience, publications, and expert evaluations under one consistent narrative. She emphasized collaboration with the client to maintain accuracy and completeness. “When the initial filing is comprehensive and well-structured, it greatly reduces the likelihood of additional requests for evidence,” she explained. 

The Result

Approval to Integrate AI into Cardiovascular Medicine

The petition was approved under premium processing, validating the strength and clarity of the case from the very first review. With Attorney Daher and our legal team’s careful planning, our client’s vision to integrate AI into cardiovascular medicine was recognized as a matter of national importance. The petition was a complete narrative of purpose, skill, and measurable public benefit, leaving no gaps for uncertainty.  

“When we file a complete and well-organized case from the start, it speaks for itself,” she said. This success affirmed our client’s qualifications and demonstrated our team’s ability to merge science and strategy to deliver results. 

Why this Case Succeeded

Building Strong Connections through Evidence

This case succeeded because every exhibit, credential, and letter supported the same message: that the client’s work would directly advance U.S. healthcare through innovation in cardiovascular medicine. As Attorney Daher reiterated, “We make sure the endeavor, the evidence, and the impact are connected. That’s how a strong case wins.” 

Another decisive factor was strategy. By structuring the endeavor under an independent contractor model, Attorney Daher showed our client’s ability to impact multiple hospitals, research institutions, and patient populations across the country. The plan included tangible deliverables such as AI-driven diagnostics, clinical training programs, and ethical implementation frameworks, demonstrating both feasibility and reach. 

Finally, consistency made a difference. Education, licensing, leadership experience, and expert opinions were woven into one logical, evidence-based record.  

Case Overview
Category  Details 
Visa Classification  EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) 
Nationality  Nigeria 
Field  Cardiothoracic Surgery and Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare 
Education  Doctor of Medicine (U.S. Equivalent) 
Request for Evidence (RFE)  No 
Final Outcome  Approved 
I-140 Pending Timeline  6 months and 21 days 
Lead Attorney  Vivian Daher 

Related Resources

Breaking Barriers For Foreign Doctors: EB-2 NIW And State Licensing Reforms In 2025  

EB-2 NIW Visa: Complete Guide For 2025

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

Attorney Perspective

Vivian Daher

Senior Attorney

“This was the first time I combined medicine and technology in one case. It became a true STEM success. A doctor who saves lives, now using AI to make surgeries more precise. That’s the kind of story that moves the United States forward.” 

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This case was handled by Senior Attorney Vivian Daher of Colombo & Hurd, a U.S. immigration law firm specializing in employment-based green cards including EB-2 NIW and EB-1A petitions. The firm has secured over 10,000 successful visa and green card approvals for clients from more than 100 countries, including more than 2,500 approvals in EB-2 NIW and EB-1A categories since 2023.