EB-2 NIW Green Card Case Study: Approval for Construction Engineer from Chile Chile Construction EngineerColombo & Hurd secured an EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) green card for a construction engineer from Chile focused on sustainable building materials. USCIS approved the EB-2 NIW petition in approximately three months without a Request for Evidence. After the Adjustment of Status (AOS) process, the client and his family received their green cards and are now permanent residents of the United States. Construction projects generate large amounts of waste, and rising material costs make housing and infrastructure harder to build. Materials made from recycled plastics and wood offer an alternative for certain construction applications, helping builders make more efficient use of resources while potentially reducing waste and dependence on conventional materials. The client has managed large residential projects and applied sustainable building practices on site for more than 18 years. His background in project management, material selection, and implementing new construction methods gives him practical knowledge of how builders can adopt alternative materials. He plans to apply that experience to support the use of recycled plastic and wood composite materials across the U.S. construction sector. After his EB-2 NIW petition was approved, Attorney Michelle Villagran guided the client through the AOS process that led to his green card. Evaluate My Profile Client ProfileA Construction Engineer Focused on Sustainable BuildingEB-2 NIW VisaThe client holds a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering and has held a professional license in his profession since 2018. Throughout his career, he has held management roles at several construction companies, where he was responsible for projects from planning through delivery. His degree and extensive experience in construction engineering made him eligible for the EB-2 category. His projects have included residential and corporate buildings, industrial facilities, retail developments, and geotechnical works. As a contract manager, he led geotechnical and civil construction in a high-altitude salt flat, where the terrain demanded careful, environmentally responsible techniques. He has also overseen structural and finishing work, site supervision, and on-site teams. One of his largest projects was a 15-floor residential building covering 30,000 square meters, where he oversaw construction using sustainable methods and materials. Across these roles, the client introduced specialized planning and scheduling software to keep projects on schedule and set up quality management systems to improve how teams work. This experience gave him firsthand knowledge of the challenges construction companies face when managing costs, evaluating materials, and introducing new practices. He plans to apply that knowledge in the United States by helping builders incorporate recycled plastic and wood composite materials into construction projects. The Challenge Showing National Importance Beyond a Single Construction Site The client’s experience was built on construction sites, managing teams, schedules, and quality on specific projects. The petition needed to show how that experience supports a goal of national scope: wider use of materials made from plastics and recycled wood across the U.S. construction industry. That meant connecting his day-to-day work in sustainable building to the potential benefits of alternative construction materials, including more efficient resource use, reduced construction waste, and greater flexibility in material selection. The petition also needed to show that he has the track record to carry this work forward in the United States. That requirement called for clear evidence of his experience delivering large projects, his use of sustainable methods, and the real demand in the industry for the materials he plans to support. Strategic Approach Connecting Sustainable Construction Experience to National Priorities The EB-2 NIW petition showed how the client’s proposed work could help address challenges facing the U.S. construction industry, including material costs, resource efficiency, and construction waste. Industry research and supporting evidence documented these challenges and explained how recycled plastic and wood composite materials could provide practical alternatives for certain building applications. The legal team also highlighted how the client’s extensive construction management experience could help builders incorporate these materials into their projects. To show that the client is equipped to advance this work, the petition documented his degree, professional license, and research on sustainable solutions for social housing. Letters from construction engineers and project managers who worked with him provided evidence of his professional impact. They described how he managed multiple projects, improved scheduling and resource allocation, and introduced planning tools and quality management systems. These examples helped establish his ability to implement new practices across complex construction projects. A letter of interest from a manager at a construction company provided an important connection between the client’s proposed endeavor and industry demand. The company expressed interest in working with the client on the proposed endeavor, recognized the value of recycled materials for the sector, and pointed to their potential for economic growth. The record showed a clear plan, the skills to deliver it, and a company ready to work with him. The Result EB-2 NIW Approved in Three Months, Green Card Granted USCIS approved the EB-2 NIW petition, without a Request for Evidence. The client had been living in the United States on a student visa for about four years when his petition was approved, so he was able to apply for his green card from inside the country. Attorney Michelle Villagran guided the client, together with his wife and three children,through the Adjustment of Status process, which resulted in his green card and U.S. permanent residency. As a permanent resident, the client can now work directly with U.S. builders and manufacturers to bring these recycled materials into everyday use. Case Overview Category Details Visa Classification EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) Nationality Chile Professional Field Construction Engineering Education Bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering Request for Evidence (RFE) No Attorney Attorney Michelle Villagran (AOS) Final Outcome Green card approved (lawful permanent residency granted) Green Card Approval Date August 8, 2026 EB-2 NIW Processing Time (2026): Realistic Timeline & How to Avoid Delays Read More In Depth Look at the First Prong of Dhanasar: Substantial Merit and National Importance Read More In Depth Look at the Second Prong of Dhanasar: Well Positioned to Advance the Endeavor Read More In Depth Look at the Third Prong of Dhanasar: Beneficial to the United States Read More This case was handled by Colombo & Hurd, a U.S. immigration law firm specializing in employment-based visas including EB-2 NIW and EB-1A petitions, with Attorney Michelle Villagran leading the Adjustment of Status process. 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.