EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) Case Study: Colombian Nurse Approved to Expand Specialized Wound Care in Rural America Colombia NurseColombo & Hurd successfully secured approval of an EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) petition for a Colombian nurse specializing in advanced wound and ostomy care, following a detailed response to a Request for Evidence (RFE). The case required demonstrating that her nursing education initiative, focused on expanding specialized wound care training in rural and underserved U.S. communities, met the national importance standard and that she was well positioned to carry it forward. In the United States, patient recovery after high-risk surgery depends heavily on skilled nursing professionals trained to manage complex wounds, prevent infections, and respond to complications. In specialized areas such as wound and ostomy care, qualified nurses play a direct role in improving patient outcomes and reducing avoidable hospitalizations. At the same time, the United States faces a growing shortage of registered nurses. Federal workforce projections estimate a deficit of more than 60,000 full-time registered nurses by 2030, with nearly 190,000 additional openings each year due to retirements and workforce exits. Expanding access to advanced nursing education, particularly in rural healthcare settings, has become increasingly critical to maintaining care standards nationwide. Here’s how RFE Director and Immigration Attorney Roshn Vazhel structured the response to overcome the RFE and demonstrate that the client’s nursing education initiative satisfied the EB-2 NIW national importance standard. Evaluate my Profile Client ProfileA Decade of Leadership in Nursing and Wound Management EB-2 NIW VisaFor more than 10 years, our client has worked in clinical nursing with a focus on wound and ostomy care. She has developed advanced skills in patient management and evidence-based treatment strategies. Over this time, she has treated severe and complex wounds in both hospital and long-term care settings, gaining hands-on experience in wound assessment, infection management, debridement techniques, and dressing selection. In addition to her clinical work, she has trained and mentored junior nurses, while coordinating patient care in high-stakes environments. She has also collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to optimize treatment protocols and reduce complications, helping ensure better patient outcomes and strengthening the quality of care across the facilities where she works. The Challenge Demonstrating Impact Beyond a Single Position United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a Request for Evidence (RFE) questioning whether her initiative satisfied the national importance standard and whether she was well positioned to carry it forward. In its initial review, USCIS evaluated the project within the framework of a traditional clinical role rather than as a broader nursing education program. USCIS requested additional clarification on how the proposed nursing education initiative would extend beyond a single clinical role and produce broader impact across the U.S. healthcare system. Strategic Response Addressing National Importance and Readiness Attorney Vazhel structured the response to address the officer’s concerns under the EB-2 NIW framework, focusing on clarifying the scope, impact, and feasibility of the proposed nursing education program. The response also ensured that the proposed endeavor was clearly aligned with documented nursing shortages and workforce data. The response provided a more detailed explanation of how the initiative would operate, including its training model, subject-matter focus, and intended reach in rural and underserved communities. As Attorney Vazhel explained, “The response focused on clarifying the true scope of the project and ensuring the officer had a complete understanding of its broader purpose.” The submission emphasized that the petition was not about filling one clinical role, but about strengthening healthcare infrastructure through specialized training and scalable implementation. The response also highlighted the petitioner’s qualifications and readiness to advance the program. The client secured a letter of interest from a U.S. healthcare entity, supporting the practical viability of the initiative. She also obtained an independent letter from an economist explaining how expanded wound care training could reduce healthcare costs and improve workforce efficiency. From Attorney Vazhel’s perspective, “For healthcare-based NIW cases, the public health benefit alone is often sufficient to demonstrate national importance. However, when you can supplement that with objective economic analysis, it only strengthens the record.” See If you QualifyGet your free EB-2 NIW visa profile evaluation today. Evaluate my Profile The Result EB-2 NIW Petition Approved After RFE Review USCIS approved the EB-2 National Interest Waiver petition following review of the RFE response. The response clarified that the program addressed documented shortages in specialized wound care, especially in rural healthcare settings. What the Approval Enables With the I-140 approval secured, the petitioner is now positioned to launch her advanced nursing training initiative in the United States. Her work will focus on developing and delivering specialized education in wound care and infection management, areas where gaps in expertise directly affect patient recovery and healthcare costs. The program is designed to elevate care quality across facilities, particularly in underserved regions, while promoting stronger clinical standards and more consistent treatment protocols. Backed by documented U.S. interest, she has support to implement a scalable model designed to strengthen healthcare delivery systems. Case Overview Category Details Visa Classification EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) Nationality Colombian Professional Field Nursing and Wound Treatment Education Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Request for Evidence (RFE) Yes RFE Response Attorney Roshn Vazhel Premium Processing No Final Outcome EB-2 NIW I-140 Approved Attorney Perspective Roshn VazhelRFE Department DirectorRead More “This case shows that well-documented projects addressing concrete national challenges continue to receive approval. Applicants don’t need to claim they will transform the entire U.S. healthcare system. The key is demonstrating how your work solves a real problem at scale. When the record clearly connects the endeavor to national priorities, reasonable adjudicators will recognize its importance.” Related Resources EB-2 NIW Processing Time (2026): Realistic Timeline & How to Avoid Delays EB-2 NIW Visa: Complete Guide For 2026 Publications For EB-2 NIW: Are They Required? This case was handled by the RFE Department Director and Immigration Attorney Roshn Vazhel 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.