TurboNIW Wiki

Your comprehensive guide to understanding TurboNIW, our story, services, and how we help researchers achieve their immigration goals.

Table of Contents

Our Story: From International Students to Your Immigration Partners

We are PhD graduates, consultants, and former international students who understand your journey because we've lived it ourselves.

The Beginning

We Were You

Our founders are PhD graduates from recent years, now working at top consulting firms and technology companies. Our backgrounds span diverse fields:

  • Privacy and data protection
  • Machine learning and artificial intelligence
  • Engineering and computer science
  • Materials science
  • Information systems
  • Bioscience and life sciences
  • Finance and quantitative analysis

But before we reached where we are today, we were all international students, just like you. We came to the United States with dreams: to advance our research, contribute to our fields, and build our careers. We understood the value of hard work, the importance of our contributions, and the potential impact of our research.

We also understood the financial reality of being a PhD student or early-career researcher. We lived on graduate student stipends, making ends meet while trying to build our careers. We saved every dollar for the future, knowing that opportunities like permanent residency required significant financial investment.

The Dilemma

The Attorney Fee Problem

When we started considering the National Interest Waiver (NIW) pathway, we discovered a frustrating reality: professional immigration attorneys charge $5,000 to $15,000 for NIW application assistance.

For someone earning a PhD student salary or early-career researcher income, these fees represent months, sometimes years, of savings. Yet, the complexity of the NIW application process makes professional help almost essential. The forms are intricate. The petition letter requires careful legal argumentation. One mistake could mean delays, requests for evidence (RFEs), or even denial.

We planned to apply for NIW for a long time, but we didn't know where to start. The process seemed overwhelming. The costs seemed insurmountable. We kept putting it off, thinking "maybe next year when I have more savings" or "maybe when I get a better job."

"I've been planning to apply for NIW for two years, but I just don't know where to start, and I can't afford an attorney."

A sentiment we heard countless times from friends, colleagues, and on social media

Late 2024

The Decision to Act

Near the end of 2024, we realized we weren't alone in this struggle. Countless researchers and professionals face the same dilemma: they need help, but they can't afford traditional legal services. We heard this story repeated in conversations with friends, in online forums, and in social media groups, from researchers who were qualified for NIW but couldn't access the professional help they needed.

We decided to create a solution. Drawing on our diverse backgrounds, our PhD training, our experience in consulting, our understanding of technical documentation, and our knowledge of research impact evaluation, we built TurboNIW. We combined our expertise with a streamlined process that makes professional assistance accessible at a fraction of traditional costs.

We started with a simple Google survey-based system, testing our approach and refining our process. We knew we were onto something when we saw how much time and stress we could save for researchers who needed help.

Early 2025

Our First Success: Qin's Story

In early 2025, we launched our formal service and got our first client: Qin, a PhD student working on Natural Language Processing (NLP) and explainable NLP.

Qin's situation was exactly what we had designed TurboNIW to address:

  • She was busy with her PhD studies and research
  • She didn't know where to start with the NIW application
  • She wanted a professional draft quickly so she could focus on her research
  • She had an impressive publication record and citations, but only held a Master's degree at the time

We helped Qin fill out all the required forms and drafted a comprehensive petition letter that highlighted her research contributions, publications, and citations. We worked efficiently, understanding her time constraints and the importance of getting her application materials ready.

We completed her entire case within one month.

Qin's success validated our approach. It showed us that we could deliver professional-quality assistance at an affordable price, helping researchers who needed it most. Her story became our proof of concept: that TurboNIW could make a real difference in people's lives.

Today

Building for the Future

Since Qin's case, we've been continuously improving our service. We evolved from a Google survey-based system to the comprehensive website you see today. We've refined our processes, expanded our capabilities, and built a platform that makes the NIW application process accessible to more researchers.

But our core mission remains the same: to help researchers and professionals who contribute to America's scientific and technological advancement access the immigration pathway designed for them, without the financial barriers that have traditionally excluded so many qualified individuals.

We've been where you are. We understand the financial constraints, the time pressures, the uncertainty, and the stress. We built TurboNIW to be the solution we wish had existed when we needed it. And we're here to make your journey easier.

The Problem We're Solving

Every year, thousands of highly qualified researchers, PhD holders, and professionals across all STEM fields face a critical dilemma: they need professional help with their NIW (National Interest Waiver) application, but they simply cannot afford it.

The Reality: Traditional immigration attorneys charge $5,000 to $15,000 for NIW application assistance. For someone earning a graduate student stipend or early-career researcher salary, these fees represent months, sometimes years, of savings.

