✅ EB-1A: approval
The author’s friend received EB-1A approval on the third attempt without an RFE, having rebuilt the case himself.
Case parameters
Filing: 3rd attempt, premium processing
Decision: 14th business day
Service center: Nebraska
Criteria claimed: 4
Attorney: No, self-filed
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✓Scientific publications
6 scientific publications
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✓Media
5 media mentions
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✓Critical role
Confirmed by letters from scientists
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✓Judging
Participation in conferences and exhibitions
How it went
Posting for the record: on the 3rd try my friend received approval (no RFE) 
he just got the notice on the 14th business day from Nebraska (and of course with premium processing); he’s a nuclear physicist in Russia. He filed the first time with Mr. Sh — denial; the second time with another attorney, initially an RFE, they responded, then a NOID (they didn’t respond), and for the third filing they decided to do it themselves and properly rebuild everything, because I didn’t understand what had been submitted for him those two times — he really has that kind of job at such an important facility (so the critical role and contribution were already there), but for some reason they submitted: associations (of the junior filing employee “Romashka (Ромашка)” type), for critical role they attached 18 letters from all institute staff, almost from the janitor, 2 scientific papers and 2 media mentions were credited to him in those filings and that was it. They completely rebuilt everything, got recommendation letters from top scientists around the world (since through exchanges between institutes they all know each other). In the end (6 scientific papers filed, 5 media mentions, critical role, judging) the final metrics also included his patents and participation in conferences and exhibitions (since it wasn’t enough for a full contribution criterion — for example, proving dissemination of the patents was very difficult), so they filed under 4 criteria; the case came to 800 pages. Thanks to Egor for the consultation and to the chat for the help
of course he still faces administrative processing (AP) ahead, since he’s on the TAL list, but at least he got approval.
Main insight
“It’s important to thoroughly rebuild the case if previous filings were unsuccessful, and to involve respected experts for recommendation letters.”
Kate Degtiareva (@Katty_travel)
2026-03-19
EB-1A visa approval received
Author of the story
Kate Degtiareva (@Katty_travel), from the chat @talentvisahelp. Original message in the chat.
Useful on the topic
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