Hi everyone,

I am a Clinical Laboratory Scientist currently working in the United States on H-1B status, and I am looking for advice regarding whether pursuing an EB-2 NIW would be a viable option compared to continuing with my employer-sponsored EB-3 process.

My Background

• Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science (Philippines)
• Working in laboratory medicine since 2018
• Currently a Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist at a large nonprofit hospital system in the United States (2+ years)
• Dual Master's Candidate:
  • MBA (Master of Business Administration)
  • MHA (Master of Healthcare Administration)
  • Expected graduation: Summer/Fall 2027

Professional Experience

Prior to moving to the United States, I served as a Chief Medical Technologist and helped establish a newly opened 300-bed hospital laboratory. My responsibilities included:

• Laboratory startup and operations
• Instrument evaluation and validation
• Staff recruitment and training
• Policy and procedure implementation
• Quality management oversight

I also specialized in Microbiology and helped establish a microbiology laboratory that was the first in our region to offer fungal culture testing.

In addition, I worked as a college professor and clinical instructor for Medical Technology students from 2019 to 2024.

Current Clinical Experience

• Lead Clinical Laboratory Scientist in a large nonprofit hospital system
• Trained and working across:
  • 2 major hospitals
  • 4 emergency department laboratories

Licenses and Certifications

• MLS(ASCPi)CM
• New York Clinical Laboratory Technologist License
• Florida Clinical Laboratory Technologist License

One potential weakness in my profile is that I do not have:

• Peer-reviewed publications
• Research papers
• Citations
• Patents
• Conference presentations

Most of my experience has been focused on laboratory operations, leadership, workforce development, education, quality improvement, and expanding laboratory services rather than research.

Current Immigration Situation

My employer has offered to sponsor me through EB-3.

The hospital will cover the labor certification process, while I would be responsible for certain immigration-related costs (attorney fees, filing fees, etc.).

However, the process is still in the information-gathering stage, and PERM has not yet been filed. I was told I should expect an update in approximately 8 months.

My Questions

1. Based on my profile, do I appear to be a realistic candidate for EB-2 NIW despite having no publications or research background?
2. Has anyone in laboratory medicine, healthcare administration, or healthcare leadership successfully obtained an EB-2 NIW with a profile similar to mine?
3. What aspects of my profile would be considered strongest for an NIW case?
4. What evidence should I focus on developing over the next 1–2 years?
5. Since my employer-sponsored EB-3 process has not yet reached the PERM filing stage, would it make sense to pursue EB-2 NIW simultaneously?

I appreciate any feedback and recommendations.

Thank you!