The Hidden Costs of Going It Alone

Many researchers attempt to navigate the NIW process independently, believing it will save money. However, the hidden costs are significant:

Why This Matters

The National Interest Waiver exists specifically to recognize and retain talented individuals whose work benefits the United States. Yet, the very people this pathway is designed to help, researchers and professionals who are often early in their careers, are systematically excluded by financial barriers.

This isn't just a personal problem; it's a systemic issue that affects America's ability to attract and retain top talent. When qualified individuals cannot access the immigration pathways designed for them, everyone loses: the individuals, their institutions, and the country that benefits from their contributions.

Our Approach & Methodology

TurboNIW was built on a fundamental insight: the NIW application process, while complex, follows predictable patterns. By combining domain expertise, structured processes, and technology, we can deliver professional-quality assistance at a fraction of traditional costs.

How We're Different

1. Specialized Focus, Not General Practice

Unlike general immigration attorneys who handle everything from family visas to employment-based petitions, we focus exclusively on NIW applications across all STEM fields. This specialization allows us to:

  • Develop deep expertise in the specific requirements and precedents relevant to STEM fields
  • Understand the technical nature of research contributions, publications, and citations across scientific disciplines
  • Stay current with policy changes and adjudication trends in NIW cases
  • Build processes and methodologies optimized specifically for STEM NIW applications across all scientific and technical fields

2. Understanding What USCIS Requires

We've studied USCIS requirements, successful applications, and legal precedents to understand exactly what immigration officers look for. Our process ensures your application addresses all requirements:

  • Comprehensive Information Gathering: Our two-part survey system ensures we capture all necessary information about your background, research, and contributions
  • Clear Evidence Presentation: We know what USCIS asks for: specific evidence of your qualifications, impact, and national importance. We help you present your evidence clearly and persuasively
  • Customized for Each Individual: Every application is tailored to your specific research, publications, citations, and contributions. We don't use generic templates. Instead, we craft arguments specific to your case
  • USCIS Standards Compliance: We follow USCIS formatting, organizational requirements, and documentation standards precisely, ensuring your application meets all technical requirements
  • Quality Control: Every application goes through multiple review stages to ensure completeness, accuracy, and effective presentation of your case

3. Technology-Enabled Efficiency

By leveraging technology and structured processes, we eliminate the inefficiencies that drive up costs in traditional legal services:

  • Automated form filling reduces manual data entry errors
  • Structured approach to petition letter drafting ensures we address all USCIS requirements while crafting arguments specific to each individual's case
  • Digital workflows enable faster turnaround times
  • Cloud-based collaboration allows for efficient review and revision

4. Transparent, Fair Pricing

We believe in transparent, upfront pricing with no hidden fees. Our services are priced based on the actual work required, not on what the market will bear. This means:

  • Clear pricing: $299 for form filling, $999 for comprehensive service
  • No hourly billing surprises
  • No additional fees for revisions or clarifications
  • What you see is what you pay

What We Provide

It's important to understand what TurboNIW offers:

Note: TurboNIW provides document preparation services. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice or representation. If you need legal counsel or have questions about your specific situation, we recommend consulting with an immigration attorney.

Our Mission & Values

Our Mission

To democratize access to professional NIW application assistance, making it affordable and accessible for every qualified researcher, PhD holder, and professional who contributes to America's scientific and technological advancement. We believe that financial constraints should never prevent talented individuals from pursuing their dreams and continuing their important work in the United States.

Our Vision

To become the trusted partner that empowers researchers and professionals to focus on what they do best, advancing knowledge and innovation, while we handle the complexities of immigration documentation. We envision a future where every qualified individual has access to high-quality, affordable immigration assistance.

Our Core Values

Accessibility

Making professional assistance affordable for those who need it most

Quality

Delivering professional-grade materials that meet USCIS standards

Empathy

Understanding your journey because we've walked the same path

Transparency

Clear communication, honest pricing, no hidden fees

Understanding the NIW Process

Before diving into what we offer, it's important to understand what the National Interest Waiver (NIW) actually is, how it works, and what makes a successful application.

What is the National Interest Waiver?

The NIW is a pathway to permanent residency (green card) under the EB-2 employment-based immigration category. What makes it unique is that it allows qualified individuals to:

The Three-Prong Test

To qualify for NIW, you must satisfy three requirements established by the Matter of Dhanasar precedent (2016):

Prong 1: Substantial Merit and National Importance

Your proposed endeavor (the work you plan to do in the U.S.) must have both:

  • Substantial Merit: Real value and significance in your field
  • National Importance: Implications beyond a single employer or region, even if the immediate impact is local

For researchers across all STEM fields, this typically means demonstrating how your work contributes to scientific advancement, technological innovation, addresses national challenges, or advances knowledge in your discipline.

