The EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) is a unique visa category that allows highly skilled professionals—those with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities—to self-petition for a green card. By waiving the standard requirements of a job offer and labor certification, it is designed for individuals whose work in the United States provides a substantial benefit to the nation.
The EB-2 NIW offers a streamlined path to a U.S. Green Card through several key advantages:
Self-Sponsorship: No U.S. job offer or lengthy labor certification is required.
Career Freedom: You have the flexibility to change jobs or start your own business within your approved field of work.
Direct Permanent Residency: It provides a direct route to a Green Card for you, your spouse, and your children under 21.
Broad Eligibility: It is accessible to a wide range of professionals in science, business, arts, and more who can demonstrate that their work benefits the United States.
Eligibility for the EB-2 National Interest Waiver requires meeting both the standard EB-2 visa criteria and the three specific prongs established for the national interest waiver itself.
To hold a master's or doctoral degree (or foreign equivalent), or a bachelor's degree plus five years of progressive experience in your field of specialization.
To demonstrate exceptional skills in science, arts, or business, meaning a degree of expertise significantly above what is commonly found in your field.
Your field of expertise and work proposal must have substantial merit and national importance. This means your work must have the potential to positively impact the U.S. on a broad scale (not just locally).
You must demonstrate that you are well-positioned to advance your proposal. This involves analyzing factors such as your education, skills, track record of achievements, future plans, and progress toward your goal.
You must demonstrate that it is in the national interest to waive the job offer and labor certification requirements. This is assessed by showing that the benefit of your contribution outweighs the need to protect the American labor market through the PERM process.
The EB-2 NIW visa is applicable to a wide range of professionals. Some of the most common fields include:
Researchers, scientists, academics, biotechnologists, pharmacists.
Software engineers, AI specialists, data scientists, and developers of new technologies.
Doctors, surgeons, medical researchers, specialized nurses, public health professionals.
Experts in clean energy, sustainability, and environmental engineering.
University professors, educators with significant contributions, researchers in various disciplines.
Innovative entrepreneurs, executives with significant impact, financial analysts with relevant projects.
At Vollaris Group Consulting, we offer comprehensive support for your EB-2 NIW application process, from initial assessment to final approval.
In-depth analysis of your academic and professional profile to determine if you meet the EB-2 requirements and if your national interest waiver is feasible. We develop the best strategy for your case.
We guide you in gathering all the necessary evidence to prove your exceptional abilities and national interest, including letters of recommendation, publications, awards, etc.
We meticulously prepare your I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker) petition with solid legal arguments demonstrating the substantial merit and national interest of your work.
We have submitted your petition to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and are actively monitoring the status of your case, responding to any requests for additional evidence (RFEs).
After I-140 approval, we assist with the adjustment of status process (if you are already in the U.S.) or consular processing (if you are outside the U.S.) to obtain your Green Card.
Find out if you qualify for the EB-2 NIW visa with our free assessment.