US Rejecting Scholar Visas Also? Bad Times Now?

Entering the United States with a valid visa has become an increasingly tough task now, and things are looking particularly detrimental for this caller and academic communities as well.

Reportedly, a senior researcher working at a reputed Indian national laboratory has faced a major setback after the United States immigration authorities rejected their EB2 National Interest Waiver petition in 2025.

This came shortly after the same applicant’s EB1B petition was also denied, despite the researcher having strong academic credentials, over 140 citations and years of experience in a critical scientific field.

The denial has triggered controversy, with the applicant openly criticising the law firm that handled the case. According to the researcher, the legal team submitted a generic and poorly tailored response to the Request for Evidence, failing to highlight the unique national importance and real world impact of the work.

Immigration experts warn that standard template responses are increasingly risky as USCIS now expects highly customised arguments supported by precise evidence.

Officials reportedly acknowledged the applicant’s potential but concluded that the work did not meet the high threshold required to qualify as being in the national interest of the United States. The fact that the research falls under a sensitive domain such as nuclear engineering may have resulted in stricter scrutiny.

Legal experts advise applicants facing similar rejections to carefully analyse denial notices and consider refiling with a stronger, more focused legal strategy rather than appealing immediately.