Prong 2: Well-Positioned to Advance the Endeavor

You must demonstrate that you have the education, skills, knowledge, and record of success necessary to advance your proposed endeavor. This is typically shown through:

  • Advanced degrees (PhD, Master's, or equivalent)
  • Research publications and citations
  • Technical contributions and innovations
  • Recognition from peers and experts
  • Letters of recommendation from experts in your field

Prong 3: Beneficial to Waive Labor Certification

You must show that, on balance, it would be beneficial to the United States to waive the job offer and labor certification requirements. This involves demonstrating:

  • That your contributions are significant enough that the national interest would be served by your immediate admission
  • That requiring a labor certification would be impractical or contrary to the national interest

The Application Components

A complete NIW application consists of:

  1. Form I-140: The primary petition form with your personal information, education, and employment history
  2. Petition Letter: A comprehensive document (typically 20-40 pages) that argues how you meet the three prongs
  3. Supporting Documents: Publications, citations, recommendation letters, evidence of impact, etc.
  4. Additional Forms: Depending on your situation, you may need additional forms or documentation

The petition letter is often the most critical component, as it's where you make your case to USCIS. It must be well-written, well-organized, and persuasive, with clear arguments supported by evidence.

What We Offer

TurboNIW provides professional document preparation services for NIW applications. We offer two service levels, each designed to meet different needs and budgets.

Form Filling Service - $299

What it includes:

  • Complete preparation of Form I-140 and all required supporting forms
  • Accurate completion of every field according to USCIS requirements
  • Professional formatting and organization
  • Review for completeness and accuracy
  • Ready-to-file documents delivered via email

Who it's for: Researchers who are confident in their ability to draft a compelling petition letter but want professional assistance with the complex forms. This service is ideal if you have strong writing skills, a clear understanding of your research impact, and experience with technical documentation.

Timeline: 14-21 business days from survey completion and payment

Petition Letter Draft Service - $999

What it includes:

  • Everything in the Form Filling service, plus:
  • A professionally drafted, custom petition letter (typically 25-35 pages)
  • Structured arguments addressing all three prongs of the NIW test
  • Integration of your research contributions, publications, and impact
  • Professional organization in Overleaf format for easy review and editing
  • Citations and references properly formatted

Who it's for: Researchers who want comprehensive assistance with their entire application. This is our most popular service and is ideal if you want professional help with both the forms and the critical petition letter.

Timeline: 21-30 business days from survey completion and payment

Important Note: Both services include document preparation only. We do not provide legal advice, file your application with USCIS, or handle responses to requests for evidence (RFEs). You will receive your prepared documents, review them, and decide how to proceed: whether to file independently, consult with an attorney, or make revisions.

Why Trust TurboNIW

When you're making a decision that affects your future in the United States, you need to trust the people helping you. Here's why researchers and professionals choose TurboNIW:

Diverse Expertise Across All STEM Fields

Our team brings together PhD graduates and consultants with expertise across a wide range of STEM disciplines:

This diverse background means we understand research contributions, publications, citations, and impact across all STEM fields. Whether you're in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Bioscience, Mathematics, or any other scientific or technical discipline, we can help articulate the significance of your work and prepare your NIW application.

Real-World Experience

Our team members work at top consulting firms and technology companies. This means we understand:

This isn't theoretical knowledge. It's expertise gained from working in these fields, publishing research, and understanding what matters to both academic and industry stakeholders.

Proven Track Record

Since launching in early 2025, we've successfully helped researchers like Qin complete their NIW applications. Our process has been tested and refined:

Our methodology isn't guesswork. It's based on what actually works in NIW applications, validated by real success stories.

Personal Understanding

We've been where you are. Our founders and team members have:

This personal experience informs how we work with clients, with empathy, understanding, and a genuine commitment to your success. We know what it's like to be busy with research, to worry about costs, and to need professional help that's both affordable and reliable.

Transparency and Honesty

We believe in being upfront about:

We'd rather you understand exactly what you're getting than be surprised later. Honesty builds trust, and trust is essential when you're making decisions about your future.

Quality Commitment

Every application we prepare receives:

We understand that your future depends on the quality of these documents, and we treat them accordingly. Qin's success story wasn't luck. It was the result of careful, professional work that we're committed to delivering for every client.

Common Questions & Concerns

Is TurboNIW right for me?

