EB-2 NIW Case Study: Brazilian Tech Expert Advancing Open Finance Innovation

One of the main challenges was connecting the client’s engineering education with his professional experience in finance and information technology. As attorney Vivian Daher explained, “his situation was a little tricky because he had a bachelor’s in engineering and his endeavor was focused on the financial aspect.” 

The client also expressed concern about not having letters of interest, which are often included in EB-2 NIW petitions. Attorney Daher explained that, given the strength of his documentation and the clarity of the case’s framework, the record would still present him as well positioned to advance his proposed endeavor. 

The most complex part of the case was presenting a clear, evidence-based narrative that demonstrated how his technical expertise and leadership would advance financial transparency and open banking innovation in the United States. Because the petition involved highly technical concepts, the legal team also needed to explain them in a way a USCIS officer could easily understand. 

Attorney Daher and her team developed a cohesive, evidence-based strategy that bridged the client’s engineering education with his professional achievements in finance and IT. 

The client’s proactive engagement was key to the case’s success. “He was highly responsive and committed to providing every document we needed,” Attorney Daher noted. The close collaboration allowed the team to include comprehensive employer attestations, certificates, and project documentation to demonstrate his authority and influence in open finance and data-sharing systems. 

The petition also tied his proposed work to U.S. initiatives, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s open banking efforts and the Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy. By framing his contributions within these national objectives, the team showed how his ongoing contributions align with national priorities in fintech innovation and data security. 

The petition was approved without a Request for Evidence (RFE) and without letters of interest, highlighting the petition’s strong evidentiary foundation and strategic legal framing. 

Vivian Daher reflected that the most rewarding part of the case was seeing how the team’s strategy came together. “It’s possible to build a cohesive narrative,” she said. “As long as the client cooperates and trusts the process, we can build a strong, solid case.” 

USCIS recognized that the client’s combination of technical expertise, financial consulting experience, and alignment with national priorities positioned him to make significant contributions to financial transparency, security, and competitiveness in the United States.