TurboNIW is ideal if you:

  • Work in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) including but not limited to:
    • Engineering (all disciplines: Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Biomedical, etc.)
    • Computer Science and related fields (AI, Machine Learning, Data Science, Information Systems, etc.)
    • Physical Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, etc.)
    • Life Sciences (Biology, Biomedical Sciences, etc.)
    • Mathematics and Statistics
    • Other technical and scientific fields
  • Have an advanced degree (Master's, PhD, or equivalent) OR demonstrate exceptional ability in your field
  • Have research contributions such as publications, citations, patents, technical innovations, or other evidence of impact in your field
  • Need professional help but cannot afford traditional attorney fees ($5,000-$15,000)
  • Are comfortable with document preparation services and understand that you will review and file your own application

Our service works for researchers and professionals across all STEM disciplines who have made contributions to their fields, regardless of their specific degree or publication count. What matters is that you can demonstrate your qualifications and impact.

If you need ongoing legal counsel, representation, or have complex legal questions about your specific situation, you should consult with an immigration attorney.

How is this different from hiring an attorney?

The key differences are:

  • Scope: We focus exclusively on document preparation. Attorneys provide legal advice and representation.
  • Cost: Our services cost $299-$999. Attorney fees typically range from $5,000-$15,000.
  • Service Model: We deliver complete, ready-to-review documents in a project-based format. You review and file your application independently. Attorneys typically provide ongoing representation throughout the process.
  • Legal Representation: We provide document preparation services. Attorneys provide legal counsel, representation, and can handle all aspects of the process including responses to USCIS requests.

For straightforward NIW applications where you need professional document preparation, TurboNIW may be sufficient. Many researchers successfully file their applications using our prepared documents. If you need ongoing legal counsel, representation, or have complex legal questions, consulting with an immigration attorney may be beneficial.

What if USCIS requests additional evidence (RFE)?

If USCIS requests additional evidence after you file, you have several options:

  • Respond yourself: Many researchers successfully respond to RFEs on their own. RFEs typically ask for clarification or additional documentation, which you can often provide directly.
  • Consult with an attorney: If you prefer professional guidance, you can consult with an immigration attorney specifically for the RFE response.
  • Contact us: We may be able to help with document preparation for the response, though this would be a separate service. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.

It's important to understand that RFEs are common, and receiving one doesn't necessarily mean your application will be denied. Many successful applications receive RFEs, and responding appropriately often leads to approval.

Do you guarantee approval?

No. USCIS makes all final decisions, and no one can guarantee approval. What we do guarantee is:

  • Professional-quality document preparation
  • Compliance with USCIS requirements
  • Attention to detail and accuracy
  • Best practices based on successful applications

Your application's success depends on many factors beyond document quality, including your qualifications, the strength of your case, and USCIS adjudication trends.

What if I'm in a different STEM field?

TurboNIW works for researchers and professionals across all STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). Our service is designed to help anyone who:

  • Has made research contributions, publications, or technical innovations in their field
  • Can demonstrate the impact and significance of their work
  • Meets the basic EB-2 requirements (advanced degree or exceptional ability)

Our process and methodology work effectively for all STEM disciplines. We understand research contributions, publications, citations, and impact across scientific and technical fields, from Engineering and Computer Science to Biology and Bioscience, from Physics and Chemistry to Mathematics and Statistics.

If you're in a STEM field and have research contributions or technical work, TurboNIW can help you prepare your NIW application. Contact us if you'd like to discuss whether our service is right for your specific situation.

How long does document preparation take?

Once you complete the surveys and make payment:

  • Form Filling Service: 14-21 business days
  • Petition Letter Draft Service: 21-30 business days

These timelines may vary based on the complexity of your case and our current workload. We'll communicate any delays if they occur.

Is my information secure and confidential?

Yes. We take data security seriously:

  • Your information is stored securely using industry-standard practices
  • We only use your information to prepare your application materials
  • We do not share your information with third parties except as necessary to provide our services
  • You can request deletion of your data after your service is complete

Getting Started

If you've read this far, you're likely considering whether TurboNIW is right for you. Here's how to proceed:

Step 1: Assess Your Situation

Before starting, honestly assess:

Step 2: Understand What You're Getting

Make sure you understand:

Step 3: Choose Your Service Level

Decide which service fits your needs:

Step 4: Begin the Process

When you're ready:

  1. Create an account on our Account page
  2. Select your service package
  3. Complete the two comprehensive surveys (less than 1 hour total)
  4. Make payment
  5. We'll prepare your documents and deliver them within the stated timeline

Remember: There's no pressure. Take your time to understand the process, ask questions, and make sure TurboNIW is the right choice for you. If you have questions, reach out to us at contact@turboniw.com.

Ready to Get Started?

Take the first step toward your NIW application. Complete our surveys in less than an hour, and we'll handle the rest.

Create Account & Get Started